Mongolian knuckle-bone shooting
Title
Mongolian knuckle-bone shooting
Alternative Title
Шагайн харваа
Publication Type
Language
mon
eng
Location
Mongolia
Keywords
Knuckle-bone
Shooting
Traditional game
Rituals
Sport
Relevance to ICH Safeguarding
ICH Genre
Description
Inscribed in 2014 on the Representative List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity. Mongolians revere certain parts of the bones of their domestic livestock and use them in religious rites, plays, and traditional games. One such popular team-based game is knuckle-bone shooting. Teams of six to eight players flick thirty domino-like marble tablets on a smooth wooden surface towards a target of sheep knuckle bones, aiming to knock them into a target zone, while shooters sing traditional knuckle-bone shooting melodies and songs. Each shooter possesses individually crafted shooting tools and instruments and wears costumes embossed with distinguished characteristics depending on their rank and merits. Team members are tied by close bonds and follow ethical rules of mutual respect and dignity. The rituals, knowledge, skills, technique, and expertise associated with knuckle-bone shooting, as well as the craftsmanship of tools, accessories, and equipment, are transmitted through apprenticeship.
Publisher
National Center for Cultural Heritage
Place of Publication
Mongolia
Date of Publication
2022
Academic Field
heritage management
Community/Ethnic Group
Mongolia
Active Contribution
Mongolia, FY 2024