Bando, Banshay, and Thaing?

[the Khazar Kid]

What exactly is Bando? I heard it is a modern style founded by Dr. Maung Gyi, and is based on older traditions of Banshay and Thaing? I heard that there are twelve animal styles, and nine styles of Thaing practiced by different major ethnic groups? What are these styles? Are Gorkhas one of the nine major ethnic groups? Is the Thang-Ta fighting style of the Meithei people of Manipur a style of Thaing? What are the main kinds of blades and other weapons used besides kukri? Would they include dao/dha/dhaw/ta, nokhlang, dalwel, khanda, or kora? Does Thaing mean "spear", the same way Thang(Meithei), Thuong(Vietnamese), and Chiang/Qiang(Chinese) do?

 

[Steven F]

Kid, I think you can find most of the answers, and a whole lot more, in "Comprehensive Asian Fighting Arts," an excellent, easily-obtained book by Donn Draeger and Robert Smith. This book, and others, are discussed on another thread.



[This message has been edited by Steven F (edited 30 December 1999).]

 

[Bill Martino]

Khazar the Bando people have been advised not to post info on the net but I can put you in touch with the Secretary of the ABA who can direct you to the Bando info. email me direct if you are interested.

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Uncle Bill
Himalayan Imports Website
Khukuri FAQ

 

[the Khazar Kid]

Are there any groups practicing Banshay or Thaing besides Dr. Maung Gyi's Bando school? I got the impression that these were category names for all the fighting arts of all the nationalities of the Nepal/Assam/Burma region, the way "Wushu" is a general term for Chinese arts or "Bugei" for Japanese styles. Surely there must be other people carrying on the traditions as well? The only other style I have heard of so far is the "Thang-Ta" of the Meithei nationality of Manipur region.

 

[Bill Martino]

KK, it's going to take somebody with more knowledge than I've got to help. Maybe they will show up.

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Uncle Bill
Himalayan Imports Website
Khukuri FAQ