Graceful Weapon

Employed in the hunting and trapping of birds, this Inuit weapon was an elegant form of slingshot used during the early twentieth century.

Written by Katherine Dow

 — Posted May 15, 2012
The Manitoba Museum, HBC Museum Collection

Employed in the hunting and trapping of birds, the Inuit hunting bolas was an elegant form of slingshot used during the early twentieth century. The Inuit crafted their hunting bolas out of carved antler, cotton cord, hide, and bird quills. A hunter would whirl the bolas in the air, throw it at low-flying prey, and watch as the weight of the balls brought down the weapon over the winged target.

This article originally appeared in the June-July 2012 issue of The Beaver.

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