Arrow Shooting Festival in Deqin County, Diqing

Overview of the Festival

  • Chinese Name: 迪庆州德钦县射箭节
  • English Name: Arrow Shooting Festival in Deqin County, Diqing
  • Location: Deqin County, Diqing

Archery is one of the favorite sports among the Tibetan people in Deqin, Yunnan, and this activity is held during almost all traditional festivals. Additionally, every year in the fourth lunar month, they hold a special Archery Festival, which is called ‘Dajuluose’ in Tibetan.

According to legend, Dajuluose is held to commemorate the Tibetan hero King Gesar. There is no fixed date for the festival; in the fourth lunar month, after the farming season is complete, adult men gather to discuss the ceremony. Every man, from the gray-haired elder to the young child, must contribute one arrow and two to three jin (about 1 to 1.5 kg) of barley (to be brewed into alcohol or exchanged for alcohol) and participate in the competition. On the agreed-upon day, the host announces the start of the event with a long drum or a cowhorn. Upon hearing the sound of the drum or horn, people dressed in festive garments, carrying tents, come together to take part in this ethnic gathering.

The archery festival begins with the arrow distribution and welcoming ceremony. Firstly, from among the people born in that year’s zodiac sign, a highly respected and skilled archer is selected as the distributor of arrows. He raises all the arrows above his head, then holds them in his left hand while counting them with his right hand, dividing them into two equal parts. In practice, this also marks the participants on the arrows, dividing them into two groups. Two targets are set up fifty steps apart for the archers to shoot at. The archers can choose to shoot from either target position, and in the end, the host sings an ‘Arrow Song’ while holding a target wrapped in a hada (a traditional Tibetan ceremonial scarf), and the archers collectively sing a ‘Wine Song,’ drinking a bowl of alcohol before entering the shooting range.

During the competition, each person can shoot a pair of arrows in each round. For elderly men or young children who are unable to shoot, a male family member can shoot on their behalf. Victory is determined by the number of arrows hitting the target in each group. Afterward, the groups are re-sorted for further rounds of competition, with about three to five rounds of competition taking place each day. As night falls, women come to the shooting range to toast and bless the archers. Bonfires are lit on the lawn, and people drink while dancing the ‘Guozhuang,’ fully immersed in a joyful atmosphere.

Local Activities of the Festival

1. Opening Ceremony

  • The festival usually begins with a grand opening ceremony, where local leaders and community elders address the gathered participants, sharing blessings and invoking the spirits for a successful event.

2. Archery Competitions

  • Individual and Team Events: Participants, both men and women, compete in archery contests. The archers shoot arrows at targets set up at a specified distance, aiming for precision and skill. It’s common for competitors to be grouped based on age or gender.
  • Use of Traditional Bows: Archers use traditional Tibetan bows, emphasizing the cultural significance of the sport and its importance within the community.

3. Arrow Distribution Ceremony

  • Before the competitions begin, an arrow distribution ceremony takes place where a respected member of the community is chosen to distribute the arrows among the participants. This person is typically someone with good archery skills and esteem within the village.

4. Cultural Performances

  • Traditional Music and Dance: Various performances are organized, including Tibetan songs, dances, and instrumental music. The Guozhuang dance (a traditional Tibetan circle dance) is often performed, inviting community members to join in and celebrate together.
  • Storytelling: Elders share traditional stories and legends, particularly those related to archery and local heroes, enhancing the cultural experience.

5. Sacrificial Rituals

  • Rituals may be conducted to pay respect to deities and nature, showcasing the community’s spiritual beliefs. Offerings such as barley and traditional foods are presented as a way to seek blessings for a good harvest.

6. Community Feast

  • A communal meal is prepared for all participants, featuring traditional Tibetan foods such as tsampa (roasted barley flour), meat dishes, and barley wine. This aspect of the festival fosters a sense of unity and strengthens social bonds within the community.

7. Sports and Games

  • Besides archery, other traditional sports and games may be organized to engage the youth and promote friendly competition, such as tug-of-war or horse racing, further enhancing the festive atmosphere.

8. Evening Activities

  • As night falls, festivities continue with bonfires, where people gather to enjoy songs, dances, and drinks. This is often a time of joy and celebration, with people sharing stories and participating in dances like the Guozhuang, illuminating the night with fun and camaraderie.

9. Blessings and Toasts

  • Women typically participate in blessing rituals, where they toast the archers and the community’s fortune for the coming year, emphasizing the festival’s communal and familial aspects.

10. Closing Ceremony

  • The festival culminates in a closing ceremony where winners of the archery competitions are announced and awarded. The community comes together for a final gathering to express gratitude for the successful event and to pray for continued prosperity and harmony.