Myanmar: The Art of Bando ( English version)

In Myanmar, Buddhism was introduced at the very beginning of the Common Era, leading to the establishment of numerous monastic temples where Bando likely emerged as early as the 3rd century. The temple was a central hub of social life, where people gathered for various celebrations. It was among the monks—often from the military elite—that men studied the art of combat.
Bando, beyond simple physical exercise, also served social advancement purposes. This combat style refers to a system of unarmed self-defense whose techniques are inspired by animal behavior. Bando encompasses several related disciplines: martial practices (self-defense, animal forms, weapons handling), combat arts (boxing, striking, wrestling), and personal development practices (Burmese yoga, energy forms, body care).
Primarily focused on pure effectiveness, Bando is rich in philosophical elements that give it a deeper dimension: the ultimate goal is to improve health and balance while achieving physical and mental discipline.