Photos: China’s ethnic Lisu aim to save crossbow culture
Updated On Apr 26, 2018 10:09 AM IST
Deep in the mountains along the China-Myanmar border, for Zhang and many other Lisu people, a mostly Christian minority who inhabit the region, the crossbow is an indispensable part of culture dating back to 200 BC. In a country that often bans the sale of kitchen knives during political summits, it's still normal to see ethnic Lisu openly carrying the weapon in public. The ethnic community wants to preserve the tradition by promoting crossbow shooting as a sport and attract new enthusiasts.
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Updated on Apr 26, 2018 10:09 AM IST
An ethnic Lisu man poses with his crossbow during a crossbow shooting competition in Luzhang Township, China. In a country that often bans the sale of kitchen knives during political summits, it’s still normal to see ethnic Lisu openly carrying the weapon in public. (Aly Song / REUTERS)
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Updated on Apr 26, 2018 10:09 AM IST
Deep inside mountains along the China-Myanmar border, a 26-year-old ethnic Lisu villager, surnamed Zhang, sharpens his crossbow arrows to prepare for a hunt. For Zhang and many other Lisu, a mostly Christian minority who inhabit the border region, the crossbow is an indispensable part of their culture dating back to 200 BC. (Aly Song / REUTERS)
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Updated on Apr 26, 2018 10:09 AM IST
Despite a decades-old hunting ban, law enforcement remains lax and Zhang and his friends still hunt birds and rodents for sport. Before the ban, Lisu hunters traditionally went for larger game such as bears and wild boar. (Aly Song / REUTERS)
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Updated on Apr 26, 2018 10:09 AM IST
Lisu technically must have a crossbow licence, which are regulated by district crossbow associations. As more young people move to urban areas for work, Cha Hairong, head of the Liuku Township Crossbow Association of Lushui city, fears the crossbow is dying out. (Aly Song / REUTERS)
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Updated on Apr 26, 2018 10:09 AM IST
Lisu men take aim during a crossbow shooting training session at Lushui Crossbow Stadium in Yunnan province. Cha wants to preserve the tradition by promoting crossbow shooting as a sport and attract new enthusiasts far beyond the Nu River Valley. (Aly Song / REUTERS)
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Updated on Apr 26, 2018 10:09 AM IST
“Our people’s crossbow culture must enter the National Games of China. It must enter the Asian Games. It must enter the Olympic Games! So that people all over world will understand our people’s culture,” said Cha. (Aly Song / REUTERS)
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Updated on Apr 26, 2018 10:09 AM IST
Ethnic Lisu men play a game of billiards in Daxindi township. The Lushui government has said it is committed to the preservation of the crossbow culture. Crossbow tournaments offering cash prizes have been held in recent years in a bid to boost interest in the sport. (Aly Song / REUTERS)
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Updated on Apr 26, 2018 10:09 AM IST