ARCHERY IN MONGOLIA

Since the Stone Age, archery has been viewed as a sport by humans throughout history. Consequently, the usage of a homemade bow for hunting by ancient humans dates back at least 2,000 years.

Ball games, which date back to the Hunnu and Khitan periods of the third century, are the earliest form of archery in Mongolia. In the midst of a horse gallop, archers had to fire their targets from a distance of 20 meters with a small wooden arrow. There were a number of vertical poles spaced 10 meters apart from one another. Additionally, they placed three balls as targets on top of each. In actuality, despite the fact that this game was played in the 1900s and that the regulations were strict, many archers managed to hit every target.

One of the three men’s games of the Naadam festival, archery, was reintroduced in the late 19th century. Participants in the event participate in the Uriankhai, Buriat, and Khalkh categories. To be clear, out of the more than 20 minority groups in Mongolia, Khalkh constitutes the majority. Uriankhai and Buriat are two of these tribes. In addition to the target distance, players in these categories employ a variety of bows and arrows.

Only males have previously competed in Uriankhai and Buriat archery. But in recent years, women have been more active in Buriat archery. Uriankhai archery competitors shoot at a distance of 30 to 40 meters, whereas Buryat competitors shoot from a range of 30 to 45 meters. The typical national archery style is known as khalkh. The archery that won the national championship has the longest shooting range, and the officials standardize the competitors’ ages and genders.