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Phil's All Embracing Bhutan Slide Show
Obsession With Archery

Datse, or archery, is the national sport of Bhutan, and competitions are often held on the weeked, such as the one we visited below. However, there are several big differences between Tibetan archery and Olympic archery. The target in Olympic archery is 50 meters distant, whereas in Bhutan it's 140 meters away.


Here is of two teams facing off in a friendly match on a Saturday afternoon. I was truly amazed that these guys come anywhere near the target. Some got a bulls-eye.


Another difference is that the opposing team stands very, very close to the target, exhibiting great faith in the ability of the other team's archers. If the archer misses, the opposing teams does a quick circle dance, a sort of "ha-ha you missed!" thing. If the archer hits, his team does a corresponding dance. All in fun.




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