Naban (Burmese Wrestling)
နပန်းBurmese wrestling that Green classes among the branches of thaing and that is often part of other martial systems. Besides holds it includes palm and foot strikes.
Quick Facts
MyanmarCharacter & Origin
Training
Who It Suits
Organisation & Competition
What the style is built from
Editorial rating on a 0–3 scale, based on how much room each area gets in ordinary training.
About Naban (Burmese Wrestling)
Naban is a Burmese wrestling form. Green (2001) states that the Burmese wrestling called naban does not exist as a separate art but is part of other martial systems. Elsewhere he places it among the branches of thaing, the Burmese umbrella term for native martial systems, alongside bando, banshay and lethwei. According to Green, besides holds, locks, pressure points and chokes, naban also uses palm and foot strikes so that the opponent cannot continue fighting, and any part of the body may be attacked. In his account, grappling is most developed among the Chin and Kachin tribes and reportedly derives from Indian rather than Chinese wrestling. UNESCO ICM, the international centre for martial arts in Chungju, states that naban is building its own association but does not give its name.
History
Green states that grappling is most developed in Myanmar among the Chin and Kachin tribes, who are of Himalayan origin, and that it is said to derive from Indian rather than Chinese wrestling. UNESCO ICM refers to Green and to Crudelli (2010) and writes that Burmese wrestling is most likely related to Indian, not Chinese, wrestling.
How it differs
Green distinguishes lethwei, Burmese boxing with hand strikes, kicks, elbows and knees, from naban, Burmese wrestling. UNESCO ICM describes naban as a type of wrestling from Myanmar that is usually not practised on its own but is incorporated into other martial arts, and names grappling as its main technique.
Technique
Green writes that naban uses palm and foot strikes together with holds, locks, pressure points and chokes to control the opponent and make it impossible for him to continue fighting. According to him, any part of the body may be attacked and naban has no forbidden targets. According to Green, commentators consider naban practical because it stresses submission and the opponent's final surrender.
Competition
Green states that thaing matches traditionally allowed any strike or submission technique except biting, and some ended in death or permanent disability. The claim concerns thaing in general and naban is not named in it explicitly.
Today
Green states that two traditional styles of thaing survive in Myanmar, the Karen School of Seven Arts and the Mon School of Nine Arts, and that since the 90s tournaments and demonstrations are held regularly with government approval. He does not name naban here. UNESCO ICM writes that naban is building its own association.
Frequently asked questions
Is naban a separate martial art?
Green writes that the Burmese wrestling naban does not exist as a separate art but is part of other martial systems. UNESCO ICM states that it is building its own association.
What is the difference between naban and lethwei?
Green describes lethwei as Burmese boxing with strikes, kicks, elbows and knees and naban as Burmese wrestling.
Where does naban come from?
According to Green, grappling in Myanmar is most developed among the Chin and Kachin tribes of Himalayan origin and reportedly comes from Indian rather than Chinese wrestling.
Similar styles
Selected by overlap in the style profile, not by historical lineage.