Archery in Bhutan

Archery competition

Archery in Bhutan (Dzongkha: མདའ་ (da); Wylie: daa; 'arrow,' 'archery')[1] is the national sport of the Kingdom.[2][3][4] Archery was declared the national sport in 1971, when Bhutan became a member of the United Nations.[5] Since then, the popularity of Bhutanese archery has increased both inside and outside Bhutan,[6] with a measure of government promotion.[7] Bhutan also maintains an Olympic archery team.[8][9] 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,[10][11] 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.[12][13]

Archery in Bhutan is culturally distinctive because it is a martial art practiced among a modern population that abhors killing.[3] 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.[4]

  1. ^ "MDA". DDC Dzongkha-English Dictionary. Dzongkha Development Commission. Archived from the original on 2011-08-25. Retrieved 2011-09-20.
  2. ^ Bisht, Ramesh Chandra. International Encyclopaedia Of Himalayas. Mittal Publications. p. 134. ISBN 81-8324-265-0. Retrieved 2011-09-20.
  3. ^ a b Cite error: The named reference BoB was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
  4. ^ a b Cite error: The named reference BWK was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
  5. ^ "The National Sport of Bhutan". Yangphel Archery online. Archived from the original on 2011-12-02. Retrieved 2011-09-19.
  6. ^ "Picture Story: About 90 Bhutanese, including ambassador Lhatu Wangchuk and officials from the Bhutan permanent mission to the UN in New York gathered at a Baltimore county field (locally known as Tashiding) in Maryland to play and witness the annual archery tournament." Kuensel online. 2011-09-07. Retrieved 2011-09-19.
  7. ^ Public Domain This article incorporates text from this source, which is in the public domain. Worden, Robert L. (1991). Andrea Matles Savada (ed.). Bhutan: A Country Study. Federal Research Division. Political Developments.
  8. ^ Wangdi, Nima (2011-08-31). "US Exercise Kit for Bhutan's National Team". Kuensel online. Retrieved 2011-09-19.
  9. ^ Palden, Karma (2011-04-29). "National Olympic Archery Team Selection Started". Bhutan Observer online. Archived from the original on 2011-10-02. Retrieved 2011-09-19.
  10. ^ Cite error: The named reference Grayson was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
  11. ^ Palden, Karma (2010-09-24). "Thruebab Brings Fields Alive". Bhutan Observer online. Archived from the original on 2012-04-03. Retrieved 2011-09-19.
  12. ^ Public Domain This article incorporates text from this source, which is in the public domain. Worden, Robert L. (1991). Andrea Matles Savada (ed.). Bhutan: A Country Study. Federal Research Division. Tourism.
  13. ^ Palden, Karma (2011-09-30). "Paro Archery Underway". Bhutan Observer online. Archived from the original on 2011-09-30. Retrieved 2011-10-01.