Archery
The importance of archery, particularly horseback archery, among the Turks dates back to prehistoric eras.
A great importance was attached to archery in the “Steppe Culture”, which emerged around Altai and Tian Shan Mountains from around 5000 BC onwards, and later completely dominated Central Asia.
The bow and arrow that accompanied their owner in every aspect of life were vital tools for both hunting and warfare. Therefore, learning how to shoot an arrow from a young age was of great importance for the Turks.
For ancient Turks, bow and arrow gained meanings beyond their use in war and hunting and became a symbol of authority for rulers. Among the meanings attached to arrow, there are also friendship and trust. The arrow means that the person sent should trust the sender and is a symbol of friendship.
In terms of both craftsmanship and shooting techniques, Turkish bows and arrows are very different and more durable than their counterparts. Turkish bows look like tulips when drawn. Archers also used to wear a special ring called “zihgir” on the thumb of their drawing hand. This is a fundamental feature that distinguishes Turkish archery from others. With all these unique aspects, Turkish archery has been recognized as part of UNESCO’s Intangible Cultural Heritage.
Turkish horseback archers in history were renowned for their mastery of shooting arrows accurately while turning backward on a galloping horse. The most skilled and most famous practitioners of the backward arrow shooting on a horse, called the “Parthian Shot”, have also been the Turks.
With the spread of archery and firearms and the institutionalization of shooting sports during the Ottoman period, Türkiye became one of the strongest countries in these sports over the years.
Thanks to their achievements in both ethnic sports and modern Olympic events, Turkish athletes continue to raise the bar of success in archery and shooting sports on a global scale. This success not only makes Türkiye proud, but also helps to revitalize this Turkish tradition globally.