By Ibankyntiew Mawrie
SHILLONG: Meghalaya’s connection with bows and arrows dates back to time immemorial and the lack of attention and recognition may be the missing link in order to build and strengthen this connection.
Despite being one of the oldest and most popular traditional sports in the state, archery is yet to find a proper place in the capital, as this activity does not have a permanent venue.
With modernisation, archery has developed not only into a sporting activity, but also as a rendezvous for archers from different Khasi Hima (states). However, the lack of attention given to this traditional sport is stopping it from truely thriving, a feeling expressed by archers from the different Hima.
“Ka rongbiria ka rong biroi”, organised by the Apphira Archery Committee (AAC), is one of the most popular archery competitions in Meghalaya, and it celebrated its 25th anniversary on Friday at Polo Grounds.
Although the annual event draws good participation from various Hima within Khasi and Jaintia Hills, eyebrows have been raised on the unavailability of a permanent venue to host this traiditional sport, with many opining that a fixed place dedicated to the activity could help in its promotion, which is rooted deeply within Khasi culture and thereby elevate it to a new level.
“We can’t deny that this traditional sport has come a long way and the huge participation has lifted up the spirit of the sport, but much needs to be done to take it to a new level, thereby preserving and promoting our culture and traditions,” AAC founder member Sumar Sing Sawian told this reporter here on Friday.
Sawian also said that this event is like a meeting place of people from various Khasi states and is also a platform for discussion and conversation regarding the administrative affairs of the Hima and Raid.
Highlighting the importance of traditional archery, Sawian said that the pursuit can shape a person into becoming a professional archery before jumping into modern archery.
“It is like a springboard for modern archery and I think that every archer should practise traditional archery before he or she moves ahead into modern archery,” Sawian said, adding that this will not only boost the sport but also help in promoting the traditional practices of the Khasi and Jaintia people.
Sawian, also a noted Khasi author, does not see modern archery as a threat to the traditional form of the sport.
“The sport was popular and is still retaining that popularity amongst the people of the state,” he said.
He added that even at the national level, traditional archery is still given importance.
“There is still a section called the Indian Round, where these traditional bows and arrows are being used, so I don’t think that this sport is being overtaken by modern archery.”
Modern developments have seen bows and arrows become more advanced, with compound and recurve bows now dominating international archery.
The only type of bow used at the Olympic Games is the recurve bow.
The importance of preserving the traditional pasttime was also noted by an archer from Smit.
“There is a need to preserve this sport because it is through such traditional activities that we can protect and promote our culture and traditions,” he said.
This year’s competition saw the participation of 108 teams from different Hima of the Khasi and Jaintia Hills.
It also saw 26 young boys below 12 years old taking part against each other for the title. From the 26 lots, Rishanlang Riahtam emerged victorious followed by Kleningstar Lanong. Both are from Laitryngew, East Khasi Hills.
According to a press release from the AAC, Hima Nongstoin finished as the winning team, beating the Nongkynrih team of Hima Khyrim in a close contest.
Matsiewdor War Nongbri, Arts and Culture Department director, a reknowned archer from Meghalaya and an archery judge at the 2012 London Olympics, graced the occasion and unfurled the Apphira flag.