One of the signature weapons of the ancient Chamorro warrior besides the spear and machete-style club was the sling and slingstone, Acho' Atupat.

The slings were made of Pandanus or Coconut fiber and were often passed from father to son or from mother to son.

The stones were sharpened on both ends and usually made from either limestone, basalt or fire-hardened clay.  

I have been working with Jute, Sisal, Coconut and Pandanus fibers to create replicas of these ancient weapons and maintain the spirit of the craft and skill. The style of the slings are consistent with artifacts and illustrations from various collections. The preferred materials to make the slings are Pandanus and Coconut however Jute and Sisal make fine and functional reproductions.

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Jute

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Jute

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:)

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Coconut

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Pandanus

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Those are really neat!

Those are fantastic slings, Pikaru.  If you ever get the chance to post a tutorial, I would absolutely love to see it.  Ethnographic slings are so awesome, and it's nice to see things other than the Andean and Tibetan stuff I've been focusing on of late.

Incidentally, do you know the traditional method for polishing and sharpening the stones?  The one you have featured with your slings is gorgeous and I would love to learn how to make one.

Wow Pikaru, those slings are beautiful. Good job!

I made one and gave it to Mas.  It is greenstone and I pecked and ground it.  PM him, maybe he'll post another picture.

Those are beautifully done, Pikaru.

I had no idea that they were such valued items as to be passed down through families. What kind of length are these?

wrote on May 2^nd, 2012 at 7:04pm:

Those are fantastic slings, Pikaru.  If you ever get the chance to post a tutorial, I would absolutely love to see it.  Ethnographic slings are so awesome, and it's nice to see things other than the Andean and Tibetan stuff I've been focusing on of late. Incidentally, do you know the traditional method for polishing and sharpening the stones?  The one you have featured with your slings is gorgeous and I would love to learn how to make one.

I have not tinkered with stones much yet. The guys I know who make them, like the blue coral one I have use electric grinders and polishers. As far as ancient methods I can only guess stone to stone using water as a lubricant and to carry away the sediment as you worked the stone. I've seen metate-like stones with groves cut into them that are said to have been used to form the stones but I don't have any pictures to post. Thank you.

wanderer wrote on May 3^rd, 2012 at 3:43am:

Those are beautifully done, Pikaru. I had no idea that they were such valued items as to be passed down through families. What kind of length are these?

Most of these measure between 24-32 inches long from the center of the pouch to the end of the finger loop. I usually don't measure as I braid, I just braid and 'eyeball' it as I go. My reference pieces vary greatly in length and style.
I'm not trying to get pinpoint historically accurate in the reproductions as much as I want to maintain the general look and spirit. Even the museum pieces are sometimes modern reproductions made by local craftsmen and pieces from collections that I've seen don't seem to date back to antiquity, maybe 1920 or so.
I am not a weaver and don't have access now to native weavers willing to share thier craft and no native materials that I can go out and gather here in Colorado so materials like pandanus and good coconut fiber are hard to come by right now.
Overall it's a learning process and gives me a creative outlet without requiring a lot of room or tooling to do.

wanderer wrote on May 3^rd, 2012 at 3:43am:

Those are beautifully done, Pikaru. I had no idea that they were such valued items as to be passed down through families. What kind of length are these?

PS: This was a matriarchal society by the way. Children belongned to the mother and often times whatever was to be passed down was passed down through the mother more than through the father.

wrote on May 3^rd, 2012 at 11:07am:

PS: This was a matriarchal society by the way. Children belongned to the mother and often times whatever was to be passed down was passed down through the mother more than through the father.

Thanks for the interesting information.  :)

By matriarchal, you mean matrilineal, right?  In many native cultures it is common for women to "own" the children, or more properly for children to trace their line of descent through the mother.  In these societies, it is also common for women to own the houses in which people live.  However, in most of these matrilineal societies, it is exceedingly uncommon for women to actually exercise leadership over the community in any kind of ruling sense, which is what matriarchy implies.

I'm no expert by any stretch of the imagination. I only know what I've read and what I've been told. Land passed through from the mother as well as many personal posessions. While there were chieftans, male leaders it was the women, the eldest who greatly influenced or made the final decisions in regards to village life. It is believed that this is one of the reasons the Chamorro people have been able to preserve so much of their culture after so many hundreds of years of foreign occupation. Especially early on, Europeans did not realize the importance and status women held in the Marianas and that is probably a good thing. Women preserved the language and customs. Men could put on western clothes, get jobs etc but it was the women who held on to the traditions and beliefs of the people.

OK, I'll take 3 of each. What do you want to trade????? ;D

Yeah I was thinking the exact same thing myself.  I'd love a copy of one of these slings, if not a pattern for making one myself.

wrote on May 4^th, 2012 at 6:42pm:

While I'm usually never opposed to trading I'd rather 'teach you how to fish', so to speak. I keep notes and pictures once I have a pattern down and can put together a tutorial.

That's my preference as well.  Thanks a bunch for your efforts!

So, Picaru, that`s your trick for keeping the pouch strands tidyer.  Fortunately I did not see it before I made my first such sling, it would have made it way to easy :D.

Chamorru

great stories and love the looks of the sling pouches.

It's interesting how different cultures produce the same basic tool but witrh very different ways of holding the stone secure.  [smiley=thumbsup.gif]

Fire hardend clay.

More...

Great stuff!! I am learning...............slowly. :-[

Let me know what I can do to help.

can you please post a tutorial soon? i am only 13, so i am limited in trading abilities... but i have tons of cord, and stones. i need a good sling design to make.  ;)

Making matched sets, sling and stone.

Acho' Atupat

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hey did you still want the palm fibers

Man, that 4 strand jute pouch looks EXACTLY, and I mean, frighteningly like one I made years ago, and just found in the pocket of a jacket of mine this evening. Beautiful work!

Thanks all.

I will post a tutorial when my schedule slows down.

Part of the hold up has been that I keep changing up how they're made and the materials used.

Still seeking the "perfect sling"...

Its a really great sling if I do say so.

Decorative sling stones. I've been painting up a few this weekend.

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Great idea, look great!

Too pretty to sling! :)

YES

My new hang out. http://itanohu.blogspot.com/

Come visit. Here is where I will post Chamorro cultural crafts such as, weapons, pottery, weaving and food.

Tano' Hu I Islan Guahan

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Chamorro sling in paracord with woven pouch.

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Mighty fine sling my man. I like the colors

Really beautiful work, Pikaru.  I can't wait to see a carved tibia spear point!

And now I have the bone to do it. Don't worry, I'm pretty sure it's not anyone you know.  ;)

For the spear tips I just need to get new cartridges for my respirator. I recently found out about hazardous bacteria that can be present in bone. I have an air extraction fan with filters and maybe I have an ammunity from all the other bone and antler grinding I've done in the past but hearing about the bacteria freaked me out a little.

Bones still pretty bad even if not infected, it's a strong carcinogen when inhaled.

That's why you should always use direct ventilation whether it's bone, leather, wood, stone... Grinding bad, Ventilation good.

Picaru, you still make nice slings, and your link lead to an interesting place of which I know wery little yet.

I have hesitated for a long time, but I`m well on my way on my second Chamorro sling now.   The pouch is done and I braid my way on each side.

If you're starting in the middle with the pouch then half the battle is already won.

I hope you post some pictures.

Yes, the battle is won.  The thing behaved suspiciously like a tangle some times while i made the pouch (15 cords of 6 meter# lenght, clingy jute, pull one and all follow along :D), but now I`m ready to taper the cords and I have full control.

(# I should have cut them 4 meters, they dont double as if a standard split pouch :D)

My new Acho`Atupat is ready.  45", 5 strand braid, jute.  I had to test fire it at 40 meters, short for this kind of sling.  Oblong stones weighting apprx 230 gram/8 ounce is great ammo for this one, I`d like to try real biconical ammo, that has to be absolutely devastating.  
I don`t think testing it with "underpowered" ammo like tennis balls will be worth the bother, this is a weapon made for war :)
I used mostly figure8 though the sling is quite long, that always sendt the ammo out spinning with the pointiest end first.  

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...closer...
I went searching for suitable ammo for it yesterday so I had ammo for it when it was finnished, fortunately I found a few.

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Here it is along with my first Chamorro sling on it`s left side and a genuine Picaru on it`s right.  It obviously help having something to look at when figuring out this kind of sling.

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Beautiful work timann!

Every time I build a sling I learn something new that is then applied into the next sling. A recent and important evolution for this weapon system, and it is a weapon not a toy is that the Chamorro warrior called the weapon Acho'Atupat. The sling AND stone. The shaped stone without the sling is just a stone and the braided or twisted sling without the stone is just a short fiber rope.  

Stones were carefully crafted and varied in size but overall the sling and stone are best as a matched set. The sling is built around the stone.

I am working on tutorials and they will reside here http://itanohu.blogspot.com/ where I have control of access and content.

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Netted pouch.

This sling is very light and made from 1 & 3mm Micro Cord.

7 to five to four strand braid for the release cord.

http://itanohu.blogspot.com/

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Wow!  That one is super pretty!  I love the contrast, and the netting work is gorgeous.

It`s a nice netted pouch sling.  Nice transition from 5-strand to 4-strand braid.  I guess any sling and any good stone can be Acho`Atupat.  
Or is there limits ;)
At last I got a chance to test my new sling and several oblong stones (I found a few more)at some distance.  It`s  almost spooky to watch those big stones (say 200-250 grams) fly "pointy" end first toward the enemy(, in my case the other end of the soccer field).
I would have to do something quite weird to make them tumble, I think.

Tutorial is up. I'll be posting more.

http://itanohu.blogspot.com

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You sir, are a scholar and a gentleman. I didn't see anything that looked like it was vague enough to be hard. I can't wait to try making one of these!

Thanks, Pikåru.  Masi, it`ll be cool to see your first.  I am working on my third and found some nice hints here.  This was a tutorial for using 5 thicker instead of 15 thinner strands, which is indeed a good way to get started.  
I guess I`ll make one like this next, though I begin getting used to mess around with the horrible 15-strand tangle :D

With the thicker cord listed in the tutorial you are actually braiding with 30 strands and instead of adding and trying to blend, you're removing and letting the cords natural plait take in the feathered strand back into the cord. I found the same kind of cord at every craft outlet I've been to. Unless you're in Smallville or perhaps outside of the US it may be more difficult to find however I will gladly send materials to newbies.

New sling Micronesian sling posted http://itanohu.blogspot.com

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Now that is a rustic sling :)

I made yet another sling to get more practice.  41", hemp, two-finger loop + trigger knot made Picåru-style.

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Nice. How does it throw?

Hope I`ll find out tomorrow.  It`s quite thin, the hemp is slightly thinner, but firmer than on my previous jute.  And I tapered it even a little more.  My guess is it`s going to act pretty fast, and not demand quite so heavy ammo.

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Please let me know how it goes.

It worked quite well.  Feels light and fast, as I guessed it would.  I tried some shots with a tennis ball from 20 - 25 meters, which worked fine.  The sling is long, and hard for me to aim with light ammo at such short distanse without a bit of practice, but it did the job well.  The cupping is right in this one, just enough to hold the tennis ball in place.  
Later I was able to send of 4 of my rather heavy oblong stones, and they flew off like darts, just as they should.  
And it takes up less pocket space than a thicker sling ;)

I'm continuing to work in the design and come up with other replicas.

http://itanohu.blogspot.com

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Picåru, that`s the "slingmakers curse".  Each time a sling is finnished it brings up a few new ideas for the next one.  Supposedly until the ultimate design is reached.   I`m quite sure I`m going to cut the cords for my next one this evening.

I know! The slinging Muse descended late yesterday afternoon and I had to sketch and make a page of notes while the idea was fresh in my mind. Yup, more sling ideas.

I just picked up my newest batch of clay slingstones from the pottery shop today.

The clay used for this run of slingstones was more dense than my first batch which gave a slightly heavier stone in a slightly smaller size. This is about what I am looking for, 3.75oz biconical clay shot.

The light colored stone on the right is from the first batch of clay and the two on the far left are from this new batch and are a half an ounce heavier and as you can see, a little smaller in size.

The remaining little slingstones were made from the last of the clay I had on hand and will probably be used with the netted pouch sling I made recently.

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Nice,nice,nice last sling and clay ammo. A question arrised while looking at them: why are they so fat? You can throw them more consistently rifled this way,or just you like the look of them better this way,or why?
My batch of ~90 ceramic glans weight about the same,it's a good weight. A nice compromise between the hard hitting,few to carry and the long flying,much to carry.

jlasud, these stones are reproductions. What I see from the Marianas region are stones of this shape so that's what I am recreating. I'd make them out of stone if it didn't take so long. I thought of a new way to roll out the clay stones that will hopefully cut my production time in half. I hope to work on that this weekend.

So far these stones throw really well but aerodynamically the third and fourth from the right would probably fly better provided they were heavier. Ideally, I think some of the best ammo is lead cast in a classic Greek or Roman shape/style. I'm sitting on a few ingots of lead, I just haven't made a mold to cast bullets yet.

As far as these clay stones, I can get a great spin on them, they sail so well and can easily make 120 yards with a figure 8 throw.

This new batch of clay slingstones is shaped fatter in the middle than my previous run and they really seem to fit my Chamorro slings even better so I'm eager to build a few new slings around this slightly different slingstone shape.

Aha. I only saw the usual more elongated shape,like your profile pic.Ok.
Is the new way to roll them,similar like the pill roler?

Cool sling ammo.  If I ever find the time to make some myself... I would have guessed the fattest would not have a certain, stable point-first flight.

Since I made some smaller sling ammo, I had to make a smaller sling. It was several months ago that I tried making a sling using hemp that I found at Hobby Lobby. I was very unsatisfied with the cord because it was so stiff and didn't blend well when braided. One good thing about the cord was that it was very consistent in diameter. The sling functioned fine but I didn't like the way my first attempt using hemp looked.

Well yesterday I stumbled across a great old school hobby shop. It was awesome! They had everything a hobbiest would want from model planes, trains, weaving, doll house making, plastics, beads... everything. At any rate they had hemp cord so today I made three slings using this new cord. It was windy and snowed all day so it was a good day to spend indoors watching episodes of Firefly and making slings.

Here is a small sling I made using this new cord. The hemp was soft and easy to braid, blended well but had numerous lumps that had to be thinned out to get a good braid. It was a little more work to get even braids but I am happy with the end result. Even with the snow I took a few of my new small clay stones to see how the sling performed and was very happy with the results.
http://itanohu.blogspot.com

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That's a good looking sling!
Is the new way to roll the clay,similar like the pill roler?

Okay, what is a pill roller?

Hemp sling with woven pouch, seven strand braid. The sling is long at 35 inches.

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http://www.google.ro/imgres?um=1&hl=ro&sa=N&biw=1152&bih=725&tbm=isch&tbnid=d7RP9AcrwVj_MM:&imgrefurl=http://phisick.com/item/mahogany-pill-roller-maw-son-thompson/&docid=ZXV7I-Dnp41YPM&imgurl=http://phisick.com/core/wp-content/uploads/pill-roller-maw-1011.jpg&w=660&h=495&ei=uu2fUP_DCMXHtAaZsICADQ&zoom=1&iact=hc&vpx=116&vpy=151&dur=7245&hovh=194&hovw=259&tx=125&ty=95&sig=112672742146978400865&page=1&tbnh=138&tbnw=171&start=0&ndsp=20&ved=1t:429,r:0,s:0,i:66
C_A made a big one for rolling clay balls. I think it should work with biconical form too. It just had to be made with less than two half tubes.

Yes that's pretty much it. I am in the search for bamboo.

It was a weaving kind of weekend.

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Bump

Fine craftsmanship!

timpa, Thank you.

Erikoislingot - You sir are a craftsman.

Awesome work brother.

Amazing, really superb.

Looking at these beautiful slings is making me want to spend the day braiding!

Thank you! That my friend is my plan for the weekend. I want to try something new.

A tutorial for a basic sling can be found at http://itanohu.blogspot.com/

Same pattern, new material.

This sling is made of hemp with a seven strand taperred braid.

If you're using my tutorial at http://itanohu.blogspot.com, it's the same basic concept.

I took five cords, each cord had three strands plaited together. I broke down each of the cords and braided it as you see here.

With all of the untwisting and retwisting of the strands that make up this cord the finished braid took on some unusual twists but they were easily worked out and the sling works great.

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Fine work, and a good tutorial. I am not 100% clear on the weaving that secured the ends of the pouch, how does that go?

DM, you`ll probably need to learn by doing it, that`s what I did ;)
"Sew" and weave the strand from the 5-strand braid and between the separate pouch strands, and maybe around the braid itself too.  If it looks more or less like in one of Picåru`s pictures it`s probably allright.

It'll be alright. timann is right. You just have to do it.

Making slings a creative outlet, another form of art. None of the slings I make look like the other and sometimes I have to adlib just to make it work.

You have skills and if you need some additional guidance I'm happy to help, just PM me.

Your sling may have to change as you go along. You have to be able to adlib. For example, when this sling was finished one side was longer than the other and overall it was too short. Rather than tossing it I used some scrap leather to extend the sling and gave the Chamorro sling a great and different look.

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That's a nice pattern with the leather, I've seen it on horse tack before. Do you just criss cross thru the slits?

Yes the strap is run back and forth through the slits. It is a simple and somewhat popular design for tack. You can make an entire bridle set using slits in the material without ever running a single stitch.

Beautiful slings, Pikåru.

Dziękuję

Pikåru wrote on Nov 20^th, 2012 at 3:18pm:

Dziękuję

My pleasure :)

Small woven sling.

With the small shot I made this sling and it has done nice. I think this sling will throw better with lead or other small heavy shot.

This sling is a modified split pouch. If you look closely you can see the overlap of the straps. I am going to try making a bigger version with heavier cord.

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Big brother to my previous posting.

When completed I will call this sling "The Pikaru".

def: Pikaru: Rascal; rogue; tricky fellow; jocular; scoundrel; knave; villain.

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New Tutorial

http://itanohu.blogspot.com

Nice,nice, :)do you have problem with the release end blowing off?

Yes. In time all the way down to the release knot. If you split the strands and make smaller, tighter braids past the release knot it'll last longer.

Pikåru, please, post direct link to the tutorial:
http://itanohu.blogspot.ru/2012/12/micronesian-sling-tutorial-2.html

I enjoy reading your blog and have no problem visiting its main page, but few months later after you make lot of new tutorials ;) it will be unclear which tutorial is discussed now. :)

Gof Mannge! Kelaguen Manok

http://itanohu.blogspot.com

I like your blog,very good content,and crafts!

Thank you.

It's raining this morning in Guam. Good day to make cordage from pågu.

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Awesome!  What's pågu?

It's a kind of hibiscus. It's like a weed here and the preferred cord for rope. Strong and fibrous.

It's not a weed but a tree. A large flowering tree and is abundant in the "highland" areas of the island.

I'll post more when I don't have to post from my phone. Went into the jungle today and harvested a bunch of pågu.  

A private collection of Chamorro artifacts.

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Is that a boar tusk drilled for a necklace?  Boar tusk necklaces rule.

Yes it is.  Some of the folks out here have some really great collections.  I picked up two very nice marlin spikes this evening.  

Pikåru wrote on Jan 2^nd, 2013 at 10:40am:

Yes it is.  Some of the folks out here have some really great collections.  I picked up two very nice marlin spikes this evening.

Oh nice.  Planning to make some polynesian trench spikes?

http://mauifishingputters.com/sitebuilder/images/bill_mounts_7-28-09_014-353x250.jpg

I've wanted one of these for a long time.

No trench spikes.  

Last night in Guam.  I'm hoping I can get all this pagu fiber off island.

;D
nice sling stones in that collection

I have returned from the Mother Country if Guam and have seen the sling pictured on the homepage of slinging.org. I'm not sure if everyone knows that the sling on the homepage is Chamorro, but yes, it is.

I would have to say that the most interesting thing about the sling is its size. The size of the slingstone it holds and is pictured with is about the size of a dinner roll, just under six inches from tip to tip. The sling also has a wrist loop and no release knot or tab.

Currently Guam is without a natural history museum but we were able to trace some artifacts down at the Governor's complex and a few private collections around the island. A new museum is going to be built now that the politics surrounding its location has finally been worked out. With exception of a few things, all of the artifacts for the museum are in storage. We tried to get a hold of the curator but apparently he has just retired. Head's up on careers; Guam is in need and in search of a new museum curator.

Woven artifacts. It's a commonly known fact that there are very few organic artifacts that have survived from ancient times. When you factor in the climate, length of foreign occupation and world war, the most common artifacts are made of stone, shell or clay. I asked the young lady manning the small museum at the Governor's complex who made the sling in the display case and if the weaver might still be available. Unfortunately she knew very little about the displays, nothing about the sling and thought it was for fishing because it was in the display case for fishing stuff. There was a narrative card on a different display case, one that didn't have slings or stones that indicated slings were often made of coconut husk fiber or pandanus but this sling was not made of either, at least as far as I could tell.

On a different but related note, near the last day of vacation I lost all of the photos I took which included the detailed photos of the sling. In a panic I was able to go back and take some new photos and the gentleman manning the desk knew a bit more about the sling.

The sling on display is supposed to be one of the most well preserved organic artifacts found on the island and is ballpark dated around 1500ish AD. This sling, along with other artifacts was found under a layer carbon, basically ash from a fire and it is believed that this may have been a factor to why the fiber articles had not decayed away. They were able to soak, treat and clean the fibers enough to keep the sling intact. That's the the short of what was told to me about this sling. The attendant told us that the curator of the museum, along with local weavers believes that the sling may be made from fiber taken from the trunk of the coconut tree.  

The museum attendant also spoke of the various size of slingstones found and told us about a large stone weighing approximately 30lbs. A thirty pound stone! Not sure whether that's possible but like with many things lost in history, we can only best guess.

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Seriously awesome research.  Sorry to hear about your phone, but I hope you had a great trip!

I had an opportunity to go into the jungle to harvest some pago (pagu / wild hibiscus). I was also able to treat and dry the bark then stuff it into a suitcase and bring it home.

Pago is the preferred fiber for making rope and while it's not recorded that pago was used to make slings, I don't see any reason why not.

I had a chance to speak with TASA (Traditions Affirming our Seafaring Ancestry) members about thier passion, in particular rope making and use of natural materials used to build the Flying Proa. The group is building galides in Ypau Beach. http://guam.stripes.com/travel/beachside-group-rekindles-chamorro-seafaring-past

One of the builders gave me some very dry pago which I twisted and turned into slings for the group.

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Pago growing through an abandoned church. I didn't harvest here by the way.

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Pago, cured and drying. Since we're entering into the wet season I had to hang it under cover to air dry.

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I have some super thick hemp that I'll try and make one of these slings from, hopefully within the next week. I'll take pics and let yall know how it works out.

Use the tutorial on my blog itanohu.blogspot.com. It has a tutorial using thick hemp cord.

I'm curious about that pagu fibers durability. I imagine it to be rather stiff,which is a pro imo.

Pikåru wrote on Jan 5^th, 2013 at 2:41pm:

Use the tutorial on my blog itanohu.blogspot.com. It has a tutorial using thick hemp cord.

Thanks man, that jute sling at the bottom of the first inital page is the design I think I'll be using, just with a slightly bigger pouch for tennis balls.

jlasud wrote on Jan 6^th, 2013 at 11:14am:

I'm curious about that pagu fibers durability. I imagine it to be rather stiff,which is a pro imo.

I'm no expert, at least not yet but here's what I know so far. Wild Hibiscus (in Chamorro Pago) bark fiber can be twisted into cord of any diameter. The smaller the strands, and the more strands used to make up the cord, the more flexible and strong the final product will be. Just like with any other cordage.

As far as strength, it's stronger than any other cord, hemp, jute or cotton of equal diameter and construction that I have given my non-scientific tension test of pulling apart with my hands.

What I haven't done with it yet is make small diameter strands for twisting multi-strand cordage together then braid it. Cord construction is time consuming and I am still letting the bulk of the fiber I brought back home dry out. It'll be a couple weeks at least.

One other item of interest. I have been told that this fiber is resistant to salt water unlike other natural fibers.

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Dan wrote on Jan 6^th, 2013 at 2:45pm:

Pikåru wrote on Jan 5th, 2013 at 2:41pm: Use the tutorial on my blog itanohu.blogspot.com. It has a tutorial using thick hemp cord. Thanks man, that jute sling at the bottom of the first inital page is the design I think I'll be using, just with a slightly bigger pouch for tennis balls.

You'll get a better outcome if you build the pouch to suit your ammo so if tennis balls are it the use it.

Pik! It was rainy today so instead of practicing archery I made a Chimichanga sling! Or whatever you call them, baisically pacific island style.

This is definitely one of the beefiest slings I have. All hemp except artificial sinew biding to sepearte the strands of the pouch. Its about 27 inches long. Mainly 3 strands of thick hemp braid building up to 7 strand pouch.
I skimmed the tutorial so its not exactly to specs but its pretty close.


http://i1214.photobucket.com/albums/cc495/KenpoFighter1/SSPX0010_zpsf5e15420.jpg

http://i1214.photobucket.com/albums/cc495/KenpoFighter1/SSPX0009_zps746cafa4.jpg

http://i1214.photobucket.com/albums/cc495/KenpoFighter1/SSPX0011_zpsc0597d11.jpg

Mmmmm, chimichanga. :eat:

I`d say you was quite successful in making a Chamorro sling, Dan.  It looks good and also like it will perform well.

timann wrote on Jan 12^th, 2013 at 6:46am:

I`d say you was quite successful in making a Chamorro sling, Dan.  It looks good and also like it will perform well.

Thanks! It works pretty well. I think I'll add to the faux sinew sewing a bit to keep the cords a bit more seperated and inline but otherwise its a win in my book. Its been awhile since I've done something different. Me gusta.  :)

I too found this a cool different sling to make.  The separating cordage is what make each of these slings particularily interesting.

Thanks for sharing your slings, experience and tutorial with this style of sling. I have an interest in oceanic cultures and history. I'm just starting out in slinging but hope to try making a Chamorro-style sling soon.

Nice one Dan. I like to use natural fibers but I have made a few Chamorro slings with synthetics and gutted 550 cord.

Neandertad wrote on Jan 12^th, 2013 at 12:50pm:

Thanks for sharing your slings, experience and tutorial with this style of sling. I have an interest in oceanic cultures and history. I'm just starting out in slinging but hope to try making a Chamorro-style sling soon.

There are a lot of Chamorros in your area but unfortunately I've not run across any avid slingers on the mainland or in the Marianas.

I have a few more drafted posts for my blog but FYI, there are three Marianas/Carolinian sling tutorials on my blog.

Take a look and if you have questions I'm only a message or email away.

Cool. I'm sure I'll be tapping into your knowledge Pikåru as I dive further in!

Pikåru wrote on Jan 12^th, 2013 at 2:27pm:

Nice one Dan. I like to use natural fibers but I have made a few Chamorro slings with synthetics and gutted 550 cord.

Now you have to post pictures of those slings.   :)

Dan wrote on Jan 12^th, 2013 at 6:23pm:

Pikåru wrote on Jan 12th, 2013 at 2:27pm: Nice one Dan. I like to use natural fibers but I have made a few Chamorro slings with synthetics and gutted 550 cord. Now you have to post pictures of those slings.   :)

Agreed..  Let's see em Pikaru!

My boonie hat picked up a hitch hiker.

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That's not a kissing bug with a deadly heart disease, is it?

Never heard of that. Should I have been alarmed? He was on my shoulder for a bit before my hat.

Nah, kissing bugs are from South America - though they have some in the USA as well, but they usually (usually) don't carry Chagas disease.

Well since it was our first date, we didn't do any kissing.

The sling pictured on the home page of slinging.org as it sits today in the Guam Museum.

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Is the homepage sling an artifact? Or a replica?

It's that exact sling. An artifact. It's amazing in the fact that it is an organic artifact that survived from pre-1500 AD.

LightSlinger wrote on Jan 13^th, 2013 at 1:41am:

Dan wrote on Jan 12th, 2013 at 6:23pm: Pikåru wrote on Jan 12th, 2013 at 2:27pm: Nice one Dan. I like to use natural fibers but I have made a few Chamorro slings with synthetics and gutted 550 cord. Now you have to post pictures of those slings.   :) Agreed..  Let's see em Pikaru!

Chamorro Sling made from gutted 550 cord and small diameter equipment cord. New brown and black with tan; five strand flat to four strand round braid for the release.

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Looks good!
Have you just whipped the cords for the pouch to the cords from the braid? Or have you somehow disassembled the cords and then "spliced" the pouch cords in?

Amazing sling Pik.

I need more pics!  :o

Teg wrote on Feb 4^th, 2013 at 9:01am:

Looks good! Have you just whipped the cords for the pouch to the cords from the braid? Or have you somehow disassembled the cords and then "spliced" the pouch cords in?

There is no whipping used on this sling. The black cord at the pouch is woven between the strands of the pouch. I deconstructed the cord and spliced them. The sling works without the extra weaving at the pouch and I've been considering removing or greatly reducing it.

Pikåru wrote on Feb 4^th, 2013 at 11:04am:

Teg wrote on Feb 4th, 2013 at 9:01am: Looks good! Have you just whipped the cords for the pouch to the cords from the braid? Or have you somehow disassembled the cords and then "spliced" the pouch cords in? There is no whipping used on this sling. The black cord at the pouch is woven between the strands of the pouch. I deconstructed the cord and spliced them. The sling works without the extra weaving at the pouch and I've been considering removing or greatly reducing it.

Could you show how you did the splice? I'm intrigued how you did it!

Dan wrote on Feb 4^th, 2013 at 9:29am:

Amazing sling Pik. I need more pics!  :o

Here's one more. I'll show the splicing technique later.  

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I just made a Chamorro from all natural raw materials.  :)

The finger loop didn't turn out how I'd like so I need to mod it. Pics soon.  :)

As promised, here is the all agave Chamorro Sling!

I dissasymbled my other survival split pouch sling because I didn't really like how it threw and I thought I could make it better and tighter. While I was starting to braid the pouch I decided to mix things up a bit and try a Chamorro. Here it is. 25 inches Thows rocks just about as well as any sling made from processed materials.

http://i1214.photobucket.com/albums/cc495/KenpoFighter1/SSPX0028_zps7b2a3f66.jpg

http://i1214.photobucket.com/albums/cc495/KenpoFighter1/SSPX0027_zps9ab13c9e.jpg

http://i1214.photobucket.com/albums/cc495/KenpoFighter1/SSPX0026_zps37a7cb8a.jpg

8-)

Thanks for the inspiration Pik!

Salvaged cordage. Cool. Nice work Mr. Dan. Now you can be a level four craft master with super morphing power. No worries on the finger loop as I have found that wrist loops were probably used over finger loops.

The 550 Chamorro sling found a new home. There's a local blacksmith that works part time at my favorite surplus place. A few weeks ago when I was in there buying 550 cord to send abroad the clerk cutting the cord asked if I was making survival bracelets. I just left it with, "I'm buying it for a friend." Today I went in with 550 Chamorro sling to show what the cord was being used for. JD the blacksmith marveled and recalled how he had not used a sling since he was a boy. I gave him the sling and a few clay stones and he's promised me a hand forged knife. I took fifteen slings with me on vacation and only came back with the sling I carry on my boonie hat. Giving slings away gives me an opportunity to make and give away more.

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It was a real learning expierience working with unprocessed cord.

First time I didn't tie the knot at the top of the finger loop tight enough, it tore, and I had to splice in some more fibers (which I actually took out of the trash because they were the 'useless scraps') and then retie the knot. Works fine now though.  :)

I had to use every last inch of fiber to get that 25". If you plan on making a sling out of unproccesd cord, make sure you have plenty if material. Its a scary feeling when you have a couple inches left and you only have whisps of fibers.

Cool story with that paracord sling. I agree.

Great slings and stories, Dan and Picåru :)

We learn more by doing. Great effort Daniel San.

Soft elk hide padding the finger loop.

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I like the weaving on the pouch.  Looks like the pouch strands are well splayed by it! I should try and make one of these Chamorros. I got a similar sling in the SITH but it was more like a split pouch that split again.

I like it! :)

Pikaru I hope this wasn't already answered but how do you go about sharpening the ends of those rocks? Technique etc. Really cool and nice work for sure!

HMSling, they're kiln fired clay. I form them by hand, one at a time then take them to the local pottery shop to be fired.

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Sweeeet

Pikåru wrote on Feb 6^th, 2013 at 12:00am:

The 550 Chamorro sling found a new home. There's a local blacksmith that works part time at my favorite surplus place. A few weeks ago when I was in there buying 550 cord to send abroad the clerk cutting the cord asked if I was making survival bracelets. I just left it with, "I'm buying it for a friend." Today I went in with 550 Chamorro sling to show what the cord was being used for. JD the blacksmith marveled and recalled how he had not used a sling since he was a boy. I gave him the sling and a few clay stones and he's promised me a hand forged knife. I took fifteen slings with me on vacation and only came back with the sling I carry on my boonie hat. Giving slings away gives me an opportunity to make and give away more.

Here is the knife JD made for me. This is a hand forged high carbon steel razor knife. The blade is just over three inches long and the overall length is just over eight inches. The hardened blade is beautifully tapered and has a high mirrored finish and is razor sharp. The sheath is well made from a single piece of black latigo leather including the belt/lanyard loop. The craftmanship of the blade and sheath are as good as I've ever seen. I almost feel like I got the better end of the deal but like with any good trade, each person walks away satisfied and happy.

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Pikåru wrote on Feb 21^st, 2013 at 11:08pm:

Pikåru wrote on Feb 6th, 2013 at 12:00am: The 550 Chamorro sling found a new home. There's a local blacksmith that works part time at my favorite surplus place. A few weeks ago when I was in there buying 550 cord to send abroad the clerk cutting the cord asked if I was making survival bracelets. I just left it with, "I'm buying it for a friend." Today I went in with 550 Chamorro sling to show what the cord was being used for. JD the blacksmith marveled and recalled how he had not used a sling since he was a boy. I gave him the sling and a few clay stones and he's promised me a hand forged knife. I took fifteen slings with me on vacation and only came back with the sling I carry on my boonie hat. Giving slings away gives me an opportunity to make and give away more. Here is the knife JD made for me. This is a hand forged high carbon steel razor knife. The blade is just over three inches long and the overall length is just over eight inches. The hardened blade is beautifully tapered and has a high mirrored finish and is razor sharp. The sheath is well made from a single piece of black latigo leather including the belt/lanyard loop. The craftmanship of the blade and sheath are as good as I've ever seen. I almost feel like I got the better end of the deal but like with any good trade, each person walks away satisfied and happy.

Holy cow that is one NICE knife!!!!!!!

Hello everybody

Excuse me for the old thread resurrection, but I have found this right now!

https://www.postguam.com/sports/local/guamanians-to-compete-in-spanish-sling-stone-competition/article_bbee0c84-e934-11e6-ab38-1bd8c5872f6e.html

http://www.fokai.tv/fxv/origin-of-slinging-and-how-the-ancient-chamorro-people-used-it/

https://youtu.be/N_YdFpF4yD4

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Z8C2GXEtpw8

Greetings.

thanks that was very cool i thought it was interesting listening to him talk about the different purposes for the different slinging styles i throw lots of different ways but all the styles i can throw high straight and low just fine