Bola Collection

The Spanish-American Guachos [sic] catching wild horses, in the Falkland Islands, 1856. Creator: Harrison Weir
The Spanish-American Guachos [sic] catching wild horses, in the Falkland Islands, 1856. Depiction of...the mode in which the wild horses are caught in the Falkland Islands by the Spanish-American

SNoW & MooN
Enrique Rodríguez de Mingo

Chasing the ostrich (chromolitho)
668315 Chasing the ostrich (chromolitho) by English School, (19th century); Private Collection; (add.info.: Chasing the ostrich.); © Look and Learn

Querandi people of the Pampas, Argentina
Querandi people of the Pampas wearing poncho in a store on Calles de los Torres, central Buenos Aires, selling stirrups, bridles, bola, lasso and other horse paraphernalia

Strange weapons and stranger methods of using them (engraving)
3643678 Strange weapons and stranger methods of using them (engraving) by English School, (19th century); Private Collection; (add.info.: Strange weapons and stranger methods of using them)

Bola used for hunting in Argentina
Argentine natives using the bola to hunt guanacos, a type of llama. Hand-colored woodcut of a 19th-century illustration

Hunting Guanacos with the Bolas, South America, 1877. Indigenous people using the bolas, (weighted ropes), to catch guanaco which are related to the llama and alpaca

Throwing The Bolas, c1885, (1890). Artist: Robert Taylor Pritchett
Throwing The Bolas, c1885, (1890). From Journal of Researchers into the Natural History and Geology of the Countries Visited during the Voyage of H.M.S

BUFFALO BILL: POSTER, c1899. Buffalo Bills Wild West and Congress of Rough Riders of the World, featuring South-American Gauchos, the World Famous Bolas Throwers. Lithograph poster, c1899

Digital composite illustration of man swinging a bola above head

Patagonian bolas
Illustration (p.248) from Charles Darwins Journal of Researches, first illustrated edition 1890

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"Bola: Unleashing the Ancient Art of Hunting in South America" Step back in time to 1877, where the Querandi people of the Pampas, Argentina, showcased their prowess with bola hunting techniques. With a swift swing and release, they would hurl their bolas at elusive Guanacos, skillfully entangling them in a web of cords. The SNoW & MooN illuminated the vast landscapes as these hunters embarked on daring expeditions. Armed with Patagonian bolas - strange weapons that fascinated outsiders - they chased ostriches across the plains. The thrill of the chase was captured in vivid chromolitho prints that transported viewers into this exhilarating pursuit. Witnessing these unconventional methods left many astonished; engraving illustrations depicted both strange weapons and even stranger ways to employ them. One such image from c1885 by Robert Taylor Pritchett showed a hunter throwing his bolas with precision and finesse. Argentina became synonymous with bola hunting traditions during this era. The country's rich wildlife provided ample opportunities for skilled hunters to showcase their expertise using these unique tools. Even Buffalo Bill himself recognized its allure when he featured it prominently on his c1899 Wild West poster alongside other remarkable acts. Fast forward to today, where digital composite illustrations bring history alive once more. A man swings a bola above his head, capturing our imagination and reminding us of an ancient art form still cherished by some. The bola remains an emblematic tool used for hunting throughout Argentina's diverse landscapes. Its significance stretches beyond mere functionality; it represents cultural heritage passed down through generations – a testament to human ingenuity and adaptability. So next time you encounter references to "bola, " remember its historical roots intertwined with South American tribes like the Querandi people or Patagonians who mastered this captivating technique centuries ago.