Abstract
In the eras, arrow was an element of daily life. During the Ottoman Empire era it had an organized application named `Kemankeşlik` The subject of this study, that is, `The shooting sport and its Fundamental Techniques in the Ottoman Empire` was examined under three main sections. The shooting sport during the Ottoman Empire time was studied and the fundamental techniques of the shooting sport at that time was examined. Under the influence of Islamic religion, shooting sport was widely accepted by the large groups of people and doing this sport is accepted as a favor. Shooting was not practised at the Okraeydan (arena for shooting) only. By means of this sport, business sectors of arrow and bow were founded. The production of various arrows and bows by these business sectors was examined. Tekkes were a kind of federations which were in control of shooting sport. Okçular Tekkesi in Okmeydanı, Istanbul was xn control of this sport during that time. It is known that the shooting games were held under three categories? Puta (Target), Menzil (Record), Menzil (long distance). The food for the players was provided by the `Tekkes`. After the breakfast, according to the characteristics of each player» `Physical exercises` were done. Although the physical exercises of untrained ones and trained ones differed, same principals were being followed basically. It was explained that rigidness or softness of the fingers, arms and body should vary according to the techniques of standing, holding and shooting. The techniques of holding the bow differed according to the length of the fingers of the archers. The techniques which must be used by medium long and short fingered arches were mentioned by the experts. The techniques used to shoot the `Puta` with hard and soft bows and the techniques used for menzil shooting, were also mentioned. Here we can see how much they emphasized the individual differences. The achers in the Ottoman Empire warned that they could be injured during standing, holding and shooting and they were informed how to prevent getting injured. These are all explained in the related sections. The shooting sport during the Ottoman Empire with its fields, administrators and staff, kinds of competitions, rules, tradesman and scientific logic in its techniques had an history richer than any other nation of the same period. Although, it is imposible to bring back the shooting sport of Ottoman Empire, with this study and with the others that will follow, it can be possible to develop the skills of Turkish archers.
