In English too

 

MABUO (an arm-shell)

COLLECTED BY P.D. NOBLE

 

 

 

HEALTHY MAN
followed by
SICK MAN

COLLECTED BY
P.D. NOBLE

Vata
("A Bushman")
or Kani Beka (defecation)
or shrimp.
 

COLLECTED BY
BY H.C. and H.E. MAUDE

 

 

Hat upside down,
Hat right way up
(Crescent Moon)

COLLECTED BY
GUNTER TESSMANN

Un grand merci à Lenny

 

 

 

TRICK

COLLECTED BY
A.C. HADDON

 
 









 

       Here is a trick that will mislead
         easily your family circle.
         After making this figure  "Fishes",
         normally.
         You do it again and you make
          a "mistake"......
         But is it really a mistake?
         Your friends will think you are
          a little genius!
 
 

      MEDIUM STRING
 

     A. 1 and 2 grasp a segment
          of the loop.

         A short segment must to
          pass between the hands.

          Pass the right´s half of
          the segment, in front of
          the left´s half to form
          a little hanging loop....
          Introduce 2, toward you,
          in the little hanging loop.

          Straighten  2
          Release 1.
          Extend to absorb the big
          hanging loop.

          Yous have now two loops
          on 2.The near strings are
          parallels and the far
          strings are crossing.

        This move is know under
          the name
          "Murray Opening"
 
 
 

     B. Rotate L2 away from you,
          down, toward you and up.
          (Keep the L2 loops in
          order).

     C. 1, over lower 2n, picks up
           lower 2f.

     D. 1, over upper 2n, picks up
          upper 2f.

          You have two loops on 1
           and two on 2.

     E. 5 hooks down upper 2n,
          and picks up lower 2n.

     F. 2 hooks up the oblique
          string, that crosses the
          5 loop.
          Release 1.

         You have three  loops
          on 2 and one on 5.

          Where are the fishes?
          Mistake? NO!

         You need to rotate the
          R hand, away from you.
 
 
 

        There is a double W at
        the center.
 
 
 

 

SILAU
THE EVIL SPIRIT

COLLECTED BY
R.H. COMPTON
 

 

Sea snake

 

COLLECTED BY     

M.D. RIVERS 

A. C. HADDON

Long loop

 

 

 

1. Opening A

 

 

2. The L hand rotate

toward you a full turn

 

 

3. The L hand removes from

above R2

 

 

4. The L hand away from you 

 rotate a full turn

 

 

 

 

You have one loop on 1

one on 2 ,one on 5

and one on the wrist

 

 

5. Release L2   

Extend

L2 picks up the 

R palmar string

 

6. R1 and R2 lift the

wrist's loop off the L hand

You see the snake's head

 

7. Release L1

L1 removes from below L2
Extend.

 

8. Then 2 pass above 5n

and pick up 5f

Keep the 2 loop high

Press 3 against 2

 

 

 

9. Release L1

Pointing the fingers away

from you

Extend

 

 

 

 

Falling Ears

COLLECTED BY

JULIA AVERKIEVA
 
 
 
 

1. Put the loop around 1 and 5
 
 

2. Then R2 hooks up the
left palmar string
and returns moving
 away from you
 
 

3. Next, L2 picks up L5n
 
 

4.
Release 5
The 1n and 2n strings
are transverses
You get the Opening B
 
 
 

5. Now 45 pass below 2f
and hook up 2n
Release 2
 
 
 
 

6. Then 2 pick up 1f
Press 1 against 2n
to the end of the step 7
 
 

7. Exchange two loops
R2 removes
from above L2
Then L2 enters from above
into lower R2 and
removes it passing it over
upper R2
 
 

8. Now 1 pass below 2n
and pick up 2f
Release 2
 
 
 
 

9. Then 2 and 3 enter
from above into 1
and catch between them
(2 above)
lower (transverse) 1n
Rotate 2 away from you
 
 
 

10.
Release 1 and extend gently
A rabbit
 
 
 
 
 
 

11.
Now 1 remove "from above" 45
(from the tips of the fingers)
Release 2
 
 
 
 
 

12.
Then 2345 enter from above
into 1
Falling ears

 

 

 

COLLECTED BY
Hiroshi Noguchi
 




 

                  Do you known? A cloud is form from
          a group of water´s droplets, hanged
          in the air.
          If it "contain" only water´s droplets,
          it is a Cumulus humilis.
          The clouds can be made of ice or snow.
          There are even clouds in form of
          comma (Cirrus).
 
 
 
 

   A. Japanese Opening A .
         (Opening A with 3).

   B. 1, passes above 3n, and
        picks up 3f.

   C. R2 picks up L3f.
        L2 enters from above into
        the loop R2 and picks up the
        R2 palmar string..

  D. Navajo 1.
       The lower string is transverse.

  E. Turn the hands in such a way
       as to point the thumbs up.
 
 
 

 

  F. If you want, you can release 3.
 
 

 
 

(variation of "The Mink"
     (Kwakiutl string figures)
 
 
 

Update/mis à jour 23/09/2002
Merci à/Thanks

to  Jean-Christophe

 

Do opening B

    Introduce, from below, 345 in loop 2
     Close 345 on 2n

    L2 pick up, from above, R2f

    Navaho L2

    L1 pick up , from below, L2n

    Navaho L1

    Release L2 and R1

     Extend. You have the house

      (My "house" look like the
      bear in "Bear and his den")
 
 

     But how to know if it´s the house´s giraffe?
     Simple! You need to take it out!
 

     Introduce R1 and R2 in the loop L1
     from above
      and grasp the string behind

      Release L1

      R1 and R2 put the string grasping on L1

      Good morning giraffe!
 

      The giraffe is very found of tricks.
 

      R1 and R2 grasp the string passing
      into the leg´s giraffe
 

      Release L1

      R1 and R2 put the string grasping on L1

      Extend

      45 are prisoners!!!!!

      Release L2. FREEDOM.....
 
 
 

 

 

Well

 

Tim

and

Fence

Sihnag
 
 

COLLECTED BY
Dr. A. C. HADDON
 
 
 
 

A. Premier Berceau.
Opening A.
 
 

B. Maintenant, 2 agrippe par en-haut
2l et 5v. Puis, 2 pivote vers vous
et se redresse en évitant de prendre 1l.
Now 2 hook down 2f and 5n.
Then 2 rotate toward you without
picking 1f.
 
 

C. Libérer 5.
Et 345 agrippe par en-haut 2l².
Release 5.
And 345 hook down 2f².
 
 

D. Libérer 1.
Ne pas étendre.
Release 1.
Don't extend.
 
 

E. Puis, 1 entre dans son ancienne boucle,
dans la direction opposée, (loin de vous) et
prend par en-bas 2v inférieure.
Etendre avec les paumes loin de vous.
Then 1 enter in
his former loop in the
opposite direction,
and pick up the lower 2n.
Extend with the palms
away from you.
 
 

Les pas D et E peuvent aussi être faits ainsi:
3 accroche par en-bas 1.
1 entre par en-haut dans la boucle 3
et prend par en-bas 2v inférieure.
The D and F steps can be done like this:
3 removes from below 1.
1 enter from above into 3 loop and
pick up the lower 2n.

 

F. Si vous voulez un puit sec:
étendez avec les paumes vers vous.
If you want a dry well:
Extend with the palms
toward you.
 
 

G. Maintenant, 1 prend par en-bas 2n².
Navajo 1.
(Passer la boucle inférieure par-dessus
les boucles supérieures et la libérer).
Now 1 pick up 2n².
Navajo 1.
 (Pass the lower loop over
the upper loops and release it. )
 
 

H. Libérer 345.
Etendre.
Libérer 2.
Ne pas étendre.
Release 5.
Extend.
Release 2.
Don't extend.
 
 

I. Puis 5 entre par en-haut dans 1.
Etendre.
Then 5 enter
from above into 1.
Extend.

 

 

COLLECTED BY

DR. A. C. HADDON
 



 

    A. Opening A.

   B. 5 passes above 2
        and removes from
        above 1.

   C. 1, below 2, removes from
        below 5².

        You have two loops on 1
         and one on 2.

   D. 5, passes above 2
        and picks up 1f².

   E. You have a triangle in
        the center of the figure.

   F. 2 picks up the double strings
        of this triangle.

   G. Navaho 2 (lift the lower loop
        over the upper double loops
        and release it).

   H. Release 1.
        Turn 2 three times, away
        from you. Release 2.
        Draw a little with L5 to
        bring the bear close of
        the man.
 
 
 

 

        Now your turn.
        Unless you prefer
        "Ménagez l´homme et
         l´ours"
        And don´t forget:
        "Il ne faut pas vendre la
        peau de l´ours avant de
        l´avoir tué"
        ("To count one´s chickens
        before there´re hatched")

    

 

 

MOUSTIQUE/Mosquito

 

A. Mettre la ficelle en boucle
     sur 1.
     Put the loop on 1.
 
 
 

B. Passer la MD derriere la MG.
     The R hand moves behind
     the L hand.
 
 


 

C. D5 prend par en-bas les
     deux ficelles qui passent
     entre G1 et G2.
     (Se faire aider de D1)
     Etendre.
     R5 picks up the both strings
     passing between L1 and L2.
     (Help you with R1).
     Extend.
 
 
 

D. G5 passe au-dessus de D5,
     et prend par en-bas D1v et l.
     L5 passes above 5²
     and picks up the strings
     n and f of R1.
 
 





 

E. D1 et D2 font passer
     par-dessus la main G, la
     double ficelle palmaire G.
     Et les libèrent.
     R1 and R2 bring over
     the L fingers the palmar strings
     and release them.
 
 





 

  F. Etendre.
     Extend.
 
 
 
 

 

 
 

 

 

 

 

COLLECTED BY
Dr HADDON

 

 

1. Premier Berceau.
Opening A.

 

 

2. Mettre 1v sous un livre ou votre pied.
Etendre.
Put 1n under a book or your foot.
Extend.

 
 

3. G1 accroche par en-haut D1.
G2 accroche par en-haut D2.
G5 accroche par en-haut D5.
L1 removes from above R1.
L2 removes from above R2.
L5 removes from above R5.

 

 
 

4. D1 accroche par en-haut G1 inférieure.
D2 accroche par en-haut G2 inférieure.
D5 accroche par en-haut G5 inférieure.
R1 removes from above  the lower L1.
R2 removes from above  the lower L2.
R5 removes from above  the lower L5.

 

 

 

 

COLLECTED BY/

Recueilli par

Dr. W. E. ROTH
 

 
 

 
 
 

1. Opening A.

Premier Berceau

 

 

2. Now 5 pass above 2 and 1f
and pick up 1n.

5 passe au-dessus de 2
         et de 1l et prend par
         en-bas 1v.

 

 
3. Navaho 5.

Navaho 5.

You have a loop on 1, 

one on 2, and one on 5.

       Vous avez une boucle sur 1,
          une sur 2 et une sur 5.

 

 
 

4. Next 2 dip into its own loop
The loop of 5 you released
must to be on the f side of 2.

2 agrippe par en-haut
         sa ficelle palmaire.

La boucle 5 que vous

avez libérée doit etre

du cotél de 2.

 

 

 

 
 

5. Put 5n under a book
or your foot.
Extend.

Faire passer la boucle 5v
 sous un livre,

ou votre pied.

Etendre.

 
 

6. Release 5 and 1.
Extend.

Move your hands up.
Man climbing a tree.

Libérer 5 et 1.
         Déplacer les mains vers
         le haut.

 

 

COLLECTED BY/RECUEILLIE PAR
CAROLINE FURNESS JAYNE

 

 

1. Opening B.
Berceau secondaire.

 

2. Then 345 enter from below
into 2 and hook down 2n.
Puis, 345 entrent par en-bas dans 2
et agrippent par en-haut 2v.

 

3. Next 2 and 3 pass above 1f
and 2 pass above 1n
then 3 below 1n.
Next 23 hook up this string
through the 2 loop.
Ensuite, 2 et 3 passe au-dessus d'1l
et 2 passe au-dessus d'1n
puis 3 sous 1v.
Puis, 23 relèvent par en-haut
cette ficelle à travers la boucle 2.

 

4. Release 1.
Libérer 1.
 
 

5. Next 3 remove from above 2.
Puis, 3 accroche par en-haut 2.

 

6. L3 removes from above R3.
G3 accroche par en-haut D3.

 

7. L45 remove from above R45.
G45 accroche par en-haut D45.

 

8. R2345 remove from above L45².
D2345 accroche par en-haut G45².

 

 

9. Then 1 remove from below 3².
Alors, 1 accroche par en-bas 3².

 

 

10. Next 2345 remove from above G1².
Ensuite, 2345 accroche par en-haut 1².

 

 

11. Rotate the wrists to open and shut.
Pivoter les poignets pour ouvrir et fermer.

 

 

 

 

Collected by
SAM YADA CANNAROZZI
via a storyteller from Mali
SEKOU KOUYATE

 

    A. Do Jacob's Ladder.

     B. Reposition the hands so that the
          palms are facing each other.
         

     C. You have two central diamonds.
           On each side of those, there are
           two little triangles.
 
      D. Introduce 4 into the upper triangle
           and  5 into the lower triangle

      E. Release 1 and 2  and extend.

      F. R4 removes from above L4. 
          R5 removes from above L5.

    G. Turn R hand palm toward you.

     H. L2345 remove from below,
          toward you, R4 double.

      I. R2345 enter from below,
          toward you, into R5 double.

      J. Rotate the palms up and down 
          The giant chewed peacefully.

 

 

 

HANDCUFF

COLLECTED BY
WILLIAM CUNNINGTON

 
 



 

     Very long double string
 

     A. Put the double loop
          on the L wrist.

     B. RH passes below all the
          n strings
          and catches the f strings.

     C. Rotate RH away from you.
          The Ln strings of the wrist
          and the RHf strings form
          a hanging loop.

     D. LH passes toward you
          through the loop that
          hold RH.
          Release RH.

     E. RH catches the dorsals
          strings of the L wrist,
          and draw them up

          Free at last!

 

The dancer

collected by
DR. FURNESS

 

      A. Position 1.

     B. R1 and R2 catch L1n and
          wrap it around L1,
          anticlockwise.
 

     C. R2 enters from below into
           L1 new loop, and returns.

     D. L2 enters from above into R2,
          and pick up the R palmar string.
           R2 enters from above into L2,
           and pick up the L palmar string

           You have two loops on L1,
           one on L2, one on R1,
           two on R2 an one one 5.

     E.  Release the L hand and turn the
           R hand's palm down

     F. L1 and L5 remove from above
           toward the R hand, the upper R2.
           Then L1 remove from above the
           remaining R2.
           Return the hands in upright position.

     G. L1 and L2 catch R1f and R5n.
           Release R1.
           R1 enters into his former loop
           from above, and enters from below
           into R5.
 

     H.  L1 and L2 release the R1f et
           R5n strings.

           Caroline Extension .

 

            Rotate the palms so they
            are facing each other,
            then extend again.
 
 
 
 
 

 
 

Invented by

EDD STERCHI

(WAKAHANA)
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

1.

  Put the loop on 1 and 5

You get Position 1
 
 
 
 
 
 

2.

And R2 picks up the L Palmar string
 
 

3.

L2  pick up R2f from the f side

and the R palmar string

Extend
 
 

4.

Release 1

and extend
 
 

5.

R1 passes over R2n

below R2f, over R5n

and picks up R5f
 
 

6.

L1 passes over L2 and L5n

and picks up L5f
 
 

7.

Then R1 pick up R2n

close to 2

with the help of the

 opposite hand
 
 

8.

Then R1 pick up R2n

close to 2

passing from the L hand

to the other hand

with the help of the

 opposite hand
 
 

9.

Navajo 1
 
 
 
 
 
 

10.

 Then 2 enter from above

into the triangle

near the base of 1
 
 
 

11.

Press 2 against the palm

and release 5

while turning the palms

away from you

and extend

 

 

House
 
 

Invented by
EDD STERCHI
(WAKAHANA)
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

1. Opening A.
 
 

2. Then 1 pass above 2
and pick up 5n.
 
 

3. Now 345 hook down 2
the palmar string and 1f.
 
 

4.Then 1 and 2 pass toward you
above upper 1n
below 1n transverse.
Straighten 345.
 
 

You have a loop on 1
two on 2
and one on 5
 
 

5. Release 1
Don't extend
 
 

6. Then 1 enter from above into
its former loop
pass below 2²
and pick up 5l
through its own loop.
 
 
 
 

7. Release 5.
Navaho 2.
Extend.

 

 

Fleur de lotus/

Lotus's flower

RECUEILLIE PAR/
COLLECTED BY
T.T. BARNARD
 
 

 
 

     A. Premier Berceau.
           Opening A.

     B. 1234 accrochent par en-haut 5.
          5 entre, par en-bas, dans la boucle
          du poignet.
          1234 remove from above 5.
          5 enters from below into the wrist's loop.

     C. D5 passe sous les deux ficelles du
          poignet, entre, par en-bas, dans D1
          et ramène vers vous 1v.
          R5 passes below both wrist's strings,
          enters from below into R1,
          and hooks up 1n.

    D. G5 entre par en-bas dans D5.
L5 enters from below into R5.

    E. 1 accroche, par en-bas, 2.
1 removes from below 2.

    F. 1 prend par en-bas 5v.
1 picks up 5n.

    G. 2 prend par en-bas 1²l.
         Libérer 5.
2 picks up 1²f.
Release 5.

    H. 5 prend par en-bas 2l,
         qui est la continuation, de
         la ficelle du poignet l.
         Libérer 1 et étendre,
         les doigts pointés loin de vous.
5 picks up 2f,
that is the continuation
of the wris't string f.
Release 1 and extend

 

Fruit of lotus

COLLECTED BY
T.T. BARNARD
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

1. Opening A.
 
 
 
 

2. Then 2345 remove from
 above 1.
And 1 enter from below
into the wrist's loop.
 
 
 
 

3. And R1 pass below both
wrist's loop
enter from below into 5
and hook up 5f.
 
 

4. And L1 enter from below
 into R1.
 
 

5. Then 5 remove from below 2.
 
 

6. And 5 pick up 1f .
 
 

7. And 2 pick up 5n².
Release 1.
 
 

8. And 1 pick up 2n
the continuation of
the wrist's R string.
 
 

9. Release 5³
and extend.

 

 

 

Circle/CERCLE

COLLECTED BY/
RECUEILLIE PAR  

DR. BOAS

 

 

 

1. Mettre la ficelle en boucle sur 1 et 5.
Vous obtenez le Berceau Initial.
 Put the loop on 1 and 5
You get Position 1. 

 

2. Premier Berceau avec 2345.
Opening A with 2345.

 

3. Libérer 1 et étendre.
Release 1 and extend 

 

4. Puis, 1 passe au-dessus de 2345v
et prend par en-bas 5v.
Then 1 pass above 2345n and pick up 5n.

 

5. Alors D2 prend par en-bas la ficelle palmaire G.
Then R2 picks up the L palmar string.

  

 6. G2 entre par en-haut dans D2
et prend par en-bas la ficelle palmaire D.
L2 enters from above into R2
and pick up the R palmar string.

 

7. G1 et G2 font passer la ficelle D2345
par-dessus la main D.
With L1 and L2 lift the R2345 string
over the R hand.

 

 

 
8. D1 et D2 font passer la ficelle G2345
par-dessus la main G.
Etendre doucement.
With R1 and R2 lift the L2345 string
over the L hand.
 Extend slowly.

 

 

 

TWO HIPS

COLLECTED BY
D. JENNESS
Version Barrow and Colville River
 Coronation Gulf Version
 
 
 

    A. Position 1.

   B. Pass 1 over 5f and below 5f.

   C. R2 pick up the L palmar string.
        L2 enter from above into R2
        and, pick up the R palmar string.

   D. 1 remove from below 2, then 5.
        The loops need to stay separated.

   E. 5 pick up lower 1f.
        5 hook down upper 1f².

   F. 2 and 3 pass between lower 2n².
       Twisting of the forefinger:
       2 pass above upper 2n,
       3 is below.
       2 and 3 pass upper2n
       through lower 2n².
       The string wind around of 2.
       Release upper 1².
 

       If you release entirely 1,
       and if you do the H. step
       you will get a mountain with a nest.
 

 

   G. R Katilluik:
          R1 remove, from below, L1.
       L1, from below, enter into
       the L1 two loops and return...
       1 pick up 2n.
       Navaho 1
       (pass the lower double loop
       over the upper simple loop,
       and release it)...
       Release the 2 loop.

        You have a loop on 1.
         5 hook down two loops
         on the palm.

       You can continue here
       to do the seal hunter.
 

  H. 5 move back to take the string
       crossing his loops.
       Extend slowly.
 

 

 
 
 
 
 

TWO HIPS

COLLECTED BY
D. JENNESS
 Coronation Gulf Version

   A. Do the A-F steps of the
        first version.

   B. R Katilluik:
          R1 remove, from below, L1.
       L1, from below, enter into
       the L1 two loops and return...
       1 pick up 2n.
       Navaho 1
       (pass the lower double loop
       over the upper simple loop,
       and release it)...
       DON'T release the loop 2.

   C. 5 move back to take the string
       crossing his loops.
 

   D. Release 2.
        Extend gently.
 

 

 

Thanks to SCOTT

SEALER

 

COLLECTED BY
D. JENNESS

 

    A. Do the steps A-G of
         "Two hips".

 
 
 

    B. 2 remove from below 1.

 

    C. 1 pick up the short transverse
         string that connect the two
         triangles.
 

         Inuit Ending:
         1 pick up 2n.
         Navajo 1.
         Release 2.
 

     D. 2 remove from below 1.

         You have the hunter's cat.
          A crazy of seals.
          Don't do it with a black string.

     E. 1 pick up the upper diagonally
          string.
          Inuit Ending:
          1 pick up 2n.
          Navajo 1.
          Release 2

     F. 2 remove from below 1.

         Yous have an hexagone.
         The hunter is living in France.

    G. You see a triangle in the middle.
          An upper corner and two lower.
          1 pick up the  string that connect
          the two lower corners.
          Inuit Ending

         The hunter in winter
 
 
 

   H. 2 remove from below 1.
        The hunter is in the middle
         and his gloves are hooked to 2n.
        1 pick up 2n between the hunter
        and his gloves.
        Release 2.

        

        No gloves
        Warming.

    I. 2 push the transverse string up.
       Index Twist:
       Introduce 3 below 1n.
       2 pass above 1n.
       Pass 1n below the
       transverse string.
       The 1v string wraps around 2.
       Release 1.

       His spear sculpted in the ice
       melted.
 

   J. Release 5.

       No more hunter, one can go out
 
 

    I. Rotate the figure.
        R2 removes from below L1.
        L2 removes from above L5².
        L1 removes from above R5².
        Extend.

   J. Release the L hand.
       L2 enter from below into R2
       and, L1 enter from below into R1.
       Extend.

 K.  Release L1.
       Introduce L1, away from you,
       between the two n middle strings
       and the two f middle strings
       Release 2.
 
 
 

 

Locked

_{collected by}
LANDTMANN G.

 

           Long string

     1. Put the loop, in double, on 5.

    2. R1 passes above L5 and
        picks up L5n and f.

    3. L1, above L5-R1, picks up
        R5n and f.

    4. 1 pick up  5n and f.

    5. 2 enter from above into 1,
        and hooks up 1f.

    6. Press 3 against 2f and, turn the
        L hand toward you so you can
        see his palm.
        While you turn the R hand away
        from you.

    7. Ask to a friend to introduce a
        stick from above into the
        L1-L2 loop, then into the
        R1-R2 loop from below.
 
 

   8. Release all the fingers except 5.
 
 

 

One house is fine, but two....

INVENTED BY MYRIAM

 

     A. Use a longer loop.

     B. Position1.
          R1 qnd R2 catch L1n and
          wrap it around L1.
          Release R1 and R2.

     C. R1 enters from below into
          the L1 loop.
          Extend.
 

     D. R1 et R2  catch L5f and
          wrap it around L5.
          Release R1 and R2.

     E. R5 enters from below into
          the L5 loop.
          Extend.

     F. R2 picks up the palmar string L.
          L2, enter from above into L2
          and  picks up the palmar string R.

     G. 2345 dip into 1.
 

    H. 1 passes above 2345n,
         below the 2 and 5 loops, and
         pick up 2345l.

    I.  Lift the dorsal string above the hand.
 
 
 

    J.You have the house.
         (house with people top to tail)
 
 
 

    K. Release 2.
         You have the tent or the hut.
 
 

   L.  Release 5.
         2345 enter into 1 from above.
         Release 1.
         Any more house.
         But why run away, there isn't bear.
         Topple over your hand toward you.
 
 

 

Hanouchia

COLLECTED BY
GEORGE B. GORDON

 

    A. Position 1.

   B. 2 hooks up 1n with the help
        of 3. Separate 1 of 2.

   C. R1 picks up L1n-L2f.
        Don't extend.
        R1 passes below R1f-L2f
        and picks up R1n-R2f.
        Extend.

         You have one loop on 1,
          one on 2.
          1 and 5 share a loop.

   D. L5 enters from above
        into L2.
        And R5 passes below R2
        and enters from above
        into R1².

   E. R5 hooks down R1f while
        L5 hooks down R2f.
        Release 1² and extend.

   F. 1 passes below 5f.
        L1 enters from below into
        the loop surrounding
        L5n-L2f and hooks down
        the far string of this loop.
        R1 hooks down the
        continuation of this string
        (R2f).

   G. Rotate1 toward you and up.

   H. 2 removes from below 1.

    I. 1 passes above upper 2n,
        and picks up lower 2n.
        Release 2² .
        2 removes from below 1.
 
 
 

    J. 1 enters, toward the palm
         into the loop surounding
         the 5 strings...
         and picks up the string
         passing below the 5 strings.

         You have one loop on 1,
          one on 2.
          5 hooks down his loop.

    K. 1 picks up 2n.
          Navajo 1.
          Release 2.

     L. 2 removes from below 1.
 
 

    M. 1 hooks down 5f on either
          side of the central loop
          that encircles the 5 strings.
          Release 5.

TURTLE

INVENTED BY
MATTHEW NICOLAI
A YUP´IK
OF KWETHLUK
ALASKA
 
 

 
 

 

 

       A. Put the loop on 1 and 2.
 

     B. 5 passes below 2f, then 1n
          and pushes back this
          string below 2f.

     C. 5 hook down 2f.

         You got the Opening C.

     D. Put the R hand in front of
          the L hand.
          The R palm faces you.

     E. R2 passes below L1f-L2n's
          string.
          Dont' extend.

     F. L1 passes below R1f-R2n's
          string.
 

    G. Extend drawing L1
          through L2, and R2
          through R1.

          You have a loop on 1 and
           one on 2.
           5 hook down his loop.

     H. 3 passes between 2 and 5,
          and removes from below 1
          hooking it on the palm.

       I. 1, "from above", remove 3.
 
      J. Pass 1 below 5 and pick
          up 5f drawing it
          through 1.
          Release 5.

          You have a loop on 1
           and one on 2.

     K. 5, below 2 and 1f, hook
           down 1v.
           Release 1.
 
           You have below two loops
           round 5l. A loop is
           hanging on 2v.

      L. L1, from the near side,
           passes between the loops
           surrounding  5f and pick
           up the left string.
 

     M. L1, from the near side,
           enters into the L2n's
           hanging loop, and pick
           up the right string.

      N. L1, from below, pick up
           L2n (near L2).

     O.  Navaho L1:
           Lift both lower loops over
           the upper loop and release
           them.
           Release L2.

 

       P. Extend and arrange to
            have the wonderful

            "Turtle"
            of Matthew Nicolai.

 

 

THE BEAUTIFUL STAR
OF THE FROG KING
 

INVENTED BY BALOO (8 ans)
 AND MYRIAM (40 ans)
 
 

            A. Do the Matthew Nicolai's
           turtle/turtle.

      B. Put the figure on a flat
           surface.

     C. Introduce 2 into the space
          between the head and the
           turtle's back....

           ...and introduce 1
           into the space between
           the paws. Extend.
 
 

 

Yous have the butterfly
 
 
 
 
 

          D. Ask a friend to lift
            a middle's string over 1n,
            and another over 2n.
            Extend together.
            You have the frog or the
            star.
 
 

 

 

 

Gibbet

 

Easy to understand
complete ayatori
by Ayatori Research
Society
YUKI SHOBO 1993

 

        Short string
 

 

 

    A. Position 1.
        R2 picks up the palmar
        string L...
        and returning rotates
        a full turn away from you
        three times, to twist his loop.
 

 

   B. L2 enters into the R2 loop,
        from above, and picks up
        the palmar string R.

   C. Release R1 and R5.

You have the broom

 

   D. The R hand removes from
         above L2. The loop slips off
         onto the R's wrist.

   E. Release R2.
        Extend.

You have the can-opener

 

   F.  If you display the figure
        vertically, you can see a
        house with a smoking
        chimney.
        But if you loosen the
        tension, then you will see
 

 

  The hanged's rope

 

   G. Release the RH.
        Draw onto the L1n and
        L5l's strings to pass the
        former RH loop through
        the loop of the hanged's
        rope.
 

 

 

   H. Draw gently the long
         hanging loop with RH...
 
 
 

Let the festivities begin

NEW AYATORI
HIROSHI NOGUCHI
1997

AND

String figures in Japan II
by
HIROSHI NOGUCHI
Bulletin of String
Figures Association
N 9 1983
edited by
P. D. NOBLE AND
HIROSHI NOGUCHI

 

     A. Opening A.
         2345 enter from above
         into 1.
         Pass 1n over the hands.

    B. 1 passes above 2345n
         and removes fom below 2.
 

    C. D1 et D2 catch the L2345
         loop , pass it above L2345
         and put it on L3.
         Release R1 and R2.
         Do the same with the
         other hand.

    D. 5 passes above 4f
         and pick up 5n.

    E. Navaho 5.
         Pass the transverse string
         5f above 5, with the help
         of the others fingers.

    F. Release 1.
 

 

You have the les
clown's feet

 

 

    G. 1 pick up all the strings.

    H. R3 pick up the lower
         palmar string L.
         L3 enter from above into
         R3, and pick up
         the lower  palmar string R.

     I. Release 1².

     J. Release 5.

You have the mask

 

    K. 1 remove from below 2².

    L. 2345 hook down 1f².
         Release 1.

   M. 1 and 2 draw the round's
         sides to enlarge it.
         Extend..
 

 

You have the television.

 

 

THE MUSTACHES
OF THE CAT

Invented by Lenny
(11 years old)

followed by
BUTTERFLY
with halo
and a gossip mouth

 Invented by Myriam
(40 years old)

 

        A. Opening A.

    B. 1, passes above 2

         and,
         from below removes 5.

    C. Navajo 1.

 

    D. Extend.

You have Mustache
Put it under your nose

    E. 5, passes above 2,
         and pick up 1f.

    F. Opening A.

    G. Navaho 2.
         Extend, the fingers away
         from you.
 

 

 You have Butterfly
with halo or candy

 
 

    H. Put the figure, fingers
          down.
         Introduce the R hand
         into the right wing, and
         the L hand,  into the
         left wing.

     I. Extend and rotate the
         hands, to open and shut
         the mouth.
 

 

You have the gossip
 mouth

 

Canoe with its Sails

COLLECTED BY
     H. C. ET H. E. MAUDE

      (String Figures
       from Gilbert Islands)

 

          Long loop

    A. Opening A.

   B. 2 removes, from below, 1.

   C. 1 enters, from above, into
        lower 2 and removes from
        below, 5.

   D. 5 enters, from above, into
        upper 2, passes below
        lower 2, and removes from
        below 1.

        You have two loops on 2
         and one on 5.

   E. 1 passes over lower 2,
        behind upper 2f, and
         removes from
        above upper 2.

   F. 1 enters, from above, into 2
        and picks up 5n.

   G. Extension Caroline.

 

 

Venus (Kõpu)

COLLECTED
by ANDERSEN
J.C. ANDERSEN

Wellington, New Zealand
       published on behalf of the author
        by the Board of Maori ethnological reseach
1927
173 pp

 

              VERY LONG LOOP
 

      A. Opening A.

    B. 1 passes above 2n,
         and picks up 2f.

    C. 3 passes above 2n,
         and picks up 1f.
         Release 1².

    D. 1 passes above 2n,
         below 2f and 3, and
         removes from below 5.

         You have one loop on 1,
          one on 2 and one on 3.

    E. 1 enters, from below, into 2.
         1 and 2 catch 3n.
         Release 3. Then release 2.

    F. 345 enter, toward you,
         into the both loops.

    G. Put the loop, holded by
         1 and 2 on 1.
         2 enters, away from you
         into 1345².
         Release 1. Extend, with
         2 up, 1 down and 345
         bent.

 

THE RIVER,
THE FISHERMAN
AND THE SALMON

COLLECTED BY
G. B. GORDON
FROM

  THE TLINGIT
INDIENS

followed
BIG FISH
AND
 
 
 

A SPOILED KING
(continuation invented by
Myriam)

 

    A. Do the river, the fisherman
        and the salmon up to step R.

   B. Then, make the big fish.

        

R1 and R2 catch between them the only
transverse string that don´t
  go through the "fish".

  They put this string on L1 so it will be
the lower loop in L1.

  R1 and R2 release the string.

  R1 and R2 catch the L1 upper loop.

  Release the two loops on L1.

R1 and R2 put again the loop, they caught,
on L1.
Extend.

  You see two mountains, a river and the fish.
Release R5.. Extend.
 

 
 

 

 

     C.  L2 enters, toward you,
         between the X´s upper legs.
         L3 enters, toward you,
         between the X´s lower legs.

   D. Bent L2 and L3 on the palm.
        Release L1 and L5.
 
 
 

   You have the king

 

   E. R1 and R23 catch the
        L2  and L3´s loop.
        Release L2 and L3.

   F. L1 enters, toward you, into
        the lower loop.
        L5 enters, toward you, into
        the upper loop.
        R1 and R23 release the
        loops.
 

   G. Release R1.
         R1 and R5 pick up
         the string, passing over the
         strings of the hanging loop.

   H.  Opening A.
         1, over 2n, picks up 2l.

     I. Navajo 1.
         Release 5.
 
 
 

You have from one side

the fish´s bones
and
from the other the

 fisherman´feet.

OR

   H. Opening A.
         1 picks up 2n.
         Navaho 1.
         5 picks up 2f.
         Navaho 1.

     I. Release 2.

     J. R1 removes from above L1
         R5 removes from above L5
         L1 removes from below L5

   K. Caroline Extension.

 The house

OR

H. Opening A.
1, above 2n, picks up 2f.
5 picks up 2n.
Navaho 5 and 1.

I. Release 2.

J. R1 removes from above L1
R5 removes from above L5
L1 removes from below L5

K. Caroline Extension.

The house upside down.

 

CENTIPEDES´S
WELL
    (Aia maniba Roata)

COLLECTED
     H. C. ET H. E.
MAUDE
(String Figures from
Gilbert Islands)

 

           Very long loop
 
 

    A. Opening A.

    B. 1 passes over 2 and
         picks up 5n.

    C. 2 picks up 1f.
         Release 1².

    D. 1 enters, from above, into
         lower 2 and removes from
         below 5.

    E. 5 enters, from above, into
         lower 2, and removes from
         below 1.
         (On can help with the
          opposite hand)
 

         You have two loops on 2
          and one on 5.

    F. 1 enters, from above, into
         lower 2, and picks up
         upper and lower 2f.

   G. Navaho 1.
        Release upper 2.

         You have a loop on 1,
          one on 2, and one on 5.

    H. 1 passes above 2
         and picks up 5n.

     I. Release 2.
        Caroline Extension.
 
 

 

     J. Upper R1n pass
         over R2f.

    K. The mouth picks up
          R2f, after that upper R1
          is passing above.
          Release R1 and R2.

     L. R1 enters, from below,
          into R5.

     M. R1 releases, from above,
           the mouth´s loop.

      N. Do the steps  K. -M. with
           the L hand.

      O. Caroline Extension .
 

 

THE HOUSE
FLYING

(Te Bata)

COLLECTED BY
         H. C. ET H. E.
MAUDE
(String Figures from
Gilbert Islands)

 

    A. Put a bit of the loop in the
         mouth.

        The R hand, over the
         mouth´s  R string , picks up
         the mouth´s  L string , on
         the R wrist´s back.

    B. The L hand, passes
         between the body and
         the mouth´s
         R string, and picks up it
         from below on its back.

    C. You have a big loop
         around the wrists and a
         little, hold by the mouth.

         It´s the mouth´s opening.

         5, from above, removes the
         mouth´s loop.

     D. The mouth* passes above
          the Rn string´s wrist,
          below R5 and bites the Rf
          string´s wrist.
          Release the string´s wrist.

     E. R1 removes, from above,
          the mouth´s loop.

          You have a loop on 1 and
          one on 5.

          Do the steps  D. and E.
          with the L hand.

     F. 1 picks up 5n.

     G. Caroline Extension.

 

       * One can use the opposite
           hand´s 1 and 2.
 
 

 

DEDICATE TO all, that losed all in Asia,
in this sad end of the year 2004.

 




 

Tsunami

COLLECTED BY
CAROLINE FURNESS
JAYNE

 

   A. Opening A.

   B. 2 enters, from above,
        into 5, and comes back
        passing below, passing
        below his own loop.
        Release 5.
        2 have, now, two loops.

   C. 5 hooks down 2f².

   D. Withdraw, slowly, 1 from
        his loop.
        1 enters, from above, into
        his former loop, and
        picks up the lower legs of X.

       You have a loop on 1,
        two on 2.
        5 remains bent on his
        two loops.
 

   E. 5 removes, from below, 1.
        1 passes, "from above",
        through 5³, pushes toward
        the palm the oblique string
         ....picks up the double
        palmar strings, passing
        them through the oblique
        string.
        Release 5³.
        5 removes from below 1².
 

    F. 1, close to 2, picks up,
         the transverse string 2.
         Release 2².

    G. 2 removes toward you 1.

         You have a loop on 2.
         5  remains bent on his
         two loops.
 

    H. 1 pushes the loop, that
         surround the upright
         string crossing from
         2 to 5, toward up.
 
 
 

DRAWING
    SHINING SUN

 

   I.  1 picks up the lower
        oblique string of the
        loop surrounding, the
        upright string crossing
        from 2 to 5, toward up.

   J. Invert 1.
       L1 removes, from below, R1.
       R1 removes, from below,
       lower L1, lifts it over
       upper L1.

 K. 1 picks up 2n drawing it
       through his own loop,
       which slips off.
       Release 2.

  L. 2 removes, from below, 1.

       You have a loop on 2.
        5  remains bent on his
        two loops.

  M. 1 picks up the both strings
        crossing, in the middle of
        the triangle.

  O. 1 picks up 2n, lifting it
        through his loops, which
        slips off. Release 2.

  P.  2 removes, from below, 1.
       Extend.

TSUNAMI

 

 

High tide

COLLECTED BY
Daniel Sutherland
Davidson

(Aboriginal Australian
string figures
Philadelphia 1941
      140 pp
     (764-904)

and
Low tide
(my variation)

 

     A. Opening A.
        R1 hooks down all the
        strings...

        R2 passes over R1, and
        picks up, from the far side
        5f...

        Turn the R palm D,
        toward you, straightning
        R1 and R2.
        R1 and R2 share a loop.
 

  B. Turn the R palm,
       away fom you.
       L2 picks up R12 (upper).
       Release upper R1.

     You have the Opening Z
       
      (All the strings are crossing
       except 1n and upper 2n).

  C. 1 and 345 enter, from
       below, into 2².

  D. 2 enters from above into 5,
       draws toward you 5n, enters
       from above into 1...

       2 picks up 1f and draws it
       through his loop, which
       slip off.
       Release 1.
       1 from below removes 2.
 

       You have a loop on 1,
        one on 5 and two on
        the wrists.
 

  E. R1 and R2 lift the both
       loops of the L wrist over
       the L hand, and put them
       on L1 and L5.
       Do the same with the
       other hand.

   F. 2 enters from above into 5,
        draws toward you 5n,
        enters from above into 1...

       2 picks up 1f
       and draws it through his
       loop, which slips off.
 

       If you want the low tide,

       see at the bottom of this page
      

       For the high tide, continue...

  G. Release 5³. Extend.
       5 picks up 2n.
       Release 2.

      You have three loops
       on 1, and one on 5.

  H. 2 hooks up, the both strings
       that are crossing below the
       figure...
       plunging behind them,
       on each side of the double
       triangle inverse.

   I. Release 1.
       Move the palms,
       alternately, toward you
       and away from you, you
       have the high tide.
 
 
 

 

              Low tide
 

   G.  345 pass over 5f²
         and push back them
         toward you.

   H. Withdraw slowly 1 from
        his loops.
        1 enters, away from, you
        into his former loops and
        picks up 5f².

    I. Release 5³.
       Move the palms,
       alternately, toward you
       and away from you, you
       have the low tide.
       Arrange if need.
 
 
 

 

 

 

RUDDER

COLLECTED BY
DANIEL SUTHERLAND
DAVIDSON
(Aboriginal Australian
String Figures
The American Philosophical
Society
1941)

 

     A. Opening A.

    B. 1 passes over 2 and
         picks up 5n.

    C. 2 plunges between his
         two strings.
         Release 5 and straighten 2,
         turning it away from you.

         You have two loops on 1,
          one on 2.

     D. 5 enters from below into 1,
          passes above upper 1n,
          picks up lower 1n
          (transverse)
          and comes back.
          Release 1.

     E. 1 enters from below into 5.
          1 removes from above 2,
          away from you.
          Caroline Extension
          (With the tip of 2, picks
          up the lower 1l.
          Press 1 against the side of  2
          ....while you turn the palms
          away from you)
          Arrange if need.
 
 
 

You have a firm hand
on the tiller,
don´t step down!!

 

 

Canoe with two
masts

 (Nar)

COLLECTED BY
Dr. HADDON
(CAT´S CRADLE FROM
MANY LANDS
BY KATHLEEN HADDON
Longmans, Green and Co.
1911)

 

     Figure for two persons or with
       the big toe.
 
 

     A. Opening A.

     B. Another person passes his
          hand over 5f, below 5n
          and 2f, and catches 2n
          and 1f, where they
          cross and comes back.

          (One can also catches
          with 1 and 2, 5n and 2f,
          and thus puts 2n and 1f
          on the big toe, without forgot
          to  lift this last, first over 5f.

     C.  R3 passes through R2,
           from above, picks up R1l
           and returns.
           Do the same with L3.

     D. Release 1, 2 and 5.

           You have a loop on 3
           and a double loop on the
           big toe, or another
           person´s hand.

     E. 5 picks up 3f.
          1 picks up 3n.
          Release 3.
          R2 picks up the L
          palmar string .
          L2, through R2
          from above, picks up
          the R palmar string.

     F.  3 passes over 5 and
          enters, from below, into
          the double loop holded
          by the other person
          (or big toe´s loop), over
          all the strings except 1n,
          and removes from above 1.
          3 returns through the
          double loop.
 

     G. Release the double loop
          and 2.
          Extend.
 
 
 

 

 

Monocanthus´s
house

COLLECTED BY
A.C. HADDON
CAT´S CRADLE FROM MANY LANDS
BY KATHLEEN HADDON
Longmans, Green and Co.
1911)

 

    A. Opening A.

    B. 2 enter from above into 5.
         2 pass below his own
         strings and straighten.
         Release 5.

    C. 5 hook down 2f².
         You have the
         Ti meta Opening.
 

    D. R4 enters, "from below",
         into R5² and removes,
         from below, R1.

    E. R1, enters away from you,
         into the upper triangle of
         the center of the figure.
         R1 pushes down the
         oblique string and picks
        up the second oblique
         string.
 

    F. Release R4.
         R4 removes from below R1.
         R1 removes from above R4.

    G. R1 picks up the
         R palm´s strings.
         Release 5.

    H. R5 removes from below R1².

      I. R1 picks up the upper R2
         (R2-L2 string).
         Release R2².

    End of
Nageg Opening

 

    J. Release L1. Don't extend
         To the left of the hanging
         loop, L1 pushes down the
         oblique string,
         No transverse D2
         up to below
         the two transverse strings.

         L3 removes from above L1.
         L1 over the double strings
         removes from below L3.
 
 
 

You have the
monocanthus

 

     K. Now put your
          monocanthus on the table.
          And pick up another loop.
          Make the steps  A.-I.
          (Nageg Opening),
          with both hands.
      The  figure is, then,
          symetric.

     L. 2 removes from above 1.
          Extend.
 
 
 

You have
monocanthus´s house

 

           Do you think your
           Monocanthus is brave
           enough, to enter into the
           both monocanthus´s
           house?