Papua New Guinea Spia - 2 Piece


Papua New Guinea Spearthrower, made from wood and bamboo. Used by the Sepik people.

Material:
Bamboo, 3/4" diameter by 20" long
Wood, 5" x 2" x 3/8"
Artificial Sinew

Construction:

• First, make a bamboo female atlatl. Instead of hollowing it out all the way to the middle node, though, curve it up to the top about 5" from the node. Then cut a 3/8" wide slit down the middle to the node.
  
  
  
• Carve the dart guide. The shape doesn't matter -- these are carved into a number of intricate patterns. But there must be 2 places for the sinew to wrap it onto the shaft. When finished, sand it smooth.
  
  
• Put the dart guide in the slit, glue it down, and wrap it down with sinew.
  
  

There are two different ways to throw with a Papua New Guinea style. I've described the methods here.

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