Living Culture
Bhutan's national sport
Archery is Bhutan's national sport, and it is something you will see in many parts of the country.
A local match can be quite different from watching a professional sporting event. There is usually a lot of talking, laughing, singing and teasing between the teams.
Why archery matters here
Archery is played in villages and towns across the country, at weekends, during holidays and between offices and communities. It is as much a social occasion as a sport.
Traditional and modern archery
Some teams use traditional bamboo bows, others use modern compound bows. Both are common, and you may see them at the same ground.
What happens during a match
Teams shoot at small targets set far apart. When someone hits, their team sings and dances beside the target. The teasing between teams is part of the game.
Trying it yourself
If the situation is suitable and the local archers are happy for you to join, you may get a chance to try shooting a bow. It looks easier than it is — the targets are far away, and even getting close takes practice.
Etiquette
Stay where your guide asks you to stand, keep well clear of the target areas and ask before photographing individual players.
When it is more likely
Weekends, holidays and festival periods are the most likely times to come across a match. Even when there isn't a competition, you may see people practising at a local ground.
How we include it
We don't promise an archery match on every trip, because competitions and local activities depend on the time and place. When the opportunity comes up, we can make a stop.
Good forFamilies, active travellers, photographers and anyone who enjoys meeting local people.
How we use these experiences
These are not fixed activities that have to be added to every trip.
Some travellers may be more interested in monasteries and history. Others may prefer food, villages, walking or meeting local people.
Tell us what interests you, how much time you have and what kind of pace you prefer. We can then work these experiences into your itinerary where they make sense.
Sometimes the best part of a day is something that wasn't planned.