Bolas 436618 224775503 2008-07-10T10:48:42Z AlmostReadytoFly 1811526 /* Use */ i.e. --> e.g. :''Distinguish from [[bolus]].'' [[Image:Bola (PSF).jpg|right|350px|thumb|A hunter mounted on a horse using bolas.]] '''Bolas''' (from [[Spanish language|Spanish]] ''[[bola]]'', "ball", also known as ''boleadoras'') are a throwing weapon similar to the [[surujin]] made of weights on the ends of interconnected cords, designed to capture animals by entangling their legs. They are most famously used by the [[South American]] [[gaucho]]s, but have been found in excavations of pre-Hispanic settlements, especially in [[Patagonia]], where indigenous peoples used them to catch [[guanaco]] and [[ñandu]]. == Use == [[Image:Boleadoras.gif|thumb|Boleadoras|right]] [[Image:Toortse Rio de la Plata.png|thumb|300px|right|River Plate indians with ''Bolas'' (Hendrick Ottsen, 1603)]] Gauchos use boleadoras to capture running [[cattle]] or game. Depending on the exact design, the thrower grasps the boleadoras either by one of the weights or by the nexus of the cords. He gives the balls momentum by swinging them and then releases the boleadoras. The weapon is usually used to entangle the animal's legs, but when thrown with enough force might even inflict damage (e.g. breaking a bone). == Design == There is no uniform design; most bolas have two or three balls, but there are versions of up to 8 or 9 balls. Some bolas have balls of equal weight,others vary the knot and cord. Gauchos use bolas made of [[braid]]ed [[leather]] cords with [[wood]]en balls or small leather sacks full of stones in the ends of the cords. Bolas can be named depending on the amount of weights used: *Perdida (1 weight) *Avestrucera or ñanducera (2 weights) *Boleadora (3 weights) *Ka-Lum-Ik-Toun ([[Inuit]] name for bolas with 4 or more weights) Bolas of three weights are usually designed with two shorter cords with heavier weights, and one longer cord with a light weight. The heavier weights fly at the front parallel to each other, hit either side of the legs, and the lighter weight goes around, wrapping up the legs. Other unrelated versions include ''qilumitautit'', the bolas of the [[Inuit]], made of [[sinew]] and bone weights and used to capture water birds. ==See also== * [[Bolas spiders]] == External links == *[http://gamesmuseum.uwaterloo.ca/VirtualExhibits/Inuit/english/bola.html Inuit Bolas] *[http://www.flight-toys.com/bolas.htm Boleadoras] [[Category:Throwing weapons]] [[Category:Ancient weapons]] [[Category:Culture in Rio Grande do Sul]] [[Category:Argentine culture]] [[Category:Chilean culture]] [[Category:Uruguayan culture]] [[de:Bola]] [[es:Boleadoras]] [[eo:Ĵetbulo]] [[fr:Bolas (arme)]] [[it:Bolas]] [[lt:Bola]] [[nl:Bola]] [[ja:ボーラ (武器)]] [[oc:Boleadoras]] [[pl:Bolas]] [[pt:Boleadeira]] [[qu:Liwi]] [[ru:Боласы]] [[simple:Bolas]] [[sr:Бола]] [[uk:Болеадорас]]