What is a Mongkon?

The Mongkon in Muay Thai

A mongkon is a type of headband used in Thai boxing (see Muay Vethie) to protect the fighter from damage. It is tied around the fighters head before a fight . Putting on the Mongkon is often done by a revered family member or the fighter’s teacher. Mongkon is an important part of the traditions and culture of Muay Thai.

Mongkons are generally only worn in Thailand or at Muay Thai competitions. In other countries such as Cambodia or Burma, they are not used. The wearing of a Mongkon as well as the performance of a Wai Kru Ram Muay dance is usually prohibited in kickboxing.

Why do Muay Thai fighters wear a Mongkon?

The Mongkon is in the understanding of Muay Thai a sacred headband and thus a valuable talisman that should bring luck to the wearer in a fight by protecting him from injury. During the Wai Kruh Ram Muay (boxing dance), the Mongkon is worn by the fighter in the ring. After the Ram Muay and before the start of the first round, the fighter goes to his corner. The trainer (Kru) says a short prayer for his student and takes the mongkon from him. Now the fight can begin.

The importance of the Mongkon for the fighter:

Traditionally, fighters did not receive their mongkon from the trainer until they trained hard enough and were willing to honorably represent the boxing stable in the ring. The trainer had to be completely convinced of the student’s abilities.

Muay Thai fighters also wear the Mongkon out of respect for the trainer, the Muay Thai School, and the sport itself. In addition, it expresses gratitude and solidarity with all the people who accompanied the fighter on the difficult path to the fight. Thus, the Mongkon is a sign of loyalty, but also of subordination.

For a long time, women were denied the right to wear a Mongkon, as this was supposed to bring misfortune. Nowadays, however, many Muay Thai schools and trainers have deviated from these views and also allow their female students to wear a mongkon in the ring.

The right way to deal with the Mongkon:

Fighters wearing a mongkon should never get into the ring under the ring ropes or in between, but should always climb above it. Since the head is sacred as the highest part of the body in Thailand, climbing through the ropes would generally break the energy field. It is said that such disregard would bring misfortune. In addition, it is considered extremely disrespectful.

It should be mentioned that this practice mainly refers to male fighters. Even today female fighters in Thailand, are often told to crawl under the ropes, solely because of their gender.

A Mongkon is a sacred object in the understanding of Muay Thai. It should always be worn and stored above the waistline, ideally at least at shoulder or head height. It should never get to the ground. If a Mongkon touches the ground, he allegedly loses its powers.

The consecration of the Mongkon:

The Mongkon is given the spiritual power that is said to be imputed to it by a special ceremony. The ceremony can be performed by both a Buddhist monk or a Muslim imam.

Muslim fighters (especially in southern Thailand and Malaysia) sometimes embed scrolls with Verses of the Koran in their Mongkon. With Thai Buddhist fighters, it is sometimes also common to weave bone fragments of a deceased ancestor of the fighter or the hair of a belocved person into the mongkon or additionally equip it with an amulet.

The consecration ceremony is usually attended by the trainers and the fighter himself. Such a ceremony alone often strengthens the self-confidence of the fighters, which in turn has a positive effect on the fight. Even fighters who do not live the teachings of Buddhism are allowed to participate in the ceremony and are protected by it according to unanimous doctrine.

Modern Mongkon production

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