Eskimo String Figures 43 b 



XXXIII. The Spirit op the Lake 



This figure is known from Barrow to Coronation gulf, both in its simple 

 form, where only one "spirit" is produced, and in the more complete form where 

 there are two, one on each side. The Barrow and Inland natives call it 

 t&tci'pto'ynjaya, i.e. "the spirit of the lake." In the Mackenzie delta and in 

 Coronation gulf it is called kiUyvaq, "a mammoth." There, however, the double 

 figure is more common, so that the name is nearly always in the dual, kiUyvak, 

 "two mammoths." Boas has the double figure from Cumberland sound with 

 the name kelekbatchea. The Mackenzie natives know of the mammoth from the 

 fossil ivory and bones which have been found in their region, but none have 

 ever been found in the country of the Copper Eskimos, and the kiUyvaq is known 

 to these natives only by tradition or by report from the western natives. What 

 meaning the Cumberland sound Eskimos attach to their name for the figure is 

 uncertain. 



The movements are similar to those of two or three other figures, e.g. "the 

 man carrying a kayak" (No. XXXII) and "fish nibbling at a hook" (No- 

 XXXIV). 



Position 1. 



With the palm of the right index take up the opposite palmar string and 

 return. 



Pass the left index down on the proximal side of the radial little finger 

 string, and with its palm take up the ulnar little finger string and return. 



With the palm of the left index from the distal side draw through the radial 

 thumb string, thereby navahoing the index. 



Pass the left thumb down, pressing its ulnar string before it, and with its 

 back from the proximal side take up the radial little finger string. Raise the 

 thumb again and with its palm press down on the proximal side of all the strings 

 the radial index string, then, from below the ulnar little finger string, draw out 

 with its back the radial little finger string. Finally with the palm of the thumb 

 draw through the thumb loop the ulnar little finger string where it crosses the 

 palm of the thumb. 



Now drop the index loops on both hands and the right little finger loop. 

 Insert the right hand from the proximal side into the right thumb loop and 

 circle it once counter-clockwise. 



You have "the spirit of the lake." The Barrow and Inland people say: 

 tdtciptjjnyaya iqdnaqtoaq tdtumnaqtoaq ndtq^qcjautiUynun imejiaqtoqpjyli-i. 

 "The spirit of the lake is dangerous, it should be avoided. Going to a place 

 where people have arrows let it drink." 



Fig. 42 



