Thang-Ta (Part 1)





  Thang- Ta is a part of Huyen langlon, is a martial art from Manipur. In the Meitei language, huyen means war while langlon or langlong can mean knowledge or art. The art developed from the war environment of the present state Manipur, which was an independent kingdom for more than 2000 years. It played an important role in the geopolitical environment of medieval times in between India and China with many independent states at war with each other. Constant life and death struggles between clans, tribes and states resulted in the devising of ways and means of safeguarding the lives of the citizen soldierly and at the same time developing an inward attitude to problems of life, death and afterlife. Literally thang ta means sword and spear, and these are the most important weapon of this martial arts.  
   Thang-Ta has been used by the Meeteis for thousands of years to defend their Kingdom against many foreign invaders & lastly the British in the Khongjom & Anglo-Manipuri war of 1891. It is a complete martial art, complete in the sense that it has both the external (physical & health) & internal (meditation, concentration, self cultivation, & awareness of spirit & mind) components, including spiritual & ritualistic aspects, the practice of which not only keeps us healthy & helps in self-defense, but also makes us aware of our rich cultural heritage & the great heroism of our forefathers.
  The earliest written record of thang ta come from the Puya or written records handed down to posterity by the forefathers of the Meiteis, which record the history of the Manipur royalty in archaic Meitei script. The Chainarol-Puya details the ethics of duelling. The fights took place under strict rules of conduct and to violate them was shameful and sinful. When a fighter is challenged, the day for the bout is fixed to allow for time to prepare the weapons. Allowing the opponent the first chance to fire an arrow or hurl a spear was considered particularly courageous. The duel itself was not necessarily to the death and usually ended once first blood has been drawn. However, the victor was expected to behead the loser. Either before the duel or before the beheading, the fighters would share the meals and wine prepared by their wives. If it had been so requested beforehand, the loser's body may be cremated. Heads were taken as trophies, as was custom among the headhunters of northeast India. Taboos existed such as not killing an opponent who runs, begs or cries out of fear, or anyone who pleads for protection.


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