Ancient archery makes its mark in the modern world

Right on target: Archers in traditional outfits competing in jemparingan in Yogyakarta in May. (Inset) Competition officials inspecting the arrows that hit the target. — AFP

Yogyakarta: Sitting cross-legged, 68-year-old Supadmi fires an arrow across a field into a small stick target and sets a bell ringing, taking the lead in the game – an ancient form of Indonesian archery.

She was among sportsmen and women in colourful headdresses and sarongs who sent hundreds of arrows flying through the sky in unison at a recent tournament, in a festive atmosphere with blaring trumpets and tinkling percussion music.