Let Whay (Lethwei) (Burmese: လက်ဝှေ့, pronounced: [leʔ w̥ḛ]) is an unarmed Burmese martial art. It is similar to related styles of Indochinese kickboxing, namely Muay Thai from Thailand, Pradal Serey from Cambodia, Muay Lao from Laos and Tomoi from Malaysia.
In ancient times, matches were held for entertainment and were popular with every strata of society. Participation was opened to any male, whether king or commoner. At that time, matches took place in sandpits instead of rings. Boxers fought without protective equipment, only wrapping their hands in hemp or gauze. There were no draws and no point system—the fight went on until one of the participants was knocked out or could no longer continue. Back then, Burmese boxing champions would enter the ring and call for open challenges.>
Kyar Ba Nyein, who participated in boxing at the 1952 Summer Olympics, pioneered modern lethwei by setting in place modern rules and regulations. He travelled around Myanmar, especially the Mon and Karen states, where many of the villagers still actively practiced Lethwei. Kyar Ba Nyein brought them back to Mandalay and Rangoon and, after training with them, encouraged them to compete in the matches he organized.
Lethe
Give me the drink of the fluid
That disintegrates
And lend me the sweet balm and blessing
Of forgetfulness, empty and strong
Hold me near, unravel the stars
As I speed through the heavens
Speed through the night
For you are my blade and my rope
Your are my
Lethe
In currents of cobalt
You storm through my heart
To sever, to puncture
The memories that burn
Let sweep through the arteries
In sharp stabs of pain
Your talonlike fingers to kill me again
Steal me, invade me and charge me again
For I burn and I shudder
Burn with each movement of
So, cleansed through a floodlight
I appear; reforged and renewed
Caressed by the sweet balm and blessing
Of forgetfulness, empty and strong
Lethe,
Hold me near, my one friend and guide
As I drown through your fingers
Drown through your love
For you are the life I hate
You are my
Lethe
Drag me down, in passionate sighs
With the ocean above me
And flames in my eyes
And grant me a life I can live