Fon Jerng is the ancient traditional martial art of the Lanna Kingdom of Northern Thailand. Steeped in rich cultural history, this rare and beautiful artform has been passed down in tradition by the Lanna people for centuries. What makes it truly unique is its emphasis on dance, elegance and flow - hiding the lethal capabilities of its practitioners.
The word ‘jerng’ (เจิง) is a Northern Thai word meaning ‘tactics’ or ‘finesse’. Long before becoming part of Siam, the northern region of Thailand was a formidable political entity known as the Lanna Kingdom. The warriors of Lanna were renowned for their skill and prowess in combat, effectively defending their homeland by fending off attacks from their enemies. Over centuries, this combat experience, combined with the beautiful aesthetic of the Lanna culture, was refined into the art of Jerng.
Combining the military tactics of ancient warfare with various weapons like swords and polearms, Jerng is a diverse and dynamic martial art. It also has a very sophisticated method of self-defense, which incorporates a wide-array of empty hand techniques including striking, grappling, sweeps, and takedowns.
More than a means of warfare, Jerng is an expression of the Lanna people’s love for beauty and aesthetic form. When not engaged in combat, Lanna warriors would demonstrate their martial prowess through Fon Jerng - the word ‘fon’ (ฟ้อน) meaning ‘to dance’ in Northern Thai. Performances of Fon Jerng would typically be held at village gatherings and temple fairs, giving men, women, children, and seniors a chance to showcase their skills in ‘Jerng dance’. Bands playing live music comprised of long drums, cymbals, and gongs help to create an entrancing rhythm for Jerng practitioners to remain focused and engaged.
Yang Khum - ย่างขุม
Footwork Patterns - The foundation of Jerng is comprised of sophisticated footwork patterns based on geometric shapes to help increase balance in the practitioner and ensure evasive movement in combat.
Top Maphab - ตบมะผาบ
Firecracker Fist - A style of empty hand combat which uses slaps and claps on the body to create a loud sound like a firecracker.
Mae Lai - แม่ลาย
Fundamental Form - Essential techniques of Jerng used for both empty-hand fighting and weaponry. This is a blue-print for teaching the practitioner how to defend & attack.