Article · Wikipedia archive · Last revised Jun 21, 2026

Naban

Naban is a traditional form of grappling from Myanmar. Naban is integrated into other fighting styles instead of existing as a separate martial art. Originally based on Indian wrestling, it is practiced primarily in rural areas. Naban is especially popular among the Kachin and Chin tribes that have Himalayan origins. Techniques include joint locks, strikes to pressure points, palm strikes, foot strikes and chokeholds. Any part of the opponent's body is a legal target.

Last revised
Jun 21, 2026
Read time
≈ 1 min
Length
124 w
Citations
2
Source
Wikipedia ↗
Naban
FocusGrappling
Country of origin Myanmar
ParenthoodMalla-yuddha
Olympic sportNo
source ↗

Naban (Burmese: နပန်း, pronounced [nəbáɰ̃]) is a traditional form of grappling from Myanmar. Naban is integrated into other fighting styles instead of existing as a separate martial art.1 Originally based on Indian wrestling,2 it is practiced primarily in rural areas. Naban is especially popular among the Kachin and Chin tribes that have Himalayan origins. Techniques include joint locks, strikes to pressure points, palm strikes, foot strikes and chokeholds. Any part of the opponent's body is a legal target.

See also

See also

References

References

  1. Green, T. (2001). Martial Arts of the World An Encyclopedia (Vol. 1).
  2. Donn F. Draeger and Robert W. Smith (1969). Comprehensive Asian Fighting Arts. Kodansha. ISBN 978-0-87011-436-6.