Traditional Turkish archery is an amalgamation of principles, ritual practices, social practices, and archery disciplines. The tradition originated in the Eurasian Steppe in the second millennium B.C. but became highly developed during the Ottoman Empire – is the Republic of Turkey today.
A traditional Turkish archer is known as "Okçu" (archer), "Kemankeş", "Tîrendâz", or "Kavsi". There are different disciplines practiced on foot and horseback. The archers and practitioners train individually or collectively to improve their skills, hold individual shootings, or compete in festivals.
Materials such as trees grown under certain climatic conditions at high altitudes and organic glues, horns, tendons, silk, and leather are used to make archery equipment. This equipment is generally decorated with calligraphy, ornaments, and marquetry. The craftspeople must therefore have an advanced understanding of nature, including plants, animals, and weather.
In addition to the craftsmanship involved in traditional archery equipment, craftspeople engaged in the handcraft of it also play an important role in safeguarding the element, with skills being passed on from one master to another over time, or self-learning. The art of mounted archery is highly aesthetic, elite, and exciting. With its attire, equipment, and rituals, it also serves to preserve and promote a long-standing culture.
Recent years have seen an increase in female archers and trainees, as well as non-governmental organizations active in archery in various regions of Turkey. By adapting it to the contemporary environment, bearers and practitioners maintain the element's viability. A Turkish cultural heritage, mounted archery emerged with Proto Turkish clans such as Scythians, Avars, and Huns, and reached its most sophisticated form in the Ottoman period.
The practice was abandoned in the last two centuries but started to be developed again as a sport in the world in the early 21st century. It was led by the Turks, and it is pleasing to see that Turkey still has an important place in this discipline. Turkish archery, especially horseback archery, is a tradition and practice that continues today.
Traditional Turkish archery is safeguarded as a discipline with distinct techniques, equipment, and social practices all over the world. Every year, international traditional archery festivals are organized, in which athletes and sportsmen from various countries represent different disciplines. The participants wear traditional clothing from their own cultures and share their knowledge and experience of traditional archery at an international level, including dance, cuisine, music, dance, and other traditional sports branches.