Shillong Teer is a traditional archery game played in the northeastern state of Meghalaya, India. The game is a popular pastime among locals and has gained popularity in recent years, attracting visitors from all over the world. Shillong Teer is not just a game but also a part of the cultural heritage of Meghalaya, with its roots tracing back to ancient times.
History of Shillong Teer
The game of Shillong Teer has been played for centuries and is deeply rooted in the history and culture of Meghalaya. The game is believed to have originated from the ancient practice of using bows and arrows for hunting and warfare. As the region developed, the game evolved into a sport, and archery competitions became a part of the culture.
The origin of the game’s name is not clear, but it is believed to be a corruption of the word “tir,” which means arrow in Hindi. Another theory suggests that the name is derived from the sound made by the arrows hitting the target.
Rules of Shillong Teer
Shillong Teer is a simple game that involves shooting arrows at a circular target made of woven bamboo. The target is called a teer, and it has a diameter of about 30 cm. The teer is placed at a distance of 50 meters, and the archers shoot 30 arrows in two rounds, with each round consisting of 15 arrows.
The objective of the game is to hit the teer as many times as possible, with points awarded based on the number of arrows that hit the target. If an arrow hits the outer ring of the teer, the archer earns one point, while hitting the inner ring earns two points. If an archer hits the bullseye, they are awarded ten points.
The game is played in two rounds, with the first round starting in the morning and the second round in the afternoon. The results are announced in the evening, with the number of arrows that hit the target determining the winning numbers..