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Tattooing in Burma was a widespread custom practiced by various ethnic groups, including the Bamar, Shan, and Karen, until the 20th century. Tattooing was a distinguishing cultural marker and a symbol of strength, courage and intimidation for Lethwei fighters. [1]
Among the Bamar, the custom of tattooing originates from the pyu (Tibeto-burman) people , that show pyu dancer with tattoo recorded by tang dynasty, nowadays China. [2]
The Arakanese people who are related to the Bamar did not practice tattooing. [3] Similarly, the Mon people did practice tattooing, but did not tattoo their thighs unlike the Bamar. [4]
However, with the onset of colonial rule in Burma, the practice of tattooing quickly became extinct, particularly in Burmese towns. [5] During the 1930s, tattooing saw a resurgence in popularity among rebels who participated in peasant and millennial uprisings. [6] Men tattooed themselves to provide immunity to bullets and knives. [6] The practice of tattoo is regaining popularity among Burmese youth. [7]
Burmese tattoo pigments traditionally used diluted red mercury sulphide and soot from an oil lamp. [8] For black pigments, the soot was mixed with the dried gallbladder of fish or cattle in powder form, boiled in water and simmered with the leaves of bitter melon. [8] A product was reduced to paste form and dried until usage. [8] A greenish tinge was produced by dabbing the pierced areas of the skin with leaves of Senna siamea or Brugmansia suaveolens . [8]
Tattooing was a painful procedure that could require extensive use of opium used as a painkiller. [9] A professional tattoo artist (မှင်ကြောင်ဆရာ or ကွင်းဆရာ) used a hnitkwasok, a long two-pronged brass or iron instrument with a 2 inches (51 mm) slit similar to a double-pointed pen, to pierce the skin. [3] [9] Completion of the tattoos took from 3 to 6 days. [9] Nearly all Bamar men were tattooed at boyhood (between the ages of 8 and 14), [9] from the waist to the knees. [10] The tattooed patterns were ornamented pastiches of arabesques and animals and legendary creatures, including cats, monkeys, chinthe, among others. [3] For the Bamar, tattooing of the waist, done with black pigment, was done before or soon after temporary ordination into monkhood, a major rite of passage for men. [3] Other parts of the body were tattooed with red pigments. [3] Among the Shan, blue or red pigments were especially popular, as were charms and cabalistic figures similar to yantra tattoos. [9] [11]
The Htoe Kwin, also known as "Lethwei leg tattoos", is part of the fighting culture of Myanmar. During times of war, men they would lift their longyis and expose their legs, displaying the tattoos and marking them as a fighter of renown. Throughout its history, Htoe Kwin tattooing (ထိုးကွင်း) was deeply rooted in Myanmar's Lethwei culture and masculine identity. [12] From kings to commoners, these tattoos were exemplars of masculine strength and bravery. Htoe Kwin were tattooed to upper parts of the legs and covered the entire leg until just below the knee line. [1] The very painful process was seen as a rite of passage, from boyhood to becoming a man. [13] They would be made of circles or squares filled with cultural imagery drawn inside each circle depending on the region of the bearer. Traditional Lethwei warrior leg tattoos are a dying art for Burmese fighters. [14]
Lethwei fighter Dave Leduc said that it is considered an important part of the process for the person receiving the Htoe Kwin to withstand the pain with stoicism. The entire process of tattooing both legs can last up to 24 hours. [15]
“You endure this immense amount of pain,” Leduc describes, “Behind the knee, inner thighs, on top of the kneecap, it’s very painful. You shouldn’t show pain while getting tattooed, but keep a straight face as much as possible to show that you’re able to withstand the pain. It’s a rite of passage to become a man.” [15]
Southern Chin women were also tattooed on their faces with closely set lines using blue pigments, ostensibly to discourage them from being kidnapped by invaders. [16] Chin women were typically tattooed between the ages of 15 and 20. [17] The practice has quickly disappeared, as it was banned in the 1960s by Burma's socialist regime and it was discouraged by Christian missionaries. [18] [19] Mro women also wore tattoos in the form of small marks or stars on the cheek, forehead or breast. [3]
Lethwei or Burmese boxing is a full contact combat sport originating from Myanmar and is regarded as one of the most brutal martial arts in the world. Lethwei fighters are allowed to use stand-up striking techniques such as kicks, knees, elbows and punches, and the use of headbutts is also permitted. Fighters compete bareknuckle, wrapping their hands with only tape and gauze. Disallowed in most combat sports, headbutts are important weapons in a Lethwei fighter's arsenal, giving Lethwei its name of the "Art of nine limbs". This, combined with its bareknuckle nature, gave Lethwei a reputation for being one of the bloodiest and most violent martial arts. Lethwei is the last remaining sport in the world that allows headbutts. Although popular throughout Myanmar, Lethwei has been primarily and historically associated with the Karen people of the Kayin State; the vast majority of competitive Lethwei fighters are ethnolinguistically of Karen descent.
The Bamar people are a Sino-Tibetan-speaking ethnic group native to Myanmar. With an estimated population of around 35 million people, they are the largest ethnic group in Myanmar, accounting for 68.78% of the country's total population. The geographic homeland of the Bamar is the Irrawaddy River basin. The Bamar speak the Burmese language which serves as the national language and lingua franca of Myanmar.
Tun Tun Min is a Burmese Lethwei fighter of Mon descent, former openweight Lethwei World Champion. In 2014, he became the youngest fighter to ever win the Lethwei Golden Belt, obtaining the title at age 21. Tun Tun Min is considered Myanmar's top Lethwei fighter and is notable for fighting foreign challengers from outside Myanmar.
Dave Leduc is a Canadian Lethwei fighter. He is a former six-time Lethwei world champion who held the Openweight Lethwei World Championship and was undefeated under traditional rules KO to win. In 2014, Leduc first gained widespread notoriety by winning his fight in the controversial Prison Fight inside a maximum security prison in Thailand.
World Lethwei Championship was a Lethwei promotion based in Yangon, Myanmar. The promotion brought the millennia-old Burmese martial of Lethwei to UFC Fight Pass and showcased it to the world. The WLC events combined the historic traditions of Lethwei with modern entertainment.
Too Too was a Burmese Lethwei fighter who competed in World Lethwei Championship. He was the former WLC Middleweight World champion and was undefeated under traditional Lethwei rules, holding the 75 kg Lethwei Golden Belt from 2015 until his death in 2023. He also competed in a Lethwei superfight at Kunlun Fight 25 in Slovakia. Too Too died while in custody of the Burmese military known as the Tatmadaw on April 26, 2023.
Weddings in Myanmar, considered auspicious occasions in Burmese culture, reflect various ethnic, religious, and regional traditions. Depending on an individual's family social economic status, personal preferences and titles held, Burmese weddings can be religious or secular, and extravagant or simple. Wedding expenses are covered by the groom's family. Myanmar is a predominantly Buddhist country, and many wedding customs and traditions are influenced by Buddhism.
International Lethwei Federation Japan, also known as ILFJ, is a Japanese Lethwei promotion company with headquarters in Tokyo.
The year 2017 was the second year in the history of the ILFJ, a Japanese Lethwei promotion and the year started with Lethwei in Japan 2: Legacy. The events are streamed online by FITE TV, Abema TV in Japan and through television agreements with MNTV in Myanmar.
Diesellek TopkingBoxing is a Thai Muaythai fighter. He is a former Rajadamnern Stadium, WMPF and IKF World Champion.
Theinphyu Stadium is a Lethwei stadium located in Yangon, Myanmar. It is the most notorious Lethwei stadium in all of Myanmar and counts over 5,300-seats. The Stadium is operated by the Myanmar Traditional Lethwei Federation and is the venue choice for most national and international level Lethwei events. In 2018, the stadium was host of The biggest fight in Lethwei history opposing Dave Leduc vs. Tun Tun Min.
Nuttadaj Vachirarattanawong, nicknamed Boat, is a Thai Muay Thai and boxing promoter. He is the owner of both Petchyindee Academy and Petchyindee Promotions.
Corentin Jallon is an Algerian-French Kickboxer competing in the heavyweight and cruiserweight division. He is the former World Kickboxing Network (WKN) Cruiserweight World Champion as well as the Muaythai & K-1 FFSCDA France -91kg Champion, King of the Ring -91kg Champion and he has competed in SUPERKOMBAT. In 2013, Jallon became the WKN World Champion after defeating Cristian Bosch in Buenos Aires, Argentina.
Soe Lin Oo is a Burmese Lethwei fighter. He is the Golden Belt 60kg Lethwei world champion under traditional rules and is currently competing in ONE Championship.
Iquezang Kor.Rungthanakeat is a Thai Muay Thai and Lethwei fighter. He is best known for defeating Sitthichai Sitsongpeenong by TKO to win the Omnoi Stadium Welterweight title and Fuktien Group Tournament title.
La Fosse aux Tigres is a 2017 Canadian television documentary about professional fighter Dave Leduc and his journey to Lethwei. The biographical documentary follows Leduc on his way to become world champion and captures his historic fight against Tun Tun Min in 2016 at Thein Pyu Stadium, where Leduc became Openweight Lethwei World Champion and the first non-Burmese to win a Golden Belt. La Fosse aux Tigres was filmed in 3 countries: Canada, Thailand and Myanmar. The documentary was produced by Nish Media and released on November 9, 2017 on Canal D.
Myanmar Lethwei Federation (MLF) formerly known as Myanmar Traditional Lethwei Federation is one of two major organizations which sanctions professional Lethwei bouts worldwide and the only one who oversees Lethwei competitions in Myanmar.
Cyrus Washington is an American kickboxer, Taekwondo, Muay Thai and Lethwei fighter. He is former WKA, WMF, WKBF and PK-1 Muay Thai World Champion, as well as former WBC Muaythai USA Champion, WMC and Lumpinee Stadium title contender. In 2012, he competed in the Emmy nominated Thailand VS Challenger TV Series. Washington received worldwide attention for being one of the first successful foreigners to compete in Lethwei in Myanmar.
Dave Leduc vs. Tun Tun Min III, also known as The Biggest Fight In Lethwei History, was a Lethwei world title match between undefeated openweight Lethwei World Champion Dave Leduc and former openweight Lethwei World Champion Tun Tun Min that took place at Thein Pyu Stadium in Yangon, Myanmar, on December 16, 2018.
Myanmar has a number of traditional games, sports, and martial arts. Some of these games were designed to teach people how to protect themselves and their communities.
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