Atupat and åcho’ atupat, sling and slingstone

Atupat and åcho’ atupat, sling and slingstone, were one of the weapons developed and used with deadly accuracy by ancient CHamorus during the CHamoru-Spanish Wars in the late 17th century. Made from limestone, basalt, or clay, they were sharpened at both ends and swung from a sling made of pandanus or coconut fiber.
 
Pedro Coomans, a Jesuit priest who served in the early colonization of the Marianas wrote the following description about the stones:
 
“Their offensive weapons include the sling, which they aim very skillfully at the head. Out of small ropes they weave a sort of net-bag, in which to carry stones with an oblong shape, some formed out of a marble stone, and others of clay, hardened in either the sun or fire. They whirl and shoot those so violently. Should it make an impact upon a more delicate part, like the heart, or the head, the man is flattened on the spot.”
 
In light of the iconic nature of the slingstone to CHamoru history and culture, its shape has been incorporated into a wide variety of media and architecture and most notably can be seen on the design of the Guam flag.
 
In recent years there has been a revival of the art of the åcho’ atupat in the Marianas, with local competitions being organized and groups being sent off island to participate in international competitions for the sport.
 
These åcho’ atupat are part of the collection created by the construction of the Hyatt Hotel in Tumon. Photo by Guam Museum assistant Kay Quidachay.