Myanmar Traditional Game

Myanmar has originated many games of its own. Among these, one of the most popular traditional game is known as Chinlon or Caneball game. It is loved and widely played by Myanmar people (by both young and old) throughout the whole country. Although there were many Myanmar traditional games not all records of their origin were being kept, except chinlon. Chin-Lon has it own distinct historical background records. In ancient times, it was played in the Royal Court by young people, and it has traveled a very long and tideous journey to this day. As to how chin-lon has come into the Myanmar Society, we must rely on the exact historical records of research work.
Historical reference of chinlon can be traced back in the year 1208, during the reign of Pagan King’s accession to the throne when he was presented with an ivory chinlon by a siamese sculpture. He was so pleased with the present that he ordered it be made by cane and to be played by young men at the Royal Court. Moreover in 1926 - 27, a French researcher by the name of Charles Royzel on page 171 of his Annual Report, wrote that near the old Pyi town of Mowzar Village, under U Ba Khin’s Brick-building, Buddha’s images, jewelleries and a strange object were excavated. That strange object had a diameter of one and quarter of an inch and it was made of silver. That object happened to be a small chinlon. Research on the era and date of these objects were found to be in the 7th century. In other words it was in Pyu era, about 1200 year ago.
In the book “ Myanmar Empire” written by Italian monk Sangamani chinlon was already being played in 1782 during the reign of Bodaw U Waing. Royal presentation, written by U Paw Oo volume II page (50) in which he had described the funeral Pwe of a Buddhist monk Min Oo Sayardaw Paya Gyi ‘ who was worshiped and revered by the King Bodaw U Waing. The King had ordered that combative sports, like chariot-racing, musical instruments such as oboe, flute, drums and competitive sports like Gymnastics, chinlon, fire-walks must be carried out without fail at the funeral Pwe’. In that order, chinlon competition was included and clearly stated. A clear evidence of playing chinlon can be found in the book “ My journey to Myanmar ” written by a British surgeon C. A Godwin, which he described how chinlon was being played at that time. In December 1874, the Doctor arrived in India, and accompanied by Madras Commanding officer, Sir Frederick Hein and Lady Hein, came to Myanmar. During their trip around the country and along the Ayeyarwady river, and upon arriving at Pyi Town, they observed four Myanmars playing chin-lon near the Police Station. In 1874 - 75, Mindon Min reigned as King in upper Myanmar.
Researchers had many point of views as to how chinlon had come into existance. Writer Hla Thamain stated in Sarpay Beikman magazine volume (1) no. (5), that chinlon was founded in Konebaung era. Similar statement was made by Tet-ka-tho U Chit Swe. In Myanmar “ Sway-sone-khyan” (jrefrmpG,fpkHusrf;) it was estimated that at the time of King Dodabaung at “ Thayekhittaya” old city. (oa&acwå&m) a silver chinlon had been excavated at Boodaw Gyi Pagoda which pointed to the fact that it was already in existance at that time.
No matter how chinlon had come into existance it was evident that no one can deny the fact that it was one of the sports discipline that had been played way back since ancient times.

Progressive play method of Chinlon

There are two methods by which chinlon is being played. One is known as chin-thay (dead chin) and another one is chin-shin (live chin). Chin-thay is also known as knyet chin (ñSyfjcif;), knyet-chin is played only by one person and the player can use all his body parts to touch the chinlon. Since knyet-chin is being played by only one person and it is not a team sport. As time passed on had slowly fade away.
Five or six persons forming a circle and keeping the chinlon in air without falling on the ground has become a new play in chin-shin (live chin). In order to keep the chinlon in the air without falling on the ground, individual as well as team members had to take their own parts and at the same time had to coordinate with one other. In ancient times, heads, shoulders, knees, elbows were allowed to be used. However as the game become more advanced only the use of legs were allowed. There were (3) types of playing chinlon, i.e. chin-yin , chin-yaing and chin-pying, chin-yaing and chin-pying were scientifically innovated.

Myanmar Traditional Boxing

Myanmar traditional Boxing is a high standard competitive weaponless martial art. In ancient times, wrestling, Bando, Bandshay, Thaing were all trained with Boxing which most people knew and played and it can be found on the wall paintings in later part of the Pagan era. However, it was widely trained in ancient Inwa era. In Ancient Myanmar Army, soliders had to learn horse and elephant riding and the use of sword, archery, wrestling, Thaing and Boxing.
Although Myanmar Traditional Sports Federation was re-organised in 1989, Myanmar Traditional Boxing Sport discipline was not included at that time. Only in October 1993, efforts were made to promote Myanmar Traditional Boxing. In January 1994, thirteen countries attended Traditional Boxing Workshop held in Thailand in which Myanmar Traditional Sports Federation delegation participated and took the opportunity to present Myanmar Traditional Boxing.
In December 1994, Mr. Deleft and Mr. Los Washkawot, President and Secretary General, of Muay Thai Federation, respectively came to Yangon on their world tour and observed Myanmar Traditional Boxing by taking pictures and writing reports.From that period onwards, and in May 1995, Myanmar participated at the world Muay Thai competition held in Dwetzburg, Germany by which Myanmar Traditional Boxing has become known throughout the world.