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

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

[LaDivaLoca]

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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

[Soaring Feather]

Hi how are you? Just curious.

[MeekOneGOP]

B-r-r-r-r!!

Here, we can share this warm spot!:

[MoJo2001]

Awesome photos Radix! Thank you so much for posting them.
I hope all is well.
Do MoJo a favor? Please don't send us any cold weather down here. My fabulously tanned self can't take anymore cold fronts. Thank you!
*HUGS*

[MoJo2001]

Can you feel the love and concern coming from Queenie?

Or is there a dark ulterior motive at work here?

Hmmmmmm....

LOL!

[Fawnn]

I was all ready to go into slacker mode tonight. I finished writing a book last night (!!!), so tonight I was just going to try to get some Christmas wOOhOOs moved to Fotki, maybe color, do some catch-up work on my about.com site, do something about the dirty dishes in the kitchen, tackle some laundry, and spend time in the Canteen and on some other stuff I've been neglecting.

Instead, I now have a question:

Is MoJO one of my editors and nobody told me!? I just got an assignment that sure sounds like it came from her.

I'm supposed to go over a TOC and a couple of sample chapters, and decide if I want to be a "contributing writer" on a project. My assignment for tonight is to look over what "she" sent me and then: "Just let me know if you want to run away screaming or if you think you can do something with the material."

(I wonder which option pays better?) ;)

[darkwing104]

Can't tell you how they are. I am an Active Duty SNCO but my experience working with them have been excellent. What are you planning to specialize in?

[Fawnn]

You're welcome.

We got snow here overnight Sunday night. Probably about an inch. Snow on the concrete has already melted but it's still on my deck and in the grass.

[MoJo2001]

What are you planning to specialize in?

---

Let's hope "being dangerous" isn't one of those things.

Hehe!
How are you today?
*HUGS*

[MoJo2001]

Please keep the snow.
MoJo doesn't need to see any of it. Do you hear me? Not one drop of that stuff my way.
It's supposed to be warm next week. That's what I'm talking about.
WooHoo!

[darkwing104]

How are you today?

Fine. Been out most of the day, retirement physical stuff, just got back to the office.

[MoJo2001]

WooHoo! Time to call it a day and go home.
LOL!

[Fawnn]

bentfeather!!! #500!!!

[Soaring Feather]

Oh such a cute WOO HOO, thank you.

[Soaring Feather]

You do get snow though, right Diva??

[StarCMC]

Careful or Sarge will recruit you into the Army Nat'l Guard! LOL!!!

Welcome to the Canteen!!

[StarCMC]

Whew - you're still kickin'! I guess God listened to my little untercessory prayer after all!!

[E.G.C.]

Folks, I just finished installing thre brand new critical updates for Windows. I've also downloaded new virus definition updates from Norton.

I also just got off the phone with the garage. They're just now getting to our car.

[uncleshag]

Oh, the image of Ma's Northwest state
With the snow upon the ground.
Creates in me a mental skate
Concentric, round and round.

Boyhood days down sledding
'Til we no longer felt our toes.
Snowmen in the pasture, treading
'twixt last seasons fruitful rows.

Those days, burnt, forever past
Oh, please, return to me!
I feel the present fading fast
It's all I care to see!

If it's not to be, it will not be
I cannot change the weather.
So I'll sit, eyeing, warm and cozy
The dance of Sarge and bentfeather.

[StarCMC]

Bravo!

[Soaring Feather]

Fabulous!!!!