Tejo is a traditional Colombian sport that is believed to have been originated over few centuries ago. The sport is played in only Colombia at a recreational and competitive level.
The main equipment required for the sport is a wooden box called a post, tejos metal discs, and a target. The post is 90cm wide and 1m long, cut at 35 to 45 degree angle and filled with clay. A protective board much larger than the post is usually placed behind the post to protect off-target tejos from leaving the field.
The tejos used are metal discs. A circular metal ring is used as a target and is tightly screwed to the middle of the post. The targets have multiple small triangular shaped pouches filled with gunpowder, called ‘mecha’, fixed to it, which explodes when hit.
Objective
The objective of the sport is to throw the tejos at the target from a distance of 20m. Points are awarded to throws based on where it lands on the post. The four scoring plays are, Hand 1 point — For the tejo that is closest to the target, Hit 3 points — When the mecha explodes, Bullseye 6 points — For the tejo that lands inside the target, and Strike 9 points — a hit and bullseye on the same throw.
Tejo Rules
You’ve read the goals and how to score in Tejo. The rules of Tejo are simple.
Take turns to throw the tejo towards the bocin.
Stand around 22 m away from the bocin
First to 21 points wins.
While its more of an informal, but expected rule — drink a beer or three while playing.
How big are Tejo explosions
Tejo is great fun, and you’ll soon warm up in Salento’s cool evenings, be sure to hydrate with beer to keep your aim true and straight. Tejo is noisy, you’ll likely hit the boards, the backboard and the ground before you eventually hit the paper triangles and cause explosions. Tejo explosions aren’t hugely noisy, but they are great fun, especially if it’s your Tejo that’s caused them!
Although the game has more presence in the cundiboyacense plateau, it has expanded to neighboring territories after being cataloged as a national sport. This also implied the creation of National Tejo Federation (Fedetejo) and proper government financing for clubs, leagues, and tournaments.
In Colombia, this sport is practiced, generally, by middle age men and women. It’s often related to some other autochthonous activities, such as listening to vallenato music and drinking beer or a native beverage called chicha; professional players tend to disagree by stating that it’s just a stereotype.
Currently, tejo is not being practiced as much as it used to be due to the lack of interest from young people. This may cause the tradition to get lost as the cultural progression goes on.
In the hopes to save the sport, new versions of the game have been developed. For instance, tecnotejo removed the gunpowder so that the scores could be registered on electronic boards making the game suitable for children. In 2011, the company Big Teeeh Media developed a Smartphone application that brought tejo to the new age of technology.
Tejo World Tour is one of the most downloaded free apps in Colombia. Interesting enough, it’s also being played in countries like Malaysia, China, and Indonesia. Its creators came up with the idea to promote this Colombian national emblem and to encourage a new practice known as virtual tejo, combining tradition and modernism at a digital scale.
출처: 스포츠토토
