Arab archery is the traditional style of archery practiced by the Arab peoples of the Middle East and North Africa from ancient to modern times.
Arab archery is distinguished from Western or European archery by the structure of the bow and the methods of release. In western archery, the bow, usually held in the left hand, allows for the arrow to rest on the left side. The string is pulled back, most often by the first joints of the first three fingers of the right hand. When the string slides off the fingertips during the release, the string revolves slightly, causing the arrow to pull a little bit to the right, and thus into the body of the bow. This is discussed in more detail on the Archer's paradox page. The differences between western and eastern archery and shooting techniques are also discussed in more depth on the archery pages for Finger tab, Release aid and Thumb ring.
In Arab archery, the archer usually uses their right thumb or a thumb ring[1] to pull the string back, and the arrow rests on the right hand side of the bow. When released, the string rotates slightly to the left, pushing the arrow into the side of the bow, and preventing the arrow from discharging off to the bow's side. The differences between western and eastern archery and shooting techniques are also discussed in more depth on the archery pages for Finger tab, Release aid and Thumb ring.
The thumb ring is interpreted as a "Thumb tip" from the Arabic, "khayta‘ah"[clarification needed].[2]
From early times[vague], the Arab archers used composite bows.[3] By 3500 BC, the ancient Egyptians had made the bow and arrow their primary war weapon, first on foot, then later for cavalry and chariot mounted archers. The Egyptian archers used bows almost as long as they were tall, and made their arrow heads from flint and bronze.[4] Egyptian soldiers were always good with the bow, and the Pharaohs were also known as the "Archer Kings." By the Middle Kingdom of Egypt (2000BC), the archers had developed a bow powerful enough to send an arrow entirely through a man in combat.
The Hyksos invaders (1620 BC- 1550 BC) of northern Egypt introduced the Composite bow and an improved recurve bow to the region.[5]
The accuracy of Arab archers was very well documented in sport, hunting and warfare during the 7th century. The composite bows, made of various materials including glue made from the horns and hooves of animals, were frequently crafted by the bowyer for the individual archer. Although they were not accurate beyond 70 meters (about 76 yards), the arrows were still deadly in combat against ranks of massed infantry up to 240 meters away[6] (about 260 yards, or about the length of two and a half football fields).
Arab archers used their bows in hunting and combat from foot, horseback, chariot and camel. Camel archers were used for their speed and their camels were known for their stability for shooting.
Muhammad was quite good with a bow, and appreciated the benefits of archery in sports and warfare. A recurved bow made of bamboo, and ascribed to Muhammad, is held in the Sacred Relics (Topkapı Palace) in the Chamber of the Sacred Relics in the Topkapi Museum in Istanbul.[7]
There are several comments by Mohammad concerning archery in the Hadith. Umm Salama told of Muhammed coming upon two groups practicing archery, and he praised them.[8]
Malik ibn Anas spoke about when at the battle of Uhud, the troops left Muhammad behind, where the archer, Abu Talhah, remained behind and protected the Prophet with his shield.[9]
Uqbah ibn Amir relates how Muhammad said that archery shooting was more dear to him than riding.[10]
There are a number of Arab Archery clubs and societies today. Some practice the traditional Arab archery, while others use Western styles of archery in sport competition and hunting. The main organization is FATA, or the "Fédération Arabe de Tir a L'Arc" of Lebanon, a member of the World Archery Federation. The Pan Arab Games usually have an archery competition, and the 12th Arab Games[11] in Qatar held in 2011 had 60 archers from nine Arab countries compete. The Tuba Archery Club[12] tries to recreate or reenact the traditional archery of the East, which includes traditional Arab archery.