yöruba string figures

Yöruba String FiguresAuthor(s): John ParkinsonSource: The Journal of the Anthropological Institute of Great Britain and Ireland, Vol. 36(Jan. - Jun., 1906), pp. 132-141Published by: Royal Anthropological Institute of Great Britain and IrelandStable URL: http://www.jstor.org/stable/1193250 .

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( 132 )

YO RUBA STRING FIGURES.

By JOHN PARKINSON.

THE following string figures were all given to me by pagan natives. I am told that the figures are known on the Gold Coast alnd by the Kru tribe, so doubtless they extend all along West Africa.

1. An-won-, a Calabash Net. Yoruba. Opening A. Release thumbs. Pass thumbs proximally to index loops and radial little

finger strings, and take up ulnar strings of little finger loops with back of thumbs. Release little fingers.

Insert thumbs from distal side into index finger loops and take up ulnar strings of index loops.

Pass little fingers from distal side between the radial index string and ulnar string of thumb loop, anid take up the (proximal) ulnar string of thumnb loop. Release thumbs.

(The figure should now have one index and one little finger loop on either hand, the strings crossing and twisted together in the middle.)

Pass the thumbs distally to the index finger loops and take up the radial strings of the little finger loops.

Take the radial string of the index finger loop on the palmar side of the palmar string and place it over the top of the thumb. Pass the proximal radial thumb string to ulnar side of thumb. Do this with both hands.

A

FIG. I.-Afiwoji, a calabash net.

With palms of hands facing one another, pass index fingers from distal side into the triangles on palmar surface of thumb. Release little fingers, and extend. (Fig. 1.)

Place figure on knee, take up the two long,itudinal strings in the centres at A A, pull, and the figure resolves into the original loop.

The figure represents a net, half bag, half girth, for stringing a calabash on a woman's back.

2. Gari, a saddle. Yoruba.

Make Aniwon, lay on table. With index and middle fingers of left hand pick up the central point of



JOHN PARKINSON.- Y6ruba String Figures. 133

the figure, and with index and middle fingers of right hand pick up the crossing strings on the right hand side of the central point in the same horizontal line.

Lift the figure, passing the fingers upwards -through the strings, bringing the wrists towards one another by a rotatory movement.

FIG. 2.

FIG. 3.-Gari, a saddle.

Extend figure: one index and one muiddle finger loop will result on either hand. (Fig. 2).

Pass the thumbs proximally to the index finger loops and take up with backs of thumbs the radial string of the middle finger loop and ulnar string of index finger loop.

With middle fingers take up radial strings of index finger loops.

Extend figure, bringing backs of hands uppermost, catching ulnar strings of middle fingers with backs of thumbs. (Fig. 3.)

3. Pang-pa-ta, a net mask placed over the face at certain dances. Yoruba.

Opening A. From the distal side pass thumbs into the index finger loops and take up

the ulnar strings of the index loops and the radial strings of little finger loops. Release little fingers.

From the distal side insert the four fingers of each hand into thumb loops and take up radial strings. Release thumbs.

From proximal side with back of thumbs take up the two distal radial index finger strings (leaving one string wound round index finger and no dorsal string).

By bending the fingers throw off the three dorsal strings along their backs, leaving one index finger loop and two thumb loops.

From the distal side insert the four fingers into thumb loops as before, and repeat until the line beginning " By bending the fingers" is complete.

Repeat again. (For the fourth time) from the distal side insert the four fingers into the

thumb loops and take up the radial strinlgs. Release thumbs. From distal side with back of thumbs take up ulnar strings of proximal

index finger loop. From distal side pass the three ulnar fingers inlto the space thus produced

and take up this ulniar string (radial thumb string). Release thumbs.



134 JOHN PARKINSON.- YdrUda String Figures.

With backs of thumbs pick up proximal radial index finger strings. From the distal side pass the four fingrers into the space thus formed (i.e.,

close fingers over palms of hands) and take up this radial string. Release thumbs.

Turn palms of hands inwards, index fingers extended and pointing away from body; the three ulnar fingers closed over palins.

Extend figure. Centre of figure (Fig. 4). Position of right hand (Fig. 5).

I.4- FiG. 4.-Pang-pa-ta.

I FIG. 5.-Pang-pa-ta.

4. Omori-odo, a fq&-fz& stick. Y6ruba. Make Pang-pa-ta and lay on table. Seize the two nodes forming the ends in a horizontal direction of the

central parallelogram (A.A. of figure) between the middle and index fingers of each hand.

Lift the figure, at the same time turning these four fingers upwards, the tips of the fingers passing into the parallelogram.

Extend figure.

FIG. 6.-OOmori-odo, afu-fu stick.

One-half shown in Fig. 6. A fu-f'u, stick is a stout stick with a knob

at one or both ends, used for mashing yams in a wooden dish.

[The final result of this figure has a general resemblance to "The Leashiing of Lochiel's Dogs" and " Crows' Feet"

(Jayne, l.x. 116)].

FIG. 7.-Adilfi, a bat.

5. Aditit, a bat. Yoruba.

Place the big toe of the right foot in the pendent loop of the string, and with the fibular big toe string, take a complete turn round the big toe. Pull tight.

Fromi the body side place both hands into the big loop and twist outwards bringing the hands upwards. Each wrist is thus enclosed in a string loop, the strings crossing on the palmar side of the wrist.



JOHN PARKINSON.- Y6ruba String Figures. 135

With the index finger and thumb of both hands seize the string passing over the top of the toe and pull through wrist loops (Fig. 7).

6. Eye, birds (in a cornfield). Yoruba.

Hang the loop over the index figure of the left hand, holding the ulnar string between the thumb and base of middle finger of left hand; the radial string of the loop passing between thumb and index finger.

Seize the pendent ulnar strinig with thuinb and middle finger of right hand, pass the right index finger from proximal side into inidex finger loop of left hand; turn the nails of the index fingers upwards, release left thumb and pass both thumbs from the proximal side into the hanging loop, draw tight. A figure with one index finger and one thumb loop on either band results. (Fig. 8.) Turn palms of hands upwards.

The first position is a frequent West African beginning and might be called Position II (cf. Man, 1902, p. 148), and the following movement the Yoruba opening.

A

FIG. 8.-Bye, birds.

/ V

FIG. 9.-Eye, birds.

Pass thumbs from distal side into index finger loops and take up ulnar strings.

Pass little fingers distally to radial strings of index finger loops, and take up proximal ulnar thumb strings. Release thumbs.

Pass thumbs from distal side through the index fingrer loops, and take up radial strings of little finger loops.

Pass middle fingers from distal side into index finger loops on the sides of palmar strings nearest to centre of figure, and take up radial index finger strings. Release thumbs.

From proximal side with thumbs take up ulnar little finger strings. Extend figure, backs of hands uppermost.

(Fig. 9.) The central diamonds are the birds.

7. Moving figure. Yoruba.

Left hand in Position I, loop pendent. Take the palmar string between the finger anld thumb of the right hand,

and draw tight.



1.36 JOHN PARKINSON.-Y8rurcb Striny FPigures.

Release right hand, and again pull palmar string tight; release right hand.

FIG. 10.--Moving figure.

Insert right hand into pendent loop from distal side, and seize the ulnar string of little finger loop between finger and thumb, passing under both strings of loop, seize radial string of thumb loop.

Holding these two strings draw hand back through pendent loop and pull tight.

Four strings are now pendent from palmn of hand. (Fig. 10.)

Pass the four fingers of right hand between the two outside strings, and two inner strings, and open and close the triangle by rotatory movement of right wrist.

8. Ile Unde, a parrot cage. Yoruba.

Opening A. On both hands tranisfer little finger loops to ring fingers.

index , ,, middle fingers. thumb ,, ,, index

Turning' the back of each hand alternately upward, pull the dorsal string of ring finger loop (turning wristwards) over the dorsal string of imiiddle finger loop, and pull the latter through the ring finger loop (dorsal loop) so formed.

Repeat with index finger; pull dorsal string of index finger through, and loop over thumb. Do this with both hands.

FIG. 1IA.-Ile Ui de, parrot cage.

With palms faciilg each other, take eaclh finger string in succession beginnling from radial side, passing it over to back of thumb, taking the then proximal thumb string over top of thumb towards ulnar (and palmar) side of thumub. (In both hands take the ulnar proximal nliddle finger string first in order.)

Do this with both hands. Transfer thumb loops to little fingers, and extend figure (Fig. IIA).

The two pairs of strings in centre of figure should cross, the two outside strinigs lie parallel. One-half shown in Fig. liB.

1ielease little fingers; )ull tight, and the figure resolves into tlhree loops on each hanid, index, middle and ring finger loops.



JOHN PARKINSON.- Ydrmwba Str-ing Figures. 137

9. Awkwa IEda, a pig sack. Y6ruba.

Opening A. With the teeth pull the ulnar little

finger string proximally to the other strings and draw out into a long loop.

From the lower side pass both hands through the "tooth loop" so formed (release teeth), slipping the former ulnar little finger string down to the level of the wrists. Release little fingers. Pull tight.

With finger and thumb of right hand, seize radial index and ulnar

-#--

FIG. 11B.-Ile Unde, a parrot cage.

thumb strings of the left hand; release index and thumb loops, place the two strings seized in Position I. Repeat with other hand.

Take the palmar string of the left hand leading to the oblique string of central part of figure, release it from its position between the index finger and thumb, but not between little and ring fingers, and take two turns around the terminal joint of index finger.'

On the right hand take the other palmar string -and repeat as above.2 (Fig. 12A.)

FIG. 12,A. FIG. 12B.-Awkwua eid.a, a pig sack.

Take the remaining palmar strings in turn, release them from their position between index fingers and thumbs, but not between little and ring finger, pass them distally over all the little finger and wrist ulnar strings and return proximally to them and loop over thumb. Throw wrist string on radial side of hand to iilnar side and extend. The figure shows an unsymmetrical solid V. (Fig. 12B.)

Care should be taken to keep the palmar strings distinct, and not to allow them to become eintwined.

2 Note the two palmar strings thus takeii are the same, as may be seen when wound round index fingers, the string passing directly froni finger to finger through the figure.



138 JOHN PARKINSON.- Yr-uba String Figures.

10. Kokoro, a caterpillar. Yoruba.

Yoruba opening (p. 135) and with fingers pointing downwards, lay on table as in Fig. 8.

Pick up string nearest body (a) and pass both hands from farther side under this string towards body, twist outwards, forming a loop about the wrists. With right hand seize string furthest from body (b) and hang over index finger of left hand clockwise.

Y6ruba opening. From the distal side with backs of thumbs take up ulnar index finger

strings. From distal side with little fingers take up proximal ulnar thumb strings.

Release thumbs. (One little and one index loop on each hand.) Transfer little finger loops to ring fingers of same hand.

With right hand seize dorsal wrist string of left hand and pull over left hand to palmar side, looping over little finger.

FIG. 13.--Kokoro, a caterpillar.

I

FIG. 14.-Kokoro, a caterpillar.

Repeat other hand. Take ring finger loop of right hand, and place on ring finger of left hand.

Repeat with left hand, passing the proper left hand ring finger loop over

original right hand ring finger loop.

From distal side pass thumbs into index finger loops; pass proximally

to, and take up all strings except ulnar little finger strings.

With backs of middle fingers take up the radial index finger strings.

Fingers point outwards.

Release thumbs, and with backs of thumbs draw tight the ulnar little

finger strings.

Place hands palms down on table, bring wrists up to finger tips, move

fingers forward and repeat.

The nmotion is supposed to represent the walking of a (? loop) caterpillar.

(Figs. 13, 14.)



JOHN PIRKINSON.-Yoruba String Figures. 139

11. Ennu JIkoko, a wolf's mouth. Yoruba.

Proceed as in Kokoro up to the change of ring finger loops; then instead remove both ring finger loops and hold in monith.

From distal side pass thumbs into index finger loops, and take up ulnar index and radial little finger strings.

With backs of middle fingers take up radial index finger strings.

Movement of the fingers shows opening and shutting of the wolf's mouth.

12. Agbo mnejifi wokorra, two rams with horns interlocked.

Ennu Ikoko. Release mouth loops and thumb loops, slip middle fingers and pull

tight. From the distal side pass thumbs into index finger loops and take up the

ulnar index and radial little finger strings. With backs of middle fingers take up radial index finger strings (on sides

nearest centre of figure). Release thumbs, turn palms downwards, and with backs of thumbs

extend ulnar little finger strings. (Fig. 15.)

FIG. 15.-A gbo mejjifi wokorra, two rams with horns interlocked.

FIG. 16.-Ke ke o'lowu, owu face mark.

13. Ke Ke O'lowu, the face mark of the town of Owu. Yoruba.

Opening A. Remove index finger loops and pass them over the backs of their

respective hands forming dorsal wrist strings. Seize radial little finger and ulnar thumb strings between index finger

and thumb of opposite hand, and so remove these thumb and little finger loops.

Holding the strings (say) in right hand, twist left hand once clockwise. Replace loops, but on mniddle and index fingers. In dealing with right hand, this must be twisted counterclockwise, i.e.,

away from the body in each case. Seize dorsal wrist string, pull over hand, and hang over index and middle

fingers of same hand. Pass thumbs proximally to index loops, into middle finger loops and



140 JOHN PARKINSON.- Yruba String Figures.

with their backs take up ulnar index finger and radial middle finger

strings. Hook little fingers round ulnar middle finger strings, and with backs of

middle fingers take up the two radial index finger strings. Release thumbs and extend figure, index and middle fingers pointing

away from body. (Fig. 16.) This figure, which represents a complicated face scarification, is rather

interesting. All Yorubas have face-marks (cicatrices), such marks being distinctive

of the town, and of the quarter of the town; they are also largely influenced by

the family of the individual. A child takes his father's mark.

14. Labbu, a (certain) bird. Ydruba.

Pass big toe of right foot through pendent string. Take one turn round toe from fibula to tibia side. Pointing the hands towards the body, pass both hands into the loop of

the string and twist up and outwards. With right index finger and thumb pick up big toe dorsal string. Pull tight, and in the loop so formed, place hands in position 1.

Opening A. With index finger and thumb of right hand, pull dorsal wrist string over

left hand. Repeat with other hand.

Figure completed by opening and shutting fingers, the movement of the bird

is supposed to be shown.

15. Ar-ubeli Ashaw Ayabe, train of (dress) the cloth of the Queen. Yoruba.

Hang loop over index finger of right hand, holding radial string between

thumb and middle finger. Seize the pendent ulnar string between thumb of right hand and radial

side of right index finger. With ulnar side of right index finger draw out radial index finger string

of right hand, both thumbs in the diminishing loop. Turn thumbs upwards. From distal side pass thumbs into index finger loops and take up ulnar

strings. With little fingers take up ulnar thumb strings. Release thumbs. From distal side pass thumbs into index finger loops and take up ulnar

=N

FIG. 17.-Arubeli Ashaw Ayabe, train of cloth of the Queen.

index and radial little finger strings.

With backs of middle fingers take up

radial index finger strings.

With backs of thumbs hold out ulnar

little finger strings. Extend figure.



JOHN PARKINSON.- Yruba String Figuares. 141

In Fig. 17, B represents the train of the cloth behind the woluan; A.A. the breasts.

16. Ebusoa, the white mean's camp bed. Y6raba.

Pass head through strinig. Take right string and pass counterclockwise round head, making two

dorsal neck strings. With left thumb pull tight. Pull the ventral neck string out and loop over thumb (keeping the two

strings apart). Twist left hand so that thumb points downlwards. Remove distal thumb loop, twist over proximal thumb loop clockwise, and,

untwisting hand, insert little finger in it, distally. Fromi the distal side, pass index finger and thumb of right hand through

little finger loop; seize and pull througlh the ulnar thumb string. Release little finger loop and replace it by the new loop just pulled

through.

This figure is said to be a recent invention and to have been first made when the road to Oyo was opened up. This trick is the same as Kitala, No. 7 in Mr. Cunnington's paper (supra, p. 126). See Fig. 2, p. 126, and Plate XIV, Fig. 2.

A string trick identical with Kebe mokeis, " the mouse " (cf. Man, 1902, p. 152) also occurs among the Yoruba, but the explanlation of the movement is very different; it is as follows:

Certain thieves have crept into a yam plantation. Knowinig the owner to be a very wide-awake individual, they arranige to tie up their yams into bundles as they are dug up. The strings wound round the four left hand fingers represent these bundles.

Remove the thumb loop, and the owner has appeared. Puill the palmar string and you will see the speed and readiness with which

the thieves and yams disappear. [This trick has the following distribution:- E. Africa (Cunnington), Batwa Pygmies, Torres Straits, Philippine Negritos and Linao Moros, Japanese, Alaskan Eskimo, various Plains Indian of N. America, Britain (Jayne, I.c. pp. 340, 341)].

I have been shown a complicated figure resembling Sihnag, " the fence round the well" (cf. Han, 1902, p. 149); in the Yoruba example the free central line is supposed to be a dead man, and the frame-work is a canoe bearing his body for burial.



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