Archery was one of the time-honoured martial arts of the Korean ancestors.
Archery, which had thrived since Tangun’s Korea, reached a new height in the period of Koguryo (277 BC-AD 668).
This was evidenced by the fact that King Tongmyong who founded Koguryo was called Jumong, which means a man who excels in archery.
The Koguryo people enjoyed archery from their childhood and regarded it as part of their life.
They paid attention to teaching their children how to shoot arrows, and excellent archers handed their forte and special techniques over to their children to carry on the tradition through generations.
According to historical records, Koguryo people built a big house called Kyongdang in each village to teach unmarried young people how to read and write and shoot arrows.
On March 3 by the lunar calendar every year, a national hunting game was held in a bid to encourage archery and horse riding.
Archery is well represented in Koguryo tomb murals, particularly those in Tokhung-ri and Yaksu-ri, which depict people shooting arrows on horseback in pursuit of a tiger or taking aim at a roe or deer with bows.
This tells that archery formed an organic whole with labour and life of the Koguryo people.
Old books say that maekgung made by the Koguryo people was highly appreciated as a very good bow even by neighbouring countries.
Even after the Koguryo period, archery was long promoted as one of the popular martial arts.
Today archery is widely practiced as a sport or recreational game.
Kye Sung Mu, researcher at the Folklore Institute under the Academy of Social Sciences
More From Naenara (En)
I feel like I am still in a dream. I was surprised when I heard that I was nominated to the Fifth National Conference of Mothers.
April 29, 2024
I feel like I am still in a dream. I was surprised when I heard that I was nominated to the Fifth National Conference of Mothers.
A spokesman for the National Aerospace Technology Administration of the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea, released the
April 29, 2024
A spokesman for the National Aerospace Technology Administration of the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea, released the
North Phyongan Province is directing great efforts to education from the viewpoint and stand that education guarantees its
April 29, 2024
North Phyongan Province is directing great efforts to education from the viewpoint and stand that education guarantees its
A DPRK-Russia youth friendship gathering took place in Vladivostok of Russia on April 26 to mark the fifth anniversary of the
April 29, 2024
A DPRK-Russia youth friendship gathering took place in Vladivostok of Russia on April 26 to mark the fifth anniversary of the
Modern dwelling houses have been built at the Phungthan Farm in Sunchon City, South Phyongan Province, amid housewarming
April 28, 2024
Modern dwelling houses have been built at the Phungthan Farm in Sunchon City, South Phyongan Province, amid housewarming
The 37th National Sci-Tech Festival has opened in the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea. The festival, held on the theme of
April 28, 2024
The 37th National Sci-Tech Festival has opened in the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea. The festival, held on the theme of
A national sci-tech presentation in the electric power industry of the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea took place at the
April 28, 2024
A national sci-tech presentation in the electric power industry of the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea took place at the
A youth friendship delegation of the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea led by Kim Song Il, vice-chairman of the Central
April 28, 2024
A youth friendship delegation of the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea led by Kim Song Il, vice-chairman of the Central
The Ryongsong Machine Complex manufactured over 100 high-performance compressors for coal mines during the first quarter of this
April 28, 2024
The Ryongsong Machine Complex manufactured over 100 high-performance compressors for coal mines during the first quarter of this
An Yun Mi from the Pyongyang Municipal Taekwon-Do Team is among the winners at the 22nd ITF Taekwon-Do World Championships held in
April 28, 2024
An Yun Mi from the Pyongyang Municipal Taekwon-Do Team is among the winners at the 22nd ITF Taekwon-Do World Championships held in
The world progressives’ boundless reverence for President Kim Il Sung , a veteran statesman in the world and a great sage of
April 27, 2024
The world progressives’ boundless reverence for President Kim Il Sung , a veteran statesman in the world and a great sage of
Service personnel, working people and schoolchildren of the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea visited the statues of
April 27, 2024
Service personnel, working people and schoolchildren of the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea visited the statues of
Service personnel of the armed forces organs in the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea visited the Revolutionary Martyrs
April 27, 2024
Service personnel of the armed forces organs in the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea visited the Revolutionary Martyrs
During the anti-Japanese revolutionary struggle (1925-1945) President Kim Il Sung began his revolutionary activities by going
April 27, 2024
During the anti-Japanese revolutionary struggle (1925-1945) President Kim Il Sung began his revolutionary activities by going
A dancing party of women’s union officials and members took place at the plaza of the Arch of Triumph on April 25, the 92nd
April 27, 2024
A dancing party of women’s union officials and members took place at the plaza of the Arch of Triumph on April 25, the 92nd
The Ensemble of the Ministry of National Defence of the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea gave a music and dance performance
April 27, 2024
The Ensemble of the Ministry of National Defence of the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea gave a music and dance performance
Dancing parties of youth and students took place in different parts of the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea on April 25 to
April 27, 2024
Dancing parties of youth and students took place in different parts of the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea on April 25 to
The Moscow Zoo in Russia donated animals to the Central Zoo of the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea. The head of the Moscow
April 27, 2024
The Moscow Zoo in Russia donated animals to the Central Zoo of the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea. The head of the Moscow
The civilians and service personnel in the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea celebrated the 92nd founding anniversary of the
April 27, 2024
The civilians and service personnel in the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea celebrated the 92nd founding anniversary of the
The Kim Chaek Iron and Steel Complex strives to increase output. According to data available, during the first quarter of this
April 27, 2024
The Kim Chaek Iron and Steel Complex strives to increase output. According to data available, during the first quarter of this
More Articles