Butane Target

Traditional archery in Bhutan requires at least two targets. The targets are placed at a "long distance," with archers walking back and forth between the two targets. Traditionally, they shoot a pair of arrows in each direction with a bamboo bow.

The target is made of wood, preferably blue pine. Knots should be removed, and any resulting holes filled with soft wood. A piece of strong white cotton cloth covers the entire surface of the target. This cloth forms the basis for the painting and protects the target from damage. The target is usually painted in rainbow colors around the bull's eye, the water, and the 5-petal lotus pattern at the bottom. Other permissible patterns are permitted. The bull's eye is called a Gorthig. The targets are rounded at the top and tapered at the base, which is set into the ground. The shooting distance is 140 m.

The shooting range is called "bacho" and should be 200 meters long and 10 meters wide. A 25-meter-long empty area behind the area is recommended for safety reasons. The shooting area consists of: "hopsi," or the frames, decorated with colorful cloths and plenty of greenery. "sirri" is the name given to the lines to the left and right of the "bacho," which consist of saplings and flags called "dhar." Two upright wooden targets with the traditional bull's eye and surrounding rings. Safety barriers are made of sandbags.

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Eric Lindemann is... a trained typesetter, then studied printing engineering in the USA, and then studied communications management. He has been involved in sports for over 45 years, a competitive swimmer, then handball for 15 years, and archery for over 20 years. One of the founding fathers of the TBVD (German Association of German Archers) and co-founder of the TAI (Trade Association of German Archers).