What to do in Yogyakarta: a Javanese archery workshop!

I feel my neck is getting sunburned. I take a deep breath and taut the bowstring. In the distance, I see the white-red cylindrical target dangle between two chains. Next to me, my teacher keeps repeating that I have to focus. For a moment I am distracted by the blaring sound of a moped passing by on the other side of the wall. Then peace returns. A drop of sweat rolls from under my headscarf over my cheek. The arrowhead is in line with the target. I inhale slowly and release the string. The arrow shoots away from my bow. The sound of the flying spear is followed by a loud tap against the back wall. I missed. “Keep practising,” my Javanese teacher says while laughing. “We’ve got all morning.” Are you on holiday in Indonesia? The archery course described in this blog is something you have to do in Yogyakarta!

Do in Yogyakarta: a centuries-old tradition

We got up early today for a very special activity booked at the Backstreet Academy. “Are you ready for a lesson in archery?”, says our guide Ade, who previously accompanied us at the Backstreet Academy. “Yes!”, I say enthusiastically while introducing myself to two men in traditional attire. “Today’s workshop is not just an archery course,” Ade says while we are preparing. “This form of traditional archery can officially only be practised within the walls of the royal palace and has very specific customs.”

He explains that the centuries-old tradition of the Jemparingan (which literally means ‘arrow’) is only practised by a small group of men. “Today’s two teachers keep the tradition alive. And they take it very seriously, so we’re going to start putting on the right clothes.”

Traditional clothing

One of the two men steps forward and shows us how to wrap our batik sarong. We put on the cloths with cheerful patterns around our waist. Then he deftly ties a cloth around his head. Now it’s our turn. As is often the case, Daisy is considerably faster and better with folding and tying. After a few minutes of fumbling, I get help. I’m very happy about it because as far as I’m concerned it’s getting time to shoot some arrows!

A special technique

When I enthusiastically approach my bow and immediately want to get ready for the first shot, our teacher raises his hand. “Jemparingan isn’t just about shooting arrows. It’s about concentration and meditation. Only when you’re fully absorbed in the activity will you succeed in hitting your target.” With a wink, he adds: “And we shoot from a sitting position. Patrick, you’re still standing.”

The men lay thatched rugs on the ground and ask us to sit down. We sink into a cross-legged position and are given a bow. The arrows are laid down in front of us. With a lot of patience, the men explain the technique. “You take the arrow, attach it to the rope and stretch it along with the bow,” he says while showing us how it’s done. “Remember, the most important thing is to find balance, both in your mind and your body. Grab the rope and stretch it back tightly. Put your hand along your cheek and concentrate on the cylinder at the end of the shooting range. Watch your breathing. And let go!” His arrow flies through the air and hits the ringing cylinder.

It’s not as easy as you might think

This traditional form of archery turns out to be anything but simple. Sitting on the ground, handling the large bow, keeping it in balance while the bowstring is taut and not tilting it up when you release the string, involves more than just a good sense of direction. You have to be one hundred per cent absorbed in it. Soon we realize how important our breathing and our ability to concentrate is.

After an hour of practice, my jemparingan ends up closer and closer to the target. At the same time, fatigue strikes. The sun is now high in the sky and the temperature is rising. My upper arm starts to vibrate and my shoulder starts to hurt. But I don’t give up!

3, 2, 1

Pull the arrow back, focus, release. Pull the arrow back, focus, release. The loud tap of the arrow against the back wall remains the last sound I hear, every time when I shoot! “I give up,” I tell Daisy. “I can’t do this. These are my last three arrows.” I get my bow and arrow ready for the next shot and take a deep breath. With every second that goes by I feel myself getting calmer. I don’t feel the pain in my fingers anymore. All the ambient noises disappear. I’m alone with my bow and I only have one goal: to hit that bloody target. Slowly I count down; 3, 2, 1.

I follow the arrow that seems to fly over the short shooting range with the speed of sound. I wait for the hard tap of the back wall, which I’ve heard dozens of times by now, but the sound never reaches me. Instead, a cry of joy escapes from my teacher, combined with the ringing of the chains that keep the target in its place. It’s a hit!

Would you like to do an archery workshop in Yogyakarta?

We book many of our activities in Asia at the Backstreet Academy. With them, you can be sure that the local people, culture and centuries-old traditions are the most important aspects of your experience. Would you like to learn archery like us according to Javanese tradition? Book the workshop at the Backstreet Academy and before you know it you sit down with a bow and arrow in your hands, counting down from 3 to 1.

We did several workshops with the Backstreet Academy before this one. We went on a food tour in Kathmandu. And we found out how many steps are needed to produce rice. The experiences that the Backstreet Academy offers are spread over 10 countries in Asia: Nepal, Laos, Malaysia, India, Indonesia, Myanmar, Cambodia, Thailand, Vietnam and the Philippines. Choose whatever you like!