FReeper Canteen ~ Part VII of The Mongols ~ December 21, 2004

www.coldsiberia.org ^ | December 21, 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 VII of The Mongols

cont'd Mongolian Bow: The Shooting

The Old Mongols have their own technique for shooting, known as the "Mongolian release." The Mongols, if right-handed, keep their bow in the left hand, pushes it forward as the right arm pulls the string all the way back to behind the ear. The left arm is now fully extended, and the release is near. However, now comes an interesting part. Since this bow has immense power, the Mongols have to use a special technique to hold the string during the drawing of the bow and before the arrow is released. The technique is as follows: The string is held by the thumb, since this is the strongest finger. Still, it is not easy to hold 166 pounds comfortably. Thus, the thumb is supported with the index finger curling around, placed atop the outermost joint, exactly at the base of the nail. The other fingers are also curled, forming a fist. Even so, this is not enough. Hence, the Mongols use a special ring on which the string is hooked before release. This thumb ring, a cylinder that fits around the outer part of the thumb and protects its pad from damage as the string is released, is typically made from Chinese jade or agate, but leather, metal and bone is also known to have been used.

Mongolian soldiers used to shoot while sitting on horseback, and with deadly accuracy. This was done by skilfully timing the shots to the moment when the hooves of the horse were in mid-air, so as to avoid disturbing the aim when they hit the ground.

The Arrows

Birch is a typical material for arrows too. The normal length of an arrow is between 80 and 100 cm, and the shaft's diameter is around 10 mm.

As for fletchings, tail feathers of crane are favored, but tail feathers of all birds are usable. Eagle feathers make a particularly exclusive arrow, but since eagles are rare most arrows obviously cannot have fletchings from eagle's tail feathers. Feathers taken from the wings are said to flow less smoothly through the air, so if given the choice tail feathers are picked. The Mongols characteristically pay close attention to minutest of details. The placement of the fletchings in relation to their size, and what part of the bird they were taken from, is of great importance for correct rotation and good balance in the air. Consequently these factors are painstakingly considered when making arrows after the Old Mongol standard.

The arrowheads, or points, could be everything from wide metal blades used for big game (or in war) to bone and wooden points, which are used for hunting birds and small animals. The high impact of this bow ensures that a bony point will be lethal when hitting the body of a smaller animal or a bird. In addition to these kinds of arrows, whistling arrows are useful during hunting, because the effect on animals of an arrow whistling away high above the ground is often to make it stop, curious to see what is in the air. This gives the hunter time to launch a second arrow, this time with a game head to kill the animal. How are these whistling arrows made? They are made by inserting an arrowhead of bone in which air channels have been created. When shot, such arrowheads make a very audible sound through the air.

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

Next Tuesday Part VIII of The Mongols

[Kathy in Alaska]

Angel Boy.....#200 and #250!!

[Kathy in Alaska]

uncle.....#300 and #400!!

[Kathy in Alaska]

TSgt.....#350!!

[StarCMC]

Welcome to the Canteen! And thank you for serving our country! :o)

[Kathy in Alaska]

Good afternoon, Meekie....I overslept, but got my cup of hot chocolate with marshmallows from you and Carl at work. Thanks. It's snowing gently again, with predictions of freezing rain later. UGH!

[Kathy in Alaska]

Welcome to the Canteen, rmlew. Thanks for your thoughts.

[Kathy in Alaska]

Good afternoon, Angel Boy! Good afternoon, Patriotic Pattie!

[Kathy in Alaska]

Good afternoon, E. ((HUGS)) More snow today. Looks like a fresh white Christmas. Nice weather at your house? Possible snow coming?

[Kathy in Alaska]

[Kathy in Alaska]

79 and counting! Hope Florida warmed up for you. Thanks for helping to keep the world safe for all of us.

And just in case you need more coffee and a snack...

[Kathy in Alaska]

1932 Fred Astaire & Ginger Rogers, 1st joint movie (Flying Down to Rio)

[StarCMC]

In case I miss seeing you for the rest of the week...

Merry Christmas!

[Kathy in Alaska]

Glad you're in, Dark....

[Darksheare]

I'm somewhere about at least..
I think..
Lemme check.

*wanders off after self*
/ joke

Been wandering about for a bit.

[Kathy in Alaska]

Prayers sent as soon as I heard about the attack this morning. Very bad.

God, hold our troops in your loving hands. Protect them as they protect us. Bless them and their families for the selfless acts they perform for us.

[Kathy in Alaska]

Spotsy!! *HUGS* Need snow?

[darkwing104]

And just in case you need more coffee and a snack...

Thanks I needed it, just finished afternoon PT

[Kathy in Alaska]

Congratulations,
Students!!!

[Kathy in Alaska]

It's a full moooooon over Ixonia, Wis.

[Kathy in Alaska]

A little lower, please ... ahh! Two denizens of the Budakeszi game park near Budapest, Hungary, rub each other the right way.

Awwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwww!!!