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Bando History and Information
Bando is a Burmese martial art. Bando as the term is used today encompasses many combative forms. Bando as taught in the United States Under the American Bando Association (a not for profit veterans memorial organization) combines traditional Bando, Thaing (self defense, free hand system, and animal systems), Lethwei (Burmese Boxing, Kickboxing or the sportive aspect), Banshay (weapons practice) and Naban (grappling).
The origins of Bando are much like that of any other martial art. The country of Burma (Myanmar) sits between India, China, Thailand, and Tibet. This was a main trade route for many countries. As a result of trade, passage, and warfare the traditional Burmese combative arts were influenced by many other regional arts. Prior to the 19th century Burma had fought wars with China, and Thailand. These wars contributed to the development of the various combative systems in Burma. The British conquest of Burma in the 19th century had a devastating effect on the martial arts of Burma, as the British outlawed the practice of combative arts. Prior to the British occupation, the sport of Burmese Boxing was referred to as the "sport of kings". During the occupation, the arts were forced underground and could not be practiced publicly.
Grand Master U Ba Than Gyi formed the International Bando Association (IBA) in 1946 after WWII. He is credited with the founding of the art as practiced and taught today. The IBA was founded to honor the spirits of allied and axis warriors who fought and died in the China-Burma-India theatre of WWII. His son brought the art of Bando to the United States in 1959. Grand Master Dr. Muang Gyi formed the American Bando Association as a Veterans Memorial Organization, who's mission is also to honor veterans and the spirits of those who have fought and died in WWII. We also honor veterans of Vietnam, Korea, and subsequent actions. The ABA is an all volunteer organization.
The American Bando Association is a non-profit WWII veteran’s memorial organization. Tournaments and other events are held to honor veterans as well as to honor the spirits of those warriors who have paid the ultimate price.
At Greater Hartford Bando the instructors are not paid, and the essence of the ABA non-profit model is followed. Greater Hartford Bando was established to honor the sacrifice of the fallen warriors and veterans of WWI, WWII, Korea,Vietnam, as well as subsequent military actions, and to perpetuate the Bando legacy. It is also dedicated to the founder of the American Bando Association and Grand Master, Dr. Muang Gyi.Through consistent disciplined practice, and participation in events that honor veterans we display our reverence and respect. Our members have provided drill teams for Veterans organizations, Demonstrations, and have marched in Veterans Day & Memorial Day parades, as well as participating in tournaments held to honor veterans.
Students are first taught the Bando basics. The basics are broken into the 9x9 Bando Matrix (there are 9 basic kicks, 9 basic punches, 9 basic blocks etc…) In addition to the basic 9x9 students learn empty hand forms. These forms teach basic concepts and principals of the system. There is a self defense component that is taught as well. The self defense aspect typically will involve the concepts of getting off the line of attack, blocking, or evading, followed by a strong counter attack designed to negate the threat.
As a student advances in rank, they may begin to learn some of the weapons of Bando (Banshay). There are 3 overall categories of weapons taught at Greater Hartford Bando (Member School of the American Bando Asscociation). These categories include Empty Hand (Dho), Stick (Dhot), and Sword/Blade weapons (Dha). As a student approaches the 1st level of achievement (Black Belt), he/she is introduced to the animal systems of Bando. Each animal system has weapons and strategies based on the represented animal’s characteristics. The Burmese people were animistic, and out of their reverence for animals, mimicked their traits in many forms of dance, and combat. Bando animal systems are functional adaptations of the animal’s traits or characteristics, not intended necessarily for aesthetics.
Another important thing to note, there is a sportive aspect of Bando (Kickboxing or Lethwei) taught. The American Bando Association has sponsored the longest running annual Amateur Kickboxing tournament in North America. As an amateur tournament, fighter safety is of utmost importance. As such, the traditional rules of the sport would be unpalatable for the public. The ABA Tournament allows hand strikes to the head body and legs, kicks to the head body and legs. Traditional Burmese Boxing has been called “beautifully brutal”. Under traditional rules hand strikes, elbow strikes, knee strikes, kicks, and head-butts are allowed as well as throws (traditional rules are extremely dangerous and not acceptable for an amateur tournament in the U.S.). The annual tournament is held on Veterans Day Weekend, and is open to all styles. The purpose of the event is to honor the veterans who have sacrificed so much for our way of life. The traditional techniques are taught, but are not legal in competition in North America.
On Memorial Day Weekend the Annual Bando Middle Style tournament is held in the U.S. This tournament is also held to honor the veterans. This tournament includes empty hand forms competition, weapon forms competition, and a medium level sparring competition. There are veterans in attendance and the opening ceremony honors them prior to the competition. The Animal forms are usually represented at this tournament, as well as other empty hand forms. There are weapons forms displayed and usually some exhibitions and drill teams to honor the veterans.
The sparring competition is continuous contact in a round robin format, unlike the elimination format and point sparing of most martial arts tournaments. Contact to the leg(s) is also allowed, but excessive contact to the head is discouraged. This tournament is only open to Bando students, and is not an “open” tournament.
Greater Hartford Bando has existed since 1991. Bando gives students an opportunity to learn Self Defense, Contact Sparring, Full Contact Kickboxing, Forms / Kata (empty hand and weapons), as well as Self Confidence, Respect, and Discipline.
Bando is a complete martial art, offering students a well rounded curriculum including light to no contact Self Defense and Forms, as well as harder contact Sparring and Kickboxing for those who desire more realism in training methods. Our school is recognized throughout the American Bando Association as having produced a number of national champions in competition.
Our primary purpose is to Honor the Veterans who have sacrificed so much for our way of life through our training and competition. Bando competitive events include our Middle Style National Tournament which is held on Memorial Day Weekend and the Bando National Kickboxing Tournament (The longest continuously running Kickboxing event in North America), held on Veterans Day Weekend.
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New Class on Thursday Nights! Kickboxing & Conditioning.
Adult and Children's Classes available.
In addition to our Bando curriculum an affiliate of the Royce Gracie Jiu Jitsu Network will be operating out of our space as a separate program. More info and links to their main site here:
Map to Location - School is behind Keeney Rigging.
Phone: 860.657.8708
For more information fill in the form below, and one of our instructors will get back to you, or you can contact us at:
info @ greaterhartfordbando.com
Check out www.dojolistings.com
