Hundreds of archers from around the world took part in a traditional tournament in Malaysia at the weekend, putting on a display of sporting prowess while wearing a dizzying array of national dress.
About 500 archers participated in the two-day event on a farm in Seri Menanti in central Malaysia.
A fifth were from overseas, from countries including China, Turkey and Austria, and numerous bright headdresses and flowing robes were on display.
They took part in different events, including firing arrows at static targets and one supposed to simulate a hunt, with archers stalking through the jungle and taking aim at animal-shaped targets.
It took place in the grounds of a farm that is run along traditional lines and takes inspiration from the culture of Muslim Malays, the country’s main ethnic group.
Organizers decided to put on the event after Malaysian archers travelled overseas to take part in tournaments, said Shahrul Nazim bin Kasim, from Malaysia’s Traditional Archery Association.
“We thought it was good to invite archers from around the world to experience how we do archery in Malaysia, and strengthen friendships,” he told AFP.
Winners were awarded with medals, as well as bows and arrows.
