Burma: Mystic Ball and the Sport of Chinlone

Exquisite Safaris Philanthropic Travel does not organize travel to Myanmar, and has never sent anyone to Myanmar. Exquisite Safaris Philanthropic Travel has traveled to Myanmar on a fact finding mission and have supported a vetted non profit organization that brings much needed fresh water to a community there. However, Exquisite Safaris does not organize travel to Myanmar at this time.

Favorite places?

I always tell them Burma.

Why?

The Burmese smiles and positive outlook despite their current political situation.

What exactly do you mean?

Its a feeling that is impossible for an American to describe!

The following Trailers from the new movie (took 8 years to produce) Mystic Ball- The Movie will help you better understand the exquisite energy of the talented and kind citizens of Myanmar (Burma).

Please take a deep breath, sit back and be amazed watching this incredible video..

Mystic Ball: The Burmese Sport of Chinlone

About Chinlone

Mystic Ball-The Film

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"In this uplifting documentary, a Canadian man journeys deep into the little known culture of Myanmar (Burma) and its traditional sport, Chinlone. Wonderfully crafted, Hamilton has made a film of striking visual imagery"
-Hubert Davis (Oscar nominee), Canadian Spectrum Programmer, Hot Docs

"Probably the most amazing film you are going to see (at Hot Docs)..."
-Barbara Goslawski, CKLN 88.1 FM, Toronto

"In his lovely first film, director Greg Hamilton details his introduction to chinlone in Myanmar and the circumstances that led to him becoming the game's first foreign star."
-Jason Anderson, Eye Weekly

"...the beautiful photography...and the passionate attention to the mechanics of the game are the stuff any sports enthusiast can appreciate."
-Guy Dixon, The Globe and Mail

"...spiritually uplifting..."
-Antoine Tedesco, SceneandHeard.ca

"...visually stunning..."
-Meg Hewings, Hour.ca

"...an exceptionally compelling look into a game that, in its zone, dissolves hostility and creates an environment of peace."
-James Wegg, Jamesweggreview.org

Winner - Special Jury Award for Best Canadian Feature
& 2nd Place - Audience Award
-Hot Docs International Documentary Film Festival

Critic's Choice
-Academy of Canadian Cinema and Television

Imagine passionately devoting two decades of your life to a sport no one else plays, at least not on your side of the planet. In the documentary film Mystic Ball, a chance encounter with a strange ball leads a Canadian man on a journey deep into the little known culture of Myanmar, and its traditional sport, chinlone.

Chinlone is a unique combination of sport and dance, a team sport with no opposing team. Over 1,500 years old, it is unknown to the world outside of Myanmar. In essence chinlone is non competitive, yet it's as demanding as the most competitive ball games. The focus is not on winning, but how beautifully you play the game.

For Greg Hamilton, what begins as a physical exercise soon becomes a meditation and a dance with gravity. Mystic Ball follows Greg on his visits to Myanmar over a period of 20 years, as he evolves from an awkward beginner to a teammate capable of soloing with the greatest chinlone players in the country. En route, he juggles feelings of bliss and self-discovery with occasional bouts of self-doubt and inadequacy.

During numerous trips to Myanmar and the city of Mandalay, Greg is embraced by a community that shares his passion. He is now known as "Mr. Greg" to millions of Burmese who watched on TV as he became the only foreigner to ever play in one of the huge Buddhist festivals that celebrate chinlone. And in time, he comes to learn about its mystical nature.

We see the development of his friendship with the "Golden Princess" Su Su Hlaing, the greatest chinlone solo artist in the country. We see Greg blossom under the tutelage of Ko Maung Maung, a veteran top player whose son, Aung Soe Moe is considered to be the finest chinlone player alive. And we learn what chinlone means to a couple of elders who have been playing the game everyday for the last 70 years. The climax of Mystic Ball sees Greg get his chance to play with Ko Maung Maung on the best team in the country, the Dream Lovers.

Eight years in the making, Mystic Ball will introduce you to more than just a mesmerizing sport. It will also engage you in a beautiful story about the happiness and fulfillment that comes from following one's passion.

Chinlone is the traditional sport of Myanmar (Burma). Chinlone is a combination of sport and dance, a team sport with no opposing team. In essence chinlone is non-competitive, yet it's as demanding as the most competitive ball games. The focus is not on winning or losing, but how beautifully one plays the game.

A team of six players pass the ball back and forth with their feet and knees as they walk around a circle. One player goes into the center to solo, creating a dance of various moves strung together. The soloist is supported by the other players who try to pass the ball back with one kick. When the ball drops to the ground it's dead, and the play starts again.

Chinlone means "cane-ball" in Burmese. The ball is woven from rattan, and makes a distinctive clicking sound when kicked that is part of the aesthetic of the game. Players use six points of contact with the ball: the top of the toes, the inner and outer sides of the foot, the sole, the heel, and the knee. The game is played barefoot or in chinlone shoes that allow the players to feel the ball and the ground as directly as possible. The typical playing circle is 6.7 meters (22 feet) in diameter. The ideal playing surface is dry, hard packed dirt, but almost any flat surface will do.

Chinlone is over 1,500 years old and was once played for Myanmar royalty. Over the centuries, players have developed more than 200 different ways of kicking the ball. Many of the moves are similar to those of Myanmar dance and martial art. Some of the most difficult strokes are done behind the back without seeing the ball as it is kicked. Form is all important in chinlone, there is a correct way to position the hands, arms, torso, and head during the moves. A move is considered to have been done well only if the form is good.

Myanmar is a predominately Buddhist country, and chinlone games are a featured part of the many Buddhist festivals that take place during the year. The largest of these festivals goes on for more than a month with up to a thousand teams. An announcer calls out the names of the moves and entertains the audience with clever wordplay. Live music from a traditional orchestra inspires the players and shapes the style and rhythm of their play. The players play in time to the music and the musicians accent the kicks.

Both men and women play chinlone, often on the same team. Adults and children can play on the same team, and it's not unusual to see elders in their 80's playing.

In addition to the team style of chinlone, which is called "wein kat" or circle kick, there is also a solo performance style called "tapandaing". This solo style is only performed by women.

To play chinlone well, the whole team must be absolutely in the moment – their minds cannot wander or the ball will drop. All serious players experience an intensely focused state of mind, similar to that achieved in Zen meditation, which they refer to as jhana.

Chinlone is one of a family of football games played throughout the world. It is related to similar games in Southeast Asia known as takraw in Thailand, sepak raga in Malaysia, Singapore and Indonesia, sipa in the Philippines, kator in Laos and da cau in Vietnam. A competitive variation of the game played over a net, called sepak takraw was developed in Malaysia in the 1940's. The origins of chinlone may be related to the ancient Chinese game of cuju or tsu chu, which is acknowledged by FIFA as being the oldest form of soccer. A similar game is also played in Japan where it is known as kemari. Chinlone is also related to the family of sports played by kicking a shuttlecock, know as jianzi in China and Taiwan, and jegichagi in Korea. And there is some evidence to suggest that a variation of these games traveled across the Bering Straits and influenced Native Americans, who also played a variety of games keeping a ball up with the feet. These games are thought to be the origin of footbag, also known as hacky sack.

However, nowhere in the world has the level of extraordinary foot skills and dexterity been combined with artistic expression and spirituality as in the Myanmar game of chinlone.

Learn More:
Contra Costa Times: Public Relations Consultant to Myanmar Dictatorship
Tell Your Rep: UN Must Reject Burma's False Constitution
Campaigning for Human Rights and Democracy in Burma
United States Campaign for Burma
Bush announces more Burma sanctions: USA Today
Clean Water Burma
Take Action for Burma Democracy: Philanthropic Travel
Freedom for Burma: Myanmar no more
Burma: Hopes Burn Brightly
Burma: Mystic Ball and the Sport of Chinlone
Philanthropic Travelers provide clean water in Burma

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