The Transmission of Traditional Turkish Archery to Future Generations in the Context of Intangible Cultural Heritage GELENEKSEL TÜRK OKÇULUĞUNUN SOMUT OLMAYAN KÜLTÜREL MİRAS BAĞLAMINDA GELECEĞE AKTARILMASI
Milli Folklor, vol.149, pp.127-139, 2026 (AHCI, Scopus, TRDizin)
- Publication Type: Article / Article
- Volume: 149
- Publication Date: 2026
- Doi Number: 10.58242/millifolklor.1724334
- Journal Name: Milli Folklor
- Journal Indexes: Arts and Humanities Citation Index (AHCI), Scopus, MLA - Modern Language Association Database, TR DİZİN (ULAKBİM)
- Page Numbers: pp.127-139
- Keywords: cultural transmission, ethnosport, horse archery, ICH, traditional archery, Turkish archery
- Open Archive Collection: AVESIS Open Access Collection
- Ankara Haci Bayram Veli University Affiliated: Yes
Abstract
Archery is an ancient target shooting sport that dates back thousands of years. The sport, in which the bow is used to aim the arrow at a target, dates back to hunting and warfare motivation. This skill, left by primitive people who needed to hunt to survive, is now practiced in many parts of the world as both a sport and a hobby. Before it was recognized as a sport, archery had a number of traditional elements that differed among nations. These traditional elements have created the differences between modern archery and traditional archery. When the studies on archery are examined, it is seen that studies focusing on the sportive aspect of this field are predominant in the literature. However, it is emphasized in various studies that archery is not only a sport, but also a traditional practice with deep cultural and historical contexts. In this context, research on the place and importance of archery in Turkish cultural history has tended to reveal the world of meaning of archery as a component of cultural heritage. However, the values of traditional Turkish archery within the scope of intangible cultural heritage have been addressed in detail in a limited number of studies to date. This study aims to contribute to this gap and examine archery in its cultural, historical and institutional aspects. Within the scope of the research, in-depth interviews were conducted with three separate individuals using a semi-structured interview form. These individuals have participated in numerous international research projects and studies on Turkish bow making and Turkish archery, and have given seminars on these subjects. Through the interview, the differences of traditional Turkish archery from modern archery were tried to be revealed, the differences that emerged were tried to be handled in the context of intangible cultural heritage and suggestions were tried to be made on how traditional Turkish archery could be transmitted to future generations in this context. Considering the interviews and literature review conducted within the scope of the study, the first of the suggestions listed about traditional Turkish archery in two contexts was categorized as the future of traditional Turkish archery and what needs to be done to keep it alive in the context of ICH, and then some suggestions were made for the future of traditional Turkish archery and the survival of the culture. Then, the suggestions were discussed in a single framework and basically six items were highlighted: Then, the suggestions were discussed in a single framework and basically six items were highlighted: Establishment of a protection board in order to standardize traditional Turkish archery, determination of criteria by providing clarity on archery clothing, development and presenta-tion of training materials by focusing more seriously on training materials, encouraging the production of real Turkish bows by revealing their features in all their lines, re-establishing the puta target category and ensuring its effectiveness in the field, re-establishing the fixed range field and traditional registration practices.