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Hitting the bulls then and now

(Google Image)
On traditional bamboo bows and arrows, hitting the gorthig (bull’s eye) is a big thing, but now with the coming of Yangphel archery tournaments, the concept of hitting the bull has changed slightly in a sense that now the probability of the bull escaping is far less. On traditional targets the bulls are depicted small; in fact they are hardly visible if one moves away a few yards from them. Yangphel’s bull on the other hand is 25 cm wide diametrically while the target is 31 cm wide. 

Statistically, the top 20 players (from three league rounds of the ongoing Yangphel archery tournament) hit 607 kareys of which 136 were hit on the gorthig and only 31 sakareys. This means the probability of hitting the coveted bull is 22.37% while that of sakarey’s is 5.01%.  Technically speaking, it is more difficult to hit sakarey than it is to hit the bull. And the highest number of bulls hit is 11 while the lowest stands at 2 in the league rounds.    

Of course the rules have changed. Three teams compete in a match in Yangphel style tournament while traditional archeries were played between two teams, mostly two villages. Tournaments were held for days each team consisting of 11 players while it is reduced to 15 rounds with 5 players each now.

(Photo: Yangphel)
The concept of hitting and the equipment with which to hit the bulls may have changed, but we love our national game. And that's we love Yangphel people!
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Comments

  1. KARMA YEZERAugust 21, 2010 at 3:32 PM

    Nice analysis Ngawang.Though the Actual size of the bull has not changed much, the size of the eye has really changed. it has become easy for every hunter to HIT the eye now.....

    ReplyDelete
  2. PaSsuSeptember 2, 2010 at 12:38 AM

    I agree with KY, nice analysis. This Archery with new bow is not our national game...not at all, but if anyone claims it is then we have to consider lots of other issues...like half kira being our national dress, and so on...
    By the way, I appreciate the Yangfel people for the brave new idea. But I am wondering why can't archers hit enough with such expensive bows on such big target.

    ReplyDelete
  3. PENJORSeptember 18, 2010 at 12:07 PM

    great analysis. I think you have learned working in the research department to come up with such analysis

    ReplyDelete
  4. KuenzaNovember 25, 2010 at 1:27 PM

    I won't say the probability of hitting the bull's eye is more than sakarey, since, the aim itself is to hit the bull's eye. This itself makes the probability bend more towards the former.

    ReplyDelete

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