Muay Thai: the consolidation of an invented tradition as a martial art

Background. Some sources report Muay Thai has been part of Thailand’s history and heritage for hundreds of years. Problem. This study investigated whether Muay Thai originated from war contexts or was an invented tradition. Method. Analyzed books, scientific articles, and websites from professional and amateur Muay Thai organizations. Results and Conclusions. Muay Thai should not be considered an ancient martial art. In fact, Muay Thai is an invented tradition: a cultural heritage characterized by an artificial continuity with its remote past. Nevertheless, it is also considered a fighting art due to its cultural aspects, such as meditation, religion, music, dance, and the ritual of respect for one’s master. In most Western countries, this fighting modality is seen solely as a combat sport, disregarding its cultural aspects and emphasizing its technical efficiency and media appeal in MMA events. The Thai Government, through its cultural institutions and movie industry, spread this invented traditional narrative in an attempt to turn Muay Thai into one of Thailand’s Intangible Cultural Heritages.