Eskimo String Figures 99 b 



There are two strings which run vertically from the upper transverse string 

 to the middle on the proximal side of the strings, and two others which run from 

 upper to lower transverse strings on the distal side. The Indian point natives 

 took up the former with the right index and the latter with the left index; the 

 Mackenzie natives took up the latter with the palm of the left thumb and 

 grasped the former with the left thumb and index. All the other loops were 

 dropped and the strings drawn taut. The Indian point natives thereby had the 

 left index caught in a noose, i.e. speared, the Mackenzie natives the right 

 thumb. 



LXXXIV. Two Frozen Cakibou Tongues 



This figure is known to the Eskimos of Indian point, Siberia, under the 

 name of tamaiyaqumaiya, which was said to be the name of a man and mean 

 "one chewing." A Mackenzie native called it oqak qeqeyak, i.e. "two frozen 

 caribou tongues." It is a slight variation of the preceding figure. 



Proceed as in the last figure (No. LXXXIII), but instead of interchanging 

 the middle finger loops on the proximal side of all the strings, make this move- 

 ment on the distal side. 



At this stage the Indian point natives chanted: 



tamaiyaqumaiya The chewer, the chewer. 



tdmaiyaqumaiya-a-a 

 tamnni wqaya Here he dropped it from his mouth. 



Fig. 121 



At the word wqaya drop the thumb and index loops; the food drops from 

 his mouth, as typified by the two loops that fall down. These two loops to the 

 Mackenzie natives represent "the two frozen caribou tongues." ' 



72754—71 



