Outside Myanmar, thaing is represented by two styles: the eclectic
American Bandô Association and the Kachin style.
The American Bandô Association (ABA) system, founded and cur-
rently headed by Dr. U Maung Gyi, incorporates not only traditional thaing,
but also a range of Asian and Western combat systems. This eclecticism, of
course, characterized the NBA, parent system of the ABA, as well.
In keeping with the general practice, the NBA/ABA animal systems in-
corporate both striking and grappling techniques. In this style, the animal
forms are said to teach the psychological (rather than exclusively the phys-
ical) attitudes of the animal after which the system is named.
The following animals with their characteristics represent the
NBA/ABA style.
Name of Form Characteristics
- Boar courage, rushing, elbowing, kneeing, butting
- Bull charging, tackling, power striking
- Cobra attacking upper vital points
- Deer alertness
- Eagle double-hand blocking and striking
- Monkey agility, confidence
- Paddy Bird rapid flight
- Panther circling, leaping, tearing
- Python crushing, strangling, gripping
- Scorpion pinching and seizing nerve centers
- Tiger clawing, ripping
- Viper attacking lower vital points
(Draeger and Smith 1981, 157–158)
Unlike the NBA/ABA style, the Kachin style, currently headed by Phil
Dunlap (inherited through his grandfather, William O’Shaunessy) has not
consciously sought to incorporate nonindigenous elements into its curricu-
lum. At least initially, the relative purity of the style was because of the iso-
lation of the Kachin (also known as the Jinghpaw) territory. Moreover, the
Jinghpaw intensified this separation by actively refusing to accept outside
domination throughout the British colonial period and into the present.
Due to decades of rebellion and drug wars (the rebellions are financed in
part by opium sales), the current state of Kachin martial arts is unknown.
Nevertheless, the Kachin style is best understood from the perspective
of the traditional Jinghpaw worldview, which includes their animistic reli-
gion. For example, the Kachin preservation of sixteen animal systems (as
compared to the twelve cited by Draeger and Smith and the nine commonly
taught by the NBA/ABA) is likely due to this animism.
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