Archery in Bhutan
Encyclopedia
Archery in Bhutan is the national sport
of the Kingdom
. Archery
was declared the national sport in 1971, when Bhutan became a member of the United Nations
. Since then, the popularity of Bhutanese archery has increased both within and without Bhutan, with a measure of government promotion. Bhutan also maintains an Olympic archery team. Previously, competitions were held only at dzongkhag
and gewog
levels, however modernly, archery tournaments and competitions are held throughout the country. Archery is played during religious and secular public holidays in Bhutan
, local festivals (tsechu
), between public ministries and departments, and between the dzonkhag and the regional teams. Archery tournaments and performances have also become a significant point of interest for tourism in Bhutan
.
Archery in Bhutan is culturally distinctive because it is a martial art practiced among a modern population that abhors killing
. Bhutanese people from different social strata find archery one of the most enjoyable sports, being both fun and physical exercise. In addition, archery builds concentration, which contributes to mental development; according to a Bhutanese proverb, both sailing and archery require intelligence. Archery in Bhutan is a way of socialization, communication, and development of relations between people. Emotions run high during competitions, and support for archers and ridicule or distraction of opponents can become as violent as in other countries' sporting events.
in Thimphu
is one of the kingdom's most prominent archery fields. The most notable archery competition in Bhutan is the Yangphel tournament. Other major archery competitions are held during Losar
, the Bhutanese and Tibetan New Year
.
The distance to the target
is about 130 metres (426.5 ft). The relatively small targets are cut from wood and brightly painted, usually measuring about 3 feet (91.4 cm) tall and 11 inches (27.9 cm) wide. Bullseyes are called karay. Traditionally, Bhutanese bows are made of bamboo
, and arrows from bamboo or reeds
, fletched with feather vanes. Arrows may be painted and tipped with metal arrowheads. Quiver
s may be wooden, with an animal hide covering and a woven strap.
Bhutanese archery teams number at 13 players; teams take turns shooting two arrows at a time first in one direction, then in the opposite direction. The first to score 25 points wins, however because the scoring system is complicated, winning can take a very long time. For example, a second hit by an opponent can invalidate the other player's score. In addition, the interplay of wider socializing and festivities, with archery as the nominal focus, give Bhutanese archery competitions an excruciatingly slow pace. In the past, the most traditional matches could last for as long as a month, though modern matches tend to span a number of days.
Preparation for archery matches are different to other sports: competitors are advised not to spend the night with their wives the night before the competition in order to achieve a high concentration. On the eve of a competition, the team spends the night in the woods or in a barn. Opening events precede the initiation and breakfast, and alcoholic beverages
can be consumed on the morning of competitions. Teams often employ astrologers
to select competing members. In their prognostications, astrologers use puppets (tsip) to symbolize archers, puppets of fate who have no control of their destiny. These astrologers are often hired at substantial fees in archers' attempts to have favorable tsip performances, cast curses against other archers, and gain an upper hand. Astrologers also calculate the time and place competition.
Modern archery competitions feature compound bows, corporate sponsorships, copious cash and material winnings, injuries, and occasional fatalities. The popularity of archery has raised questions of Bhutan's susceptibility to doping, including by alcohol, in the sport. The increased modern popularity of archery has also drawn attention to the danger in the sport, especially to spectators, residents, and passers by near archery ranges. Since 2010, Bhutan has held the Lyonchen Jigmi Y Thinley Archery Tournament, encouraging the use of traditional bows and the development of gewog
teams.
are traditionally active participants in archery competitions, both at home and on the sidelines. To support their husbands, archers' wives prepare their best dishes and drinks
. Their older children prepare and bring butter tea
and alcoholic beverages to the shooting range, accompanied by younger children. Men participating in the match match then bestow friends and the match coordinators with food and beverages prepared by their wives.
During the matches, women cheer their husbands or favorites with heavily symbolic songs. They also mock opponents with distracting gesticulations and humorous insults. One insult goes: "Whose forehead is bulging and swollen like a wine-serving spoon, in aimless flight his shaft will drift to hit the mark not even once, Ah kha kha thu lu lu!" (Kuchu pehew gi da mephog, phog rung bam i pchi lay yeen, Ah kha kha thu lu lu!) Another more burlesque insult goes: "Lips sheltered in a black beard, in aimless flight his shaft will drift to hit the mark not even once, Ah kha kha thu lu lu!" (Kha nag pu so da me phog, phog rung bam i pchi lay yeen, Ah kha kha thu lu lu!)
Regarding archery, one Bhutanese proverb says, "Archery and discus
are to men, as songs and dances are to women," indicating archery is a traditionally male-dominated sport. Nonetheless, modern prominent archers include Dorji Dema
and Tshering Chhoden
, two Bhutanese women
.
One such line from a verbal battle goes: "Where the vulture flies, my stone shall fly, there to collide." (Bjagoed phu sa do chap kay), demeaning the opponent and promising a bullseye to reset his team's score.
Throughout the history of Bhutan
, fire
and the bow and arrow were an important means of survival in the highlands during war and on hunts. The bow and arrow play a significant role in many Bhutanese myths and legends; images of the gods holding a bow and arrows are considered especially favorable. Symbolic and religious significance of the bow and arrow is associated with the legendary murder Tibet
an King Langdarma
in the 10th century. The king had persecuted Buddhism
, and thus failed to perform his duty as he made mischief. A Buddhist monk, Lhalung Pelgi Dorji, performed the Black Hat Dance to entertain the king, during which he feigned a bow before a king, drew a bow and arrow hidden in the big sleeves of a ceremonial dance costume, and killed the king.
In the 15th century, most prophecies by Lama Drukpa Kunley
are believed to have originated from his bow and arrows. Modernly, the bow and arrows are an obligatory feature of any religious ceremony, ritual, festival
, and holiday in Bhutan
. Archery has also been a favorite sport of the King of Bhutan, handed down from generation to generation.
During the Bhutanese period of theocratic rule
(1616–1907), there was no regular standing army. The bow and arrow were among the principal means of arming the population during frequent upheavals and invasions. During times of crisis, the government raised militias from among local lords' retinues, all commanded by one dapon (Dzongkha: མདའ་དཔོན་; Wylie
: mdaa-dpon; "arrow chief"). The title dapon continued to be used among military cadres well after the establishment of the Bhutanese monarchy
in 1907.
The cultural significance of archery in Bhutan can be observed at shrines to local gods, where historically arrows were confiscated as tribute, and where modernly arrows are often left as offerings.
National symbols of Bhutan
The national symbols of Bhutan include the national flag, national emblem, national anthem, and the mythical druk thunder dragon featured in all three. Other distinctive symbols of Bhutan and its dominant Ngalop culture include Dzongkha, the national language; the Bhutanese monarchy; and the...
of the Kingdom
Bhutan
Bhutan , officially the Kingdom of Bhutan, is a landlocked state in South Asia, located at the eastern end of the Himalayas and bordered to the south, east and west by the Republic of India and to the north by the People's Republic of China...
. Archery
Archery
Archery is the art, practice, or skill of propelling arrows with the use of a bow, from Latin arcus. Archery has historically been used for hunting and combat; in modern times, however, its main use is that of a recreational activity...
was declared the national sport in 1971, when Bhutan became a member of the United Nations
United Nations
The United Nations is an international organization whose stated aims are facilitating cooperation in international law, international security, economic development, social progress, human rights, and achievement of world peace...
. Since then, the popularity of Bhutanese archery has increased both within and without Bhutan, with a measure of government promotion. Bhutan also maintains an Olympic archery team. Previously, competitions were held only at dzongkhag
Dzongkhag
A dzongkhag is an administrative and judicial district of Bhutan. The twenty dzongkhags of Bhutan are further divided into 205 gewogs. Some larger dzongkhags have one or more of an intermediate judicial division, known as dungkhags , which themselves comprise two or more gewogs...
and gewog
Gewog
A gewog, or geog refers to a group of villages in Bhutan. Gewogs form a geographic administrative unit below dzongkhag districts , and above thromde municipalities. Bhutan comprises 205 gewogs, which average 230 km² in area...
levels, however modernly, archery tournaments and competitions are held throughout the country. Archery is played during religious and secular public holidays in Bhutan
Public holidays in Bhutan
Public holidays in Bhutan consist of both national holidays and local festivals called tsechus. While national holidays are observed throughout Bhutan, tsechus are only observed in their areas. Bhutan uses its own calendar, a variant of the lunisolar Tibetan calendar. Because it is a lunisolar...
, local festivals (tsechu
Tsechu
Tsechu are annual religious Bhutanese festivals held in each district or dzongkhag of Bhutan on the tenth day of a month of the lunar Tibetan calendar. The month depends on the place, but usually is around the time of October. Tsechus are religious festivals of Drukpa Buddhism...
), between public ministries and departments, and between the dzonkhag and the regional teams. Archery tournaments and performances have also become a significant point of interest for tourism in Bhutan
Tourism in Bhutan
Tourism in Bhutan began in 1974, when the Government of Bhutan, in an effort to raise revenue and to promote the country's unique culture and traditions to the outside world, opened its isolated country to foreigners. In 1974, 287 tourists visited Bhutan. Since then the number of tourists visiting...
.
Archery in Bhutan is culturally distinctive because it is a martial art practiced among a modern population that abhors killing
Murder
Murder is the unlawful killing, with malice aforethought, of another human being, and generally this state of mind distinguishes murder from other forms of unlawful homicide...
. Bhutanese people from different social strata find archery one of the most enjoyable sports, being both fun and physical exercise. In addition, archery builds concentration, which contributes to mental development; according to a Bhutanese proverb, both sailing and archery require intelligence. Archery in Bhutan is a way of socialization, communication, and development of relations between people. Emotions run high during competitions, and support for archers and ridicule or distraction of opponents can become as violent as in other countries' sporting events.
Archery competitions
Every village has a field for archery; Changlimithang StadiumChanglimithang Stadium
Changlimithang Stadium is a multi-purpose stadium in Thimphu, Bhutan, which serves as the National Stadium. It is currently used mostly for football and archery matches. The stadium holds 25,000...
in Thimphu
Thimphu
Thimphu also spelt Thimpu, is the capital and largest city of Bhutan. It is situated in the western central part of Bhutan and the surrounding valley is one of Bhutan's dzongkhags, the Thimphu District. The city became the capital of Bhutan in 1961...
is one of the kingdom's most prominent archery fields. The most notable archery competition in Bhutan is the Yangphel tournament. Other major archery competitions are held during Losar
Losar
Losar is the Tibetan word for "new year." lo holds the semantic field "year, age"; sar holds the semantic field "new, fresh". Losar is the most important holiday in Tibet....
, the Bhutanese and Tibetan New Year
New Year
The New Year is the day that marks the time of the beginning of a new calendar year, and is the day on which the year count of the specific calendar used is incremented. For many cultures, the event is celebrated in some manner....
.
The distance to the target
Bullseye (target)
The bullseye, or bull's-eye, is the centre of a target , and by extension the name given to any shot that hits the bullseye...
is about 130 metres (426.5 ft). The relatively small targets are cut from wood and brightly painted, usually measuring about 3 feet (91.4 cm) tall and 11 inches (27.9 cm) wide. Bullseyes are called karay. Traditionally, Bhutanese bows are made of bamboo
Bamboo
Bamboo is a group of perennial evergreens in the true grass family Poaceae, subfamily Bambusoideae, tribe Bambuseae. Giant bamboos are the largest members of the grass family....
, and arrows from bamboo or reeds
Reed (plant)
Reed is a generic polyphyletic botanical term used to describe numerous tall, grass-like plants of wet places, which are the namesake vegetation of reed beds...
, fletched with feather vanes. Arrows may be painted and tipped with metal arrowheads. Quiver
Quiver
A quiver is a container for arrows. Quivers have been traditionally made of leather, bark, wood, furs and other natural materials; modern quivers are often made of metal and plastic....
s may be wooden, with an animal hide covering and a woven strap.
Bhutanese archery teams number at 13 players; teams take turns shooting two arrows at a time first in one direction, then in the opposite direction. The first to score 25 points wins, however because the scoring system is complicated, winning can take a very long time. For example, a second hit by an opponent can invalidate the other player's score. In addition, the interplay of wider socializing and festivities, with archery as the nominal focus, give Bhutanese archery competitions an excruciatingly slow pace. In the past, the most traditional matches could last for as long as a month, though modern matches tend to span a number of days.
Preparation for archery matches are different to other sports: competitors are advised not to spend the night with their wives the night before the competition in order to achieve a high concentration. On the eve of a competition, the team spends the night in the woods or in a barn. Opening events precede the initiation and breakfast, and alcoholic beverages
Ara (drink)
Ara, or Arag, is a traditional alcoholic beverage consumed in Bhutan. Ara is made from rice, maize, millet, or wheat, and may be either fermented or distilled. The beverage is usually a clear, creamy, or white color.-Production:Ara is most commonly made from rice or maize at private homes or farms...
can be consumed on the morning of competitions. Teams often employ astrologers
Tibetan Astrology
Tibetan astrology is a traditional discipline of the Tibetan peoples that has dialogued with both Chinese astrology and Indian astrology. Tibetan astrology is one of the 'Ten Sciences' in the enumeration honoured by this cultural tradition.-Animals:The animals cycle in an archetypal progression...
to select competing members. In their prognostications, astrologers use puppets (tsip) to symbolize archers, puppets of fate who have no control of their destiny. These astrologers are often hired at substantial fees in archers' attempts to have favorable tsip performances, cast curses against other archers, and gain an upper hand. Astrologers also calculate the time and place competition.
Modern archery competitions feature compound bows, corporate sponsorships, copious cash and material winnings, injuries, and occasional fatalities. The popularity of archery has raised questions of Bhutan's susceptibility to doping, including by alcohol, in the sport. The increased modern popularity of archery has also drawn attention to the danger in the sport, especially to spectators, residents, and passers by near archery ranges. Since 2010, Bhutan has held the Lyonchen Jigmi Y Thinley Archery Tournament, encouraging the use of traditional bows and the development of gewog
Gewog
A gewog, or geog refers to a group of villages in Bhutan. Gewogs form a geographic administrative unit below dzongkhag districts , and above thromde municipalities. Bhutan comprises 205 gewogs, which average 230 km² in area...
teams.
Women in archery
Women in BhutanWomen in Bhutan
Although officially the government of Bhutan has encouraged greater participation by the women in Bhutan in political and administrative life, male members of the traditional aristocracy dominate the social system. Economic development has increased opportunities for women to participate in fields...
are traditionally active participants in archery competitions, both at home and on the sidelines. To support their husbands, archers' wives prepare their best dishes and drinks
Ara (drink)
Ara, or Arag, is a traditional alcoholic beverage consumed in Bhutan. Ara is made from rice, maize, millet, or wheat, and may be either fermented or distilled. The beverage is usually a clear, creamy, or white color.-Production:Ara is most commonly made from rice or maize at private homes or farms...
. Their older children prepare and bring butter tea
Butter tea
Butter tea, also known as po cha , cha süma , Mandarin Chinese: sūyóu chá or goor goor in local Ladakhi terms, is a drink of the Tibetans and Chinese minorities in southwestern China. It is also consumed in Bhutan. It is made from tea leaves, yak butter, and salt.-Usage:Drinking butter tea is a...
and alcoholic beverages to the shooting range, accompanied by younger children. Men participating in the match match then bestow friends and the match coordinators with food and beverages prepared by their wives.
During the matches, women cheer their husbands or favorites with heavily symbolic songs. They also mock opponents with distracting gesticulations and humorous insults. One insult goes: "Whose forehead is bulging and swollen like a wine-serving spoon, in aimless flight his shaft will drift to hit the mark not even once, Ah kha kha thu lu lu!" (Kuchu pehew gi da mephog, phog rung bam i pchi lay yeen, Ah kha kha thu lu lu!) Another more burlesque insult goes: "Lips sheltered in a black beard, in aimless flight his shaft will drift to hit the mark not even once, Ah kha kha thu lu lu!" (Kha nag pu so da me phog, phog rung bam i pchi lay yeen, Ah kha kha thu lu lu!)
Regarding archery, one Bhutanese proverb says, "Archery and discus
Discus throw
The discus throw is an event in track and field athletics competition, in which an athlete throws a heavy disc—called a discus—in an attempt to mark a farther distance than his or her competitors. It is an ancient sport, as evidenced by the 5th century BC Myron statue, Discobolus...
are to men, as songs and dances are to women," indicating archery is a traditionally male-dominated sport. Nonetheless, modern prominent archers include Dorji Dema
Dorji Dema
Dorji Dema is an athlete from Bhutan who competes in archery.At the 2008 Summer Olympics in Beijing Dema finished her ranking round with a total of 567 points. This gave her the 61st seed for the final competition bracket in which she faced Khatuna Narimanidze in the first round...
and Tshering Chhoden
Tshering Chhoden
Tshering Chhoden is an athlete from Bhutan. She competes in archery.Chhoden represented Bhutan at the 2000 and 2004 Summer Olympic Games. In 2004 she placed 54th in the women's individual ranking round with a 72-arrow score of 600. In the first round of elimination, she faced 11th-ranked Lin...
, two Bhutanese women
Women in Bhutan
Although officially the government of Bhutan has encouraged greater participation by the women in Bhutan in political and administrative life, male members of the traditional aristocracy dominate the social system. Economic development has increased opportunities for women to participate in fields...
.
Verbal battles
Competing archers also engage in verbal battle, giving players a chance to display intellectual and literary skills. In archery matches, bombarding opponents with verbal confrontation is equally important to scoring bullseyes. Players and teammates praise their own arrows, lend advice and encouragement to each other, and demean opponents in florid literary expressions known as kha shed. Competitors must be prepared to provoke or reply in an equal or more impressive literary fashion.One such line from a verbal battle goes: "Where the vulture flies, my stone shall fly, there to collide." (Bjagoed phu sa do chap kay), demeaning the opponent and promising a bullseye to reset his team's score.
History
History of Bhutan
Bhutan's early history is steeped in mythology and remains obscure. It may have been inhabited as early as 2000 BC, but not much was known until the introduction of Tibetan Buddhism in the 9th century, when turmoil in Tibet forced many monks to flee to Bhutan. In the 12th century, the Drukpa...
, fire
Fire
Fire is the rapid oxidation of a material in the chemical process of combustion, releasing heat, light, and various reaction products. Slower oxidative processes like rusting or digestion are not included by this definition....
and the bow and arrow were an important means of survival in the highlands during war and on hunts. The bow and arrow play a significant role in many Bhutanese myths and legends; images of the gods holding a bow and arrows are considered especially favorable. Symbolic and religious significance of the bow and arrow is associated with the legendary murder Tibet
Tibet
Tibet is a plateau region in Asia, north-east of the Himalayas. It is the traditional homeland of the Tibetan people as well as some other ethnic groups such as Monpas, Qiang, and Lhobas, and is now also inhabited by considerable numbers of Han and Hui people...
an King Langdarma
Langdarma
Langdarma was the last emperor of the unified Tibetan empire, who most likely reigned from 838 to 841 CE. Early sources named him Tri Darma meaning "King Darma"; "Lang" is a nickname meaning "ox". He was also called tsenpo or lhase Au Dunten...
in the 10th century. The king had persecuted Buddhism
Buddhism
Buddhism is a religion and philosophy encompassing a variety of traditions, beliefs and practices, largely based on teachings attributed to Siddhartha Gautama, commonly known as the Buddha . The Buddha lived and taught in the northeastern Indian subcontinent some time between the 6th and 4th...
, and thus failed to perform his duty as he made mischief. A Buddhist monk, Lhalung Pelgi Dorji, performed the Black Hat Dance to entertain the king, during which he feigned a bow before a king, drew a bow and arrow hidden in the big sleeves of a ceremonial dance costume, and killed the king.
In the 15th century, most prophecies by Lama Drukpa Kunley
Drukpa Kunley
Kunga Legpai Zangpo , was also known by other names such as Drukpa Kunley, Drukpa Kunleg , and "The Divine Madman of the Dragon Lineage" Kunga Legpa...
are believed to have originated from his bow and arrows. Modernly, the bow and arrows are an obligatory feature of any religious ceremony, ritual, festival
Tsechu
Tsechu are annual religious Bhutanese festivals held in each district or dzongkhag of Bhutan on the tenth day of a month of the lunar Tibetan calendar. The month depends on the place, but usually is around the time of October. Tsechus are religious festivals of Drukpa Buddhism...
, and holiday in Bhutan
Public holidays in Bhutan
Public holidays in Bhutan consist of both national holidays and local festivals called tsechus. While national holidays are observed throughout Bhutan, tsechus are only observed in their areas. Bhutan uses its own calendar, a variant of the lunisolar Tibetan calendar. Because it is a lunisolar...
. Archery has also been a favorite sport of the King of Bhutan, handed down from generation to generation.
During the Bhutanese period of theocratic rule
Dual system of government
The Dual System of Government or Cho-sid-nyi is the traditional diarchal political system of Tibetan peoples whereby the Desi coexists with the spiritual authority of the realm, usually unified under a third single ruler. The actual distribution of power between institutions varied over time and...
(1616–1907), there was no regular standing army. The bow and arrow were among the principal means of arming the population during frequent upheavals and invasions. During times of crisis, the government raised militias from among local lords' retinues, all commanded by one dapon (Dzongkha: མདའ་དཔོན་; Wylie
Wylie transliteration
The Wylie transliteration scheme is a method for transliterating Tibetan script using only the letters available on a typical English language typewriter. It bears the name of Turrell V. Wylie, who described the scheme in an article, A Standard System of Tibetan Transcription, published in 1959...
: mdaa-dpon; "arrow chief"). The title dapon continued to be used among military cadres well after the establishment of the Bhutanese monarchy
House of Wangchuck
The House of Wangchuck has ruled Bhutan since it was reunified in 1907. Prior to reunification, the Wangchuck family had governed the district of Trongsa as descendants of Dungkar Choji. They eventually overpowered other regional lords and earned the favour of the British Empire...
in 1907.
The cultural significance of archery in Bhutan can be observed at shrines to local gods, where historically arrows were confiscated as tribute, and where modernly arrows are often left as offerings.
See also
- Sports in BhutanSports in BhutanSports in Bhutan comprise both traditional Bhutanese and modern international games. Archery is the national Sport in Bhutan, and competitions are held regularly in most villages. Other traditional Bhutanese sports include khuru, soksom, pundo, and digor....
- Bhutan at the OlympicsBhutan at the OlympicsFor each Olympic Summer Games since 1984, Bhutan has fielded male and female archers. Archery is the national sport of Bhutan. They have never competed in the Winter Games nor the other events of the Summer Games; they also have never won an Olympic Medal...
- Culture of BhutanCulture of BhutanCradled in the folds of the Himalayas, Bhutan has relied on its geographic isolation to protect itself from outside cultural influences. A sparsely populated country bordered by India to the south and China to the north, Bhutan has long maintained a policy of strict isolationism, both culturally...
- Tourism in BhutanTourism in BhutanTourism in Bhutan began in 1974, when the Government of Bhutan, in an effort to raise revenue and to promote the country's unique culture and traditions to the outside world, opened its isolated country to foreigners. In 1974, 287 tourists visited Bhutan. Since then the number of tourists visiting...
External links
- Bhutan Archery – Yangphel tournament archery site
- Archery: Bhutan's National Sport Then and Now
- Archery in Bhutan