Muay Thai, Thailand’s national sport that dates all the way back to the 13th century, is deeply steeped in tradition and cultural heritage. Known for its deadly elbows, knees, and crushing kicks, “the art of eight limbs” also has a more delicate side, embodied by the evocative Wai Kru.
As the sport has permeated the far corners of the globe and gained popularity and notoriety in recent years, practitioners are increasingly interested in learning about the rituals that accompany the martial art.
The Wai Kru, at its most fundamental level, is a homage paid to a fighter’s foundations: the family, trainers, home, teachers, mentors, and gym – all those who have had an indelible impact on shaping the athlete as a person.
Many aspects of the Wai Kru remain constant, with different versions being passed down from trainer to student over generations. Fighters who have been immersed in the sport long enough often add their own flare to the tradition or even craft their own versions.
This tradition is not exclusive to Muay Thai, but is a significant part of nearly all Thai performance arts, such as Khon (a classical dance drama) and Krabi Krabong (a weapon-based martial art). It consists of two parts: the Wai Kru and the Ram Muay.
Before the Wai Kru takes place, a small portion of dirt is placed on the fighter’s head. The dirt represents mother nature and is a way of asking the protective spirits to safeguard the fighter during competition. The fighters then bow down to the ground before entering the ring to show reverence to the space.
Wai Kru translates to ‘paying respect to one’s teachers.’ This encompasses all those who have positively impacted the fighter’s life such as the trainers, teachers, parents, and mentors who helped the fighter reach this point. This portion of the ritual includes sealing the ring and coming to the center of the ring to bow three times. Many will bow either in the direction of their corners or toward the cardinal direction of their home. During this time, fighters will recite a Buddhist prayer or an incantation that has been passed down to them.
After this, the Ram Muay begins. It’s a continuation of the Wai Kru and consists of a series of choreographed movements, each with meaning and symbolism. Some fighters are better than others, but a beautiful, well-performed Ram Muay is truly a sight to see.
Sarama, traditional Muay Thai music, accompanies the Wai Kru and Ram Muay. More commonly known as the Bi Muay, it is often performed live and continues throughout the fight.
In modern times, many changes have been made to the Wai Kru. As attention spans have shortened, so has the Wai Kru. Max Muay Thai, one of the trailblazers of Muay Thai for entertainment, notably cut the Wai Kru by a minimum of 50% due to time constraints and the shorter attention spans of the spectators.
In the countryside, where fights often run until 4 a.m., the commentators usually tell the fighters to pack it in after sealing the ring and bowing three times. It’s an unfortunate consequence of the modern era, but many promotions, such as RWS (Rajadamnern World Series), are looking to preserve the traditional rituals of Muay Thai. They encourage the Wai Kru and help educate spectators about its significance.
Muay Thai’s rich cultural traditions set it apart from other combat sports. By preserving what makes it unique and beautiful, Muay Thai can continue to captivate modern audiences without sacrificing the Wai Kru. Those interested in learning this vital aspect of the sport can do so at Bangtao, where our trainers bring years of experience, first-hand knowledge, and certification from the Sports Authority of Thailand to teach the Wai Kru.