Traditional archery enthusiasts in Punakha’s Guma Gewog are calling for a new archery range after the old one at Dzomlingthang was dismantled for the Park Development Project. They worry that without a proper range, the district’s traditional archery culture could fade. It has already been over four months without one. Although the district asked them to identify a new location, there is no suitable space nearby.
Local traditional archers say the Dzomlingthang range, which had existed for decades on state land, was their main place to play and meet archers from nearby districts.
The range was dismantled this year after the area was taken for the Dzomlingthang Facelift Project, which began in July and has now turned the ground into a park.
Since then, there has been no designated space for traditional archery in the area. While there are a few ranges for compound bows, traditional archers say these aren’t suitable. Many now have to travel long distances to play, adding extra costs.
“We do not have a space to play traditional archery, even though we are trying to preserve our culture. I approached the district administration and submitted an application to the Dzongrab’s office. They did tell us that they would provide a space, but we have yet to get one,” said Tenzin, Traditional Archery Enthusiast, Punakha.
“Archery greatly helps us preserve our culture. In addition, it promotes interaction and communication among people, as individuals from all walks of life come together to play. It also creates business opportunities. However, due to the absence of an archery range, even our familiar friends have begun to drift away. It has been around four to five months without a range. Although the archery ground at this location has been converted into a park, we would be grateful if the dzongkhag administration could provide us with a space in Thangzona,” said Kinzang Wangchuk, Traditional Archery Enthusiast, Punakha.
“When we do not have a place to play archery, some of our people turn to drinking and gambling. Others are seen wandering in town. If we had an archery range, we could all come together in the evenings to play and get to know each other better. Unfortunately, I have lost some of my friends, as they have fallen into drinking and gambling,” said Tshering Dorji, Traditional Archery Enthusiast, Punakha.
For a few archers, the former archery range at Dzomlingthnag not only gave them a place to play but also helped them earn income.
“I have raised my children by making and selling traditional bows. However, without an archery range, it has affected our business. When the archery range existed at Dzomlingthang, I used to sell at least 20 bows a month, earning a total of Nu 60,000 to 70,000. Without a local archery range, my sales have declined, making it difficult for me to repay my loans due to fewer buyers,” added Tenzin.
Archers have requested the district administration to provide a space in Thangzona, above the dzong, for a new traditional archery range.
However, the district administration says that the Thangzona area is privately owned land and outside its authority. The Dzongda said the administration is still looking for a feasible location for a new range.
Until a suitable site is identified, traditional archery enthusiasts in the gewog will have to wait.
Changa Dorji, Punakha
Edited by Sonam Pem
