Ritual and respect
Wai kru ram muay
Often shortened to wai kru
What it means
The ritual a fighter performs in the ring before a bout, paying respect to their teacher, their camp and the sport. It is danced rather than fought, and it is not decoration.
Each camp has its own version, so a knowledgeable crowd can often tell where a fighter trained from the way they move through it.
It also serves a practical purpose: it settles nerves, warms the body and gives both fighters a look at each other before anything starts.
Related
Words that go with it
Mongkhon
The braided headband a fighter wears for the wai kru, given by the camp and removed by the trainer before the fight begins. It is treated as sacred.
Sarama
The live music played during a Muay Thai bout, built on a reed instrument, drums and cymbals. It follows the fight, speeding up as the pace lifts.