(Baonghean.vn) - The crossbow is a familiar item in the lives of ethnic minorities in Western Nghe An and theCrafting a crossbow is truly a feat of craftsmanship.
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| The crossbow has long been a unique cultural symbol for ethnic minorities in the western region of Nghe An. |
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| The making of a crossbow mainly depends on the skillful hands of the elders in the village. |
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| The crossbow body, crossbow wings, crossbow trigger, crossbow string and arrows are all made of hard and durable materials from forest trees. |
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| The crossbow string is chosen by the people from a type of tree with a stripped bark, called Xai Pan in Thai, this is a type of tree with a highly durable bark. After being exposed to the stove for many years, it is then braided into small pieces to attach to the crossbow wing. |
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| The crossbow trigger and shaft are selected from palm trees. This type of tree is strong and does not shrink to keep the crossbow balanced. |
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| The crossbow arrow must be kept straight so that it does not deviate when shot. |
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| The distance between the arrow and the groove on the crossbow body is always paid attention by the craftsmen. This is the most important thing when making a crossbow so that when the arrow is shot, it must have high power and accuracy. |
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| The finished crossbows are dried in the kitchen to increase durability and shine. |
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| Mr. Xeo Hoa Tien (Na Be village, Xa Luong commune, Tuong Duong district) said that it can take 2-3 years from preparation to manufacturing to make a crossbow. However, because of that, a crossbow used for hunting can last for up to decades. |
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| Nowadays, crossbows are not only used for hunting but crossbow shooting is also a popular sport. |
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| Each crossbow sold in the highland market costs from 200-300 thousand VND. |
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| Nowadays, crossbow shooting competitions in festivals in Western Nghe An have become familiar and indispensable, a unique cultural feature. |
Dao Tho
