Bow and arrow making skills (Xibo bow and arrow making skills)

Name of China's national intangible cultural heritage: bow and arrow making skills (Xibo bow and arrow making skills)

Applicant: Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region

Item No.: 394

Project No.: VIII - 44

Time of publication: 2008 (second batch)

Category: traditional art

Region: Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region

Type: Extension Project

Applicant: Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region

Protection unit: cultural center of Chabuchar Xibe Autonomous County

Bow and arrow making skills (Xibo bow and arrow making skills)

Applicant: Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region

The Xibo Nationality in Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region is famous for its riding and shooting skills. Bow and arrow is an indispensable part of its national culture. In the 29th year of Qianlong (1764) of the Qing Dynasty, more than 4000 Xibo soldiers and civilians moved westward from Liaoshen area to Yili area of Xinjiang for garrison and reclamation. Under the influence of the riding and shooting culture prevailing in the Qing Dynasty, bow and arrow became their preferred weapon to guard the western border. After a long period of development, bow and arrow in Xinjiang Xibo gradually transformed into a folk competitive tool, mainly used in archery competition.

In the past, almost every family of Xibo people in Xinjiang had to make bows and arrows by themselves, which were used in all kinds of competitions, but later the handicraft of making bows and arrows was almost lost. In recent years, Tao Wenxin, a 70 year old craftsman in Niulu Township, sunzhaqi, qapqar Xibe Autonomous County, has restored the long lost folk bow and arrow making skills. What he made is a Xiangjian bow. The arrow is made of animal bone, which is sharp and round with four holes. After the arrow leaves the string, due to its high speed, the air passes through the small hole and makes a sound. The target is made of horse skin and felt. It is made of 6 kinds of colored cloth. The target center is red. The new bow made by Tao Wen is mainly made of local red willow, ox tendon and other materials. In addition, it also uses hard wood such as ash, Acacia and elm. The production of a bow includes cutting, sawing, planing, decoration and other processes. It takes more than 20 days to complete by using hundreds of special tools and nearly 100 processes.

The restoration of Xibo bow and arrow making skills on the verge of extinction is of great significance for inheriting Xibo national culture and carrying forward the national spirit.