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This weapon
dates back thousands of years; it
is generally believed that they appeared
simultaneously in many parts of the world.
It is not known exactly where blowguns
originated from. Although crude, these
primitive weapons were extremely accurate.
Back then, blowguns were made from bamboo
or other hollowed out woods. Blowguns are
still used today for hunting by Amazonian
Indians in South America. They were also
used by the Ninja prior to 1500 A.D. in
Japan for silent assassination with poison
darts.
The believe is that they may have originated
in South East Asia, for there are records
dealing with its use throughout this area,
including Malaysia, New Guinea and Borneo.
It was probably taken by migrating peoples
to what is now Japan. There blowguns carved
from ivory are still intact. Blowguns are
not used in warfare unless by the under
strength insurgent groups, such as in the
Philippines during the Spanish American war.
Many invaders
fell to the poisoned darts of the Jivaro and
Warandi during the Spanish investigation.
And not to forget the recent Vietnam War.
Poisoned darts were used by both the Viet
Minah and the Viet Cong.
The most
daring use was by the commandos, under the
command of Nazi SS Colonel Skornski, whose
men were issued cigarette size blowguns with
mini darts coated with Ricin. The
construction workers of the Panama Canal
also faced death by natives of the
surrounding jungles, who did not like the
takeover of their land. The weapon used of
course was the blowgun. And last but not
least were the Ninja of Japan. It's hard
telling how many foes fell to the Fugu
tipped darts of their blowguns.
Many different cultures around the world
have used this weapon, but various
indigenous
rain forest tribes in place like
South America and
South East Asia are the best
known wielders. Blowguns are very rarely
used by these tribes as actual weapons, they
are used primarily to hunt small game.
Also, some
North American Cherokees were
known for making blowguns out of river cane
to supplement their diet with other small
creatures.
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