The fingers and thumb of the right hand, are brought to a point, and tapped upon the right side of the breast. (Shoshoni and BanakI.)
Arikara tribal sign. Arapaho and DakotaFig. 284.
Imitate the manner of shelling corn, holding the left hand stationary, the shelling being done with the right. (Creel.) Fig. 284.
Arikara tribal sign. AbsarokaFig. 285.
With the right hand closed, curve the thumb and index, join their tips so as to form a circle, and place to the lobe of the ear. (AbsarokaI;HidatsaI.) "Big ear-rings." Fig. 285.
Both hands, fists, (B, except thumbs) in front of body, backs looking toward the sides of the body, thumbs obliquely upward, left hand stationary, the backs of the fingers of the two hands touching, carry the right thumb forward and backward at the inner side of the left thumb and without moving the hand from the left, in imitation of the act of shelling corn. (DakotaI, VII, VIII.)
Collect the fingers and thumb of the right hand nearly to a point, and make a tattooing or dotting motion toward the upper portion of the cheek. This is the old sign, and was used by them previous to the adoption of the more modern one representing "corn-eaters." (ArikaraI.)
Place the back of the closed right hand transversely before the mouth, and rotate it forward and backward several times. This gesture may be accompanied, as it sometimes is, by a motion of the jaws as if eating, to illustrate more fully the meaning of the rotation of the fist. (KaiowaI;ComancheIII;WichitaII;ApacheI.) "Corn-eater; eating corn from the ear."
Signified by the same motions with the thumbs and forefingers that are used in shelling corn. The dwarf Ree (Arikara) corn is their peculiar possession, which their tradition says was given to them by a superior being, who led them to the Missouri River and instructed them how to plant it. (Rev. C.L. Hall, inThe Missionary Herald, April, 1880.) "They are the corn-shellers." Have seen this sign used by the Arikaras as a tribal designation. (DakotaII.)
Hands in front of abdomen, horizontal, backs outward, ends of fingers pointing toward one another, separated and arched (H), then, moved upand down and from side to side as though covering a corpulent body. This sign is also used to indicate the Gros Ventres of the Prairie or Atsina. (DakotaI.)
Make the sign ofcutting the throat. (KutineI.) As the Assinaboins belong to the Dakotan stock, the sign generally given for the Sioux may be used for them also.
With the right hand flattened, form a curve by passing it from the top of the chest to the pubis, the fingers pointing to the left, and the back forward. (Shoshoni and BanakI.) "Big bellies."
Both hands closed, the tips of the fingers pointing toward the wrist and resting upon the base of the joint, the thumbs lying upon, and extending over the middle joint of the forefingers; hold the left before the chest, pointing forward, palm up, placing the right, with palm down, just back of the left, and move as if picking small objects from the left with the tip of the right thumb. (AbsarokaI;Shoshoni and BanakI.) "Corn-shellers."
Bring the extended and separated fingers and thumb loosely to a point, flexed at the metacarpal joints; point them toward the left clavicle, and imitate a dotting motion as if tattooing the skin. (KaiowaI;ComancheIII;ApacheII;WichitaII.) "They used to tattoo themselves, and live in the country south of the Dakotas."
See also the sign of (DakotaI) underAssinaboin.
Make a whistling sound "phew" (beginning at a high note and ending about an octave lower); then draw the extended index across the throat from the left to the right and out to nearly at arm's length. They used to cut the throats of their prisoners. (Pai-UteI.)
Major Haworth states that theBanaksmake the following sign for themselves: Brush the flat right hand backward over the forehead as if forcing back the hair. This represents the manner of wearing the tuft of hair backward from the forehead. According to this informant, the Shoshoni use the same sign forBanakas for themselves.
The finger and thumb encircle the ankle. (Long.)
Pass the right hand, bent spoon-fashion, from the heel to the little toe of the right foot. (Burton.)
The palmar surfaces of the extended fore and second fingers of the right hand (others closed) are rubbed along the leg just above the ankle. This would not seem to be clear, but these Indians do not make any sign indicatingblackin connection with the above. The sign does not, however, interfere with any other sign as made by the Sioux. (Creel;DakotaI.) "Black feet."
Pass the flat hand over the outer edge of the right foot from the heel to beyond the toe, as if brushing off dust. (DakotaV, VII, VIII.) Fig. 286.
Blackfoot tribal sign. DakotaFig. 286.
Touch the right foot with the right hand. (KutineI.)
Blackfoot tribal sign. ShoshoniFig. 287.
Close the right hand, thumb resting over the second joint of the forefinger, palm toward the face, and rotate over the cheek, though an inch or two from it. (Shoshoni and BanakI.) "From manner of painting the cheeks." Fig. 287.
Pass the horizontally extended index from right to left under the nose. (ArapahoII;CheyenneV;KaiowaI;ComancheI, II, III;ApacheII;WichitaI, II.) "'Pierced noses,' from former custom of perforating the septum for the reception of rings." Fig. 288. This sign is also used for the Sahaptin. For some remarks see page345.
Caddo tribal sign. Arapaho and KaiowaFig. 288.
Draw the hand across the arm, to imitate cutting it with a knife. (MarcyinPrairie Traveller,loc. cit., p. 215.)
Draw the lower edge of the right hand across the left arm as if gashing it with a knife. (Burton.)
With the index-finger of the right hand proceed as if cutting the left arm in different places with a sawing motion from the wrist upward, to represent the cuts or burns on the arms of that nation. (Long.)
Bridge palm of left hand with index-finger of right. (Macgowan.)
Draw the extended right hand, fingers joined, across the left wrist as if cutting it. (ArapahoI.)
Pass the ulnar side of the extended index repeatedly across the extended finger and back of the left hand. Frequently, however, the index is drawn across the wrist or forearm. (ArapahoII;CheyenneV;PonkaII;PaniI.) Fig. 289. See p.345for remarks.
Cheyenne tribal sign. Arapaho and CheyenneFig. 289.
The extended index, palm upward, is drawn across the forefinger of the left hand (palm inward), several times, left hand stationary, righthand is drawn toward the body until the index is drawn clear off; then repeat. Some Cheyennes believe this to have reference to the former custom of cutting the arm as offerings to spirits, while others think it refers to a more ancient custom of cutting off the enemy's fingers for necklaces. (CheyenneII.)
Place the extended index at the right side of the nose, where it joins the face, the tip reaching as high, as the forehead, and close to the inner corner of the eye. This position makes the thumb of the right hand rest upon the chin, while the index is perpendicular. (Sac, Fox, and KickapooI.) It is considered that this sign, though given to the collaborator as expressed, was an error. It applies to the Southern Arapahos. Lieutenant Creel states the last remark to be correct, the gesture having reference to the Southern bands.
As though sawing through the left forearm at its middle with the edge of the right held back outward, thumb upward. Sign made at the left side of the body. (DakotaI.) "Same sign as for asaw. The Cheyenne Indians are known to the Sioux by the name of 'The Saws.'"
Right-hand fingers and thumb extended and joined (as in S), outer edge downward, and drawn sharply across the other fingers and forearm as if cutting with a knife. (Dakota, III.)
Draw the extended right index or the ulnar (inner) edge of the open right hand several times across the base of the extended left index, or across the left forearm at different heights from left to right. This sign is also made by the Arapahos. (DakotaIV.) "Because their arms are marked with scars from cuts which they make as offerings to spirits."
Draw the extended index several times across the extended forefinger from the tip toward the palm, the latter pointing forward and slightly toward the right. From the custom of striping arms transversely with colors. (KaiowaI;ComancheII, III;ApacheII;UteI;WichitaII.)
Another: Make the sign forDog, viz: Close the right hand, leaving the index and second fingers only extended and joined, hold it forward from and lower than the hip and draw it backward, the course following the outline of a dog's form from head to tail; then add the signTo Eat, as follows: Collect the thumb, index, and second fingers to a point, hold them above and in front of the mouth and make a repeated dotting motion toward the mouth. This sign is generally used, but the other and more common one is also employed, especially so with individuals not fully conversant with the sign language as employed by the Comanches, &c. (KaiowaI;ComancheIII;ApacheII;WichitaII.) "Dog-eaters."
Draw the extended index across the back of the left hand and arm as if cutting it. The index does not touch the arm as in signs given for the same tribe by other Indians, but is held at least four or five inches from it. (Shoshoni and BanakI.)
Imitate, by the waving of the hand or forefinger, the forward crawling motion of a snake. (Burton, alsoBlackmorein introduction to Dodge'sPlains of the Great West.New York, 1877, p. xxv.) The same sign is used for the Shoshoni, more commonly called "Snake", Indians, who as well as the Comanches belong to the Shoshonian linguistic family. "The silent stealth of the tribe." (Dodge; MarcyinThirty Years of Army Life on the Border.New York, 1866, p. 33.) Rev. A.J. Holt remarks, however, that among the Comanches themselves the conception of this sign is the trailing of a rope, or lariat. This refers probably to their well-known horsemanship.
Motion of a snake. (Macgowan.)
Hold the elbow of the right arm near the right side, but not touching it; extend the forearm and hand, palm inward, fingers joined on a level with the elbow, then with a shoulder movement draw the forearm and hand back until the points of the fingers are behind the body; at the same time that the hand is thus being moved back, turn it right and left several times. (Creel;Sac, Fox, and KickapooI.) "Snake in the grass. A snake drawing itself back in the grass instead of crossing the road in front of you."
Another: The sign by and for the Comanches themselves is made by holding both hands and arms upward from the elbow, both palms inward, and passing both hands with their backs upward along the lower end of the hair to indicatelong hair, as they never cut it. (Sac, Fox, and KickapooI.)
Right hand horizontal, flat, palm downward (W), advanced to the front by a motion to represent the crawling of a snake. (DakotaIII.)
Extend the closed right hand to the front and left; extend the index, palm down, and rotate from side to side while drawing it back to the right hip. (ArapahoII;CheyenneV;DakotaVI, VII, VIII;PonkaII;KaiowaI;PaniI;ComancheIII;ApacheII;WichitaII.) This motion is just the reverse of the sign forShoshoni, see Fig. 297infra.
Make the reverse gesture forShoshoni,i.e., begin away from the body, drawing the hand back to the side of the right hip while rotating it. (ComancheII.)
Sign forWagonand then the sign forMan. (DakotaI.) "This indicates the Red River half-breeds, with their carts, as these people are so known from their habit of traveling with carts."
Place the first and second fingers of the right hand in front of the mouth. (KutineI.)
The edge of the hand passed across the throat, as in the act of cutting that part. (Long;MarcyinArmy Life, p. 33.)
Draw the lower edge of the hand across the throat. (Burton.)
Draw the extended right hand across the throat. (ArapahoI.) "The cut-throats."
Pass the flat right hand, with palm down, from left to right across the throat. (ArapahoII;CheyenneV;DakotaVI, VIII;PonkaII;PaniI.)
Draw the forefinger of the left hand from right to left across the throat. (Sac, Fox, and KickapooI.) "A cut-throat."
Forefinger and thumb of right hand extended (others closed) is drawn from left to right across the throat as though cutting it. The Dakotas have been named the "cut-throats" by some of the surrounding tribes. (DakotaI.) "Cut-throats."
Right hand horizontal, flat, palm downward (as in W), and drawn across the throat as if cutting with a knife. (DakotaII, III.)
Draw the open right hand, or the right index, from left to right horizontally across the throat, back of hand upward, fingers pointing toward the left. This sign is also made by the Arapahos. (DakotaIV.) "It is said that after a battle the Utes took many Sioux prisoners and cut their throats; hence the sign "cut-throats."
Draw the extended right hand, palm downward, across the throat from left to right. (KaiowaI;ComancheII, III;Shoshoni and BanakI;UteI;ApacheII;WichitaII.) "Cut-throats." Fig 290.
Dakota tribal sign. DakotaFig. 290.
——, Blackfoot (Sihasapa).
Pass the flat right hand along the outer edge of the foot from the heel to beyond the toes. (DakotaVIII;HidatsaI;PonkaII;ArikaraI;PaniI.) Same as Fig. 286, above.
Pass the right hand quickly over the right foot from the great toe outward, turn the heel as if brushing something therefrom. (DakotaV.)
Pass the widely separated thumb and index of the right hand over the lower leg, from just below the knee nearly down to the heel. (KaiowaI;ComancheIII;ApacheII;WichitaII.)
——, Brulé.
Rub the upper and outer part of the right thigh in a small circle with the open right hand, fingers pointing downward. This sign is also made by the Arapahos. (DakotaIV.) "These Indians were once caught in a prairie fire, many burned to death, and others badly burned about the thighs; hence the name Si-can-gu 'burnt thigh' and the sign. According to the Brulé chronology, this fire occurred in 1763, which they call 'The-People-were-burned-winter.'"
Pass the flat right hand quickly over the thigh from near the buttock forward, as if brushing dust from that part. (DakotaV, VI, VII, VIII.)
Brush the palm of the right hand over the right thigh, from near the buttock toward the front of the middle third of the thigh. (KaiowaI;ComancheIII;ApacheII;WichitaII.)
——, Ogalala.
Fingers and thumb separated, straight (as in R), and dotted about over the face to represent the marks made by the small-pox. (ArapahoII;CheyenneV;DakotaIII, VI, VII, VIII.) "This band suffered from the disease many years ago."
With the thumb over the ends of the fingers, hold the right hand upright, its back forward, about six inches in front of the face, or on one side of the nose near the face, and suddenly extend and spread all the fingers, thumb included. (DakotaIV.) "The wordOgalalameans scattering or throwing at, and the name was given them, it is said, after a row in which they threw ashes into one another's faces."
One hand placed on the top of the head, and the other on the back of the head. (Long.)
Place the right hand to the top of the head. (KutineI.)
Pat the right side of the head above and back of the ear with the flat right hand. (Shoshoni and BanakI.) From the elongation of the occiput. Fig. 291.
Flathead tribal sign. ShoshoniFig. 291.
Same sign as forSac. (Sac, Fox, and KickapooI.)
Both hands flat and extended, palms toward the body, with the tips of the fingers pointing toward one another; pass from the top of the chest downward, outward, and inward toward the groin. (AbsarokaI;DakotaV, VI, VII, VIII;Shoshoni and BanakI.) "Big belly."
Left and right hands in front of breast, left placed in position first, separated about four or five inches, left hand outside of the right, horizontal, backs outward, fingers extended and pointing left and right; strike the back of the right against the palm of the left several times, and then make the sign forGo, Going, as follows: Both hands (A 1) brought to the median line of body on a level with the breast, some distance apart, then describe a series of half circles or forward arch-like movements with both hands. (DakotaI.) "The Gros Ventre Indians, Minitaris (the Hidatsa Indians ofMatthews), are known to the Sioux as the Indians who went to the mountains to kill their enemies; hence the sign."
Express with the hand the sign of a big belly. (DakotaIII.)
Pass the flat right hand, back forward, from the top of the breast, downward, outward, and inward to the pubis. (DakotaVI;HidatsaI;ArikaraI.) "Big belly."
Hand in type-position K, inverted, back forward, is raised above the head with forefinger directed perpendicularly to the crown. Describe with it a short gentle curve upward and backward in such a manner that the finger will point upward and backward, back outward, at the termination of the motion. (OjibwaV.) "Indicates a feather planted upon the head—the characteristic adornment of the Indian."
Make the sign forWhite Man, viz: Draw the open right hand horizontally from left to right across the forehead a little above the eyebrows, the back of the hand to be upward and the fingers pointing toward the left, or close all the fingers except the index, and draw it across the forehead in the same manner; then make the sign for NO; then move the upright index about a foot from side to side, in front of right shoulder, at the same time rotating the hand a little. (DakotaIV.)
Rub the back of the extended left hand with the palmar surfaces of the extended fingers of the right. (ComancheII.) "People of the same kind; dark-skinned."
Rub the back of the left hand with the index of the right. (Pai-UteI;WichitaI.)
Make the signs of thePrairieand ofDrinking Water. (Burton;Blackmorein Dodge'sPlains of the Great West.New York, 1877, p. xxiv.)
Cheyennes make the same sign as (ComancheII), and think it was intended to convey the idea of cropping the hair. The men wear one side of the hair of the head full length and done up as among the Cheyennes, the other side being kept cropped off about even with the neck and hanging loose. (CheyenneII.)
Right-hand fingers and thumb, extended and joined (as in W), placed in front of right shoulder, and revolving loosely at the wrist. (DakotaIII.)
Place the flat hand with extended and separated fingers before the face, pointing forward and upward, the wrist near the chin; pass it upward and forward several times. (KaiowaI;ComancheIII;ApacheII;WichitaII.)
Kaiowa tribal sign. ComancheFig. 292.
Place the right hand a short distance above the right side of the head, fingers and thumb separated and extended; shake it rapidly from side to side, giving it a slight rotary motion in doing so. (ComancheII.) "Rattle-brained." Fig. 292. See p.345for remarks upon this sign.
Same sign as (ComancheII), with the exception that both hands are generally used instead of the right one only. (UteI.)
Make a rotary motion of the right hand, palm extended upward and outward by the side of the head. (WichitaI.) "Crazy heads."
With the thumb and finger go through the motion of clipping the hair over the ear; then with the hand make a sign that the borders of the leggings are wide. (Sac, Fox, and, KickapooI.)
Place the index or second finger of the right hand on each side of the left index finger to imitate riding a horse. (KutineI.)
Hold the left fist, palm upward, at arm's length before the body, the right as if grasping the bowstring and drawn back. (Shoshoni and BanakI.) "From their peculiar manner of holding the long bow horizontally in shooting." Fig. 293.
Kutine tribal sign. ShoshoniFig. 293.
With the index and second fingers only extended and separated, hold the hand at arm's length to the front of the left side; draw it back in distinct jerks; each time the hand rests draw the fingers back against the inside of the thumb, and when the hand is again started on the next movement backward snap the fingers to full length. This is repeated five or six times during the one movement of the hand. The country which the Lipans at one time occupied contained large ponds or lakes, and along the shores of these the reptile was found which gave them this characteristic appellation. (KaiowaI;ComancheIII;ApacheIII;WichitaII.) "Frogs." Fig. 294.
Lipan tribal sign. ApacheFig. 294.
The first and second fingers of the right hand extended, separated, backs outward, other fingers and thumb closed, are drawn from the left shoulder obliquely downward in front of the body to the right hip. (DakotaI.) "The Mandan Indians are known to the Sioux as 'The people who wear a scarlet sash, with a train,' in the manner above described."
Right hand horizontal, back outward, fingers separated, arched, tips pointing inward, is moved from right to left breast and generally over the front of the body with a trembling motion and at the same time a slight outward or forward movement of the hand as though drawing something out of the body, and then make the sign forMan, viz: The right-hand is held in front of the right breast with the forefinger extended, straight upright (J), with the back of the hand outward; move the hand upward and downward with finger extended. (DakotaI.) "Perhaps the first Chippewa Indian seen by a Sioux had an eruption on his body, and from that his people were given the name of the 'People with a breaking out,' by which name the Chippewas have ever been known by the Sioux."
Pull at the eyebrows over the left eye with the thumb and forefinger of the left hand. This sign is also used by the Osages themselves. (Sac, Fox, and KickapooI.)
Hold the flat right hand, back forward, with the edge pointing backward, against the side of the head, then make repeated cuts, and the hand is moved backward toward the occiput. (KaiowaI;ComancheIII;ApacheII;WichitaII.) "Former custom of shaving the hair from the sides of the head, leaving but an occipito-frontal ridge."
Pass the flat and extended right hand backward over the right side of the head, moving the index against the second finger in imitation of cutting with a pair of scissors. (ComancheII.) "Represents the manner of removing the hair from the sides of the head, leaving a ridge only from the forehead to the occiput."
Imitate a wolf's ears with the two forefingers of the right hand extended together, upright, on the left side of the head. (Burton.)
Place a hand on each side of the forehead, with two fingers pointing to the front to represent the narrow, sharp ears of the wolf. (MarcyinPrairie Traveler, p. 215.)
Extend the index and second fingers of the right hand upward from the right side of the head. (ArapahoII;CheyenneV;DakotaVII, VIII;PonkaII;PaniI;ComancheII.)
Right hand, as (N), is passed from the back part of the right side of the head, forward seven or eight inches. (DakotaI.) "The Pani Indians are known as theShaved-heads,i.e., leaving only the scalp locks on the head."
First and second fingers of right hand, straight upward and separated, remaining fingers and thumb closed (as in N), like the ears of a small wolf. (DakotaIII.)
Place the closed right hand to the side of the temple, palm forward leaving the index and second fingers extended and slightly separated, pointing upward. This is ordinarily used, though, to be more explicit, both hands may be used. (KaiowaI;ComancheIII;UteI;ApacheII;WichitaII.) For illustration see Fig. 336, facing page531.
Make the motion of paddling a canoe. (KutineI.)
Pend d'Oreille tribal sign. ShoshoniFig. 295.
Both fists are held as if grasping a paddle vertically downward and working a canoe. Two strokes are made on each side of the body from the side backward. (ShoshoniandBanakI.) Fig. 295.
Place the clinched hand back of the occiput as if grasping the queue, then place both fists in front of the right shoulder, rotating them slightly to represent a loose mass of an imaginary substance. Represents the large mass of hair tied back of the head. (ArapahoII;CheyenneV.)
Pass the extended palm of the right hand over the right side of the head from front to back, and the palm of the left hand in the same manner over the left side of the head. (Sac, Fox, and KickapooI.) "Shaved-headed Indians."
The right index, back outward, passed from right to left under the nose. Piercing the nose to receive the ring. (Creel;DakotaI.)
Place the thumb and forefinger to the nostrils. (KutineI.)
Sahaptin or Nez Perce tribal sign. ComancheFig. 296.
Close the right hand, leaving the index straight but flexed at right angles with the palm; pass it horizontally to the left by and under the nose. (ComancheII.) "Pierced nose." Fig. 296. This sign is made by the Nez Percés for themselves, according to Major Haworth. Information was received from Arapaho and Cheyenne Indians, who visited Washingtonin 1880, that this sign is also used to designate theCaddos, who practiced the same custom of perforating the nasal septum. The same informants also state that theShawneesare sometimes indicated by the same sign.
Pass the extended index, pointing toward the left, remaining fingers and thumb closed, in front of and across the upper lip, just below the nose. The second finger is also sometimes extended. (Shoshoni and BanakI.) "From the custom of piercing the noses for the reception of ornaments."
See p.345for remarks upon the signs forSahaptin.
The forefinger is extended horizontally and passed along forward in a serpentine line. (Long.)
Right hand closed, palm down, placed in front of the right hip; extend the index and push it diagonally toward the left front, rotating it quickly from side to side in doing so. (AbsarokaI;Shoshoni and BanakI.) "Snake." Fig. 297.
Shoshoni tribal sign. ShoshoniFig. 297.
Right hand, horizontal, flat, palm downward (W), advanced to the front by a motion to represent the crawling of a snake. (DakotaIII.)
With the right index pointing forward, the hand is to be moved forward about a foot in a sinuous manner, to imitate the crawling of a snake. Also made by the Arapahos. (DakotaIV.)
Place the closed right hand, palm down, in front of the right hip; extend the index, and move it forward and toward the left, rotating the hand and finger from side to side in doing so. (KaiowaI;ComancheII, III;ApacheII;WichitaII.)
Make the motion of a serpent with the right finger. (KutineI.)
Close the right hand, leaving the index only extended and pointing forward, palm to the left, then move it forward and to the left. (Pai-UteI.) The rotary motion of the hand does not occur in this description, which in this respect differs from the other authorities.
——, Sheepeater. Tukuarikai.
Both hands, half closed, pass from the top of the ears backward, downward, and forward, in a curve, to represent a ram's horns; then, with the index only extended and curved, place the hand above and in front of the mouth, back toward the face, and pass it downward and backward several times. (Shoshoni and BanakI.) "Sheep," and "to eat."
Right hand hollowed, lifted to mouth, and describing waving line gradually descending from right to left; left hand describing mountainous outline, one peak rising above the other. (KutchinI.)" Mountain-river-men."
"They who live on mountains" have a complicated sign which denotes "living in mountains," and is composed of the signsSitandMountain. (Burton.)
Rub the back of the extended flat left hand with the extended fingers of the right, then touch some black object. Represents black skin. Although the same sign is generally used to signifynegro, an addition is sometimes made as follows: place the index and second fingers to the hair on the right side of the head, and rub them against each other to signifycurly hair. This addition is only made when the connection would cause a confusion between the "black skin" Indian (Ute) and negro. (ArapahoII;CheyenneV.)
Left hand horizontal, flat, palm downward, and with the fingers of the right hand brush the other toward the wrist. (DakotaIII.)
Place the flat and extended left hand at the height of the elbow before the body, pointing to the front and right, palm toward the ground; then pass the palmar surface of the flat and extended fingers of the right hand over the back of the left from near the wrist toward the tips of the fingers. (KaiowaI;ComancheIII;ApacheII;WichitaII.) "Those who use sinew for sewing, and for strengthening the bow."
Indicate the colorblack, then separate the thumbs and forefingers of both hands as far as possible, leaving the remaining fingers closed, and pass upward over the lower part of the legs. (ShoshoniandBanakI.) "Black or dark leggings."
Indicate a circle over the upper portion of the right cheek, with the index or several fingers of the right hand. The statement of the Indian authorities for the above is that years ago the Wichita women painted spiral lines on the breasts, starting at the nipple and extending several inches from it; but after an increase in modesty or a change in the upper garment, by which the breast ceased to be exposed, the cheek has been adopted as the locality for the sign. (Creel;KaiowaI;ComancheIII;ApacheII;WichitaII.)
Extend the fingers and thumb of the right hand, semi-closed, and bring the hand toward the face nearly touching it, repeating this several times as if going through the motion of tattooing. The Comanches call the Wichitas "Painted Faces"; Caddos call them "Tattooed Faces," both tribes using the same sign. (ComancheI.)
Pass the flat right hand from the top of the forehead backward over the head and downward and backward as far as the length of the arm. (WyandotI.) "From the manner of wearing the hair."
The sign forgoby closing the hand (as in type position B 1) and bending the arm; the hand is then brought horizontally to the epigastrium, after which both the hand and arm are suddenly extended; the sign forhouseorlodge; the sign forcars, consisting of the sign forgoandwagon,e.g., both arms are flexed at a right angle before the chest; the hands then assume type position (L) modified by the index being hooked and the middle finger partly opened and hooked similarly; the hands are held horizontally and rotated forward side by side to imitate two wheels, palms upward; and the sign forcouncilas follows: The right arm is raised, flexed at elbow, and the hand brought to the mouth (in type position G 1, modified by being inverted), palm up, and the index being more open. The hand then passes from the mouth in jerks, opening and closing successively; then the right hand (in position S 1), horizontal, marks off divisions on the left arm extended. The sign forfatheris briefly executed by passing the open hand down and from the loins, then bringing it erect before the body; then the sign forcars, making with the mouth the noise of an engine. The hands then raised before the eyes and approximated at points, as in the sign forlodge; then diverge to indicateextensive; this being followed by the sign forcouncil. (Oto and MissouriI.) "The home of our father, where we go on the puffing wagon to council."
Make the sign forwaterby placing the right hand upright six or eight inches in front of the mouth, back outward, index and thumb crooked, and their ends about an inch apart, the other fingers nearly closed; then move it toward the mouth, and then downward nearly to the top of the breast-bone, at the same time turning the hand over toward the mouth until the little finger is uppermost; and the sign forlargeas follows: The opened right hands, palms facing, fingers relaxed and slightly separated, being at the height of the breast and about two feet apart, separate them nearly to arm's length; and then rapidly rotate the right hand from right to left several times, its back upward, fingers spread and pointing forward to show that it is stirred up or muddy. (DakotaIV.)
Buffalo. DakotaFig. 298.
Eagle tail. ArikaraFig. 299.
Place the clinched fists to either side of the head with the forefingers extended and curved, as in Fig. 298; then extend the left hand, flat, palm down, before the left side, fingers pointing forward; the outer edge of the flat and extended right hand is then laid transversely across the back of the left hand, and slid forward over the fingers as in Fig. 299. (DakotaVI;AnkaraI.) "Bull and eagle—'Haliaëtus leucocephalus, (Linn.) Sav.'" In the picture-writing of the Moquis, Fig. 300 represents the eagle's tail as showing the difference of color which is indicated in the latter part of the above gesture.
Eagle tail. Moqui pictographFig. 300.
Place the right fist in front of the right side of the breast, palm down; extend and curve the thumb and little finger so that their tips point toward one another before the knuckles of the remaining closed fingers, then reach forward a short distance andpull toward the body several times ratter quickly; suddenly push the fist, in this form, forward to arm's length twice. (DakotaVI;ArikaraI.) "Bear, and rushing."
With the index only of the right hand extended, indicate a line of curve from the sacrum (or from the right buttock) downward, backward, and outward toward the right; then extend the left forefinger, pointing forward from the left side, and with the extended index draw imaginary lines transversely across the left forefinger. (AbsarokaI;ShoshoniI;DakotaVI, VII;ArikaraI.) "Tail, and spotted."
Place the right fist in front of the right side of the breast, palm down; extend and curve the thumb and little finger so that their tips point toward one another before the knuckles of the remaining closed fingers; then place the left flat hand edgewise before the breast, pointing to the right; hold the right hand flat pointing down nearer the body; move it forward toward the left, so that the right-hand fingers strike the left palm and fall downward beyond the left. (KaiowaI.) "Bear, and stumble or stumbling."
Place the right hand in front of the right side, palm down; close all the fingers excepting the index, which is slightly curved, pointing forward; then push the hand forward to arm's length twice, very quickly. (DakotaVI;ArikaraI.) "Man running rapidly or swiftly."
Place the extended and separated index and second fingers of the right hand astraddle the extended forefinger of the left hand. With the right hand loosely extended, held as high as and nearly at arm's length before the shoulder, make several cuts downward and toward the left. (ComancheIII.) "Horse, and prairie or wild."