(Baonghean.vn) - For the people of the highlands, the crossbow was formerly used in hunting and in fighting invaders to defend their villages and country, symbolizing strength and courage. Today, in addition to that meaning,The crossbow has also become a cultural symbol, a tool of competition, and a sport that attracts many viewers.
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| In the past, the lives and livelihoods of the highland people were largely dependent on nature, with hunting and gathering being the two main activities undertaken by men. Therefore, from a young age, boys were taught hunting techniques, from how to read animal footprints and smell scents, to how to set and make traps and various hunting tools, including the indispensable crossbow. |
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| A crossbow consists of five main parts: the body, the bow, the bowstring, the trigger, and the arrow. The body is made of good quality wood such as ironwood or cypress; the bowstring is made of mature bamboo with high hardness and elasticity; the bowstring is a very important part, so when making it, young men have to go into the forest to find various types of vines, strip off the bark, dry it, and then braid it into strands for the bowstring. The arrows are mainly made of bamboo, but only mature bamboo is needed to create high lethality. |
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| Today, as people have truly taken control of their lives, many economic models have been built and developed by the community, and above all, there is a growing awareness of protecting nature, birds, and animals. Therefore, the crossbow is no longer just a weapon for killing targets as before, but has become a product and a cultural symbol of the community. |
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| In their daily lives, especially during holidays and festivals, people in the highlands often organize crossbow shooting competitions. |
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| The purpose, besides creating a playing field, is also to "honor" the best shooters. |
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| Unlike in the past, today's crossbow shooting competition does not discriminate by age... |
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| ... is male or female |
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| Notably, through the competition, the winners gain encouragement, and the losers don't become discouraged from archery; instead, they are motivated to practice for the next competition. Thus, archery is both a competitive sport and a cultural activity that brings considerable joy to the people of the highlands... |
Nguyen-Quang An's book
