Shit Thaung Photoe Taw Gyi, situated in Maruk U of Rakhine State, is one of the famous and historic pagodas in Myanmar. It was built by King Min Bar Gyi in AD-1536. As it has unique architecture and marvelous art works, it is a pride of Rakhine nationals.

Once on a holiday, I went to Shit Thaung Pahtoe Taw Gyi together with my grandchild to pay homage the Pagoda as well as to observe its architecture. After paying homage, we observed the architectural works along the tunnel where my grandchild asked me “Grandpa, what are these sculptures?” And I answered “These are the sculptures of Kyin Kai (wrestling)”. “Kyin” derived from “Kyar Hlin” means the tiger catches swiftly its preys with momentum. In playing Kyin, it needs swiftness like a tiger. Later, “Kyar Hlin” changes to “Kyin”. “Kyin” is a traditional sport of our Rakhine national races. “Kyin” is a kind of sports coming down from the ancient Rakhine Monarchs. “Kyin Kai” is also called “Kyin Lone” or “Wrestling”.

In playing Kyin, there are two wrestlers or “Kyin Thans”. So, in a wrestling contest, there will be a couple of wrestlers: an attacker and a defender. The offensive player began to wrestle and the defensive player have to resist the attack by placing both the arms on the side of the body, stretching the upper part of the hands forwards and bending his body. The offensive player has to start the attack. Kyin is not a sport to attack the rival violently with vigor. It is the art that is used strength and intelligence properly. It is necessary to have strength, intelligence, swiftness, courage, resistance and skillful technique in playing “Kyin”.

“Grandpa, these are the sculptures of Kyin, aren’t them?”

“That’s right. In this sculpture, the man who is on his hands on the ground is loser and the other one is winner. Kyin or wrestling is an important art for the youths to enhance self-ability and strength.

Kyin or wrestling contests were held resoundingly in urban and rural areas for the vigorous strength, health and fitness as well as for the military purposes of Rakhine nationals. Therefore, every youth of Rakhine national has to preserve Kyin Sport to be skillful from generation to generation.

And then, we returned from Shit Thaung Pahtoe Taw Gyi. As I’ve explained my grandchild about Kyin, I returned home with pleasure.