Mongolian knuckle-bone shooting (Mongolia)
Nomination: Representative List 2014
EN: 'Toirom'- a place where people are gathered for knucklebone shooting. Toirom of Luugar in Dornogovi Province is a place where Knucklebone shooting contest held every autumn. Voluntary knucklebone shooters from every Province gather to participate at this event.
EN: The audiences and shooters at Toirom of Luugar in Dornogovi Province. It is accustomed that the opening of the event starts with melody of Morin Khuur (Horse-headfiddle). Renowned elder knucklebone shooters are seen in at the center.
EN: Elders shooters over 60 years old allowed to shoot with 'chavkh' or 'shooting bow'. Elder knucklebone shooters from Dundgovi and Dornogovi Provinces are targeting at 'Khasaa'.
EN: Preparation shooting for the contest. Shooters sitting at the right side of the 'zurkhai' are checking the shots at the targets and chanting the 'uukhai' for successfull hits. They are also responsible for assembling the line of 'Khasaa' - targets.
EN: Shooter is preaparing for the shot at the targets. 'Khashlaga' - solid wooden board and 'sum' - shooting dice are main instruments of Knucklebone shooting. Every shooter has their own instruments with sizes fit to their hands and fingers.
EN: Act of shooting. Shooter shoots within the distance of 4.72cm from targets. The only purpose is to hit the targets placed on zurkhai - smooth wooden board. Middle finger is correctly placed behind the dice. Shooter totally focuses on targets.
EN: Shooters totally focus on the targets and make every effort to hit the targets. Experienced shooters are apt to totally separate their mind from any disturbances and sounds.
EN: Knucklebone instrument - 'tokhoi' or 'Elbow' is a wooden stand of 52.5 cm tall and 5-7cm wide on which hit targets or 'khasaa' are placed during the competition. The shooting distance is also equal to 9 elbows.
EN: Knucklebone instruments-'Zurkhai' (width - 40cm; length - 45cm; height - 6-7cm) is a smooth and very hard square wooden board where 'khasaa' or 'targets' are placed in a row. Zurkhai is placed on the Sentii.
EN: Main instruments of Knucklebone shooting: 'Khasaa' -a target; 'Khashlaga' -a very solid wooden board; Shooting dices; 'Tohoi' or 'Elbow'; 'Chavkh' i-a shooting bow.
