Khmer traditional wrestling

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Khmer wrestling at bayon temple.

Khmer traditional wrestling is a folk wrestling style from Cambodia. It was originally based on old Indian forms of wrestling such as Malla-yuddha and is very similar to other styles of folk wrestling found in Southeast Asian countries like Myanmar and Borneo. Bas-reliefs of certain Angkor temples depict both men and women competing in this form of wrestling. Female wrestlers are displayed on the Banteay Srei temple.

1 The match
2 See also
3 References
4 External links

[edit] The match

A traditional Khmer wrestling match consists of three rounds. A round may be won by forcing an opponent to his back. A wrestler wins the match by winning two of the three rounds. After each round the loser is asked if he wishes to continue with the match.

Wrestlers participate in pre-match ritual dancing before the match. The match is accompanied by the music of two drums (called Skor Ngey and Chhmol, "female drum" and "male drum").

Traditional matches are held during the Khmer New Year and other Cambodian holdiays.