China Archery

On 4 August 2010, the new Guinness World Records™ accomplishment for the largest archery tournament was set in Balaga’ergaole Town, Xiwuzhumuqin County, Inner Mongolia, China. 1,024 archers took part in the tournament, breaking the previous record of 332.

The competition was organized by the People’s Government of Xiwuzhuuqin County. The participants were from Xiwuzhumuqin county and nearby regions. The opening ceremony of the archery tournament was held on 3 August 2010. At the opening ceremony, the archers gave an archery demonstration after which the competition started. During the 2-day competition, 1,024 participants took part.

As the attempt adhered to the guidelines of Guinness World Records™, Adjudicator Angela Wu announced the attempt a success and presented the official certificate to the organizer.

This is the third Guinness World Record™ record set by Xiwuzhumuqin County. The record for the largest Mongolian wrestling tournament and most runners in a horse race were set in the same place in 2004 and 2005 respectively.

By Angela Wu

The First International Traditional Archery Invitational Tournament named “Colorful Magic Arrow Cup” (in Chinese, called “Wu-Cai- Shen-Jian-Bei”), will be held from Sep. 8 to 11 in Jianzha County of Huangnan Tibetan Autonomous Prefecture, northwest China’s Qinghai Province, released at the press conference held in the State Council Information Office on Aug.10.

Earlier this year, to enhance the skills and culture of traditional archery of Tibetan ethnic group, the International Traditional Archery Tournament in Qinghai Province was approved by the General Administration of Sport of China.

Jointly sponsored by Chinese Archery Association,Qinghai Bureau of Sport, Qinghai TV Station and the local government of Huangnan Tibetan Autonomous Prefecture,the tournament aims to build up a communication platform for the archery enthusiasts at home and abroad.

Eight national-level teams from Beijing,Inner Mongolia, Jiangsu, Yunnan, Sichuan, Tibet Autonomous Region (TAR), Xinjiang and Gansuas well as 15 provincial-level teams were invited to the competition. In addition, six international archery teams from Mongolia, South Korea, the United Kingdom, Germany, France and Australia will also join in the contest.

All the participants will have the opportunity to enjoy archery contest while appreciate the original charm of this traditional sport event, which is expected to boost the economic development of Jianzha County as well as international exchanges.

By: Kristen Zhang, from: China Tibet Information Center

In ancient Chinese culture, to promote all-around development, students were required to master six practical disciplines called the Six Arts (liù yì in Chinese): rites, music, archery, chariot racing, calligraphy and mathematics.

The study of rites and music instills in people a sense of dignity and harmony. The rites include those practiced at sacrificial ceremonies, funerals and military activities.

A famous saying of Confucius on music education is: “To educate somebody, you should start from poems, emphasize ceremonies and finish with music.” In other words, one cannot expect to become educated without learning music.

During the Shang Dynasty (circa 16th century – 11 century BC) and Zhou Dynasty (circa11th century – 256 BC), archery was a required skill for all aristocratic men. By practicing archery and related etiquettes, nobles not only gained the proficiency at war skills; more importantly, they also cultivated their minds and learned how to behave as nobles.

To become a charioteer is also an excellent form of training that requires the combined use of intellect and physical strength.

Writing, or calligraphy, tempers a student’s aggressiveness and arrogance, while arithmetic strengthens one’s mental agility.

Men who excelled in these six arts were thought to have reached the state of perfection.

The Six Arts have their roots in Confucian philosophy. The requirement of students to master the Six Arts is the equivalent of the Western concept of the arts and skills of the Renaissance Man.

The elements of moral education, academic study, physical education and social training are present in the Six Arts – all attributes dating back to ancient times that are considered just as valuable in the modern world.