Shamans, Supernaturals & Animal Spirits: Mythic Figures From the Ancient Andes

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Ceremonial Sling (fragmentary)
Figurine
Coastal culture (Chimú?)
AD 1100-1476
Camelid wool; braiding, wrapping, cross-knit looping
25" long
The fiber sling was the basic weapon of the pre-Columbian
cultures, used in both hunting and warfare. The fancy
versions found in tombs were, however, made as offerings for
the dead.
Constructed with long, tubular patterned cords that may be
embellished with three-dimensional adornments, these nonutilitarian
objects acknowledge the important role of warriors,
or possibly reflect the upsurge of militancy and conflict during
the Chimú conquest of the north central coast in the 14th
century.
The small figurine attached to this ornamental sling is posed
with its arms upraised in a gesture of veneration. Since the
weapon was necessarily equated with the taking of life,
the image ties into the perpetual theme of propitiating the
ancestors and wakas with blood offerings.
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