SOME INFORMATION ABOUT THE USE OF BOWS AND ARROWS AMONG THE TURKIC PEOPLES

Abstract

This article presents opinions on the role of the bow and arrow in the socio
economic and political life of the Turkic peoples. It also discusses the division of bow and arrow
types into simple and complex types, the use of simple bows in ancient times, the structure of the
complex bow in the form of an "M", its emergence, structure and raw materials from which the
bow is made, which tree branches it is made of, the preparation technique, the preparation of
arrows, their types, bow arrows used in hunting, used in battle, the whistle arrow and its use, the
fighting spirit of the Turkic peoples, the use of bows and arrows in Chinese sources, as well as the
issues of mounted warriors among the Turks and their mobility during battle, mounted archers in
this process and their influence on the course of battle. According to Chinese sources, when
shooting from a bow during a battle, the warrior’s left shoulder was undressed, which is part of
the technique of shooting from a bow, and from a social point of view, from the most ancient times,
the bow and arrow meant that the tribes were at different levels, were superior or inferior in social
life, or formed the right or left wing of the army, as cited in various legends and myths. In addition,
it was cited that in the Western Turkic Khaganate, all tribes were divided into two parts, from five
to ten, which is a factor indicating that the bow and arrow were deeply rooted in the social life of
the Turks. In short, the bow and arrow played an important role in the economic, socio-political
and cultural life of the Turkic peoples.