Slinging.org Forum
https://slinging.org/forum/YaBB.pl
General >> Project Goliath - The History of The Sling >> South Pacific Slinging
https://slinging.org/forum/YaBB.pl?num=1151865016

Message started by english on Jun 26th, 2004 at 11:34am

Title: South Pacific Slinging
Post by english on Jun 26th, 2004 at 11:34am
Being interested in survival generally, I started looking at being able to survive on a desert island, ie, somewhere beautiful in the South Pacific.  It has now become my dream to live on a small island somewhere, maybe in Samoa, grow Taro and Elephant ear root and Yams, and fish with a dugout canoe, no money, no worries, just me and nature.  And coconuts.  Anyway, in my internet searchings, I was looking at Guam, and I discovered that the use of the sling was and in some areas still is encouraged, and practised.  Incidentally, I found the image at the home of this website, the slingstone with the sling.  Apparently it is in the Guam museum.  This is all a bit of a round-a-bout way of saying; does anyone know how widespread use  of the sling was and is in the south Pacific, from Melanesia to Polynesia?

Title: Re: South Pacific Slinging
Post by David_T on Jun 26th, 2004 at 8:57pm
English,

I think in the "Articles" section there are some articles of sling use in that area.

Title: Re: South Pacific Slinging
Post by english on Jun 27th, 2004 at 4:04am
I just found one reference, in "Brief History of the Sling", saying that it is still popular in the mediterranean and south Pacific.  No real details, though.  Maybe I'm looking in the wrong place.  Pointers?

Title: Re: South Pacific Slinging
Post by Dan_Bollinger on Jun 27th, 2004 at 7:45pm
Some bloody battles were fought in Guam with the sling. I have a slingstone from Guam from that era I bought from an antiguities dealer. The slingstone is even on Guam's official seal.

Title: Re: South Pacific Slinging
Post by english on Jun 28th, 2004 at 5:16am
Wow, really?  Do they carve them out of rock or something, because they don't look like clay?  Nice, neat, glan-type shape.

Title: Re: South Pacific Slinging
Post by Douglas on Jun 29th, 2004 at 11:23am
Isn't  Taro and Elephant ear root the same thing?

Have you been to Guam? Hate to break it to you, it isn't a paradise anymore, try the islands of Fiji....

Title: Re: South Pacific Slinging
Post by english on Jun 30th, 2004 at 11:23am
I was just looking at Guam, not really considering it as a place to live.  I looked at Fiji, and it does sound very nice.  And there are plenty of uninhabited atolls and islands.  Low population density too.  I was also looking at Samoa, but it seems a bit small and crowded, really.  I like the look of Vanuatu also, because it is a traditional place, plenty of islands and atolls, and the language, Bislama, is a pidgin, and so very easy.
 Yeah, I think they are the same thing actually.

Title: Re: South Pacific Slinging
Post by Douglas on Jul 2nd, 2004 at 11:49am
Vanuatu would be great, but yeah, lacking a ticket and travel time, they are basically all the same. :D

Title: Re: South Pacific Slinging
Post by Kilisi on Nov 17th, 2020 at 6:28am
a

Title: Re: South Pacific Slinging
Post by Kick on Nov 17th, 2020 at 8:05am
The guys on Guam are dedicated to bringing it back and doing a pretty good job of it from what I've seen. Even been promoting sling golf :D

Title: Re: South Pacific Slinging
Post by Kilisi on Nov 17th, 2020 at 8:36am
a

Title: Re: South Pacific Slinging
Post by IronGoober on Dec 8th, 2020 at 11:46am
Dang Kilisi, I'm impressed with your dedication. Digging up a post from 2004... nice job.

Title: Re: South Pacific Slinging
Post by Kilisi on Dec 8th, 2020 at 2:41pm
a

Title: Re: South Pacific Slinging
Post by TOMBELAINE on Dec 9th, 2020 at 4:23am
Kilisi, I want to ask you a (two in fact) question.
You say the tradition of the sling is gone. But do we know what traditional material was used to make the sling ? And the method to make these beautiful slingstones ?
I hope I'm not bothering you too much with my questions. But it might pay homage to the traditions of your country.

Title: Re: South Pacific Slinging
Post by Kilisi on Dec 9th, 2020 at 9:29am
a

Slinging.org Forum » Powered by YaBB 2.5.2!
YaBB Forum Software © 2000-2024. All Rights Reserved.