The Ancient Ritual of Gravity-Defying Archery

Archery Beyond Tradition

When thinking of archery, the non-initiated might picture brave medieval soldiers shooting arrows into an advancing army or well-trained athletes with advanced bows competing at the Olympics. The youngest, or more romantic, might dream instead of mythical figures like Robin Hood, Cupid, or Legolas and get lost in their tales. But there is a part of the world where archery is nothing like most people have heard of, and Belgium is at the heart of it.

The Popinjay Tradition in Belgium

Popinjay, or papingo (old words for parrot, which designate the painted, bird-shaped, and feathered target of this sport), is a form of vertical archery popular in the lowlands (Belgium, northern France, and parts of the UK, The Netherlands, and Germany). Competitors aim at knocking off targets placed atop a pole about thirty metres high. To succeed, popinjay enthusiasts stand directly beneath the pole and shoot their arrows straight up, while accounting for the wind’s influence on their trajectory.

Belgium’s Leading Role in Vertical Archery

Of all the places where pole archery is still practiced, Belgium stands out as the most popular. The country hosts numerous clubs with permanent popinjay masts, attracting thousands of enthusiasts. One of them is Clive Mitchell, born in London but a Belgian resident for the past 35 years after discovering Brussels through the Erasmus programme. He is now the king of the Guild Saint-Sébastien, based in Josaphat Park, Brussels. “Yes, I’m currently king of this Guild,” he says. “Every year we run a competition among members, and the winner takes the title of king (or queen, if a woman). The first person to shoot off the target at the top of the pole wins. In Josaphat Park, it usually doesn’t take long, as our archers are very skilled. We also have competitions for kids, where the winner gets the title of prince or princess.”

Historical Origins of Vertical Archery

The origins of vertical archery are lost in time. The practice probably began in the 13th century when archers had to shoot vertically to hit castle defenders during sieges. Another theory is that it was invented by bowmen at sea, who practiced by shooting at targets hanging from the top of ship masts. Over time, popinjay evolved into a sport, with competitions held between cities and archery guilds.

“Our club dates back to 1598,” Clive explains. “By that time, vertical archery had already become obsolete, as crossbows and guns replaced bows and arrows during the Renaissance. However, it survived as a folkloristic activity. Its popularity in Belgium is evident in the work of masters like Bruegel and Bosch, who depicted people practicing it in their paintings.”

Popinjay in the Modern Day

In its heyday, popinjay was beloved for the accuracy and patience it required. It was often played during fairs and festivals, with winners awarded prizes that added excitement. Even though it is now a niche sport, it still captivates many hearts. “I discovered this sport 20 years ago at the end of a folkloristic parade in Josaphat Park,” Clive recalls. “It looked crazy, but I could see that people took it seriously, which I loved. I’ve been hooked ever since.”

The Sense of Community

Keeping this tradition alive also fosters a strong sense of community. “There are hundreds of clubs all over Belgium, and we regularly visit each other to shoot together,” Clive continues. “It’s a chance to spend time with people in a friendly atmosphere. And to drink great beers. It feels very Belgian to me. Every year, there’s also a national competition among all the Guilds, called the Kaiser Shot. We missed it this year, but we plan to participate in 2025.”

Safety and Regulations in Popinjay

Official competitions follow strict rules. “Since we use heavy bows, they are weighted, and if they exceed 70 pounds (about 35 kg), they are not allowed,” Clive explains. “The heads of the arrows must be smaller than an official ring, and designated judges oversee all this.”

Practicing popinjay presents safety challenges, as arrows can fall back on the archers shortly after being fired. Shots are taken one at a time, and participants must stand away from the pole while someone is shooting. Some modern masts, like the one used in Josaphat Park, feature a large cage at the top to prevent arrows from falling too far. Additionally, arrows are blunted to avoid any potential damage. The phrase, “It’s all fun and games until someone loses an eye,” may originate from the risks involved in vertical archery.

A Unique Firing Technique

The firing technique in popinjay differs from traditional archery. “In horizontal archery, you draw to the mouth, whereas we draw to the eye,” Clive explains. “The stance is also very different. In horizontal archery, you calculate the arc of the arrow when aiming, but in vertical archery, that’s not necessary. However, we still have to consider the wind. The two sports are quite different. There’s no official school for vertical archery; you learn from other archers and by practicing on your own.”

Popinjay’s Future

Today, Bruges is the centre of popinjay, and Flanders remains its stronghold. Still, the sport is slowly declining. “Our Guild has 20 members and is considered quite young,” Clive says. “But it’s becoming harder to recruit new members.”

We drink in silence for a few moments as other archers take their turn under the mast nearby. It’s a beautiful sunny day, filled with laughter and the sound of whooshing arrows. This might become a rarer sight in the future.

“Anyway, I’ll keep doing this for as long as possible,” Clive concludes with a smile as he picks up his bow. “It clears my mind. It’s like meditation to me.” He walks toward his friends and the mast. The time for talking is over. It’s time to shoot again.