Eskimo String Figures 



93 b 



Fig. 110 



(b) The Inland dissolution: 



The first step is the same as at Cape Prince of Wales, but the Inland 

 Eskimos say: 



tayXuni tayXuni qdtvanilu kataha lykualu 



"His snow-shoes, his snow-shoes, on this side he dropped them and on that 

 side too." 



Transfer the left thumb loop to the right index from the proximal side, the 

 left little finger loop to the left index from the distal side, the right little finger 

 loop to the left thumb from the distal side, and separate the hands. You have 

 "the seal" being dragged along, "the line" being the string running up from the 

 middle of the seal to the left index {ndtceqceni qamupdldk'a, "his seal he was 

 dragging along"). The Mackenzie Eskimos recognize this figure alone. 



Fig. Ill 



Release the left hand entirely from its loops. 



Insert the left index into the right index loop from the proximal side, and 

 the left thumb into the right thumb loop from the proximal side also, and 

 separate the hands. 



You have "the man's harpoon" which he dropped (uniajin kdtdk-a). 



Fig. 112 



Of the four horizontal strings which make up the harpoon, two are proximal 

 and the other two distal. 



Release the left thumb from its loop and insert it between the proximal and 

 distal horizontal strings, then drop both index loops. 



The left thumb is caught in a noose; "the man" has speared it (quvXuni 

 nauliyd). 



