Ladakhi warriors have used bows and arrows to protect themselves since the dawn of time. Those that inhabit this land still possess the art and skill involved in the sport of archery. The bows and arrows used are carved from bamboo, an exotic material, which is scarce in this barren region. The bow strings, on the other hand, are still made of rawhide, as they were thousands of years ago. Now mostly practised as a sport and as community entertainment, Ladakhi archery still brings out a great deal of local enthusiasm, and is an immense source of pride for its players and their villages.