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String Figure MagazineTable of Contents - Volume 1, number 1 (March 1996) - 24 pages

Getting Started - fingers, loops, strings, and commands (pages 1-3) - an introduction to words and symbols commonly used in string figure instructions.

A Waterhole (pages 4-5) - collected by Daniel Davidson from the Wardaman people of the Northern Territory, Australia.

Snake Climbing a Tree (pages 6-9) - collected by C.L.T. Griffith from the Twi-speaking people of Ghana, Africa.

Sneezing (pages 10-11) - collected by Julia Averkieva from the Kwakiutl people of Vancouver Island, Canada. This is an action figure. The central vertical loop pops up through the small hole near the bottom of the figure as the maker says "Ah...choo!"

A Bird's Nest (pages 12-15) - collected by E. Evans-Pritchard from the Azande people of the Sudan, Africa. One of many three-dimensional string figures.

A House (pages 16-18) - invented by Joseph D'Antoni, Queens, New York. This is a variation of the Oceanic figure "Two Chiefs."

An "X" (pages 19-24) - invented by Yukio Shishido, Kyoto, Japan. Mr. Shishido is famous for his geometric designs.

Resources (inside back cover) - learning more about the string figures in this issue.

A Word about String... (inside back cover) - recommended string types and loop sizes; how to join the ends without using a knot.

Last updated April 2, 1997

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String Figure MagazineTable of Contents - Volume 1, number 2 (June 1996) - 24 pages


Czechoslovakian Flag (pages 5-6) - invented by Jun Maekawa, Japan. Mr. Maekawa has invented an entire series of flag string figures.

Tree Hole (pages 7-8) - collected by Gunther Tessmann from the Chama people of northeast Peru.

Two Female Spirits (pages 9-11) - collected by Olaf Blixen from the people of Easter Island (Rapa Nui). The two spirits are named "Kuha and Rati." They are trying to seduce and capture the soul of Ure, the island's local prankster.

A Flock of Kingfishers (pages 12-15) - collected by Sir Raymond Firth from the Polynesian people of Tikopia.

Two Ptarmigans (pages 16-18) - collected by G. B. Gordon from the Inuit people of the Bering Strait, Alaska. Ptarmigans are Arctic birds belonging to the grouse family. The ptarmigan with a tail (center) is male; the other, female.

An Bridge (pages 19-24) - invented by Mark Sherman, Pasadena, California. A variation of the traditional Kwakiutl figure "Two Trees."




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String Figure MagazineTable of Contents - Volume 1, number 3 (September 1996) - 24 pages


Spectacles for your Nose (pages 5-7) - invented by Udo Engelhardt, Berlin, Germany.

"Taro String Game" (pages 8-10) - collected by A. Kramer from the people of the Truk Islands, Micronesia. A song is sung as the maker alternates between "Taro" (left) and "Boat" (right).

Predicting the Sex of an Unborn Child (pages 11-13) - collected by George Foster from the Wailaki people of California. The outcome of this figure varies each time you make it. Sometimes you get a "girl" (left) and sometimes you get a "boy" (right).

Two Islands Joined by a Log (pages 14-16) - collected by W.E. Roth from the Warrau people of Guyana (left). View the figure from above to see the log (right).

Andromeda Galaxy (pages 17-20) - invented by Felix Paturi, Rodenbach, Germany. This spectacular figure is a variation of "Sacred Circle," a Native American design. Mr. Paturi has invented over thirty additional variations, all equally as beautiful.

The Fox and The Whale (pages 21-24) - collected by G.B. Gordon from the Inuit people of King Island, Alaska. Drawing by Joseph D'Antoni, Queens, New York. The "fox" is on the right, his tail high in the air. The "whale" (actually, his carcass) is on the left. The fox has just finished nibbling on the whale's carcass and is running away because someone is coming.






String Figure MagazineTable of Contents - Volume 1, number 4 (December 1996) - 24 pages


The Moon Gone Dark (pages 5-7) - collected by William A. Cunnington from the Marungu people of Zaire, Africa. This short series portrays a total eclipse of the moon. First, "Full Moon" is made (left). Then "Full Moon" is converted into "Moon Gone Dark" (right). The second figure resembles the first, but is not as round, thus symbolizing darkness.

Sewing Machine (pages 8-9) - collected by H.R. Haefelfinger from a school girl of Basel, Switzerland. This is a splendid action figure! The central V-shaped loop represents the needle of the sewing machine. To make the needle bob up and down, the forearms are pivoted rapidly (left and right images).

Wheelbarrow (pages 10-12) - invented by Carey C.K. Smith, Stratford, New Zealand. This is a wonderfully realistic three-dimensional figure. Shown here are a side view (left) and top view (right).

Erupting Volcano (pages 13-16) - collected by Raul Martinez-Crovetto from the Araucano people of Northern Patagonia, Argentina. This is another three-dimensional figure (two views are shown here). The twisted loops emanating from the cone represent smoke.

Two Women Cook Cabbage (pages 17-20) - collected by Christa de Coppet from the 'Are 'Are people of the Solomon Islands. The central diamond represents the cooking pot. The vertical loops on either side represent the two women.

A Dog With Large Ears (pages 21-24) - collected by Diamond Jenness from the Copper Eskimos of Canada. Drawing by Joseph D'Antoni, Queens, New York. To make the dog run, the maker pulls on the strings held by the right hand. The dog then slides to the left along the frame strings.






String Figure MagazineTable of Contents - Volume 2, number 1 (March 1997) - 24 pages


Nose Slip Trick (pages 5-6) - collected by Marcel Griaule from the Dogon people of Mali, Africa. Although first described in 1938 by a French anthropologist, this trick was recently shown to ISFA member Sam Cannarozzi Yada during his travels in northern Africa. The maker was an old musician from the National Folklore Ensemble of Mali. Sam likes this trick because it reminds him of an old French expression -- "It was so easy I could do it with two fingers up my nose!"

If the trick is set up properly (left), the string will slip off the hands when pulled upward (center). If set up incorrectly, the strings won't slip off (right).

Little Girl with Pigtails (pages 7-9) - a traditional Japanese string figure described by Hiroshi Noguchi, Tokyo. After completing the weaving process, the maker lays the figure on a flat surface and arranges it.

The Sandsnipe (pages 10-13) - collected by Harry and Honor Maude from the people of Kiribati, Micronesia. Sandsnipes (sandpipers) are shore birds that feed on fish. In this series of four designs many magical transformations take place as a result of the asymmetric opening.

The four designs are: (1) Catching Kingfish - the long hanging loop represents the lower bill of the Sandsnipe, which is used to snatch up fish; (2) Head of the Sandsnipe Hanging Down - a great representation of a seabird in flight; (3) Head of the Sandsnipe Erect - another splendid representation of a hovering seabird; (4) Flight of the Vanquished or Four Sandsnipes Flying Away - the diamonds slide to the left as the hands are separated.

A Toad and A Man (pages 14-16) - collected by Julia Averkieva from the Kwakiutl people of Vancouver Island, Canada. In this Native American figure, the zig-zag design on the right represents the legs of a toad; the crooked design on the left represents a man.

A Swan (pages 17-21) - collected by Diamond Jenness from the Mackenzie Delta Inuit (Eskimos) of Canada. This is certainly one of the most realistic string figures ever collected.

Sun (pages 22-24) - collected by Honor Maude from the people of Nauru Island, Micronesia. Drawing by Joseph D'Antoni, Queens, New York. This design is widely known and can be made using a variety of methods (see "Tree Hole" June

1996 issue, and "Moon" December 1996 issue). Curiously, it is not known among the Eskimos.






String Figure MagazineTable of Contents - Volume 2, number 2 (June 1997) - 24 pages


Catching a Cockroach (pages 5-6) - collected by Peter H. Buck from the people of Samoa, South Pacific.

This simple figure is a "catch" requiring the finger of a second player. Your friend's finger represents the cockroach.

Without warning, release the index loops and extend the figure sharply. You just caught a cockroach!

A Hammock (pages 7-8) - collected by James Hornell from a Muhammadan boy of Zanzibar Island, Tanzania.

You can rock the hammock by pivoting your wrists!

Full Sun (pages 9-12) - collected by G.A.V. Stanley from the Aborigines of North Queensland, Australia.

In this net-like figure, the central diamond represents the Sun; the other strings represent rays.

The sun can be made to "set" by releasing the index loops and repeating the extension.

Two Eyes (pages 13-15) - collected by James Hornell from the Kru people of Liberia, Africa.

The index fingers are inserted into the design to improve the symmetry.

Eskimos in a Dancehouse (pages 16-19) - collected by Guy Mary-Rousselière from the Inuit people (Eskimos) of Pelly Bay, NW Territories, Canada.

The dancehouse is rectangular. The loops encircling the lower frame string represent women; the loops encircling the upper frame strings represent men. In a traditional Inuit dancehouse (qagge), the people sing and dance to the beat of a drum. The free loop near the left hand represents the drum.

Three Egyptian String Tricks (pages 20-24) - collected by William Cunnington from boys living near Lake Birket el Qurun. Drawings by Joseph D'Antoni, Queens, New York.

Although not as numerous as string figures, string tricks are found almost everywhere string figures are found. By their very nature, string tricks are intended to surprise, amaze, confuse, entertain, or perplex the spectator. These three simple tricks have no names. Only the penultimate stage of each trick is shown here.


Last updated July 7, 1997




String Figure MagazineTable of Contents - Volume 2, number 3 (September 1997) - 24 pages

All illustrations in this issue by Joseph D'Antoni, Queens, New York.


Turtle (pages 5-6) - a modern string figure from Japan.

This string figure has appeared in many wonderfully illustrated Ayatori books published in Japan. The oldest reference to this figure may be in a 1980 book written by Hiroshi Noguchi.

The House of Atanua (pages 7-9) - collected by Willodean Chatterson Handy on Hiva Oa, Marquesas Islands, Polynesia.

This beautiful three dimensional string figure -- called Fa'e Papa by the islanders -- represents the legendary House of Atanua, the first woman in Marquesan mythology. The house is located under the sea at the foot of the Atuona valley.

A Lifu Trick (pages 10-11) - collected by R.H. Compton from a native of Lifu, Melanesia.

Lifu is an island in the Loyalty chain near New Caledonia. This trick has been modified slightly. Instead of using the big toe, I used the right index finger, and the left hand performs most of the action.

First, the performer winds the string around his neck and hands. Second, he allows the tips of his index fingers to touch (left illustration). Third, he moves his hands away from his head and the string slips free of the hands (right illustration) as if by magic.

The Kayaker and the Mountains (pages 12-18) - collected by Mrs. A. E. Hodder from the Chukchee people of Siberia.

The Chukchee people inhabit the northeasternmost part of Siberia. This highly visual figure was collected in 1909 and was eventually described in a book by Kathleen Haddon. A series of two figures are made, one represents a paddling kayaker, the other mountain peaks. This is a rather long, and difficult pair of figures to form.

The upright loop represents a man in the kayak. The maker sways his index fingers from side to side to simulate the kayaker in motion.

As the kayakder glides along the water he views majestic mountain peaks off in the distance.

A Baby Being Born (pages 19-21) - collected by Daniel Sutherland Davidson from the Wardaman Aborigines on North Australia.

This sliding figure simulates a baby dropping from a mother's womb.

Cobweb (pages 22-24) - collected by Johannes Carl Andersen from a Maori youth (Whanganui tribe), New Zealand.

At least two players are required for this figure. Andersen recommends three: two to form the figure and one to thread a string through the design.


Last updated Dec. 31, 1997




String Figure MagazineTable of Contents - Volume 2, number 4 (December 1997) - 24 pages


Puddle (pages 5-6) - collected by H. Fischer from the Watut and Banir River people of east New Guinea.

Most of the time, people use their hands to weave string figures. But sometimes they also use their elbows, mouth, and toes to help create the design. "Puddle" is a simple figure requiring a leg and two hands. The end result is a three-dimensional pattern that expands and contracts, just like a puddle between rain storms.

Here the puddle is shallow and nearly dry. The rain has not yet come.

After a rain storm the puddle fills with water and expands. To fill the puddle, the maker lifts upward with both hands so that the "square" rises above the leg (a side view, without hands, is shown above).

Just for fun, try inventing new names for this figure! For example, the expanding figure could easily represent Bread Dough Rising in a Square Pan (massage the strings on your thigh to simulate kneading), or a Waste Basket Filling Up with Trash (toss in a large paper wad). Since the expanded figure has "handles," names like Shopping Bag and Purse work well too!

Night (pages 7-10) - collected by Lyle A. Dickey from the people of the Hawaiian Islands.

The native name for this figure is Po, meaning "night" or "darkness." The seven diamonds represent stars. Long ago, nearly every Hawaiian knew how to make it. In Polynesian mythology Po represents chaos: "In the beginning there was nothing but Po, a void without light, heat, sound, form, or motion...".

Twinkling Star (pages 11-12) - collected by Lyle A. Dickey from the people of the Hawaiian Islands.

This figure, also known throughout the Hawaiian Islands, is a continuation of "Night."

To make the star "twinkle," the maker shifts his index fingers from side to side, first to the right...

...then to the left.

Seven Diamonds (pages 13-15) - collected by Will Wirt from children of Brillo Nuevo, northeastern Peru.

This figure introduces a novel technique for adding extra diamonds to a simple diamond figure. The technique involves repeating the "navaho" move more than once. Each extra navaho adds a pair of diamonds to the figure. Here, two extra navahos (a triple navaho) are used to add four diamonds to a three-diamond pattern, giving seven diamonds.

Polar Bear (pages 16-20) - collected by Diamond Jenness from the Inuit of Northern Alaska.

This classic Inuit (Eskimo) figure is a variation of Swan, which appeared in the March issue.

The Navel of Maui (pages 21-24) - collected by Kenneth Emory from the Polynesian people of Mangareva.

Throughout Polynesia the legendary exploits of the demigod Maui are preserved in numerous tales. The stories describe how this impish trickster fished up islands from the sea, raised the sky, snared the sun, and secured fire for man. The central diamond of this figure represents his navel, which symbolizes the center of the universe.


Last updated Dec. 31, 1997




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