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

www.coldsiberia.org ^ | December 21, 2004 | LaDivaLoca

[LaDivaLoca]

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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]

I'll be here with you. It's my early evening.

[Kathy in Alaska]

I love the windows!! We got about 5" of snow over Sunday day and night. You can make a snowman!

[SevenofNine]

Well well according to Kydto news wire North Korea is warning Japan not get into their business because reason is they been stepping up Naval patrol near North Korea water

Good goin Little Kim that good way get Godzilla on your a***

Also World Tribune growing evidence not only fun-loving Syrians been send miltants to Iraq to fight our US troops also wacky Iranians
Gee no suprise there eh

Wash Post reporting in tommorow cycles that FBI been looking into Iraqi abuse scandel

S***

[luvie]

HI KATHY!!!
How's the weather up north? We're warm now but it is about to change!

[luvie]

Okay--this is the second time I have posted an answer in which I asked a dumb question--I guess it is time to put it to bed!

[luvie]

YEA-TAS!!! #50

[Kathy in Alaska]

Do you have snow with any regularity?

[Kathy in Alaska]

Observed at Baghdad, Iraq
Scattered clouds High: 59° F Low: 37° F

Observed at Mosul, Iraq
Scattered clouds: 53° F Low: 35° F

[Kathy in Alaska]

Cool Pledge today, Hope. Thanks. And thanks, Hope's son, for your service to our great nation.

[Kathy in Alaska]

Thank you, Tonkin.

[Kathy in Alaska]

Beautiful centerpiece today. Thanks men in the Military and the Canteen.

[Kathy in Alaska]

Duty ~ Honor ~ Country

Click above to visit "A Day in the Life of President Bush"

[uncleshag]

Isn't that just about the best
picture of GWB and THE First Lady?

They make a great First Couple!

[Kathy in Alaska]

Agreed....they are so comfortable with each other.

[Kathy in Alaska]

Aloha! (I think) BIGLOOK.

[Kathy in Alaska]

Thanks, PeterPrinciple, for stopping by.

[Kathy in Alaska]

Good late evening, ariamne.

[uncleshag]

Oh yes.

I watched the 17th press conference today. The President seems much more at ease with Q&A thanI have ever seen him. I pray for him everyday along with the prayers for the troops.

[Kathy in Alaska]

A PRAYER OF PROTECTION

The light of God surround you
The love of God enfold you
The power of God protect you
The presence of God watch over you
Wherever you are,God is,
And all is well.
Amen.

Bless This House

Bless this house O Lord we pray;
Make it safe by night and day;
Bless these walls so firm and stout,
Keeping want and trouble out:
Bless the roof and chimneys tall,
Let thy peace lie over all;
Bless this door, that it may prove
ever open to joy and love.


Bless these windows shining bright,
Letting in God's heav'nly light;
Bless the hearth a'blazing there,
with smoke ascending like a prayer;
Bless the folk who dwell within,
keep them pure and free from sin;
Bless us all that we may be
Fit O Lord to dwell with thee;
Bless us all that one day we
May dwell O Lord with thee.

(Click on praying hands above, or on banner at the top to hear the music)

A PRAYER OF PROTECTION

The light of God surround you
The love of God enfold you
The power of God protect you
The presence of God watch over you
Wherever you are,God is,
And all is well.
Amen.

Bless This House

Bless this house O Lord we pray;
Make it safe by night and day;
Bless these walls so firm and stout,
Keeping want and trouble out:
Bless the roof and chimneys tall,
Let thy peace lie over all;
Bless this door, that it may prove
ever open to joy and love.


Bless these windows shining bright,
Letting in God's heav'nly light;
Bless the hearth a'blazing there,
with smoke ascending like a prayer;
Bless the folk who dwell within,
keep them pure and free from sin;
Bless us all that we may be
Fit O Lord to dwell with thee;
Bless us all that one day we
May dwell O Lord with thee.

(Click on praying hands above, or on banner at the top to hear the music)

[Kathy in Alaska]

I was able to hear some of it on Rush this morning. I so despise the MSM. They seemed to be "lecturing" our Commander in Chief, and trying their darnedest to trip him up, put words in his mouth, paint him in a bad light. GRRR!