Traditional Bows and Arrows

Bows

The average length of the traditional unbraced sporting bow is 72.5 CMS. The weight of the traditional bow varies between 490 to 500 gms. This bow tapers from 5 CMS in circumference, measured from the end of the lower horn, to 1 cm at the tip of the upper horn. The horns. The horns of a bow are called “Shalu” in Dzongkha. The bow is broadest at its belly measuring, 3.5 CMS in width. It is here that the grip, or “jangshi”, of light willow wood (20.5 to 24 CMS in length and 3.5 CMS in width) is attached.

The bows string, or “Zhu-tha”, is obtained from the fibre of the gaint stinging nettle, locally known as “Zoeche”. In recent years, jute string zhu-tha have also been used. Such bow strings may last through one contest, during which an archer may release as many as one hundred arrows. This bowstring must withstand pressure of up to 60 lbs., drawn with a cast of 145 meters. The bow string is adjusted to suit the needs of the archer by either twisting or loosening the string, creating either a tauter or more flaccid resistance.

The bowstring is braced with the help of the knee by exerting pressure on the belly of the bow. The large eyelet of the bow string grips the nock of the lower horn, and as the bow is braced, the upper eyelet is slipped over the top horn and engaged in the nock. The bow is braced and drawn contrary to the natural curve of the

Arrows

The length of the “Dha”, or arrow, is generally 80 cms, weighing between 20 and 25gms. The shaft is made from a reed (Hema) obtained from the foothills of Bhutan. The head, or “Dhacha”, which is 1cm in diameter, is affixed to the shaft of the arrow with either sealing wax or lachu.

The fletching or feathering extends 12 cms along the shaft. There are four vanes of feathers in the arrow. The feathers used for the indigenous arrows are obtained from the primary feathers of a pheasant. The four vanes are glued to the shaft at right angles by means of “Cheyene”, a Bhutanese adhesive obtained from animal hide. The space below the vanes is colored black. The crest or pung of the arrows usually consists of 7 colored rings of silk thread.

The shaft ends in a nock cut into the reed to the depth of 7 mm. It is in the “Tong”, or nock, that the bowstring fits when the bow is drawn.