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Thang Ta
Thang Ta (/thaang-taa/) is a classical Meitei traditional martial art form. It is originated from the Ancient Kangleipak (present day Manipur state). It is practised using weaponry. It is considered as the sibling of Sarit Sarak, which uses no weapons. Thang Ta and Sarit Sarak are considered as the sub forms of Huiyen Lallong martial art form.
In Meitei language, "Thang" means sword and "Ta" means spear.
The story of Thang-Ta comes from the religious myths of the Meitei community. According to their myths, the limbs and bones of their ancestor, Tin Sidaba (also called Pakhangba), turned into different swords and tools, some used in Thang-Ta and others in rituals. For example, his ribs became the broad sword (thangjao) and one of his fingers became a kitchen knife (heijrang). Today, each of the seven Meitei clans has a special sword that is placed during ceremonies to honor their ancestors. The creation story, Leishemlon, says Pakhangba is the creator of Thang-Ta.
Thang-Ta reached its peak during the rule of King Khagemba (1597-1652 CE). The Chainarol manuscript, written in the 16th and 17th centuries, explains the war rules of the time. It says that if an unarmed person was challenged, they could get weapons and decide when to fight. If someone got a wound and blood was shed during the fight, that person lost. Afterward, the fighters would share food and wine provided by their wives. The winner would then cut off the loser's head and, if asked, cremate the body. The winner often kept the head as a trophy.
After losing the Anglo-Manipuri War of 1891, Manipur was taken over by the British. To honor the bravery of the Manipuri army, led by Major General Paona Brajabasi, the British made it illegal for people in Manipur to own weapons and banned their martial arts, including Thang-Ta. Thang-Ta went underground and was kept alive by a few experts. When India became independent in 1947, Manipur joined India in 1949 and became a state in 1972. Slowly, Thang-Ta started to come back.
Thang-Ta is made up of four main parts: the spear dance (Ta-khousarol), sword fighting (Thanghairol), unarmed combat (Sarit-Sarat), and the art of touch and call (Thengkourol).
Ta-khousarol includes nine difficult and detailed movement sequences: Maram Nungshetpa, Maram Achouba, Maram Macha, Tangkhul, Athou Achouba, Thel, Maram Nungjrongba, Kabui, and Athou Chumthang. Each sequence has a specific order of moves, like salutation, removing stakes, watching the enemy, and fighting. The martial artist holds a spear (ta) in the right hand and a round shield (chungoi) in the left. The spear is about 150 cm (60 inches) long, made of bamboo, with blades on both sides, and decorated with colored thread. The shield is about 90 cm (36 inches) long and 45 cm (18 inches) wide, usually black with a painted design. Today, the spear dance is a popular solo performance for skilled martial artists, and Ta-khousarol techniques are often used by drama directors and choreographers in Manipur.
Thanghairol has two types of swordplay: decorative swordplay (Leiteng-thang) and combat swordplay (Yanna-thang). The skilled swordsman uses a shield (chungoi) and three swords: a right-hand sword (yet-thang), a left-hand sword (oi-thang), and an extra sword (tendon-thang) kept at the back, used in emergencies. In decorative swordplay (Leiteng-thang), the swordsman moves with one or two swords and a shield, showing skill and bravery. One common move is twirling two swords around the body in the shape of a figure eight without them touching. In combat swordplay (Yanna-thang), the swordsman learns the "Thanglon" language of the sword, which includes moves and footwork to defend and counterattack. The swords are about 60 cm (24 inches) long, straight or slightly curved, with handles made of brass and wood.
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Thang Ta
Thang Ta (/thaang-taa/) is a classical Meitei traditional martial art form. It is originated from the Ancient Kangleipak (present day Manipur state). It is practised using weaponry. It is considered as the sibling of Sarit Sarak, which uses no weapons. Thang Ta and Sarit Sarak are considered as the sub forms of Huiyen Lallong martial art form.
In Meitei language, "Thang" means sword and "Ta" means spear.
The story of Thang-Ta comes from the religious myths of the Meitei community. According to their myths, the limbs and bones of their ancestor, Tin Sidaba (also called Pakhangba), turned into different swords and tools, some used in Thang-Ta and others in rituals. For example, his ribs became the broad sword (thangjao) and one of his fingers became a kitchen knife (heijrang). Today, each of the seven Meitei clans has a special sword that is placed during ceremonies to honor their ancestors. The creation story, Leishemlon, says Pakhangba is the creator of Thang-Ta.
Thang-Ta reached its peak during the rule of King Khagemba (1597-1652 CE). The Chainarol manuscript, written in the 16th and 17th centuries, explains the war rules of the time. It says that if an unarmed person was challenged, they could get weapons and decide when to fight. If someone got a wound and blood was shed during the fight, that person lost. Afterward, the fighters would share food and wine provided by their wives. The winner would then cut off the loser's head and, if asked, cremate the body. The winner often kept the head as a trophy.
After losing the Anglo-Manipuri War of 1891, Manipur was taken over by the British. To honor the bravery of the Manipuri army, led by Major General Paona Brajabasi, the British made it illegal for people in Manipur to own weapons and banned their martial arts, including Thang-Ta. Thang-Ta went underground and was kept alive by a few experts. When India became independent in 1947, Manipur joined India in 1949 and became a state in 1972. Slowly, Thang-Ta started to come back.
Thang-Ta is made up of four main parts: the spear dance (Ta-khousarol), sword fighting (Thanghairol), unarmed combat (Sarit-Sarat), and the art of touch and call (Thengkourol).
Ta-khousarol includes nine difficult and detailed movement sequences: Maram Nungshetpa, Maram Achouba, Maram Macha, Tangkhul, Athou Achouba, Thel, Maram Nungjrongba, Kabui, and Athou Chumthang. Each sequence has a specific order of moves, like salutation, removing stakes, watching the enemy, and fighting. The martial artist holds a spear (ta) in the right hand and a round shield (chungoi) in the left. The spear is about 150 cm (60 inches) long, made of bamboo, with blades on both sides, and decorated with colored thread. The shield is about 90 cm (36 inches) long and 45 cm (18 inches) wide, usually black with a painted design. Today, the spear dance is a popular solo performance for skilled martial artists, and Ta-khousarol techniques are often used by drama directors and choreographers in Manipur.
Thanghairol has two types of swordplay: decorative swordplay (Leiteng-thang) and combat swordplay (Yanna-thang). The skilled swordsman uses a shield (chungoi) and three swords: a right-hand sword (yet-thang), a left-hand sword (oi-thang), and an extra sword (tendon-thang) kept at the back, used in emergencies. In decorative swordplay (Leiteng-thang), the swordsman moves with one or two swords and a shield, showing skill and bravery. One common move is twirling two swords around the body in the shape of a figure eight without them touching. In combat swordplay (Yanna-thang), the swordsman learns the "Thanglon" language of the sword, which includes moves and footwork to defend and counterattack. The swords are about 60 cm (24 inches) long, straight or slightly curved, with handles made of brass and wood.