Mukkha is the an archery sport. The game is played with a long arrow (''ghashay'') and a long bow (''leenda''). The arrow has a saucer shaped metallic plate (''tubray'') at its distal end. The archers play in teams and attempt to hit a small white wooden target called ''takai'' surrounded by a circular ring called ''kwaara''. The target is secured in fresh clay placed at some height a few meters away from the
archer
Archery is the sport, practice, or skill of using a bow to shoot arrows.Paterson ''Encyclopaedia of Archery'' p. 17 The word comes from the Latin ''arcus'', meaning bow. Historically, archery has been used for hunting and combat. In mo ...
.
Rules
The game is played with a long arrow (''ghashay'') and a long bow (''leenda''). The arrow has a saucer shaped metallic plate (''tubray'') at its distal end. The archers play in teams and attempt to hit a small white wooden target called ''takai'' surrounded by a circular ring called ''kwaara''. The target is secured in fresh clay placed at some height a few meters away from the
archer
Archery is the sport, practice, or skill of using a bow to shoot arrows.Paterson ''Encyclopaedia of Archery'' p. 17 The word comes from the Latin ''arcus'', meaning bow. Historically, archery has been used for hunting and combat. In mo ...
. If the player manages to strike the targets they score a point. A successful attempt is usually celebrated by beating loud drums. On the other hand, if the player misses the target, the opposing team would celebrate instead.
History, name and origin
The game is believed to be originated in the Baloristan regions of Pakistan.
Images
File:Makha at Kaddi 1.jpg, The traditional archery
Archery is the sport, practice, or skill of using a bow to shoot arrows.Paterson ''Encyclopaedia of Archery'' p. 17 The word comes from the Latin ''arcus'', meaning bow. Historically, archery has been used for hunting and combat. In m ...
sport of the Pashtuns
Pashtuns (, , ; ps, پښتانه, ), also known as Pakhtuns or Pathans, are an Iranian ethnic group who are native to the geographic region of Pashtunistan in the present-day countries of Afghanistan and Pakistan. They were historically re ...
called ''makha''. Target is being prepared in the village of Kaddi
Kaddi (کڈی) (also known as Kaday or کډے in Pashto) is a village in the Swabi District of Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa. The inhabitants belong to Aba Khel subtribe of Mandanr Yusafzai Pakhtuns who occupy Swabi and Mardan districts of Khyber-Pakhtunk ...
in Swabi District
Swabi District ( ps, سوابۍ ولسوالۍ, ur, ) is a district in the Mardan Division of the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province in Pakistan. It lies between the Indus and Kabul Rivers. Before becoming a district in 1988, it was a tehsil within t ...
File:Makha at Kaddi 2.jpg, Makha - The archer is preparing to take the shot. A friend is helping him.
File:Makha at Kaddi 3.jpg, Makha - Archer positioning and starting to aim at the target.
File:Makha at Kaddi 4.jpg, Makha - Archer aiming at the target.
File:Makha at Kaddi 5.jpg, Makha - Target successfully hit.
Further reading
‘Mukha’ lovers throng Topi contest ''Dawn'', 26 June 2012
Wave Magazine, 10.01.2009
*''Mukha'' at
External links
Pashtun culture
Archery in Asia
Traditional sports of Pakistan
Archery in Pakistan
Sports originating in Pakistan
Culture of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa
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