FReeper Canteen ~ Part VI of The Mongols ~ December 14, 2004

www.coldsiberia.org ^ | December 14, 2004 | LaDivaLoca

[LaDivaLoca]

For the freedom you enjoyed yesterday...
Thank the Veterans who served in
The United States Armed Forces.

Looking forward to tomorrow's freedom?
Support The United States Armed Forces Today!

ANCIENT WARFARE





Part VI of The Mongols

cont'd Mongolian Bow: Fish Glue and Sinew

As we understand, a composite bow by definition has several layers. We have mentioned the birch frame, and the layer of horn/bone. In addition to this, there is a layer of specially prepared birch bark whose purpose is to protect against penetration of moisture. In addition to this is a layer of sinew, which is taken from deer, moose or other game animals. The tendons of domestic animals may also be used, but Mongols feel that tendons from wild animals like deer, moose and mountain sheep are the strongest and best. Naturally, the bow has to be glued together. The preferred and traditional substance used for the impregnation of both leather as well as their bows is fish glue. As a matter of fact, fish glue has been proven through millennia to be highly capable of resisting moisture. Moreover, it is durable and lasts longer than modern epoxy resins, which are prone to molecular fatigue. Above all, fish glue is available in all the waters of Siberia where fish is living, among them the greatest of them all, Lake Bajkal.

How is fish glue made? The process that yields the highest quality is to take swim bladders from freshwater fish, soak them into hot water to extract the protein substance, and then boil the resultant soup for a prolonged period. If sufficient quantities of swim bladders cannot be obtained, it is also possible to make hide glue by boiling animal skins. This latter method however results in a glue of inferior quality, because it absorbs moisture, whereas glue made from ichthyic air bladders is highly moisture-resistant.

Although all materials needed to build the Mongolian bow are to be found in the immediate natural environment, the whole production process is very complex. It takes a long time to build a bow that is to meet the Old Mongol requirements. We may also assume that the selection of the best wood material for the frame requires knowledge and experience.

The usual procedure in the production of a traditional Mongolian bow is as follows: The wooden frame is cured, and the horns and/or bone to be used are boiled for softness. This makes it possible to fit the different parts together with great precision. As we understand, high-quality Mongolian bowmaking is certainly a most impressive craftsmanship. When the wooden frame, and the horns/bone parts are ready, the sinewing can take place. First the tendons have to be dried. After that, they are crushed until they form a mass of loose fibers. Next, this mass is mixed with fish glue to form a solid but not rigid layer. It is important to apply the correct thickness and amount of sinew, and it is done in a two-stage process with some days in between. Too little makes the bow weaker, too much would make it stiff. When completed the layer of sinew could be as thick as a human finger before drying. Sinew has a peculiar quality: Unlike other materials, its strength increases when subject to stretching or impact. This form of elasticity is a property stemming from the molecular structure of the protein of tendons (collagen), and can be seen as another striking demonstration of the innate superiority of natural solutions and materials. When used in a Mongolian composite bow, the effect is that as the horn plates in the front snap back to their former shape, the sinew layer in front contracts in the same split-second, adding further acceleration to the shot.

At each stage, fish glue has been applied to secure all the parts. In the horns and wooden parts, the sides that are to be glued against each other are first grafted with a toothed special tool in order to give the strongest possible hold.

The last step is usually the applying of the protective birch bark layers, which are also boiled until soft, so ensuring a proper fit before glued to the finished bow. When the layer of birch bark has been added to the composite construction, the whole bow is wrapped tightly in ropes and placed in a form where it is allowed to dry and harden in room temperature for one year or more. This ensures that the bow becomes extremely strong and that it keeps its shape and snappiness even after many years of frequent shooting.

A Mongolian bow is stored in its own leather case, protecting the bow when not in use.

The String

No bow, no matter how powerful, can be shot without a string. Traditional Mongol bowstrings are made from animal hide. First every trace of fat is removed. Thereafter the hide is stretched and twisted. After this treatment it will not stretch, but remain taut. Although the skin of many fur-bearing animals can be used, horse skin is often preferred since it is said that this material maintains suppleness in the exceedingly low winter temperatures of Siberia and Inner Asia. It is also possible to use the intestines of animals as string material, but such strings are not water resistant and thus only suited for use in dry and hot weather.

Silk and cotton, and mixes of these, can also be used. Modern archers generally use dacron and other man-made materials that require high technology to produce and therefore cannot possibly be made by the archer himself. Here we see another example that the use of primitive materials, although demanding in terms of individual skills and work, is the more reliable and sustainable strategy when viewed in a wider perspective.

When the bow is strung, the archer may sit down, using both feet to press against the bow as the limbs were bent while the string was attached. Using another technique, he or she could also stand upright, bow bent under one leg while the other leg holds the outer end. On horseback, the Mongol archer routinely stringed the bow by placing one end of the bow between the foot and the stirrup while the arms pressed against the bow.

Source: http://www.coldsiberia.org/monbow.htm

Next Tuesday Part VII of The Mongols

[blackie]

Medal Of Honor Citations ~ Bump!

[E.G.C.]

((HUGS))Good morning, Star. How's it going?

[Severa]

Update:

FINALLY got cable and Net service today. So far so good. Kids started school yesterday. Other than a few boxes still crowding up the space in our living room, we're getting settled in just fine. I'm getting over a mild sinus infection but otherwise doing ok.

[tomkow6]

Good morning, Severa!

[Lady Jag]

What does a man do standing up, that a woman does sitting down, and a dog does on three legs?









Shake hands.

[tomkow6]

Why do you have to give me such COMPLICATED questions so early in the year????

[stand watie]

GM, star!

free dixie,sw

[beachn4fun]

LOL. You sound like my husband. He'd be just as happy if the boys never moved out! And, they are not his biological kids! He knows my youngest (26) is going to be move soon and Hubby is finding all kinds of reasons to delay it! LOL.

As for me, I'm half-n-half. I don't want them going far away, but I have a sense of accomplishment when they do go on their own. I feel sort like, "ah my job is done. We are a success!" Even though as a parent you NEVER stop worrying.

And, as for my grandson, he is doing real well. Now that he knows how to crawl, stand up, etc. he doesn't want to stay in one place too long! LOL. I told his Dad, if Big Jake is anything like his Daddy when he was little, I feel sorry for you!

He is having trouble getting those teeth in though. Giving Mom & Dad a real fit!

I do think my granddaughter will be coming up to visit her mom for the holidays. So, I might get up the nerve to call and ask for a day visit while she's here.

Next April, we'll have a new granddaughter! She'll be living close by. That'll help. ;D

[Kathy in Alaska]

Glad to hear that you are finally back almost to normal: you have computers and internet service!! How was the first day of school? You take care of yourself. Thanks for checking in.

[beachn4fun]

WISE GUY! LOL

[beachn4fun]

Whew! You said "blond" on this thread and didn't get sent to a corner? Lucky you!

[HiJinx]

Are you sure we're not related? I can identify with so much you've said...and I've always been told it's the Dad's job to kick the fledglings out of the nest while Mom tries to keep them there. Yeah, right!

As for getting up the nerve...do it. Oh please, do it. You'll never regret asking.

I've drifted away from family, and there's a pain there that's hard to describe.

[beachn4fun]

LOL.....can you imagine what you'd guys be like if these were girls??? My God. Scary!

Well, her mom and I don't get along all that well. Sometimes she is receptive to me. Sometimes, not! Depends on her mood. But, I'll ask anyway!

Believe me, my family and I are not that close anymore. I think it has a lot to do with the atmosphere from which we came. Not many of my relatives seem to get along with each other!

[Lady Jag]

Why do you have to give me such COMPLICATED questions so early in the year????

I don't know, tomkow6. I don't even like riddles.

I need a drink.

[beachn4fun]

Hiya Blackie. Smoochies.

[beachn4fun]

Hiya SW. Smoochies.

[StarCMC]

Good morning, OH SILLY ONE!

[stand watie]

RETURNED!

CUTE bear, too.

free dixie,sw

[StarCMC]

Good morning all you birdies!! Hope your day is going well! We are attacking Mt. Laundry in the StarCMC household. It's a scary thing!!

[beachn4fun]

Hiya LadyJ. I wanted to tell ya that the cat/christmas tree graphic you posted yesterday is so true! Dang catz just don't know how to stay out of the tree! Luckily, mine are no longer babies.