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Photos: Living by the bow and arrow in Bhutan

Bhutan has sent archers to every Olympics since 1984 but a medal has eluded the nation. Still, the traditional sport of archery, without sophisticated modern bows is a way of life for some 800,000 people in the small Himalayan kingdom. Competitions are held across the country on various auspicious days each month before culminating in national championships. The game they play pits two teams of 11 players each who try to hit the maximum number of bull's-eyes on a fixed target, war cries and folk songs ringing out each time the target is hit or missed.

Updated on: Oct 09, 2018 9:54 AM IST

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A Bhutanese archer aims at a target at the Changlimithang Archery Ground in Thimphu. Every weekend Bhutanese Pema Dorji channels his inner Robin Hood and aims for the bull’s-eye, but not without generous sips of the local brew and a leg-kicking dance and song routine. The likes of Dorji make up the vibrant archery scene in the Himalayan kingdom where archery is a way of life for its 800,000 people. (Arun Sankar / AFP)

Updated on Oct 09, 2018 9:54 AM

A Bhutanese archer aims at a target at the Changlimithang Archery Ground in Thimphu. Every weekend Bhutanese Pema Dorji channels his inner Robin Hood and aims for the bull’s-eye, but not without generous sips of the local brew and a leg-kicking dance and song routine. The likes of Dorji make up the vibrant archery scene in the Himalayan kingdom where archery is a way of life for its 800,000 people. (Arun Sankar / AFP)

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An archer reacts after shooting an arrow. Competitions are held across the country on various auspicious days each month before culminating in national championships attended by hundreds of raucous fans. “Alcohol and archery go hand in hand,” said Tashi Dorji, the research and development officer with the Bhutan Indigenous Games and Sports Association (BIGSA). (Arun Sankar / AFP)

Updated on Oct 09, 2018 9:54 AM

An archer reacts after shooting an arrow. Competitions are held across the country on various auspicious days each month before culminating in national championships attended by hundreds of raucous fans. “Alcohol and archery go hand in hand,” said Tashi Dorji, the research and development officer with the Bhutan Indigenous Games and Sports Association (BIGSA). (Arun Sankar / AFP)

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A Bhutanese archer points to a target hit by an arrow. “We drink to gain confidence. We have a belief that if we drink we can hit the target better,” the 25-year-old said, barely hiding a sheepish grin. The game they play pits two teams of 11 players each who try to hit the maximum number of bull’s-eyes on a fixed target a full 140 metres away. (Arun Sankar / AFP)

Updated on Oct 09, 2018 9:54 AM

A Bhutanese archer points to a target hit by an arrow. “We drink to gain confidence. We have a belief that if we drink we can hit the target better,” the 25-year-old said, barely hiding a sheepish grin. The game they play pits two teams of 11 players each who try to hit the maximum number of bull’s-eyes on a fixed target a full 140 metres away. (Arun Sankar / AFP)

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Archers performs a leg-kicking dance after hitting the target. A war cry rings out each time the target is hit. Players in traditional “gho” dresses dance and sing folk numbers -- different ones for winning and losing. The crucial drink breaks see archers gulp down locally brewed whisky before locking horns again on the field where colourful flags flutter in the breeze. (Arun Sankar / AFP)

Updated on Oct 09, 2018 9:54 AM

Archers performs a leg-kicking dance after hitting the target. A war cry rings out each time the target is hit. Players in traditional “gho” dresses dance and sing folk numbers -- different ones for winning and losing. The crucial drink breaks see archers gulp down locally brewed whisky before locking horns again on the field where colourful flags flutter in the breeze. (Arun Sankar / AFP)

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Archers performs a leg-kicking dance after hitting the target. The beloved national sport is steeped in legends about how bows and arrows were used to hunt prey and destroy demons and evil spirits. Stories also abound about how the Bhutanese fought the rifle-armed soldiers of the British army in the 19th century using arrows dipped in poison. (Arun Sankar / AFP)

Updated on Oct 09, 2018 9:54 AM

Archers performs a leg-kicking dance after hitting the target. The beloved national sport is steeped in legends about how bows and arrows were used to hunt prey and destroy demons and evil spirits. Stories also abound about how the Bhutanese fought the rifle-armed soldiers of the British army in the 19th century using arrows dipped in poison. (Arun Sankar / AFP)

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An archer (L) drinks a local alcoholic brew at the Changlimithang Archery Ground in Thimphu. Archery was popularised by the first king of Bhutan Gongsa Ugyen Wangchuk (1862-1926) and flourished under royal patronage. But it suffered a decline after the nation decided to pursue economic development and open its doors to modernisation, eventually allowing in television in 1999. (Arun Sankar / AFP)

Updated on Oct 09, 2018 9:54 AM

An archer (L) drinks a local alcoholic brew at the Changlimithang Archery Ground in Thimphu. Archery was popularised by the first king of Bhutan Gongsa Ugyen Wangchuk (1862-1926) and flourished under royal patronage. But it suffered a decline after the nation decided to pursue economic development and open its doors to modernisation, eventually allowing in television in 1999. (Arun Sankar / AFP)

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“TV made modern sports available, sports like football and volleyball which are cheaper to play. Suddenly there was competition for our traditional sports,” said Kinzang Dorji (L), president of the BIGSA. “Children had a wider choice unlike the generations before them,” he told AFP. (Arun Sankar / AFP)

Updated on Oct 09, 2018 9:54 AM

“TV made modern sports available, sports like football and volleyball which are cheaper to play. Suddenly there was competition for our traditional sports,” said Kinzang Dorji (L), president of the BIGSA. “Children had a wider choice unlike the generations before them,” he told AFP. (Arun Sankar / AFP)

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A Bhutanese arrow maker (L) heats a bamboo stick as he makes an arrow. The advent of more advanced compound and recurve archery has meant Bhutanese archers used to traditional equipment made of bamboo reeds have struggled to find their feet in international competitions. Bhutan has sent archers to every Olympics since 1984 but a medal has eluded the nation. (Arun Sankar / AFP)

Updated on Oct 09, 2018 9:54 AM

A Bhutanese arrow maker (L) heats a bamboo stick as he makes an arrow. The advent of more advanced compound and recurve archery has meant Bhutanese archers used to traditional equipment made of bamboo reeds have struggled to find their feet in international competitions. Bhutan has sent archers to every Olympics since 1984 but a medal has eluded the nation. (Arun Sankar / AFP)

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Some say the Bhutanese lack the fiercely competitive streak needed to do well in the sport. The likes of Ygyen Dorji (C) beg to differ. “The rivalry is quite intense. Opponents often plant women in the stands to distract the rivals,” said Dorji, a mental health counsellor and archery enthusiast. “The ladies mimic you, try to pull you down and one has to concentrate hard as pride and honour are at stake.” (Arun Sankar / AFP)

Updated on Oct 09, 2018 9:54 AM

Some say the Bhutanese lack the fiercely competitive streak needed to do well in the sport. The likes of Ygyen Dorji (C) beg to differ. “The rivalry is quite intense. Opponents often plant women in the stands to distract the rivals,” said Dorji, a mental health counsellor and archery enthusiast. “The ladies mimic you, try to pull you down and one has to concentrate hard as pride and honour are at stake.” (Arun Sankar / AFP)

10/11

Karma Tshering (C) said Bhutanese archers were not aspiring to global acclaim. “Anybody can shoot with the sophisticated modern bows with the help of release aids and all,” Tshering said. “It’s the traditional archery which is more challenging, you have to focus on both your body and mind,” he said, at a game at Thimpu’s national sports stadium. (Arun Sankar / AFP)

Updated on Oct 09, 2018 9:54 AM

Karma Tshering (C) said Bhutanese archers were not aspiring to global acclaim. “Anybody can shoot with the sophisticated modern bows with the help of release aids and all,” Tshering said. “It’s the traditional archery which is more challenging, you have to focus on both your body and mind,” he said, at a game at Thimpu’s national sports stadium. (Arun Sankar / AFP)

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The Bhutan Archery Federation recently started a programme to encourage children to take up the sport. Two Bhutanese athletes won gold at the World Archery championship held in August in Hungary. “It was a great experience to compete with some 300 archers from all over the world,” said gold-medallist Damcho Wangdi. “And with our rich archery history and culture Bhutan can lead the way.” (Arun Sankar / AFP)

Updated on Oct 09, 2018 9:54 AM

The Bhutan Archery Federation recently started a programme to encourage children to take up the sport. Two Bhutanese athletes won gold at the World Archery championship held in August in Hungary. “It was a great experience to compete with some 300 archers from all over the world,” said gold-medallist Damcho Wangdi. “And with our rich archery history and culture Bhutan can lead the way.” (Arun Sankar / AFP)

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