| ARCHERY |
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Archery, the national game
Archery is the national sport of Bhutan. This traditional sport has been with us since time immemorial. Archery over the years has
become a very popular sport among the urban dwellers. Even today archery is widely played through out the country during
festive occasions. In the rural areas archery is a major event played during festivals. In Bhutan a game of archery
has always been a serious business. Tradition has it that if two villages or districts were to compete in a game of
archery, elaborate preparations preceded the actual duel. Astrologers consulted the stars and their books of wisdom to
divine the most auspicious day to play the game, including even the most favourable sequence to shooting for their players.
The most auspicious time for entering the archery range and the direction in which to enter would be meticulously worked out by
their astrologers. Now abandoned, but the practise used to be that all players had to sleep the night before the game in a place
unknown to anyone. This was to ensure that their opponents could not direct any evil forces against the team. In addition, the
players were kept away from the amorous atmosphere of their family life so that they remained pure and fresh for the coming test.
become a very popular sport among the urban dwellers. Even today archery is widely played through out the country during
festive occasions. In the rural areas archery is a major event played during festivals. In Bhutan a game of archery
has always been a serious business. Tradition has it that if two villages or districts were to compete in a game of
archery, elaborate preparations preceded the actual duel. Astrologers consulted the stars and their books of wisdom to
divine the most auspicious day to play the game, including even the most favourable sequence to shooting for their players.
The most auspicious time for entering the archery range and the direction in which to enter would be meticulously worked out by
their astrologers. Now abandoned, but the practise used to be that all players had to sleep the night before the game in a place
unknown to anyone. This was to ensure that their opponents could not direct any evil forces against the team. In addition, the
players were kept away from the amorous atmosphere of their family life so that they remained pure and fresh for the coming test.
The religious minded would meditate, pray and perform religious ceremonies to invoke the
support of their protective deities a nd call upon their spirits to their ancestors to guide them to
victory. Even the no-so religious ones, in time like these, often would be suddenly bitten by the
bug of superstition, and to shield themselves against such negative forces, they would pray with
profound sincerity to their guardian spirits to seek for strength to vanquish their foes. Long gone
are the days when the Bhutanese were into battle in full gear, but the fighting spirit still lurks
somewhere deep in the depths of their souls, and nothing stimulates that fighting spirit more
than a game of archery.
support of their protective deities a nd call upon their spirits to their ancestors to guide them to
victory. Even the no-so religious ones, in time like these, often would be suddenly bitten by the
bug of superstition, and to shield themselves against such negative forces, they would pray with
profound sincerity to their guardian spirits to seek for strength to vanquish their foes. Long gone
are the days when the Bhutanese were into battle in full gear, but the fighting spirit still lurks
somewhere deep in the depths of their souls, and nothing stimulates that fighting spirit more
than a game of archery.
The archery range is of almost 160 meters long and the targets are place 145 meters apart. An average target is two and half feet
tall. Traditionally, the bows were bamboo; the arrows made of reeds adorned with beautiful wild pheasant feather. Now it is U. S
made compound bows with carbon limbs and fancy cams. With these levels of precision of shots has enhances considerably. But
the spirit and the thrill of playing a highly uncertain game still remains the same. A usual game is of twenty five points. Any team that
wins two games is the winner, but that can take sometimes two of more days. A direct hit on the target is a "kari" and a hit near the
target is a "dhaya": a kari carries two points and a dhaya, only one. If you hit a kari and your opponent also hits a kari, the karis are
cancelled. When a kari is cancelled, irrespective of how many dhayas there may be, they all stand annulled.
In accordance with the horoscope of the archers, the astrologers would have defined the sequence of the play; normally the tiger
leads. However, it is the captain that must keep a sharp eye and match his archers according to the skill and the psychological
advantage over their apponents.
When an arrow finds its mark, the archers, in a circle at the shooters end and in a straight line facing the target at the other end,
dance to praise their shooter's skill.
Archery is not just a sport in Bhutan but its a tradition which has lived with us for ages. Archery is a balanced coordination between
the limbs, eyes, breath and mind. All in all archery is a Bhutanese soul played in competitive spirit and loved by all.
tall. Traditionally, the bows were bamboo; the arrows made of reeds adorned with beautiful wild pheasant feather. Now it is U. S
made compound bows with carbon limbs and fancy cams. With these levels of precision of shots has enhances considerably. But
the spirit and the thrill of playing a highly uncertain game still remains the same. A usual game is of twenty five points. Any team that
wins two games is the winner, but that can take sometimes two of more days. A direct hit on the target is a "kari" and a hit near the
target is a "dhaya": a kari carries two points and a dhaya, only one. If you hit a kari and your opponent also hits a kari, the karis are
cancelled. When a kari is cancelled, irrespective of how many dhayas there may be, they all stand annulled.
In accordance with the horoscope of the archers, the astrologers would have defined the sequence of the play; normally the tiger
leads. However, it is the captain that must keep a sharp eye and match his archers according to the skill and the psychological
advantage over their apponents.
When an arrow finds its mark, the archers, in a circle at the shooters end and in a straight line facing the target at the other end,
dance to praise their shooter's skill.
Archery is not just a sport in Bhutan but its a tradition which has lived with us for ages. Archery is a balanced coordination between
the limbs, eyes, breath and mind. All in all archery is a Bhutanese soul played in competitive spirit and loved by all.
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