One of the four oldest games is played with bow and arrows, the bow being made from split bamboo and string. A target is chosen on a wall or hill and boys shoot their arrows to hit the mark.

This was quite a popular game when my older cousins came to visit. Though I learnt the game quite early, it was quite some time before I developed enough skill to play it successfully.

As I grew up, I joined my cousins in mock battles in a bow and arrow war. We would stand at opposite ends of the parambu (courtyard) in front of my house and fire our arrows at the each other. Of course, we were lucky if even one of our arrows reached anywhere near the opposing team!