Native American Bow and Arrow

By Crusader1307

As with most cultures, the development of the simple Bow and Arrow evolved along the same way with Native Americans. Going back many thousands of years, the device was used for both hunting and warfare. Designed of wood, most bows were designed of a single piece. Wood was cured and shaped. The Native American technique involved many months of careful craftsmanship. One's Bow was most cases a symbol of one's manhood within a Tribe. A young Brave who was capable of providing food and fighting for his Tribe was considered a man. Many of the great “Horse Tribes” were quite adept at shooting from a horse at full gallop with deadly accuracy. The construction of arrows and their respective arrowheads, were (in their own right) – an art form. Originally stone then flint, most Tribes could be identified by the shape and cut of their arrows and arrowheads. A typical arrow ranged around 2.5 to 3 feet long. Carried in quivers made of leather hide, around 10 to 15 projectiles were carried. The Bow and Arrow was a standard piece of equipment for most Native American Tribes throughout North America.