Da or arrow is literally defined as that which is aimed and directed towards a spot visualized by the mind and seen by the eye. Arrow’s shot after offering prayers toward a target unseen by the eyes are referred to as Yesheypai Da or the Divine Arrow.
Declared as the national sport in 1971, the inclination of people towards archery in Bhutan started in the 1920s, under the leadership of Jigme Wangchuk, the second king of the country. However, archery has been practised in the country since long before then. It was used as a major weapon against Tibetan and British invaders in the 1864 battle. Not just this, bows and arrows can be seen even in the historical paintings and wall carvings, demonstrating the importance of this sport in the lives and history of Bhutan.
In the times of wars and invasions, this was the major source of defence for the army. In fact, when Tibetan King Langdarma started taking Buddhism as a joke in the 10th century, he was very smartly assassinated by an arrow, targeted straight from a bow, in the middle of a Black Hat Dance by Lhalung Pelgi Dorji, a Buddhist monk. So, it would be safe to say that the roots of archery are grounded deep beneath the grounds of Bhutan.
