Eskimo String Figures 



25 B 



With both thumbs from below take up these two strings where they cross, 

 then from the proximal side take up with each thumb the radial index string 

 of its hand, navaho the thumbs and drop the index loops. You have "the 

 reindeer" on the right, and "the sled" on the left. 



Fig. 18 



Remove the thumb loops to the indices. 



With the palm of the right middle finger from the distal side take up the 

 radial little finger string of its hand just after it passes behind the string that 

 runs from the ulnar little finger to the index strings. At the same time insert 

 the left thumb into the figure to the right of "the reindeer" just above the lowei 

 transverse string. Chant: 



aiyalyoma-na tayapcat/ku-un 

 coqayna-ya taya'pcarjku-un 

 qomiyata-a tapakteyata-a 

 aiyalyoman qoiye 

 qdpqaqotoq 



Aiyalromana wanted to go somewhere. 

 His sled runner wanted to keep going 

 ? 



Aiyalromana's reindeer team 

 Broke its trace. 



Fig. 19 



At the word qdpqaqotoq drop the little finger strings. The figure breaks up, 

 "the reindeer" disappearing altogether to the right, while "the sled" is left 

 hanging, a disconnected loop, on the left. 



