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| General Information |
Tomoi is largely the same as Muay Thai in Thailand, Pradal Serey in Cambodia, and Lethwei in Myanmar (Ahmad & Mohamad 2010). It is often called “the Science of Eight Limbs” for using eight points of the body: punches, kicks, knees, and elbows, with knee and elbow strikes believed to be the most impressive and strongest (Ahmad & Mohamad 2010: 10). Tomoi literally refers to siku lutut which is translated in Malay as “elbows and knees” (Ahmad & Mohamad 2010: 10). Tomoi allows attacks to all parts of the body, except the groin. Traditionally, tomoi had straight-armed punches like a jab, but were developed in the forms of uppercuts and hooks later with the influence of British colonial rule (McQuaid 2013). |
| History/Development |
Tomoi is known to date back to 2,000 years ago, but there is limited evidence and description about the early history. A popular narrative about the origination is that it was originated in northern region of Malaysia and practised mainly in Kedah, Trengganu, and especially in Kelantan that shares border with Thailand (Ahmad & Mohamad 2010; McQuaid 2013). Yet practitioners believe the art is the outcome of cultural interactions and exchanges, including wars, between northern Malaysia, southern Thailand, and other adjacent states. Their cultural differences reflected in the art have caused variations in the schools of the art, yet Tomoi is essentially not very much associated with a specific ethnicity and religion. Tomoi was influenced by Indonesian pencak silat known to be disseminated across South East Asia in the 16th century. Tomoi was popular until the 1990s, when tomoi and other Malay traditions and culture were banned by the Kelantan government supporting Islamic revival. In 2006, tomoi was again allowed to be to be practised in 2006 with a new name by its promoters, muay Kelate, meaning Kelantan kickboxing. |
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| References |
- Ahmad, R. & Mohamad, N. (2010). “Tomoi (Muay Thai Kickboxing) death: A lesson learned”, International Journal of Case Reports and Images 1(3): 10-14.
- McQuaid, S. (2013). “Tomoi Silat”, Black Triangle Silat. | | |
