What is Thang-Ta as a sport?
B · Beginner · Events and equipment · 1 of 4Thang-Ta is a martial art from Manipur with armed and unarmed styles. The sport rules cover the armed game, khutlai paiba. In phunaba, the fighting events, two players strike with a phunachei, a soft cane stick in leather used in place of a sword. There are also solo performance events with ornamental weapons, judged like kata.
How it works
- Armed game: khutlai paiba.
- Unarmed game: khutlai paidaba, not covered.
- Fighting: phunaba.
- Stick: phunachei.
- Shield: chungoi.
- Performances: kanglon chatpa.
- Prizes: gold, silver, bronze.
- Rule makers: World Thang-Ta Federation.
The glossary has the Thang-Ta, the World Thang-Ta Federation and Huyel Langlon Academy, the khutlai paiba and paidaba, the phunaba, the kanglon chatpa and the phunachei.
Tricky cases
Is the unarmed style part of the sport rules?
No. Only the armed game.
What does phunachei mean?
Fighting stick: phuna is fight and chei is stick.
Are there team prizes?
Yes: team championship, runners-up and best fighters, boys and girls.
Who can change the rules?
The World Thang-Ta Federation's technical committee, with the academy and the World Thang-Ta Council.
Why the rule exists
A soft stick in place of a sword lets beginners practise the art's fighting without danger.
Where it differs
| Where | What changes | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Fighting | Phunaba | L T 2 |
| Performance | Kanglon chatpa | L T 2 |
| Rules changes | World body | L T 32 |
From the rule book
SGFI, Thang-Ta Game Rule, introduction and articles 1 to 3 and 32. Checked 15 October 2026. Official document: SGFI Thang-Ta Game Rule (scanned).