After watching "Muay Thai Chaiya", I was kind of curious about the rituals that were conducted before the match started. Thus, this curiousity prompted me to search for information about one of the most important influences in almost everybody's lives - Teachers!!!
Here goes! =)
Before the match starts, the boxers will perform a dance called the "wai khru". This is not merely for entertainment purposes! The dance is actually performed so as to acknowledge the effort the teacher has put in in training and preparing the boxer for the match. Also, the dance serves as a warm-up exercise to relax the muscles. Didn't know that this ritual was so multi-purpose ya? =)
Here's an example of how it's done!
Besides training the boxers, the teachers also provide them with lucky charms...
Muay Thai boxers wear mongkhols which are actually headbands. This accessory is blessed by the boxer's teacher so as to bring luck to the boxer during the match. However, it is removed after the wai khru dance by the boxer's teacher. Nobody else is allowed to touch the headband. Seems like the relationship between the boxer and his teacher is pretty close.. and the boxer does indeed have a lot of respect for his teacher.
Information obtained from: http://www.bangkok-city.com/muaythai.htm Video taken from: http://youtube.com/watch?v=k92ibgC1JXo
