In today’s article, I would like to talk about an important tradition in Muay Thai. “Wai Kru Ram Muay”. In the ceremony before Muay Thai matches, every fighter has to do this dance. Sometimes Wai-Kru is short and simple, while other times it can be beautiful enough to get applause from the fans. It is even said that if you are a good spectator, you can even predict who will win the match based on how Wai-Kru is made before the match. In Thai society, instructors are held in high esteem, and Wai Kru is practiced in most artistic training outside of Muay Thai. It means “respect to the master”. Wai Thai is a gesture of respect towards others by touching their hands together. Khru means teacher. Ram means traditional Thai dance. Muay, on the other hand, means fighting and boxing. If you are a foreigner, you should pay attention to this tradition. Thais take this seriously, and any disrespect towards this dance is perceived as an insult.
Before the competition of Muay Thai, Krabi-Krabong (Thai swords) or any of the ancient Thai martial arts, all competitors must attend the Wai-Kru ceremony and do this boxing dance to commemorate the ancient times. Wai Kru is also a form of homage to the head of the competition or the King. Moreover, Wai Kru is a way of realizing the goodness of the master who instills martial knowledge. The dance styles are unique to each boxing practice and if the practitioners realize that they are dancing in the same style, they will not fight each other because they are trained by the same master. Also, this dance can be a way of warming up before the fight begins. It helps to reduce stress and get the body and mind ready to fight.
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