Panama Embera Indigenous - Spearfishing Sling

Panama Embera Indigenous - Spearfishing Sling This Embera Spearfishing Sling is a style of fishing used by fisherman in the Embera Indigenous villages of Panama. Underwater Spearfishing was introduced to Embera fishermen over 50 years ago and still to this day is one of the most popular ways to harvest fish in the clear water rivers in the west part of the Darien Region of Panama. Where the rivers are very clear and fish are visible from far away, underwater spearfishing is typically done during low light and sometimes at night with lights. It takes a tremendous amount of skill and knowledge of other dangers in and around the river to be successful. This Spearfishing Sling is carved from local Teak wood, which is also a common tree in Eastern Panama and sustainable source of wood for the Embera Indigenous. The ancient fish design used represents fish they harvest, but also is a unique fish design used by the same artisans in other crafts they design and is representative of the Embera