Ambeyyal is a traditional game held during
Onam in
Kerala. In this game two groups of young men shoot blunted arrows to a semicircular stop-butt. The bows for this game are made out of 18-inch long bamboo. The midrib of the coconut palm leaves, ripped off the leafy part with just a little portion on one end, serves as the arrow.
The players stand 23 m to 27 m away from the concave side of a semicircular stop-butt, which is about two feet in the highest parts. The target consisting of a piece of the plantain tree about 3 inches in diameter is kept at the center of the stop-butt. It is pointed at the top in which is stuck a small stick convenient for lifting the cheppu or the mark which is the immediate objective of the players.
The players shoot in a random manner at the mark and who hits carries all the arrows lying on the ground. The game is accompanied by much shouting gesticulation and laughter.
