SMITHSONIAN INSTITUTION.
UNITED STATES NATIONAL MUSEUM.
CHESS AND PLAYING-CARDS.
VTALOGUE OF GAMES AND IMPLEMENTS FOR DIVINATION EXHIBITED BY THE MTED STATES NATIONAL MUSEUM IN CONNECTION WITH THE DEPART- MENT OF ARCHEOLOGY AND PALEONTOLOGY OF THE UNIVERSITY OF PENNSYLVANIA AT THE COTTON STATES AND INTERNA- TIONAL EXPOSITION, ATLANTA, GEORGIA, 1895.
BY
STEWART CULIN,
Director of the Museum of Archaology and Paleontology \ University of Pennsylvania.
From the Report of the U. S. National Museum for 1896, pages 665-942, with fifty plates.
WASHINGTON:
GOVERNMENT PRINTING OFFICE. 1898.
SMITHSONIAN INSTITUTION.
UNITED STATES NATIONAL MUSEUM.
CHESS AND PLAYING-CARDS.
CATALOGUE OF GAMES A,ND IMPLEMENTS FOR DIVINATION EXHIBITED BY THE UNITED STATES NATIONAL MUSEUM IN CONNECTION WITH THE DEPART- MENT OF ARCHAEOLOGY AND PALEONTOLOGY OF THE UNIVERSITY OF PENNSYLVANIA AT THE COTTON STATES AND INTERNA- TIONAL EXPOSITION, ATLANTA, GEORGIA, 1895.
BY
STEWART CULIN,
Director of the Museum of Archteology ami Paleontology, University of Pennsylvania.
From the Report of the U. S. National Museum for 1896, pages 665-942, with riftv plates.
WASHINGTON:
GOV! R.NMEN 1 PRINTING OFFIl 1
1898.
0:i 15 1904 D. of D,
> • *
« «
CHESS AND PLAYING-CARDS.
CATALOGUE OF GAMES AND IMPLEMENTS FOR DIVINATION EXHIBITED BY THE UNITED STATES NATIONAL MUSEUM IN CONNECTION WITH THE DEPARTMENT OF ARCHEOLOGY AND PALEONTOLOGY OF THE UNIVERSITY OF PENNSYLVANIA AT THE COTTON STATES AND INTERNATIONAL EXPOSI- TION, ATLANTA, GEORGIA, 1895.
BY
STEWART CTTLHNT,
Director of the Museum of Archaeology and Paleontology, University of Pennsylvania.
665
TABLE OF CONTENTS.
Page
List of plates 671
List of text figures 672
Introduction 671)
1. Nyout. Korea 681
2. Gaming arrows. Kiowa Indians, Indian Territory 685
3. Zohn ahl (awl game). Kiowa Indians, Indian Territory 687
4. Tab. Egypt 805
5. Game sticks. Singapore, Straits Settlements 807
6. Shing kun t'b (game of promotion). China 820
7. Tjyong-kyeng-to. Korea 820
8. Ch'e m6 (teetotum). China 822
9. Long Lawrence. England 823
10. Log(die). United States 823
11. Raniala p;is;i (fortune-telling dice). India 823
12. Ramala pa*sa\ India 824
13. Pasri(dice). India 825
14. Astragali (knuckle bones) 826
15. Astragali, glass. Ancient 831
16. Kabatain (dice). India 831
17. Kubos (die). Naucratis, Egypt 831
18. Tesserae (dice). Roman or Etruscan 832
19. Shik tsai (dice). China
20. Sai (dice) • Japan 835
21. Kwat p'ai (dominoes). China 836
22. Tim chi p'ai (dotted cards). China 837
23. Kol-hpai (dominoes). Korea 83S
24. Dominoes. Burma
25. Dominoes. United States 83!)
26. Dominoes. Eskimo 840
27. Chong iin ch'au (game of chief of the Literati). China 840
28. Sugoroku (double sixes). Japan 841
29. .J eu de l'oie (goose game). Fiance 841
30. Giuoco dell 'oca (goose game). Italy 841
31. Juego de la oca. Mexico Ml
32. Game of Goose. United States 842
88. Snake gam United States 842
34. Tawulah (backgammon). Syria 849
36. Tabal (backgammon). Johore
36. Ssang-ryouk (backgammon). Korea 849
37. Kawade kelia (cowrie game). Ceylon 851
38. Pachisi. India 851
39. Tatolli. Mexico 854
40. Chausar (dice game). India
41. Pasit (Pachisi), Burma
667
()68 REPORT OF NATIONAL MUSEUM, 1896.
Page.
42. Dhola (Tachisi). Maldive Islands 856
13. Paohts (Pachisi). Persia 856
11. Edris a jin (pachisi). Syria 857
45. Chaturanga (dice chess). India 857
46. Chit-thareen (chess). Burma 859
47. Chess. Maldive Islands 860
48. Chator (chess). Johore 861
49. Chessboard. Morocco 862
50. Chess. England 862
51. Tseung k'i (chess). China 863
52. Tj yang-keui (chess). Korea 866
53. Shogi (chess). Japan 867
51 . Pa-tok (pebble game) . Korea 868
55. Chuki. Johore „ 872
56. Go. Japan 873
57. Juroku mnsashi (fox and geese). Japan 874
58. Dam hariman (tiger game). Johore 875
59. Fox and Geese. United States 877
60. A-wi-thlak-na-kwe (stone warriors). Zuiii Indians 877
61. Tong-kai (ceremonial quiver). Korea 881
62. P'al ts'im (notice tally). Chinese in the United States 883
63. Nin kan (New Year cards). Chinese in the United States 883
64. Tanzaku (writing tablet). Japan 887
65. Yeki (divination). Japan 889
66. Chinese fortune-teller's sign. Johore 898
67. Kwa" ts'im (divining-splints). China 898
68. Mikuji (divining-splints). Japan 898
69. Ts'im ii (lot answers). China 899
70. Kwa"n tai ling ts'im (God of War divining lots). China 902
71. Pa"k kop p'iii ts'im ii (gamblers' lots). China 902
72. Pakkopp'iii (lottery). China 903
73. Tsz' fa" (lottery). China 904
74. Numbered balls (lottery). Spain 905
75. Arrows. McCloud River Indians 905
76. Gambling-sticks. Alaska Indians 906
77. Htou-tjyen (playing-cards). Korea 918
78. Practice arrows. Korea 921
79. Playing-cards. Kiu Kiang, China 921
80. Tseung-kwan p'iii (playing-cards). Kwangtung, China 922
81. Hana-garuta (playing-cards). Japan 922
82. Ganjifa (playing-cards) . India 924
83. Ganjlfeh (playing-cards). Persia 928
84. Playing-cards. Siam 929
85. Tarocchi (playing-cards). Milan, Italy 929
86. Tarocchi di Mautegna. Italy 931
87. Minchiate (playing-cards). Florence, Italy 931
88. Tarocchino (playing-cards). Bologna, Italy 932
89. Tarots (playing-cards). France 932
90. Tarok-karten (playing-cards). Germany 932
91. Jeu des 78 Tarots l]gyptiens (fortune- telling cards). France 933
92. Carte da Giuocare (playing-cards). Bologna, Italy 933
93. Carte da Giuocare (playing-cards). Naples, Italy 934
94. Carte da Giuocare (playing-cards). Florence, Italy 934
95. Trappola cards. Austria 934
96. Hispano-American cards. Spain 934
CHESS AND PLAYING-CARDS. 669
I'.n.''-.
97. Naipes (playing-cards). Cadiz, Spain 935
98. Naipes (playing-cards). Cadiz, Spain 936
99. Playing-cards. Apache Indians, United states 936
100. Playing-cards. Celebes 936
101. Cartes a jouer (playing-cards). Fiance 936
102. Spiel-karten (playing-cards). Franklbrt-on-the-Main, Germany 937
103. Spiel-karten (playing-cards). Leipsic, Germany 937
104. Spiel-karten (playing-cards). Vienna, Austria 938
105. Spiel-karten (playing-cards). Sckaffhansen, Switzerland 938
106. Spiel-karten (playing-cards). Sckaffhansen, Switzerland 938
107. Spille-kort (playing-cards). Denmark 938
108. Kille-kort (playing-cards). Sweden 938
109. Cncncards. Bari, Italy 939
110. Hexen-karten. Germany 939
111. Igralnye karty (playing-cards). Russia 941
112. Playing-cards. England 941
113. Playing-cards. United States (about 1860) 941
114. Playing-cards. United States; " Union" 941
115. Playing-cards. United States. Generals, 1863 941
116. Playing-cards. Confederate States of America 942
117. Playing-cards. United States. Harlequin, 1879 942
118. Playing-cards. United States. Political euchre, 1888 942
119. Playing-cards. United States. Political comic, 1888 942
120. Playing-cards. United States. World's Fair Souvenir, Chicago, 1893.. . 942
LIST OF ILLUSTRATIONS.
PLATES.
Facing page.
1. Implements used in playing game of Nyout 082
2. Korean boys playing Nyout 682
3. Gaining arrows. Kiowa Indians, Indian Territory 686
4. Plnm stones and basket for game. Cheyenne Indians, Montana 692
5. Staves for Travois game 710
6. Bone gaming disks. Seneca Indians, New York 729
7. Ivory and wooden dice. Tlingit Indians, Alaska 735
8. Papago Indian striking staves in the air in playing Ghing-skoot 738
9. Tarahumara Indians playing "Quince" at the Pueblo of Penasco Blanco.. 742
10. Sets of staves for game of Quince. Tepeguana Indians, Chihuahua, Mexico. 742
11. Bark tablets thrown as dice. Uinkaret Indians, Utah 749
12. Casts in Sioux plum stone game 759
13. Figured plum stones for games. Dakota Sioux 760
14. Shrine of the War Gods. Twin Mountain, Pueblo of Zuiii 778
15. Gambling reeds. Cherlon Ruin, Arizona 800
16. Decorated pottery bowl with "Eagle man" and gaming-reed casts.
Cunopavi 800
17. Plate 44, Fejervary codex • 803
18. Magi with baresma 808
19-22. Mustache sticks. Ainu of Yezo, Japan 812
23. Wooden and bone dollasses (Divining staves) 814
24. Koreans playing Tjyong-kyeng-to 820
25. Divinatory diagram. Tibet 821
26. Koreans playing dominoes .v:N
27. Set of ivory dominoes. Savage Islands 840
28. Game of Goose (Giuoco DelV Oca). Florence, Italy 841
29. The game of Patolli 856
30. Dhola, (Pachisi). Maldive Islands 856
31. Board for Pachis (Pachisi). Persia 856
32. Chessboard and men. Burma 859
33. Identification tablets ( Yo-hpai). Korea ss I
31. Pai'zah of the Mongols. From a specimen found in East Siberia >v >
35. Bamboo money 885
36. Obverse of jade audience ring. Ancient China 885
37. Tanzaku, Japan ^vx
38. Carved sandalwood jackstraws (Hc'ung Vopdtph). Canton, China 895
39. Carved sandalwood jackstraws. Canton, China
40. Shrine of Chinese God of War. Philadelphia
41. Ilaida gambling stick and pottery stamp. Ecuador 906
42. 43. Taku Indian gambling sticks. Alaska
44. Korean card playing ;,'s
45. The eight ''General" cards. Korea !'ls
till
672 REPORT OF NATIONAL MUSEUM, 1896.
Facing page.
16. Bhaftments of practice arrows. Korea 921
IT. Chinese playing-cards. Kin Kiang 921
48. Playing-cards (ganjtfeh). Persia 928
49. I'la\ ing-oards (ganjifeh). Persia 928
BO, Plaj Ing-oards (ganjifeh). Persia 928
TEXT FIGURES.
Pago.
I. Nyont hpan. Nyout board. Korea 680
i'. Nyout hpan. Nyout board. Inscribed with Chinese verse. Korea 681
3. First page of Tjyek-sa-tjyem. Korean handbook for divination with
staves 683
1. The sixty-four hexagrams. China 684
5. The pat k w;i or eight diagrams, according to Fuh-hi. China 685
6. Cloth for Zohn ahl. Kiowa Indians, Indian Territory 686
7. Staves for Zohn ahl. Kiowa Indians, Indian Territory 687
8. Set of bone dice. Arapaho Indians, Indian Territory 689
9. Basket for dice game. Arapaho Indians, Indian Territory 689
10. Set of bone dice. Arapaho Indians, Indian Territory 691
11. Basket for dice game. Arapaho Indians, Indian Territory 691
12. Set of wooden dice. Arapaho Indians, Indian Territory 692
13. Gaming disks, bone and worked peach stones. Arapaho, Oklahoma 692
14. Set of bone dice. Cheyenne Indians, Indian Territory 692
15. Basket for dice game. Cheyenne Indians, Indian Territory 693
16. Dice for bowl game. Chippewa Indians 694
17. Gambling bowl. Menominee Indians 696
18. Set of buttons for dice in woltes takun. Micmac Indians, Nova Scotia. .. 697
19. Wooden bowl for woltes takun. Micmac Indians, Nova Scotia 697
20. Counting sticks for woltes takun. Micmac Indians, Nova Scotia 698
21. Counting sticks for woltes takun. Micmac Indians, Nova Scotia 699
22. Counting sticks (sangi). Japan 699
23. Gaming disk for wobunarunk. Micmac Indians, Nova Scotia 701
24. Engraved shell bead (runtce). Pompey, New York 702
25. Bone gaining disks. Tobique (Micmac) Indians, New Brunswick 703
26. Counting sticks for altes tagen. Micmac Indians, New Brunswick 704
27. Counting sticks. Micmac Indians, New Brunswick 706
28. Bone die used in bowl game (all-tes-teg-eniik). Passamaquoddy Indians,
Maine 706
29 Manner of holding dish in all-tes-teg-enuk. Passamaquoddy Indians,
Maine 707
30. Counting sticks. Passamaquoddy Indians, Maine 707
31. Set of counting sticks for wer-lar-da-har mun gun. Penobscot Indians,
Maine 708
32. Limestone disks, possibly used in game. Nottawasaga, Ontario, Canada. 709
33. Set of bone gaming staves. Blackfeet, South Piegan Reserve, Montana.. 711
34. Set of counting sticks. Blackfeet, South Piegan Reserve, Montana..:... 712
35. Set of bone gaming staves. Blackfeet, Blood Reserve, Alberta, Canada.. 713
36. Gaming staves. White Mountain Apache, Fort Apache, Arizona 713
37. Circuit for stave game. Navajo and Apache 714
38. Method of holding sticks by White Mountain Apache 714
39. Set of staves for game. Navajo Indians, New Mexico 715
40. Set of blocks for game. Navajo Indians, Arizona 716
II. Set of plum stones for game. Arikara Indians 716
12. Ivory images used as dice in game of tingmiujang 717
43. Game (f) of fox and geese 718
CHESS AND PLAYING-CARDS. 673
Pay.-.
44. Carved irorv water birds and seal. St. Lawrence Island, Siberia 718
45. Wooden blocks, said to be used in game. Northwest Arctic ( Oast 719
46. Twisters used in game. Point Harrow Eskimo 720
47. Gns-ga-e-sa-tii, or deer-buttons. Seneca Indians, New York 727
48. Gus-kii'-eh, or peach stones. Seneca Indians, New York 727
49. Ga-jih, or bowl for game. Seneca Indians, New York 728
50. Peach stone bowl game. Seneca Indians, New York 72*
51. Circuit for Sia stave game 7:i<»
52. Set of staves for game. Kiowa Indians, Indian Territory 731
53. Set of staves for game. Kiowa Indians, Indian Territory 732
54. Staves for game. Kiowa Indians, Indian Territory 733
55. Set of staves for game. Kiowa Indians, Indian Territory 734
56. Leather tablet on which dice are thrown. Tlingit Indians, Alaska 735
57. Set of woodchuck teeth dice. Klamath Indians, Oregon 736
58. Set of walnut shell dice. YTokut Indians, California 737
59. Set of staves for Ghing-skoot. Papago Indians, Pima County, Arizona. .. 738
60. Circuit for Papago stave game 739
61. Set of staves for game. Pima Indians, Arizona 740
62. Set of staves for gaine. Pima Indians, Arizona 741
63. Set of staves for game. Pima Indians, Arizona 741
64. Circuit for Pima stave game 742
65. Set of staves for game of Ro-ma-la-ka. Tarahumara Indians, Pueblo of
Carichic, Chihuahua, Mexico 743
66. Set of staves for game. Tepeguana Indians, Chihuahua, Mexico 743
67. Circuit for Tepeguana and Tarahumara stave game 711
68. Beaver teeth dice. Snohomish (?) Indians, Tulalip Agency, Washington. 745
69. Game counters. Radial bones of bird. Snohomish (?) Indians, Tulalip
Agency, Washington 746
70. Set of beaver teeth dice. Thompson River Indians, interior of British
Columbia 746
71. Set of bone dice. Comanche Indians, Indian Territory 748
72. Set of bone dice. Comanche Indians, Indian Territory 748
73. Gaming canes. Paiute Indians, southern Utah 749
74. Set of sticks for game. Paiute Indians, Nevada 71!'
75. Set of staves for game. Shoshoni Indians, Fort Hall Agency, Idaho 750
76. Set of staves for game. Assinaboin Indians, Dakota 750
77. Assinaboin bowl game 7"> I
78. Counts in Assinaboin bowl game 752
79. Set of gaming sticks. Assinaboin Indians, Upper Missouri 7"> 1
80. Set of bone gaming staves. Gros Ventres Indians, Dakota 754
81. Set of bone dice. Mandan Indians, Fort Berthold, North Dakota 755
82. Basket for dice game. Mandan Indians, Fort Berthold, North Dakota 755
83. Clay fetich used in dice game. Mandan Indians, Fort Berthold, North
Dakota 756
84. Set of plum stones for game. Omaha Indians 757
85. Basket for plum stone game. Dakota Sioux, South Dakota 758
86. Counting sticks for plum stone game. Dakota Sioux, South Dakota 7".(.i
87. Plum stones for game. Yankton Sioux 761
88. Blocks for game of Tugi-e-pfe. Tewa Indians, Santa Clara, New Mexico. 7«i_> 89,90. Counts in Pa-tol T«> 1
91. Staves and marking sticks used in the game of Ca-se-he-a pa-na. Tewa
Indians, Taos, New Mexico 765
92. Circuit for game of Ca-se-he-a-pa-na. Tewa Indians, TaoB, New Mexico.. Tiiii
93. Wooden die. Kwakiutl Indians, British Colombia 766
94. Beaver teeth dice. Makah Indians, Neah Bay, Washington 767
NAT MUS 96 43
C74 REPORT OF NATIONAL MUSEUM, 1896.
Page.
96. Bel of staves for game. Cocopa Indians 768
96. Bet of blocks for game. Mohave Indians, Arizona 769
97. gel ofblooks for game. Mohave Indians, Southern California 769
98. Gaming sticks. Mohave Indians, Arizona 770
99. Bet of blocks for game of Ta'-sho'-li-we. Zuni Indians, New Mexico 771
100. Set of blocks for game of Ta'-sho'-li-we. Zuni Indians, New Mexico 772
101. Set of blocks for game of Ta'-sho'-li-we. Zuni, New Mexico 773
L02. Set ofblooks for game of Ta'-sho'-li-we. Zuni, New Mexico 774
103. Set of blocks for game of Tein-thla-nah-ta'-sho'-li'-we. Zuni Indians,
New Mexico 775
104. Hide used as gaming board in Tein-thla-uah-ta'-sho'-li-we. Zuni Indians,
New Mexico 776
105. Set of sacrificial canes for Sho'-li-we 777
106. Set of sacrificial canes for Sho'-li-we. Zuni Indians, New Mexico 777
107. Set of sacrificial canes for Sho'-li-we. Zuni Indians, New Mexico 778
108. Set of canes for game of Sho'-li-we. Zuni Indians, New Mexico 778
109. Set of canes for Sho'-li-we. Zuni Indians, New Mexico 779
110. Arrow shaftments of the four directions, showing ribbanding and cut
cock feathers. Zuni 781
111. Manner of holding canes in tossing in game of Sho'-li-we. Zuni Indians,
New Mexico 783
112. Set of canes for Sho'-li-we (reproductions). Zuni 784
113. Cliff dweller atlatl (restored) 785
114. Handle of atlatl showing crossed wrapping for attachment of linger
loops. Cliff dwelling, Mancos Canyon, Colorado 786
115. Stave for game. Cliff dwellings of Mancos Canyon, Colorado 800
116. Scheme of plate 44, Fejervary codex 802
117. Set of sticks for game. Toba Indians, Grand Chaco, South America 803
118. Pair of bones and counters for game. Grand Chaco Indians 804
119. Canes for tab. Cairo, Egypt 806
120. Board (seegd) for tab. Egypt 806
121. Canes for game. Singapore, Straits Settlements 807
122. Baresma 808
123 Baresma (barsom) with stand. Modern Persia 809
121. Assyrian altar 809
125. Scepters (kwai) anciently carried by Chinese nobles 810
126. Grand scepter [Tax kwai) anciently carried by the Emperor. China 811
127. Scepter of omnipotence (chan kwai) anciently carried by the Emperor.
China 813
128. Wooden scepter (fat) used by nobles in Chinese theaters 813
129. Baton of authority (shakit) carried by nobles. Japan 813
130. Baton (viyoi) of red lacquered wood with purple cord, used by priest of
Zen sect. Japan 814
131. Ivory counter for game (?). Lybian (?), Egypt 815
132. Ivory staves for game (?). Ly bian, Egypt 816
133. Men for game (f) (lion, hare). Lybian (?), Egypt 816
134. Cowrie shells used in fortune-telling. Liberia, Africa 817
135. Pebbles from Mas d'Azil 819
13ti. Tjyong-kyeng-to. Korea 820
137. Tjyong-kyeng-to. Korea 821
138. Korean die for Buddhist game 821
139. Die used with divinatory diagram. Tibet 821
lH). Teetotum (wiirfel) used by Jewish children at Purim 822
Ml. Long Lawrence. Almondbnry, England 822
1 12. Log. Ivory die. United States 823
CHESS AND PLAYING-CARDS. G75
I 'aye.
143. Ramala pasa. Lncknow, India 824
144. Dice for fortune-telling. Constantinople, Turkey 82 1
145. Brass placqne accompanying dice for fortune-telling. Persia 825
146. Brass placqne accompanying dice for fortune-telling. Persia 82»»
147. Stick-dice. Bohemia (Hradischt near Stradonitz) 827
148. Values of the throws with knuckle bones. Tarakumara Indians, Chi-
huahua, Mexico 828
149. Astragalus of bison used as die. Papago Indians, Pima County, Arizona. 829
150. Astragalus used in game. Lengua Indians 829
151. Bronze astragalus 831
152. Korean die 834
153. Etruscan triplicate die. Chiusi 835
154. Domino cards. China 837
155. Kol-hpai dominos. Korea 839
156. Men for Korean backgammon game 849
157. Cowrie game (Kaicade Kelia). Ceylon 850
158. Board for " Cowrie play " (Gavalata) 851
159. Pachisi cloth 852
160. Men for pachisi game 853
161. Persian chessboard 858
162. Burmese chessboard 859
163. Indian chessmen of wood 860
164. Indian chessmen of solid ivory 860
165. Indian chessmen of hollow ivory 860
166. Turkish and Greek chessmen 861
167. Kurdish chessmen 861
168. English chessmen. Time of Caxton 862
169. Chinese chess 864
170. Korean chess 866
171. Chessplayers. Japan 867
172. Board for Pa-tok. Korea 869
173. Wai k'i board, showing names applied to four quarters 870
174. Board for chuki. Johore, Straits Settlements 871
175. Arrangement of men on chuki board 871
176. Go players (priest and wrestler). Japan 873
177. Juroku musashi. Japan 873
178. Juroku musashi. Japan 874
179. Shap luk kontseung kwan. China 874
180. Ludus de subjugandi rebelles. China 875
181. Tiger game. Johore, Straits Settlements 875
182. Tiger game (Pulijudam). India 876
183. Solitario. Peru 876
184. Coyote. Mexico 876
185. Sua ghin gnua. Siam 876
186. Fox and Geese. United States 877
187. Game of stone warriors. Zani Indians, New Mexico 877
L88. Pottery disks used as men in games. Cliff dwellings, Mancos Canyon,
Colorado 878
189. The game of To-to-16s-pi. Moki Indians, New Mexico B79
190. Ceremonial arrow. Insignia of Chinese general B83
191. Notice tally (P'di ta' im). Chinese in United States 883
192,193. Name tablet (Ilo-hpai). Korea 884
194. Obverse of Chinese coin (Win). China
195. Tlingit tablet. Alaska
196, 197. Tlingit tablets. Alaska 886
676 REPORT OF NATIONAL MUSEUM, 1896.
Page.
1 : 18, 199. Tlingit tablets .. 887
200. Tlingit tablets 888
201. Alaska Indian tablet. Alaska 888
206. Folding fan (hah shin, tl black fan "). Canton, China 889
208. Calculating blocks (sangi) for yeki. Japan 890
204. Metbod of shuttling zeichaku. Japan 891
205. One stick placed between little finger and tbird finger 893
206. Eigbt diagrams (Fdt hied) 894
207. Japanese fortune-teller with zeichaku 895
208. Rod and cover used in fan fan. Canton, Cbina 896
209. Divining-splints (ku-d ts'im). Cbina 898
210. Diviuing-sticks (mikiiji) with box (bako), from which they are tbrown.
J apan 899
211. Arrow-lots (ts'im ii) in box (quiver). Canton, Cbina 900
212. Divining-blocks (kdu piii). Cbina 901
213. Lottery ticket (pdk kbpp'ifi). Chinese in United States 903
214. Chart for word-blossoming lottery (tsz' fa t'b). Cbina, and Chinese in
United States 904
215. Enigma (tsz' fa t'ai) used in word-blossoming lottery. Chinese in United
States 905
216. String of ninety lottery balls. Madrid, Spain 906
217. Cut arrow shaftment. Cliff dwelling in Mancos Canyon, Colorado 907
218. Reverse of Korean playing-card showing arrow feather 919
219. Suit marks on Korean cards 920
220. Numerals on Korean Cards 920
221. Hindu playing-card (fish avatar) 922
222. Hindu playing-card (tortoise avatar) 923
223. Hindu playing-card ( Pdra^i-Rdmd) 924
22 1 . Hindu playing-card (Pdra$u-Rdmd) 925
225. Hindu playing-card (Buddha) 927
226. Reverse of Hispano-American playing-card. Mexico, 1583 935
NOTE.
> The following work has grown from a sim})le catalogue into its pres- ent proportions in an endeavor to illustrate the distribution of certain games, and by comparison elucidate their original significance. In the American part an attempt has been made to describe as far as pos- sible the implements for games of the types mentioned, in American museums. Additions and corrections, to be incorporated in a subse- quent publication, will be gratefully acknowledged by the author.
Stewart Culin. University of Pennsylvania,
Philadelphia, August, 1897.
677
CHESS AM) PLAYING-CARDS.
By Stewart Culin, Director of the Museum of Archwology and Paleontology, University of Pennsylvania.
INTRODUCTION.
The object of this collection1 is to illustrate the probable origin, significance, and development of the games of chess and playing-cards. Following up the suggestion made to the writer by Mr. Frank H. Cushing, they are both regarded as derived from the divinatory use of the arrow, and as representing the two principal methods of arrow- divination. Incidental to the main subject, various games and divina- tory processes having a like origin, although not leading directly to chess or cards, are exhibited, as well as specimens of each class from various countries.
The basis of the divinatory systems from which games have arisen is assumed to be the classification of all things according to the Four Directions.2 This method of classification is practically universal
'This collection, for which a diploma of honor and gold medal were awarded at the Atlanta Exposition, was subsequently placed on exhibition in the U. S. National Museum, where it has since been augmented by many of the additional games described in this catalogue. — Editor.
Some idea of the extent to which the classification of things according to the world quarters was carried in Eastern Asia may be obtained from the numerical categories in the second part of Mayer's Chinese Header's Manual, from which the following examples are taken :
|
DIRECTIONS. |
SEA80NS. |
COLORS. |
ELEMENTS. |
PLANETS. |
METALS. |
Q RAINS. |
|
North. |
Winter. |
Black. |
Water. |
Mercury. |
Iron. |
Pulse. |
|
East. |
Spring. |
Green. |
Wood. |
Jupiter. |
Lead. tin. |
Corn. |
|
South. |
Summer. |
Red. |
Fire. |
Mars. |
Copper. |
Millet. |
|
West. |
Autumn. |
White. |
Metal. |
Venus. |
Silver. |
Hemp. |
|
Middle. |
Yellow. |
Eartli. |
Saturn. |
Gold. |
Rice. |
I append, for purpose of comparison, a list of some of the corresponding cate- gories as they exist in the pueblo of Zufii, New Mexico, kindly furnished me by Mr. (Joshing.
|
DIRECTIONS. |
SEASONS. |
COLORS. |
ELEMKNTS. |
|
North. |
Winter. |
Yellow. |
Air (wind or breath). |
|
West, |
Spriug. |
Blue. |
Water. |
|
South. |
Summer. |
Red. |
Fire. |
|
East. |
Autumn. |
White. |
Earth (seeds of). |
|
Upper. |
Day. |
Many-color. |
Waking or life condition. |
|
Lower. |
Night. |
Blaek. |
Sleeping or death condition. |
|
Middle. |
Year. |
All colors. |
All elements and conditions. |
It should be observed that the connotations of color and direction v.ir\ from the above and from each otlier among the different Amcri< an trilte-s. between Aztec and Maya, and between the different Mexican chroniclers.
679
680 REPORT OF NATIONAL MUSEUM, 1896.
among primitive peoples both in Asia and America. In order to classify objects and events which did not in themselves reveal their proper assignment resort was had to magic. Survivals of these magical processes constitute our present games. The identity of the games of Asia and America may be explained upon the ground of their common object and the identity of the mythic concepts which underlie them.
o o o
o o
o ° o
O O o
b>© o o o o o o
o o
*** o o o
c
Fig. 1.
NYOUT HP AN. NY OUT BOARD.
Korea.
Cat. No. 18669, Museum of Archaeology, University of Pennsylvania. From Korean Games.
These concepts, as illustrated in games, appear to be well nigh uni- versal. In the classification of things according to the Four Quarters we find that a numerical ratio was assumed to exist between the several categories. The discovery of this ratio was regarded as an all-impor tant clue. The cubical dotted die represents one of the implements of magic employed for this purpose. The cubical die belongs, however,
CHESS AND PLAYING-CARDS.
681
to a comparatively late period in the history of games and divination. The almost universal object for determining number, and thence by counting, place or direction, is three or more wooden staves, usually flat on one side and rounded upon the other. Numerical counts are attributed to their several falls. A typical game in which these staves are employed is found in No. 1 — the Korean game of Nyout.
®
Fi-. 2.
NYOUT HPAN. NYOUT BOARD.
Inscribed with Chinese verse. Korea.
Cat. No. lfrW7, Museum of Archieology, University of Pennsylvania. From Korean Games.
1. Nyout. Korea. (a) Board and staves.1
^os. 16487, 16898, Mus. Arch., Univ. Prim. The hoard exhibited (fig. 1> is painted upon a sheet of Korean paper, 22} by 26 inches, and was made lor the author by Mr. Pak Young Kiu, secretary of the Royal Korean Commission tothr World's Columbian Exposition, Chicago, in the Bamnier of 1898. Another (fig. 2) has Chinese chara< -
682 REPORT OF NATIONAL MUSEUM, 1896.
(h) Reproduction of native picture; Korean boys playing Nyout.1 The national game of Korea. Two, three, or four persons play, mov- ing objects used as men around a circuit, according to throws made with tour blocks of wood used as dice. The circuit (fig. 1) is marked with twenty-nine points, twenty of which are arranged equally distant in a circle, within which is a cross composed of nine stations. The blocks ordinarily used are called pam-nyout or " chestnut nyout" (Plate 1, fig. I), white and flat on one side and black and convex on the other. The pieces or men, called mal (Chinese, ma\ "horses,"2 may consist of any convenient stick or stone. The throws count as follows:
4 white sides up, nyout, = 4 4 black sides up, mo, = 5 3 white sides up, kel, = 3 2 white sides up, kdi, = 2 1 white side up, to = 1
A throw of nyout or mo entitles the player to another throw, which he makes before moving his piece. The one who shall play first is deter- mined by throwing the blocks, the highest leading. The players enter their men on the mark next on the left of the large circle at the top of the diagram, and move around against the sun. The object of the game is to get from one to four horses around the circuit and out again at the top. If a player throws so that one of his men falls upon another of his own he may double up the two pieces and thereafter take them around as one piece, they counting as two in the game. If a player's piece falls upon an opponent's the latter is said to be " caught," and is sent back to the beginning, and must be started again as at first. The captor is given another throw. Partners are permitted to move each other's pieces. In opening the game, if a player's man falls upon the large circle B, on the left, he returns to the goal by the radii B E, E A. If he overthrows the mark B he must continue on to 0. At this point he returns by the diameter 0 A, but if he overthrows 0 he must con- tinue on to D and around the circuit to A, the going-out place.
ters, reading as four lines of a verse, inscribed in the circles. Children frequently play upon a circuit drawn upon the ground. In the picture of the game (Plate 2) the boys are represented as throwing the blocks through a cuff, which one of them has removed for the purpose. This is done to render the result of the throws more a matter of chance than of skill, and is a substitute for a ring of straw, about 2 inches in diameter, affixed to the end of a stick about a foot long, which is stuck in the center of the ring for the same purpose. The selection of the wood for the sticks is not a matter of individual caprice. They are usually made of the wood of a thick busby tree, like the primus, called 88a-ri, used in China for bows, whence the game is called xari-iu/out. Another wood, pak-tal-na-mou, defined as a very hard wood of which mallets are made, is sometimes used, but the former is preferred.
'Stewart Colin, Korean Games, Philadelphia, 1895.
2The term md, or horses, applied to men or pieces in a game, is of high antiquity in China, and was also given to the counters employed in the classical Chinese game of Tau ii or " pitch pot" (pitching arrows or arrow-lots into a pot), described in the Li Ki.
EXPLANATION OF PLATE 1
Fig. 1. Pam-nyoot. Length, § inch.
(Cat. No. 17608, Mas. Arch., Univ. Penn. Korea.) Fig. 2. Tjyang-tjak-nyout. Length, 5 inches.
(Cat. No. 17607, Mas. Arch., Univ. Penn. Ivorea.)
Fig. 3. Method of Holding Long Nyout Sticks.
Report of U. S. National Museum, 1896. — Culin.
Plate 1.
Implements used in Playing Game of Nyout.
Report of U S. National Museum, 1896.— Culin.
Plate 2.
Bimzy*
■ T&
v
M
Korean Boys Playing Nyout. From painting by Dative artist, reproduced in Korean Garni
CHESS AND PLAYING-CARDS.
G83
M *
°i^*i|VH
HI
n
Ml 5!
n -?
rZ El
PL'S
•H7I
P*g
3
2*
4
3 3
Si o|
J!*
to.
Children and gamblers in the cities commonly use short blocks. In the country, long blocks or staves, called tjyang-tjak-nyout (Plate 1, fig. 2), are employed. These are usually about 8 inches in length. In throwing them, one is often placed across the others, which are held lengthwise in the hand by the thumb, with the ends resting on the fingers (Plate 1, fig. 3). The game is played in the country by all classes, but only from the fifteenth of the twelfth to the fifteenth of the first month.
The names applied to the throws are not Korean or Chi- nese, but are numerals which correspond closely with the cor- responding numerals of certain Ural-Altaic stocks.1
References to games played with staves, of the same gen-
T •4- %j
T
i l?l
2.
£4
-^61 °t|
MM*
i \t £ -mi xd|
eral character as Xyont, occur in Chinese literature, where they are attributed to a foreign origin.
It is customary in Korea to use the long blocks at the fif- teenth of first month for the purpose of divination. Early iu this month a small book is sold in the markets of Seoul to be used in connection with them. The players throw the staves three times, noting the number that is counted for the throw at each fall. The series
three numbers is then referred to the book upon the several pages of which are printed in Chinese characters all the various permutations of
Fig. 3.
FIRST PAGE OF TJYEK-SA-TIYEM.
Korean handbook for divination with -
In the author's collection. From Korean Game*.
'Dr. Daniel G. Brinton, who kindly compared them, tells me that tin tir>t :i have rather close analogies with the Ural-Altaic, while the u tour." and perhaps the "five," seem connected with the Samoyed:
|
] |
\ORKAX. |
IKAI.-Al 1 Al< . |
|
|
1. |
To or ta. |
it, h |
( Finnish, Lappish |
|
2, |
Kdi or hd. |
hah |
| Finnish, Lappish |
|
3. |
h't 1 or kol. |
kol |
| Finnish. Lappish) |
|
4. |
Nj/out. |
tei |
S.irnoyed). |
|
5. |
Mo. |
sit inula |
(Samoyed). |
(J 84 REPORT OF NATIONAL MUSEUM, 1896.
the numbers, taken three at a time, with Korean text explanatory of their significance. A reproduction of the first section, entitled TjyeTc-stUjyem (Chinese, chdk 8& chim) "Throwing Nyout Divination," from a little Korean handbook, Tjil'-syengpep (Chinese, ehih sing fat) " Correct Planet Rule" is given in fig. 3. The numbers represented by the throws are from "one" to "four" in sixty-four permutations, from which it will be seen that only three staves are used. Nyout or " four" is the highest throw, and an explanation is thus given of the name of the game.
/ BSBSBs-s %
I in ================ s$»
Hit liOUOiieiili \ttj,
///;// == = == = == = = = ww
iiiiii === = == = ====== iiiiii
iiim iiiiii = liilii=l mm
ww iii==i = = 5=i = ,?'"'
^\ = = = = = = ==== in
vL ==== = = ==== = == /S
**% === = = = = = = jfy
Kg. 4. THE SIXTY-FOUR HEXAGRAMS.
China.
After Legge.
The Chinese Boole of Divination consists of sixty-four diagrams,
kwd, composed of combinations of unbroken with broken lines
, six being taken at a time, and the resulting diagrams being
known as fche sixty-four lewd (fig. 4). Each of these diagrams is desig- nated by a name and accompanied by a short explanatory text. Now the sixty -lour hexagrams are regarded as an expansion of the eight trigrama (fig. 5), called the ]>ai lewd or eight lewd, formed by combining the Bame unbroken and broken lines, three at a time. The unbroken lines in the diagram are called yeung, " masculine," and the broken lines yam, " feminine." It is apparent that if the two sides of the Ko-
CHESS AND PLAYING-CARDS. 685
rean blocks be regarded as representing the unbroken or masculine lines and the broken or feminine lines the trigrains will form a record of the throws when three blocks are used, and the hexagrams when six blocks are takeu. From this I regard the diviuatory use of the nyout blocks in connection with the handbook as illustrating the origin of the Chinese Book of Divination, to which the handbook presents an almost perfect parallel.1 As it appears from the foreign names of the stave-throws in Korea that the system is foreign and non-Chinese, con- firmation is afforded of the theory of the foreign origin of the Book of Divination advanced by Professor Terrien de Lacouperie. A detailed ac- count of nyout is given by the writer in his work on Korean Games.
The game of nyout may be regarded as the prototype of a large class of com- mon games, such as the Game of Goose, Backgammon, Pachisi, and Chess. It is clearly diviuatory in its ^^$*
associations, the diagram representing ^ vS the world with its four quarters. The ^ ~M*""
number, by means of which place is de- North,
termined, is discovered by tossing the Fig. 5.
blocks or staves. THE pAT KwA OR EIGHT diagrams,
m, ,. tli ... . . ACCORDING TO FUH-HI.
The assumption that the nyout staves were derived from arrows, suggested by Krom Mayer's cm™* Re.der>. H»ndb«*.
Mr. Cushing, is based upon evidence
furnished by corresponding American games; for example, in the Kiowa game of Zolin ahl, No. 3, where three of the staves bear marks like arrow feathering. In throwing the long nyout staves it is custom- ary to hold three crosswise over the other (Plate 1, fig. 3), in somewhat the same manner as in the Zufii game of Sho-U-we. (Compare fig. 112.)
2. Gaming arrows.- Kiowa Indians. Indian Territory, United States.
'I am informed that in the system of fortune-telling known in Japan as tfeki (No. 65), in which splints are ordinarily used, three small Mocks are sometimes tossed to determine the diagrams. In this method, known as Ami shiri t/eki, from Aral, the name of the reputed inventor, three rectangular blocks, called saiu/i, about 3 inches in length, made of some hard wood — cherry, or. preferably, ebony — are em- ployed. Two of the opposite long sides are plain. The two other opposite faces are marked with vermilion ink in Chinese characters: On one. 'I'1 in. "Heaven;'" one. TV, " Earth.*' and the other Yan. "Man." The determinations are made according to the positions in which the marked sides fall one to another, which are referred to a special treatise. Another similar method employed in Japan, also attributed to Arai, is by means of three ancient "cash" or coins, which are tossed from a tortoise shell. My informant, Mr. K. Wadamori, of Tokio, himself a yehi gahusha or "ydW scholar,*' tells me that dots are frequently employed in Japan in noting the diagrams, as in the Malagassy nkiddy.
-Lent by Stewart Colin. Reproduction- made by Mr. Cashing from originals in the United States National Museum (Cat. No. 152SJ13). Collected by James Mooney.
686
REPORT OF NATIONAL MUSEUM, 1896.
Six arrows made of single pieces of maple wood, 29£ inches in length (Plate3). The beads are carved and painted. According to the col- lector, Mr. James Mooney, they are thrown with thehand like a javelin. and the player who throws farthest wins. It is a man's game.
It is probable that these arrows were actually used in a game ex- tremely common among the Plains Indians. It consists in the players tossing arrows in turn at a mark. The object of each player after the first is to throw his arrow so that it will Jie across the arrow or arrows
Fig. 6.
CLOTH FOR ZOHN AHL.
Kiowa Indians, Indian Territory.
Cat. No. 16535, Museum of Archaology, University of Pennsylvania.
that have been tossed before.1 Mr. Gushing informs me that the. counts usually depend upon whether the tossed arrow falls upon the other at its head, middle, or foreshaft.
Mr. E. W. Davie lias given me an account of this game, as seen by him played by the Apache of Geronimo's band in 1889, in St. Augustine, Florida. He states that the mark was about 10 feet away. "The arrows were tossed point first. The first 1 1 1 . 1 1 1 bo throw was required to land on the mark. I the did so he got his arrow back. Once .hi arrow in the field, the object of the next player was to toss his arrow so that it should eross the first thrown, and so on through the crowd. I have seen as many as six play, and often all would toss around without anyone winning. In this case the arrows on the ground remained in the pot, so to speak. The play then went on, each player winning as many arrows as he could succeed in crossing with hie own, until the whole number was removed."
Report of U. S National Museum, 1896. — Culm.
Plate 3.
-
CHESS AND PLAYING-CARDS.
687
Fig. 7.
STAVES FOR ZOHN AHL.
Length, 10 inches. Kiowa Indians, Indian Territory.
Cat. No. 16536, Museum of Archjeology, University of Pennsylvania. From Korean Games.
The incised designs, painted red, yellow, green, and blue, are in part easily recognizable as the calumet with primer, bow and arrow, the lightning, and the symbols of the Four Directions on the uppermost arrow (Plate 3), which are painted from left to right with the colors red, green, blue, and yellow. Mr. Gushing identified others as the war staff, or standard, and shield; day or dawn signs with turkey tracks ; day signs with stars; horse tracks, and the "man" sign. Mr. Mooney, in reply to my inquiry, informed me
that the Kiowa attach no special significance to these carved arrows, and were unable to explain the designs.
These arrows, carved and painted with cosmical emblems, are here introduced to illustrate the use of a veritable arrow, specialized for the purpose of a game, among the American Indians.
3. Zohn ahl,1 commonly known as the "Awl Game." Kiowa Indians, Indian Territory, United States.
(a) A cloth, called the " awl cloth."
(b) Two awls.
(c) Flat bowlder, called the " awl stone."
(d) Four prepared staves, called ahl or " wood."
(e) Eight other sticks, to be used as counters.2
The "awl cloth" (fig. 6) is divided into points by which the game is counted. The curved lines upon it are called "knees," because they are like the knees of the players.
The space between the parallel lines 1 and 1 and 20 and 20 is called "the creek," and the corresponding spaces between the parallel lines at right angles are called the " dry branches."
Three of the u ahl sticks" (fig. 7) have a red stripe running down the middle and one has a blue stripe. They are held by the player in one hand and struck downward, so that their ends come on the uahl stone " with considerable force. If all the sticks fall with the sides without grooves uppermost, the play is called " white," and counts ten. If all the grooved sides come uppermost, it is called >k red," and counts five. Both of these throws entitle the player to another throw. I f one grooved side is uppermost, it counts one; two grooved sides, two, and three grooved sides, three. The game is played by any even number
1 Zohn, "creek;" ahl, ''wood."
-Nos. 16535, 16536, Mus. Arch. Univ. Penn. Collected by Lieut. II. I.. Rcott, l. 8. A.. who kindly furnished the description of the game.
688 REPORT OF NATIONAL MUSEUM, 1896.
of girls or women (never by men or boys), half on one side the line N S and half on the other. The flat aid stone is placed in the middle of the cloth, and the players kneel on the edge. The two awls are stuck in the creek at 1 1. The player at A makes the first throw, and the throwing goes around the circle in the direction of the hands of a watch, each side counting the results of each throw on the uawl cloth" by sticking its awl just beyond the mark called for by the results of the throw. The moves are made in opposite directions, as indicated by the arrows.
If in counting any awl gets into the "creek" at N, that side must forfeit a counter to the other side and be set back to the "creek"' at S. That side is then said to have fallen into the "creek," the object being to "jump over." If in their passage around the circle the two "awls" get in the same division, the last comer is said to whip or kill the former, who forfeits a counter, and is set back to the beginning. The counting continues until one gets back to the "creek" at S. The one first at S receives a counter, and if there is more than enough to take it to the "creek," the surplus is added to the next round; that is, the "creek" is jumped, and the "awl" put beyond it as many points as may be over. When one side wins all the counters, it conquers. If the game should be broken up before this event, the side which has the greater number of counters is the victor.1
See account of game by Mr. James Mooney on page 731.
This game was selected for exhibition from many similar games played by different tribes in America as readily illustrating the probable derivation of the four staves. Three of them will be seen to appear to be marked on one face with the feathered shaftment of an arrow, while the fourth probably represents the atlatl or " throwing stick."
In the following pages a description is given of implements for Amer- ican games of the preceding type contained in various museums of the United States, together with accounts of the methods of play, arranged alphabetically under linguistic families and tribes. For the purpose of comparison all games in which objects are tossed to determine number are included. Their relations one to another, whatever they may be, will doubtless become apparent through this and subsequent collections.
Lieutenant Scott further states that the Kiowa have a custom of wetting the fing<rs ami Blapping them several times on the stone hefore a throw, and calling out "red, red,'' or "'white, white, '' according to the number they desire to count; or, if but •• one " should be required to throw the opposite party into the ''creek,*' some- one puts her tinker into her mouth, and, drawing it carefully across the top of the -tone, calls out parko. parko ("'one, one")- Often hefore the throw the thrower will rub the tour sticks in a vertical position backward and forward several times between the palnis of the hands, to insure good luck.
"The Comanche have a similar game which they play with eight ahl sticks, and the < heyenne and Arapaho are said to have a game which they play with ahl sticks, which are 2 feet or more long.*' (H. L. $.)
CHESS AND PLAYING-CARDS.
G89
ALGONQUIAN STOCK.
Arapaho. Cheyenne and Arapaho .Reservation, Indian Territory. (Cat. Nos. 152802, 152803, U.S.N.M.) Set of five dice of buffalo bone, marked on one side with burned
Fig. 8.
SET OF BONE DICE.
Lengths, £ and If inches. Arapaho Indians, Indian Territory.
Cat. No. 152S02, U.S.N.M.
designs (fig. 8), and basket of woven grass, 9 inches in diameter at top and 2J inches deep (fig. 9). The rim of the basket is bound with cotton clotb, and the inner side of the bottom is covered with the same
Fig. 9.
BASKET FOR DICE GAME.
Diameter, 9 inches.
Arapaho Indians, Indian Territory.
<\v. N - -'. D.S.N.M.
material. The game is played by women. Collected by James Mooney, 1891.
NAT MUS 90 14
690 REPORT OF NATIONAL MUSEUM, 1896.
The following account of the game is given by the collector:1
The dice game is called ta-ii seta Una (literally, "striking" or "throwing against" something) by the Arapaho, and Monxhimiinh by the Cheyenne, the same name being now gh en to the modern card games. It was practically universal among all the tribes east and west, and, under the name of hubbub, is described by a New England writer2 as far back as 1631 almost precisely as it exists to-day among the prairie tribes. The only difference seems to have been that in the east it was played also by the men, and to the accompaniment of a song, such as is used in the hand games of the \\<stern tribes. The requisites are a small wicker bowl or basket (hat c chi na), five dice made of bone or plum stones, and a pile of tally sticks, such as are used in the aw] game. The bowl is 6 or 8 inches in diameter and about 2 inches deep, and is woven in basket fashion of the tough fibers of the yucca. The dice may be round, elliptical, or diamond shaped, and are variously marked on one side with lines or figures, the turtle being a favorite design among the Arapaho. Two of the five must be alike in shape and marking. The other three are marked with another design and may also be of another shape. Any number of women and girls may play, each throwing in turn, and sometimes one set of partners playing against another. The partners toss up the dice from the basket, letting them drop again into it, and score points accord- ing to the way the dice turn up in the basket. The first throw by each player is made from the hand instead of from the basket. One hundred points usually count a game, and stakes are wagered on the result as in almost every other Indian contest of skill or chance. For the purpose of explanation we shall designate two of the live as "rounds" and the other three as "diamonds," it being understood that only the marked side counts in the game, exceptiug when the throw happens to turn up the three " diamonds" blank while the other two show the marked side, or, as some- times happens, when all five dice turn up blank. In every case all of one kind at least must turn up to score a point. A successful throw entitles the player to another throw, while a failure obliges her to pass the basket to someone else. The formula is :
1 only of either kind = 0
2 rounds = 3
3 diamonds (both rounds with blank side up) =3
3 diamonds blank (both rounds with marked side up) = 3
4 marked side up = 1
5 (all) blank sides up = 1 5 (all) marked sides up = 8
A game similar in principle, but played with six dice instead of five, is also played by the Arapaho women, as well as by those of the Comauche and probably also of other tribes.
Auapaho. Indian Territory. (Oat. No. 165765, U.S.N.M.)
et of five bone dice marked on convex side with burned designs (fig. 10), and much worn basket of woven grass 10 inches in diameter at top and 2 inches deep (fig. 11). Collected by H. E. Voth.
Arapaho. Indian Territory. (Cat. No. 165765a, U.S.N.M.)
Set of five wooden dice, marked on one side with burned designs (fig. 12), representing on three a swallow or swallow hawk, and on two a dragon-fly. With preceding (Cat. No. 165765). Collected by H. R. Voth.
1 The Ghost Daruc religion, Fourteenth Annual Report of the Bureau of Ethnology, Washington, 1896, II, p. 1001. -William Wood, New England Prospect, London, 1634.
CHESS AND PLAYING-CARDS.
691
Mr. dishing suggested to the writer that these blocks were probably derived from similar gaming implements made of shards of pottery.
Arapaho. Darlington, Oklahoma.
Set of four dice; two oval bones, 1£ inches in greatest diameter with
Fig. 10.
SET OF BONE DICE.
Length, 1$ to 2£ inches. Arapaho Indians, Indian Territory.
Cat. No. 165765, U.S.N.M.
burned designs on one side, and two worked peach stones, also burned || inch in greatest diameter (fig. 13). Opposite sides unmarked. Also shallow basket of woven grass, 9J inches in diameter at top and If
Fig. 11.
BASKET FOR DICE GAME.
Diameter, 10 inoht Arapaho Indians, Indian Territory.
Cat. No. 165765, U.S.N.M-
inches deep. Collected by Mr. Abram I). Nace about 1888. They are now in the private collection of Mr. Charles H. Stephens, of Phila- delphia, Pennsylvania.
Cheyenne. Cheyenne and Arapaho Reservation, Indian Territory. (Cat. No. 152803, U.S.N.M.) Set of five bone dice marked on one side with burned designs
692
REPORT OF NATIONAL MUSEUM, 1896.
(tig. 14), and basket of woven grass 8J inches in diameter at top and L'A inches deep (fig. 15). Both sides of the bottom are covered with cotton cloth. Played by women. Collected by Mr. James Mooney, 1891.
Mr. George Bird Grinnell has kindly furnished the writer with the following un- published account of the Cheyenne basket game, which he de- scribes under the name of Mon shi mo ut.
Fig. 12.
SET OF WOODEN DICE.
Length, 1| inches. Arapaho Indiana, Indian Territory.
Cat. No. 165765a, U.S.N. M.
The Cheyenne seed, or
basket game, is played
with a shallow bowl and five plum stones. The bowl (Plate 4) is from 3 to 4 inches
deep, 8 inches across at the top — flattened or not on the bottom — and woven of grass
or strips of willow twigs. It is nearly one-half an inch thick, and is strong. All
Fig. VS. GAMING DISKS, BONE AND WORKED PEACH STONES.
Diameters, 1£ and ^{j inches. Arapaho, Oklahoma.
Collection of Charles H. Stephens.
five seeds are unmarked on one side, but on the other (Plate 4) three are marked with a figure represeuting the paint patterns often used by girls on their faces, the cross being on the bridge of the nose, the side marks on the cheeks, and the
Fig. 14.
SET OF BONE DICE.
Lengths, J and 1J inches. Cheyenne Indians, Indian Territory.
Cat. No. 152803, U.S.N. M.
upper and lower ones on the forehead and chin, respectively. The other two stones are marked with a figure representing the foot of a bear.1 These plum-stones are placed in the basket, thrown up and caught in it, and the
Mr. ( nailing identifies the mark of the. cross with a star and the other with a 1). Hi's track, referring, respectively, to the sky and earth.
Report of U. S. National Museum, 1896.— Culm
Plate 4.
■%r\^*,~ ***** ■*t0HiJ*rt*fcw.tm
V **Hr l£* r ■ -,r% AE
Plum Stones and Basket for Game.
Cheyenne Indians, Montana.
Collection of Bird GrinnelL
CHESS AND PLAYING-CARDS.
693
combination of the sides which lie uppermost after they have fallen, determines the count of the throw.
The players sit opposite one another, and, if several are playing, in two rows facing each other. Each individual bets with the woman opposite to her. Each player is provided with eight sticks, which represent the points which she must gain or lose to win or lose the game. When a player has won all the sticks belonging to her opponent she has won the game and the stake.
There are several combinations of marks and blanks which count nothing for or against the player making the throw, except that she loses her chance to make another throw. Others entitle the thrower to receive one, three, or even all eight sticks, and each throw that counts anything entitles the player to another throw. All the players on the side of the thrower, i. e., in the same row, win or lose from those opposite to them as the thrower wins or loses. If the person making the iirst throw casts a blank, she passes the basket to the one sitting next her; if tnis one makes a throw that counts, she has another and another, until she throws a
Fig. 15.
BASKET FOR DICE GAME.
Diameter at top, 8£ inches. Cheyenne Indians, Indian Territory.
Cat. No. 152803, U.S.N. M.
blank, when the basket passes on. When the basket reaches the end of the line, it is handed across to the woman at the end of the opposite row, and in the same way travels down the opposite line.
In making the throw the basket is raised only a little way, and the stones tossed only a few inches high. Before they fall the basket is brought smartly down to the ground, against which it strikes with some little noise. Some of the throws are given below, the sides of the seeds being designated by their marks:
2 blanks, 2 bears, and 1 cross count nothing.
4 blanks and 1 bear count nothing.
5 blanks count I point; thrower takes 1 stick.
3 blanks and 2 bears count 1 point; thrower takes 1 stick.
1 blank, 2 bears, and 2 crosses count 1 point; thrower takes 1 stick.
2 blanks and 3 crosses count 3 points; thrower takes 3 sticks.
2 bears and 3 crosses count 8 points; thrower takes 8 sticks, and wins the game.
The women do not sing at this game, but they chatter and joke continually a> the play goes on.
fi94
REPORT OF NATIONAL MUSEUM, 1896.
Mr. Grinnell informs me that the specimen figured came from the "Northern Cheyenne Agency, officially kno\vn as the Tongue River Agemy. in Montana, the Indians living on Rosebud and Tongue rivers, which are tributaries of the Yellowstone from the south. At the same time the southern Cheyennes of Indian Territory have the same game."
Chippewa. Lake Superior Region.
Schoolcraft1 describes the bowl game of the Chippewa under the name ol'pugyesainy.
2
Fig. 16.
DICE FOR BOWL GAME.
Chippewa Indians.
After Schoolcraft.
It i< played with thirteen pieces, uine of which are formed of bone and four of braes, all of circular shape fig. 10). The right side of the eight pieces of hone are stained red. with edges and dots burned black with a hot iron; the reverse is white. The braefl pieces have the right side convex and the reverse concave. The convex surface is bright, the concave dark or dull.
The first piece, called iuinees, or ogima, represents a ruler. No. 2 typifies an am- phibious monster, and is called '/itchy kindbik, or tbe great serpent. No. 3 represents the war club. No. 4 is a fish [kenozha). No. 5 are small disks of brass, and Xo. 6, a duck. h1ic< xheeb.
Information respecting the history, conditions, and prospects of the Indian tribes
of the b'uited .States, Philadelphia, 1863, II, p. 72.
CHESS AND PLAYING-CARDS. 695
The game is won by the red pieces, the arithmetical value of each of which is fixed, and the count, as in all games of chance, is advanced or retarded by the luck of the throw. Nothing is required but a wooden bowl, which is curiously carved and ornamented (the owner relying somewhat on magic influence), and having a plain, smooth surface.
The author gives the counts for sixteen different throws from one hundred and fifty-eight down to two.
Long1 gives the following description of the bowl game among the Chippewa:
Athtergain, or miss none but catch all, is also a favorite amusement with them, in which the women frequently take part. It is played with a number of hard beans, black and white, one of which has small spots and is called king; they are put into a shallow wooden bowl and shaken alternately by each party, who sit on the ground opposite to one another; whoever is dexterous enough to make the spotted bean jump out of the bowl receives of the adverse party as many beans as there are spots; the rest of the beans do not count for anything.
The following account, given by J. G. Kohl,2 who does not designate the particular tribe, probably refers to the Chippewa:
The game called by the Indians pagessan, and which I frequently saw played, the Canadians call le jeu an plat (the game of the bowl). It is a game of hazard, but skill plays a considerable part in it. It is played with a wooden bowl and a number of small figures bearing some resemblance to our chessmen. They are usually carved very neatly out of bones, wood, or plum stones, and represent various things — a fish, a hand, a door, a man, a canoe, a half-moou, etc. They call these figures pagessan ag (carved plum stones), and the game has received its name from them. Each figure has a foot on which it can stand upright. They are all thrown into a wooden bowl (in Indian onagan), whence the French name is derived. The players make a hole in the ground and thrust the bowl with the figures into it, while giving it a slight shake. The more figures stand upright on the smooth bottom of the bowl through this shake all the better for the player. Each figure has its value, and some of them represent to a certain extent the pieces in the game of chess. There are also other figures, which may similarly be called the pawns. The latter, carved into small round stars, are all alike, have no pedestal, but are red on one side and plain on the other, and are counted as plus or minus according to the side uppermost. With the pawns it is a perfect chance which side is up, but with the pieces much depends on the skill with which the bowl is shaken. The other rules and mode of calculation are said to be very complicated, and the game is played with great attention and passion.
Cree. In Father Lacombe's Cree dictionary ' we fimljende ha8ard,pakes8ewin.
Illinois. Illinois.
It would appear from a manuscript Illinois dictionary in the library of Dr. J. Hammond Trumbull4 that this tribe was familiar with the game of plum-stones.
1 J. Long, Voyages and Travels of an Indian Interpreter, London, 1701. p. 52.
2 Kitchi-Gami, Wanderings Round Lake Superior, London, 1860, p. 82.
3ReV. Pero Alb. Lacombe, Dictionnaire de la languo des Cris, Montreal. 1874. 4 Andrew McFarland Davis, Indian Games, Bulletin of the Essex Institute, XVIII, p. 187.
(J!)!! REPORT OF NATIONAL MUSEUM, 1896.
M ass aciiusetts. Massachusetts. William Wood, iu his " New England Prospect," ' relates the following :
They have two sorts of games, one called puim, the other hubbub, not much unlike (aids and dice. Hubbub is five small hones in a small smooth tray, the hones he like a die bul something Hatter, black on the one side and white on the other, which they place on the ground, gainst which violently thumping the platter, the hones mount changing colors with the windy whiskiug of their hands to and fro, which action in that sport they much use, smiting themselves on the hreast and thighs, crying out Huh Huh Huh. They may he heard playing this game a quarter of a mile on0. The hones heing all black or white make a double game: if three of one color and two of another, then they afford hut a single game; four of a color and
oue differing is nothing. So long as the man wins he keeps the tray, but if he lose the next man takes it.
Menominee. Wisconsin.
Dr. Walter J. Hoffman2 describes the Menominee form of the game under the name of a Icqa' shcok.
It was frequently played in former times, but of late is rarely seen. It is played for ■^igl7, purposes of gambling, either by two indi-
gambling bowl. viduals or by two sets of players. A hem-
Menominee Indians. ispheric bowl (fig. 17), made out of the
After Hoffman. large round nodules of a maple root, is
cut and hollowed out. The howl is symmetric and is very nicely finished. It meas- ures 13 inches in diameter at the rim, and is 6 inches in depth. It measures f inch in thickness at the rim, hut gradually increases in thickness toward the bottom, which is about an inch thick. There are forty counters, called ma'atik, made of twigs or trimmed sticks of pine or other wood, each about 12 inches long and from i to £ inch thick. Half of these are colored red, the other half black, or perhaps left their natural whitish color.
The dice or asla'sianok consists of eight pieces of deer horn, about f inch in diam- eter and ^ inch thick, but thinner toward the edges. Sometimes plum-stones or even pieces of wood are taken, one side of them heing colored red, the other side remaining white or uucolored. When the players sit down to play the bowl containing the dice is placed on the ground between the opponents; bets are made; the first player begins a song in which the other players as well as the spectators join. At a certain moment the one to play first strikes the bowl a smart tap, which causes the dice to fly upward from the bottom of the bowl, and as they fall and settle the resultis watched with very keen interest. The value represented by the position of.the dice represents the number of counters which the player is permitted to take from the ground. The value of the throw is as follows :
First throw, 1 red dice and 4 white, a draw. ■
Second throw, 5 red dice and 3 white, counts 1. Third throw, (> red dice and 2 white, counts 4. Fourth throw, 7 red dice and 1 white, counts 20. Fifth throw, 8 red dice and 0 white, counts 40. The players strike the howl alternately until one person wins all the counters — both those on the ground and those which the opponent may have won.
1 London, 1634.
'The Menominee Indians, Fourteenth Annual Report of the Bureau of American Ethnology, p. 241.
CHESS AND PLAYING-CARDS.
697
Micmac. Nova Scotia. (Cat. No. 18850, Mus. Arch., Univ. Penu.)
Set of six buttons of vegetable ivory (fig. 18) (actual buttons), about J inch in diameter, rounded and unmarked on one side and tint with a dot- ted cross on the other, being modern substitutes for similar objects of caribou bone. Bowl of wood (fig. 19), nearly flat, 11J inches in diameter. Fifty-one round counting- sticks (fig. 20), 7J inches in length, and four counting- sticks (fig. 21),7£inchesinlength. Col- lected by the donor, Stans- bury T. Hager. The follow- ing account of the game is given by the collector : '
A game much in use within the wigwams of the Micmac in
former times is that called by some writers altestakun or woltes takun. By good native authority it is said that the proper name for it is wdlttstomkwon. It is a kind of dice
Fig. 18. SET OF BUTTONS FOR DICE IN WOLTES TAKUN.
Diameter, g inch. Micmac Indians, Nova Scotia.
Cat. No. 18850, Museum of Aivha-ology, University of Pennsylvania.
Fig. 19.
WOODEN BOWL FOR W5LT*B TAKlNN.
Diameter, \\\ Inches.
Micmac Indians, Nova Scotia.
Cat. No. 18850, Museum of Archeology, I'niv. rsity of Pennsylvania.
game of unknown antiquity, undoubtedly of pre-Columbian 01 igin. [t is played upon a circular wooden dish-properly rock maple— almost exactly a foot m diamt
1 Micmac Customs andTraditions, The American Anthropologist, January, 1895, p. 31.
698
REPORT OF NATIONAL MUSEUM, 1896.
hollowed to a depth of about finch in the center. This dish plays an important Bole in i he older legends of the Micinacs. Filled with water and left over night, its appearance next morning serves to reveal hidden knowledge of past, present, and future. It is also said to have been used as a vessel upon an ark'ite trip. The dice of caribou bone are six in number, having Hat faces and rounded sides. One face is plain; the other bears a dotted cross (lig. 18). AY In u all the marked or all the unmarked faces are turned up there is a count of five points; if five marked faces and one unmarked face or five unmarked faces and one marked face are turned up, one point results; if a die falls off the dish there is no count. There are fifty-five counting sticks — fifty-one plain rounded ones about 74 inches long, a king-pin1 shaped like the forward half of an arrow, and three notched sticks, each present- ing half of the rear end of an arrow. These last four are about 8 inches long. Three of the plain sticks form a count of one point, the notched sticks have a value of five points, while the king-pin varies in value, being used as fifty-second plain stick, except when it stands alone in the general pile; then it has, like the notched sticks, a value of five points. Thus the possible points of the count are seventeen (one-third of fifty-one) on the plain sticks and fifteen (five times three) on the three notched sticks, a total of thirty-two; but by a complex system the count may be extended indefinitely. In playing the game two players sit opposite each other, their legs crossed in a characteristic manner, and the dish, or wolfes, between them usually placed on a thick piece of leather or cloth. A squaw keeps the score on the
Fig. 20.
COUNTING STICKS FOR WOLTES TAKUN.
Length, 7J inches. Micmac Indians, Nova Scotia.
Cat. No. 18850, Museum of Archaeology, University of Pennsylvania.
counting sticks, which at first lie together. The six dice are placed on a dish with their marked faces down ; one of the players takes the dish in both hands, raises it an inch or two from the ground, and brings it down again with considerable force, thus turning the dice. If all but one of the upturned faces are marked or unmarked,
'Mr. Hager informs me that the king-pin is called kesegoo — "the old man " — and that the notched sticks are his three wives and the plain sticks his children. The Micmac explains these names by saying that when a stranger calls the children come out of the wigwam first, then the women, and then the head of the family ; and bhie is tin- way it happens when one plays at woltrstomkwon. "The technical name for the king-pin is nandaymclgawasch and for the wives tkomoowaal, both of which names mean, they say, 'it counts five' and 'they count five.' Nan is the Micmac for 'live,' but no numeral of which I know appears in the second name." Mr. Hager regards the polygamous element in the game as a good indication of its antiquity, if, he adds, '-Mich indeed be necessary." Referring to the passes described by Mrs. W. \Y. Brown, in her paper on the games of the Wabanaki Indians (see p. 708), he says: "These passes arc made byHhe Micmac in wdltestomkwdn by passing the right hand rapidly to the left over the dish, and shutting it exactly as if catching a fly." Wedding ceremonies among the Micmac were celebrated by the guests for four days thereafter. On the first day they danced the serpent dance, on the second they played football (tooad'yik), on the third they played lacrosse (madijik), and on the fourth u'oltfstumkwun.
CHESS AND PLAYING-CARDS.
699
he repeats the toss and continues to do so as long as one of these combinations results. When he fails to score, the amount of his winnings is withdrawn from the general pile and forms the nucleus of his private pile. His opponent repeats the
Fig. 21.
COUNTING STICKS FOR WOLTES TAKUN.
Length. 7£ inches. Micmac Indians, Nova Scotia.
Cat. No. 18850, Museum of Archaeology, University of Pennsylvania.
dice-throwing until he also fails to score. Two successive throws of either a single point or of five points count thrice the amount of one throw; that is, three points or fifteen points, respectively. Three successive throws count five times as much as
Fig. 22.
counting sticks (gangi).
Length, 2 inohes.
Japan.
Cat. No. 18806, Museum of Archeology, l nlverrity of Panmyh
a single throw, etc. After the pile of counting-sticks has been exhausted, a new feature is introduced in the count. The player who scores firsi tak< B a single plain
stick from his pile and places it by Itself, with one of its sides lacing him- to repre-
TOO REPORT OF NATIONAL MUSEUM, 1896.
sent one point, and perpendicular to this, either horizontally or vertically, to rep- resent five points.'
lie continues to add sticks thus as he continues to score. This use of the sticks as counters to indicate unpaid winnings is a device for deferring further settlement until the game seems near its end, and also serves to increase the count indefinitely to meet the indefinite duration of the game, as after one player secures a token his opponent, when he scores,. merely reduces the former's pile by the value of his score. The reduction is effected l>y returning from the token pile to the private pile the amount of the opponent's score; hence at any time the token pile represents the amount of advantage which its owner has obtained since the last settlement. These settlements are made whenever either party may desire it; this, however, is supposed to be whenever a player's token pile seems to represent a value approaching the limit of his opponent's ability to pay. If his opponent should permit the settle- ment to be deferred until he were no longer able to pay his debts, then he would lose the game to the first player; whereas, if one player after the settlement retains fiv#e plain sticks but not more, a new feature is introduced which favors him. If, while retaining his five sticks, he can score five points before his opponent scores at all, he wins the game in spite of the much greater amount of his opponent's win- nings up to that point. If his opponent scores one point only before he obtains his five points, he still has a chance, though a less promising one. If, after paying over the three plain sticks that represent a single point two plain sticks still remain to him, he is then compelled to win seven points before his opponent wins one or he forfeits the game; but if he succeeds in winning his seven points, the game is still his. However, in these last chances he is further handicapped by the rule that he can at no time score more points than are represented in his private pile. Conse- quently, if with ouly five plain sticks in his possession he could only score a single point, even if his toss should call for five; but with six plain sticks he could score two points; with nine sticks, three, etc. The last chances are : With only five plain sticks, five points are necessary to win; with three sticks, six points; with two sticks, seven points ; with one stick, seven points. There are two other minor rules : One, that in counting five points on plain sticks four bundles of four each are given instead of five bundles of three each, as one should expect; total, sixteen. The other rule is that to count six points we use a notched stick plus only two plain sticks, instead of three, as might be expected.
This game may be regarded as an American analogue of the Chinese game of Chong iln ch'au (No. 27).
Mr. Hager states that the preceding game was invented and taught by the hero Glooscap. They also have a similar game called Wobund- runkj which, they say, was invented and owned by Mikchikch, the turtle, one of Glooscap's companions, to whose shell the dice bear some resem- blance.2 The name WdbUndrunh is derived from wobiin, meaning dawn ; to which is added a termination signifying anything molded or worked upon by human hands.3
'This system of scoring is identical with that used in Japan with the counting- sticks, or sangi (Chinese, siin muk). One is indicated by a stick arranged Arertically, and live by a stick placed horizontally. A set of sangi in the University Museum (Cat. No. 18300; (fig. 22), consists of one hundred and twenty-seven little wooden blocks, 1 inches in length, and about £ inch square in section. Sangi are, or rather were employed in Japan in the higher mathematics, the use of the soroban or abacus not being customary with scholars.
The account of WSbunwrwnk is from an unpublished manuscript by Mr. Hager, which lie courteously placed in my hands.
Prom the fact that white shell beads (wampum) are constantly referred to as being used as stakes, not only among the tribes of the Atlantic coast but in the
CHESS AND PLAYING-CARDS.
701
Fig. 23.
GAMING DISK FOR WOBUNARUNK.
Diameter, 1} inches. Miomac Indians, Xova Scotia.
From :i drawing by Stansbury Hager.
Tbe outfit for the game consists simply of six dice, made from moose or caribou bone, though one Micmac at least is positive that the teeth only of these animals can properly be used. In playing, these dice are thrown from the right hand upon the ground and the points are counted accord- ing to the number of marked or unmarked faces which fall uppermost. It is cus- tomary for a player to pass his hand quickly over the dice, if possible, after he has tossed them and before they reach the ground, in order to secure good luck. The shape of the dice is that of a decid- edly flattened hemisphere, the curved portion being unmarked. The base or flat surface is about the size of a 25- cent piece and presents three figures (fig. 23). Close to its edge there is a circle, touched at four points by a series of looped curves, which form a kind of cross. Within each of the four spaces thus separated is an
equal-armed cross composed of nine dots, which, with the dot in the center of the die, make a total of thirty-seven dots upon each piece, or of two hundred and twenty-two dots (37 by 6) used in the game.1
Southwest (see Cushing's account of tbe white shell beads used in Sho'-H-we), tbe writer is inclined to believe tbat tbe name of tbis same Wdbitnarunk is derived from the use of wampum (wobun, "white," so called from tbe wbito heads), as stakes for which it was played. Again, it may refer to the white disks ; but, however this maybe, a peculiar significance is attached to the use of sbell beads as gambling counters or stakes. In the Chinese game of Fan t'dn tbe stakes are represented by specially made white and black counters, known as wbito and black "pearls."
'"In view of the numerical suggestiveness of dots and of tbe presence of that peculiar repetition of numbers which characterizes all triple multiples of tbe key number thirty-seven, it may be worthy of note that the number of dots included in the seven counts of the game is seven hundred and seventy-seven. The Micmac lan- guage contains native words for numbers as great as a million, and, as Dr. Eland says, is capable of indefinite numerical extension, a fact which surely appears to involve some knowledge of the properties of numbers. That certain numbers have been used as symbols in ritual and myth is quite as unquestionable among the Micmacsas among so many tribes and peoples, primitive and otherwise. The impor- tance of such dice games in developing and extending the knowledge of numbers is self-evident. As to the figures upon the dice, tbe use of tbe cross from prehistoric times as a native symbol throughout the length and breadth of tbe Americas is too well known to justify further comment. The Micmacs painted it upon their canoes and wigwams and attributed to it marvelous efficacy as a healing power. To play either Wdltrstdmkwon or Wdbundrunk with dice from which the cross is omitted would be certain, they believed, to bring dire misfortune upon all participants. Several Micmacs have related to me, almost word for \\ ord, the same Legend of the origin of the cross among them that was reported by IVro Leeb-reo, at (iaspemore than two centuries ago; and it is noticeable that this legend contains no Christian element. They also associated this symbol with the four quarters into which they divided the land for the purpose of collecting medicinal roots and herbs, while a circle repre- sents to them either that of their win \\ am or of the horizon. The tl.it surface of the die, therefore, with its four crosses and surrounding circle, may symbolize the world-
702
REPORT OF NATIONAL MUSEUM, 1896.
The count is as follows:
If t) marked faces fall face up, 50 points. If 5 marked faces fall face up, 5 points. If 4 marked laces fall lace up, 4 points. If 3 marked faces fall face op, 3 points. If 2 marked faces fall face up, 2 points. If 1 marked face falls face up, 1 point. If I) unmarked faces fall face up, 5 points. Total, 7 counts and 70 points.
The marks on the Micmac dice are similar to those on some of the inscribed shell beads known as runtee.s, found in the State of Xew York. One of these (fig. 24), (reproduced from Prof. W. H. Holmes's Art in Shell of the Ancient Americans),1 is from an ancient village site at Pompey, which Eev. W. M. Beauchamp, of Baldwinsville, Xew York, attributes to the seventeenth century. Mr. Beauchainp writes
me that both sides -are alike, and that it is pierced with two holes from edge to edge.
Micmac. Xew Brunswick, Canada. (Cat. Xo. 20125, Mus. Arch., Univ. Penn.) Set of six disks of caribou bone marked on the flat side (fig. 25); a platter of curly maple cut across the grain, 11J inches in diameter, and fifty- two wooden counting sticks about 8 inches in length (fig. 26), four being much broader than the others and of different shapes, as shown in the figure. Collected and deposited by Mr. George E. Starr, who purchased the game from a woman named Susan Perley, a member of a tribe calling themselves the Tobique, at an Indian village half a mile north of Andover, Xew Brunswick. Three of the disks and the counting sticks were made for the collector, while the platter and three of the disks shown in the upper row (fig. 25) are old. Two of the latter are made apparently of old bone
Fig. 24.
BNGBAVED SHELL BEAD (runtee).
Pompey, New York.
wide concept of the four earth regions encircled by the horizon line and beneath the curve of the sky represented by the curved surface. The looped figure may extend the fourfold division to the sky, or it may be merely a combination of the two other Bymbols. At least, that each design had some particular meaning can hardly be questioned, for the Micmac still objects to playing the game if one be incorrectly drawn. A comparison of the two Micmac dice games shows the same number of dice in each and the cross and circle appear on both sets, although in slightly differing size and design. The dice of one game are, however, never used in the other. Their counts differ radically, save that the ubiquitous number seven is prominent in both, and finally Wdbunarunk lacks altogether the bow- and arrow elements and their mystic attributes, still, the resemblance is sufficiently close to suggest a pos- sible unity of origin." B. II.)
1 Report of the Bureau of Ethnology, 1881, plate xxxiv, fig. 4.
CHESS AND PLAYING-CARDS.
703
buttons, there being a hole on the reverse in which the shank fitted. The designs on the faces are not the same. The woman informed Mr. Starr that the game was called Altes tdgen, and that it was played by two persons, one of whom places the counting sticks in a pile together. Then the stones are placed at random in the plate, which is held in both hands and struck sharply ou the ground so as to make the stones Hy in the air and turn before landing in the plate again. A player continues as long as he scores, taking counters from the pile of sticks according to his throw. When the pile is exhausted, each having ob- tained part, the game is continued until one wins them all. Three plain sticks count one point. The three carved sticks each count four points,
Fig. 25.
BONE GAMINO DISKS.
Diameter, 1 inch.
Tobique (Micniac) Indians, New Brunswick.
Cat. No. 20126, Museum Archeology, University of Pennsylvania.
or twelve plain sticks. The snake-like stick is kept to the last, and equals three plain sticks, and a throw that counts three is necessary to take it.
Micmac. New Brunswick. (Cat. No. 50804, Peabody Museum.)
Set of six dice made of antler, j to J inch in diameter, marked on flat side with six-rayed star; bowl of birch wood, 1 1 \ inches ill diameter, and fifty-four counting sticks (fig. 27), consisting of fifty plain sticks and four larger sticks. The latter comprise one stick with three serra- tions on side near one end, two each with four serrations, and one resembling the feathered shaftment of an arrow with three serrations ou either side. Collected by Mr. G. M. West
MiCMAC. Hampton, New Brunswick. (Cat. No. 50792, Peabody Museum.) Five dice of antler, J to J inch in diameter, marked on tlat side with four-rayed star; bowl of birch wood, 9J inches in diameter, and tilt v two
704
REPORT OF NATIONAL MUSEUM, 1896.
counting sticks consisting of forty-eight plain sticks and four larger sticks. The latter comprise one stick with five serrations on one side uear one end, two, each with four serrations, and one resembling leathered arrow shaftment with serrations on each side. The counting sticks in this and the preceding game are in part of bamboo.
It will be subsequently shown that the greater part of the objects used as dice, canes, blocks, bones and beaver teeth, in the games of this series can be directly traced to cane arrows and the atlatl or throwing stick. While such a connection can not be established for the engraved
Fig. 26.
COUNTING STICKS FOR ALTES TAGEN.
Length, about 8 inches. Micmac Indians, Xew Brunswick.
Cat. No. 20125, Museum Archwology, University of Pennsylvania.
bone disks of the Micmac, the three arrows and atlatl appear in the counting sticks (fig. 21). In some sets (as fig. 31) the atlatl appears replaced by a bow or serpent-like object.
N a B i:ai . ANSBTT. Rhode Island.
Roger Williams, in his u Key into the Language of America,"1 describes the games of the Narragausett as of two sorts — private and public. "They have a kiude of dice which are Plumb stones painted, which they cast iii a Tray with a mighty noyse and sweating." He gives the following words referring to this game: Wuimaugonhommin, "to
London, 1643; Collections of the Rhode Island Historical Society. I, Providence, l^i-T: also, Collections of the Massachusetts Historical Society, for the year 1794, III, p. 324. Cited by Andrew MeFarland Davis, Indian Games, Bulletin of the Essex fastitnte, XVIII. p. 173, to whom I am indebted ior the reference.
CHESS AND PLAYING-CARDS. 705
play at dice in their Tray ;w Asauanash, "the painted plumb stones with which they throw;" and JPuttuckquapuonek, "A playing Arbour." He
describes the latter as made of long poles set in the earth, four square, 16 or 20 feet high, on which they hang great store of their stringed money, having great staking, town against town, and two choseu out of the rest by course to play the game at this kind of dice in the midst of all their abettors, with great shouting and solemnity. He also says:
The chief gamesters among them much desire to make their gods side with them in their games; therefore 1 have seen them keep as a precious stone a piece of thun- derbolt, which is like unto a crystal, which they dig out of the ground under some tree thunder smitten, and from this stone they have an opinion of success.
Nipissing. Forty miles above Montreal, Canada.
Mr. J. A. Cuoq 1 describes the plum stone game among this tribe under the name of Pakesanak, which he says is the usual name given to five plum-stones, each marked with several dots on one side only. Four or five women squatting around a blanket make the stones jump about the height of their forehead, and according to their falling on one or the other side the fate of the player is decided. Of late the game has been improved by using a platter instead of a cover (blanket), which caused the name of the " game of platter " to be given it by the whites.
The name pakesanak is the plural of pakesan, defined as noyau, jeu. Dr. A. S. Gatschet has kindly given me the following analysis of this word : pake = to fall, to let fall, s = diminutive, an = suffix of inanimate nouns.
Norridgewock. Xorridgewock, Maine.
In the Dictionary of Father Sebastian Rasles,2 a number of words' referring to games are defined,4 from which it appears that the Xor- ridgewock Indians played a game with a bowl and eight disks (ronds), counting with grains. The disks were black on one side and white on the other. If black and white turned up four and four, or five and
1 Lexique de la Langue Algonquine, Montreal, 1880.
'Memoirs American Academy of Science and Arts, new series, I, Cambridge, 1833.
3Je joue avec des ronds blancs d'uu cote et noirs de L'antre, ncderakke, v. nedanmh4, v. ncdaSv' annar.
Les ronds, esse' Siinar; les grains, tat/Sssak.
Les grains du jeu du plat, dicuntur dtiain, esscSanar.
Lors qu'ils s'eu trouve du nombre de 8, 5 blancs et 3 noirs, v. ."> noirs et 3 blanos, vebarham, keb, etc. (on ne tire rion); idem lit de 4 blancs et 4 noirs.
Lors qu'il y en a 6 d'une couleur, et 2 de l'antre, neme88damf ion tire 1 -rains').
Lors qu'il y en a 7d'une meme couleur, el qu'un de L'antre, ned4n48i on en tire 10).
Lors qu'ils sont tons 8 de meme couleur, n8rihara (on <-n tire 20).
Xes(ika8i, je plante un bois dans terre p'r marqner lea parties.
Je lui gagne une partie, je mets un bois p'r, etc., neg8dagaharaH.
Xt'dasahamaiikS, il me demarqne une partie, il 6te un bois, etc.
Jejoue au plat, n8afirad4hdma 3. 8an mc.
Mets les petits ronds, etc., p8nS fys48anor.
Nedvrakebena, je les mets.
4 Indian Games, Bulletin of the Bases Lnatitate, Will, p. lv7. NAT MUS 90 45
706
REPORT OF NATIONAL MUSEUM, 1896.
three, there was no count; six and two counted four; seven and one, ten: and all eight of the same color, twenty. Davis remarks that "according to Kasles, the count was sometimes kept by thrusting
^
-3
Fig. 27.
COUNTING STICKS.
Length, 8 to 8£ inches. Micmac Indians, New Brunswick.
Cat. No. 50804, Peabcdy Museum of American Archaeology.
sticks into the ground. This is shown by Indian words used in the games which Rasles interprets respectively: 'I thrust a stick in the ground to mark the games f lI win a game from liim; I place a stick,' etc.; 'He takes the mark for a game away from me; he removes a
stick,' etc.; 'He takes away all my marks; he re- moves them all," etc.
Ojibwa.
Tanner1 describes the game as follows, under the name of Bugga-sanlc or Beg-ga-sah:
The beg-ga-sali-nuk are small pieces of wood, bone, or sometimes of brass, made by cutting up an old kettle. One side they stain or color black, the other they aim to have bright. These may vary in number, but can never be fewer than nine. They are put together in a large wooden bowl or tray kept for the purpose. The two parties, sometimes twenty or thirty, sit down opposite to each other or in a circle. The play consists in striking the edge of the bowl in such a manner as to throw all the beg-ga-sah-nuk into the air, and on the'manner in which they fall into the tray depends his gain or loss. If his stroke has been to a certain extent fortunate, the player strikes again and again, as in the game of billiards, until he misses, when it passes to the next.
The Bev. Peter Jones2 says:
In these bowl plays they use plum-stones. One side is burnt black and the other is left its natural color. Seven of these plums are placed in a wooden bowl and are then tossed up and caught. If they happen to turn up all white, or all black, they count so many. This is altogether a chance game.
TA Narrative of the Captivity and Adventures of John Tanner, New York, 1830, p. 111.
- History of the Ojibwa Indians, London, 1861, p. 135.
Fig. 28.
BONE DIE USED IN HOWL
game (all tes-teg-enuk).
Passamaq noddy Indians,
Maine.
After drawing by Mrs.W.W. Brown
CHESS AND PLAYING-CARDS.
707
Passamaquoddy. Maine.
The bowl game among these Indians is described by Mrs. W. W. Brown, J of Calais, Maine, under the name of All-tea teg-en uk.
Fig. 29.
MANNER OF HOLDING DiSH IN ALL-TES-TEG-ENUK.
Passamaquoddy Indians, Maine.
After Mrs. \V. W. Brown.
It is played by two persons kneeling, a folded blanket between them serving as a cushion on which to strike the shallow wooden dish, named wal-tah-li il-mo g' n . This dish contains six thin bone disks (fig. 28), about £ inch in diameter, carved and col- ored on one side and plain on the other. These are tossed or turned over by holding
E
3*
f£
Fig. 30.
COUNTING STICKS.
Length, f>i to C>1 inches. - Passamaquoddy Indians, Blaine.
From sketch by Mrs. W. W. Brown.
the dish firmly in the hands and striking down hard on the cushion (tig. 29). For counting in this game there are forty eight small sticks, almost ;"> inches in length, named ha-f/d-ta-md-ffti'iil; lour somewhat larger, named t'k'm-inni-tcal, and one notched, called non-ft-da-ma-wuch (fig. 30).
'Some Indoor and Outdoor Games of the Wabanaki Indians, Trans. Boy. 9 Canada, Sec. II, 1888, p. 41.
708
REPOKT OF NATIONAL MUSEUM, 1896.
All the sticks are placed in a pile. The disks are put in the dish without order; each contestant can play while he wins, but, on his missing, the other takes the dish. Turning all the disks hut one, the player takes three small sticks; twice in succes- sion, nine sticks; three times in succession, one big stick or twelve small ones. Turning all alike once, he takes a big stick; twice in succession three big ones, or two, and lays a small one out to show what is done; three times in succession he stands a big stick up— equal to sixteen small ones from the opponent— the notched one to be the last taken of the small ones, it being equal to three.
When all the small sticks are drawn and there are large ones left in the pile instead of taking three from the opponent the players lay one out to show that the other owes three sticks, and so on until the large ones are won. Then, unless the game is a draw, the second and more interesting stage begins, and the sticks have different value. Turning all the disks but one, the player lays out one, equal to four from an opponent. Turning all the disks but one, twice in succession, he lays three
out, equal to twelve from the other — three times in succession — stands one up, equal to one large or sixteen small ones. Turning all alike, he sets up one large one, twice in succession; then three large ones or, lacking these, three small ones for each large one. This would end the game if the opponent had none standing, as there would be no sticks to pay the points. But a run of three times of one kind in succession is unusual. When one has not enough sticks to pay points won by the other, comes the real test of skill, although the former has still several superior chances to win the game. If he has five sticks, he has three chances; if seven or nine sticks, he has five chances— that is, he places the disks in position, all one side up, for each of the tosses ; the other contestant takes his turn at playing, but can not place the disks. Then giving the dish a peculiar slide, which they call la Ink, or "running down hill like water," and at the same time striking it down on the cushion, he may, unless the luck is sadly against him, win twice out of three times trying.
To this day it is played with great animation, with incantations for good link and exorcising of evil spirits, by waving of hands aud crying tjon-tel-eg-ua-witch. At a run of ill luck there are peculiar passes made over the dish and a muttering of Mic-macsqus iiJc n'me lul-oolc ("I know there is a Micinac squaw around").
One of their legends tells of a game played by Youth against Old Age. The old man had much m'ta-ou-lin (magic power). He had regained his youth several times by inhaling the breath of youthful opponents. He had again grown old and sought another victim. When he found one whom he thought suited to his purpose, he invited him to a game of All-tcs-tcg-entU: The young man was also a m'ta-ou-lhi, and for a po-he-gan had K'che-bal-lock (spirit of the air) and, consequently, knew the old man's intention, yet he consented to a game. The old man's lodl-tah-hd-mo'y'n
Fig. 31.
SET OF COUNTING STICKS FOlt WER-LAR-DA-HAR MUN GUN.
Penobscot Indians, Maine.
Cat. No. 16551, Museum of Archeology, University of Pennsylvania.
CHESS AND PLAYING-CARDS.
709
was a skull, and the dll-tes-teg-enuk were the eyes of former victims. The game was a long ami exciting one, hut at each toss off hy the young man the disks were carried a little higher hy his po-hc-gan until they disappeared altogether. This broke up a game that has never heen completed. The legend says that the old man still waits and the young man still outwits him.
Another Passamaquoddy game is described by Mrs. Brown under the name of Wy-pe7i-og-eniik.
This game, like AU-tes-teg-eniik, has long heen a gamhling game. The disks are very similar, hut larger, and eight in numher. The players stand opposite each other with a blanket spread on the ground between them. The disks are held in the palm of the hand, and "chucked" on the blanket. This game is counted with sticks, the contestants determining the number of points necessary to win before commencing to play.
Penobscot. " Oldtown Indians," Maine. (Cat. No. 16551, Mus. Arch.,
Univ. Penn.)
Set of counting-sticks of unpainted white wood (fig. 31), copied at
the Chicago Exposition by a Penobscot Indian from those in a set of
gaming implements consisting of dice, counters and bowl, there ex-
Fig. 32.
LIMESTONE DISKS, POSSIBLY USED IN GAME.
a, 1 inch in diameter; b, g inch in diameter. Nottawaaaga, Ontario, Canada.
Archaeological Museum, Toronto, Canada.
hibited by the late Chief Joseph Nicolar of Oldtown. The latter fur- nished the writer with the following account of the game under the name of Wer-lar-<l<i-har mini gun.
The buttons used as dice in this game are, made from the shoulder blade of a moose; the counters of cedar wood. The latter are fifty-five in number, fifty-one being rounded splints about 6 inches in length, three flat splints of the same length, and one made in a zigzag shape. A soft bed is made in the ground, or on the floor, forthe dish to strike on. Two persons having been selected to play the game, they seat themselves opposite to each other. The buttons are placed in the dish and it is tossed up and brought down hard upon its soft bed. If live of the si\ buttons have the same side up, the player takes three round splints, but it' the entire six turn the same side up, it is called a double, and the player takes one of the tl.it ones. The game is continued until all the counters are drawn.
It might naturally be inferred that remains of the bone disks used in the bowl game would be found in our archaeological museums, bul as yet I have not met with any. On the other hand small disks of pot tery and of stone frequently marked on one face are not uncommon, and are usually classified as gaining implements. I am indebted to Mr. David Boyle, curator of the Archaeological Museum, Toronto, for the sketch, fig. 32 a representing a small disk of soft white limestone
710 REPORT OF NATIONAL MUSEUM, 1896.
from his collection, engraved with a cross on one side, fig. 32 b repre- senting a similar disk with a cross on both sides.
Siksika (Blackfeet). Canada. Rev. Edward F. Wilson1 says:
Their chief amusements are horse racing and gambling. For the latter of these they employ dice of their own construction — little cubes of wood, with signs instead of numbers marked upon them. These they shake together in a wooden dish.
Mr. J. W. Tims2 gives Jcats&stnni as a general term for gambling.
Mr. George Bird Grinnell has furnished me with the following unpub- lished account of the stave game among the Blackfeet, which he describes under the name of 0 ties tehy "The stick or travois3 game."
This is a woman's gambling game, in vogue among the tribes of the Blackfoot nation, who know nothing of the basket or seed game, so generally played by the more southern plains tribes.
Four straight bones — made from buffalo ribs — 6 or 8 inches long, £ inch thick, and about f inch wide, and tapering gradually to a blunt point at either end, are used in playing it (Plate 5). Three of these bones are unmarked on one side, and the fourth on this side has three or five transverse grooves running about it at its mid- dle, or sometimes no grooves are cut and the bone is marked by having a buckskin string tied around it. On their other sides the bones are marked, two of them by zigzag lines, running from one end to the other; another, called the chief, has thirteen equally distant holes drilled in, but not through it, from one end to the other. The fourth, called "four," from its four depressions or holes, has four trans- verse grooves close to each end, and within these is divided into four equal spaces by three sets of transverse grooves of three each. In the middle of each of these spaces a circular depression or hole is cut. All the lines, grooves, and marks are painted in red, blue, or black.
These bones are played with, either by two women who gamble against each other or by a number of women who sit opposite and facing each other in two long lines, each player contesting with her opposite neighbor. Twelve sticks, or counters, are used in the game, and at first these are placed on the ground between the two players.
The player, kneeling or squatting on the ground, grasps the four bones in the right or left hand, holding them vertically with the ends resting on the ground. With a slight sliding motion she scatters the bones on the ground close in front of her, and the sides which fall uppermost express the count or the failure to count. Sometimes, but not always, t1 c players throw the bones to determine which shall have the first throw in the gam.
The person making a successful throw takes from the heap of sticks the number called for by the points of the throw — one stick for each point. So long as the throw is one which counts the player continues to throw, but if she fails to count tlie bones are passed over to the opposite player, and she then throws until she has oael a blank. When the sticks have all been taken from the pile on the ground bel ween them the successful thrower begins to take from her opponent so many of the sticks which she has gained as are called for by her throw. As twelve points
1 Report on the Blackfoot tribes, Report of the fifty-seventh meeting of British Association for the Advancement of Science, Manchester, 1887, London, 1888, p. 192. (Jrammar and Dictionary of the Blackfoot Language, London, 1889.
:;The word traroin (trapper, French) has been variously explained as coming from travail and from traineau. I believe, however, as stated in The Story of the Indian, ]). 156, it is a corruption from trovers or a trovers, meaning across, and referring to the crossing of the poles over the horse's or over the dog's withers (G. B. G.).
Report of U. S. National Museum, 1896. — Culin.
Plate 5.
r
Staves for Travois Game.
Blackfeet Indians. Blackfeet A.gency, Montana.
Collection of George liird UriuueJl
CHESS AND PLAYING-CARDS.
711
must be made by a player before the twelve sticks can come into her possession and the game be won, it will be seen that the contest may be long drawn out. A rim of luck is needed to finish it. Some of the counts made by the throws are here given:
3 blanks and chief = 6 points = 6 sticks.
3 blanks and chief reversed = 3 points = 3 sticks.
2 zigzag, 1, i, and chief = 4 points = 4 sticks.
2 blanks, 1, 4, and chief = 2 points = 2 sticks.
2 blanks, 1 zigzag, and chief = zero point = zero sticks.
2 blanks, 1 zigzag, and chief reverses = zero point = zero sticks.
1 zigzag, 1 blank, 1, 4, and chief = zero point = zero sticks. The women do not sing at this game as the men do at the gambling game of " hands."
52^
Fig. 33.
SET OF BONE GAMING STAVES.
Length, 5£ inches. Blaokfeet, South Piegan .Reserve, Montana.
Cat. No. 51693, Field Columbian Musi-um.
The game described was obtained by Mr. Grinnell from the Piegans of the IUaekfeet Agency in northwestern Montana, on the eastern flanks of the Rocky Mountains. They live on Milk KMver, Cut Bart, Willow, Two Medicine Lodge, and Badger creeks: the sonthernmosl tribe of the IUaekfeet. It will be observed that the implements tor this game are practically identical with those collected by Dr. Matthews from the Gros Ventres in Dakota (fig. 89). Concerning this Mi. Grin- nell remarks:
The Gros Ventres of Dakota— by which are meant, of oonrse,the Gros Ventres of
the village, a tribe of Crow stock— are not very distant neighbors <>t' the Black f< et, and m fact the people of the old Fort Berthold village, tho (Jr.- Ventres, Bees, an. I Mandans, have many customs, and even some traditions, which closely resemble
those of the Blackfeet.
712 REPORT OF NATIONAL MUSEUM, 1896.
Blackfeet. South Piegan Reserve, Montana. (Cat. No. 51693, Field Columbian Museum, Chicago.)
Set of four boue staves, made of rib bones, 5J inches in length and J inch wide in the middle, tapering to the ends. The outer rounded sides are cut with lines, which are tilled with red paint, as shown in tig. 33. Two are alike, and one of the others is banded with a nar row thong of buckskin on which are sewn twelve small blue glass beads. The reverses, which show the texture of the bone, are alike, and painted red.
Accompanied by twelve counting sticks (fig. 34) made of twigs, 5 J inches in length, smeared with red paint.
Fig. 34.
SET OF COUNTING STICKS.
Length, 5k inches. Blackfeet, South Piegan Reserve, Montana.
Cat. No. 51t593, Field Columbian Museum.
Blackfeet. Blood Beserve, Alberta, Canada. (Cat. Xo. 51654, Field Columbian Museum, Chicago.) Three bone staves, 6§ inches in length and f inch in width in the middle, tapering to the ends. The outer rounded sides are carved as shown in fig. 35, two alike, in which the incised lines are filled with red paint, and one with holes, 10—3 3—0, which are painted blue. The inner sides, which show the texture of the bone, are perfectly plain.
Both of the above sets were collected by Dr. George A. Dorsey, of the Field Columbian Museum, who courteously gives me the following particulars :
I am informed that the Bloods generally use three instead of four hones. ' They call the game Nitsiiaiep-slipscpian = we play. The stick marked with holes is called "man" and the other two "snakes." Of the counts I have only this much :
All marked faoes np = 4.
All unmarked faces up = 4.
2 unmarked and "snake" up =6.
1 unmarked and 2 snakes up =6.
1 unmarked, snake and man up =0.
CHESS AND PLAYING-CARDS.
713
ATHAPASCAN STOCK.
White Mountain Apache. Arizona. (Oat. Xo. 15209G, r.S.X.M.)
Set of three sticks of hazel wood, 8 inches in length, :J inch wide, and about § in thickness. Flat on one side, with diagonal black band
Fig. 35.
SET OF BONE GAMING STAVES.
Length, 6g inches.
Blackfeet, Blood Reserve, Alberta, Canada.
Cat. No. .t»ir..ri4, Field Columbian Museum.
across middle; other rounded and unpainted. Show marks of use. Collected by Mr. Edward Palmer.1 Described as played by women
Fig. 36.
GAMINU STAVES.
Length, (.».\ inches. White Mountain Apache, Fori Apache, Arizona.
Cat. Ni>. Im'.I'.i, Museum <>f A r. li.i ..I. >_'> , University of Pennsylvania,
upon a circle2 of forty stones divided in four tens with a division to each ten (tig. 37), and having a large flat rock placed in the middle. Four
lA set of sticks (fi^. 3(j) made of a variety of the prickly ash, !•'. inches in length, but otherwise identical with the above, are contained in the Museum of Archaeology of tho University of Pennsylvania (Cat. No. 18619), collected by Capt. C, N. B. Macauley, U. S. A.
2Mr. Palmer says a square; Captain M man ley a circle.
714
REPORT OF NATIONAL MUSEUM, 1896.
or six can play. Two sides are formed of equal numbers, and two sets of sticks are used. The players kneel behind the rock square. The first player takes the sticks in one hand, rounded sides out (tig-. 38), and
slams them end first, on the rock.
po OQQ
o
a
o o o o
o
o o
a
o o o o
c o
o
o
o
,0
o
°oo qO°{
From this is derived the name of the game Se-tich-ch, "Hit" or "bounce- on-the-rock."1
The counts are as follows:
3 round sides up = 10
3 flat sides up = 5
2 rouud sides up and one flat= 3 1 round side up and two flat = 2
A throw of ten gives another throw. Each side has two sticks which are used to mark the count. The two sides count from opposite directions.
(Cat. No.
Pig. 37.
ciECurr for stave game.
Navajo and Apache.
Xava.jo. New Mexico. 9557, U.S.N.M.) Set of three sticks of root of cot- ton wood, 8 inches in length, about If in breadth and £ in thickness, one side flat and blackened; the other rounded and unpainted (fig. 39). One stick tied near end to prevent splitting. They show marks of con- tinued use. Collected by Mr. Edward Palmer.
As observed by the writer at the Columbian Exposition in Chicago, the Navajo play upon a circle of forty stones, throwing the staves ends down upon a flat stone placed in the center. Each player has a splint or twig to represent him upon the board, and these are all placed together at one of the four openings in the circle at the commencement of the game. The throws count as follows:
3 round sides up = 10
3 flat = 5
2 rounds and one flat== 1 rouud jindtwo flat =
The following vocabulary of the game was furnished me by the Navajo at Chicago: Game, set tilth.
Staves. 8rt tilth.
( lircle of stones, sen asti.
Si one in center, a cle sane.
Dr. Washington Matthews2 describes
Fig. 38.
METHOD OF HOLDING STICKS BY WHITE
MOUNTAIN APACHE.
From a drawing t>y the late Capt. C. N. B. Mac- auley, United States Army.
1 Capt. John G. Bourke gave the Apache name of this game to the writer as /.. ehis or Zse-lilth, the two words, "stone" and "wood" referring to the central stone :in<i 4!..- staves. The circle of stones is called, he stated, Tze-nasti, "stone circle." Mr. Edtrard Palmer gives the name of the game as Satill.
■ Navajo Legends, Boston, 1897, note 47, p. 219.
CHESS AND PLAYING-CARDS.
715
a game played by Navajo women under the name of Tse d VI or tsin-JI'/:1
The principal implements are three sticks, which are thrown violently, ends down, on a flat stone around which the gamblers sit. The sticks rebound so well that they would fly far away were not a blanket stretched overhead to throw them back to the players. A number of small stones placed in the form of a square are used as counters. These are not moved, but sticks, whose positions are changed according to the fortunes of the game, are placed between them. The rnles of the game have not been recorded.
Dr. Matthews2 tells, among the early events of the fifth or present world, that while they were waiting for the ground to dry, the women erected four poles, on which they stretched a deerskin, and under the
Fig. 39.
SET OK STAVES FOR CAME.
Length, 8 inches. Navajo Indians, New Mexico.
Cat. No. 9557, U.S..VM.
shelter of this they played the game of three sticks, tsuu/i', one of the four games which they brought with them from the lower world.' Another game of tossed sticks described by I >r. Matthews l was called tfaka tfhad-sata,5 or the thirteen chips.
It is played with 13 thin flat pieces of wood, which are colored red on one side and left white or uncolored on the other. Success depends on the number of chips which, being thrown upward, fall with their white sides up.
i Tain = wood, di'll
-Navajo Origin Legend, The Story of the Emergence, II (see p. 185).
: The other games were: rfilkon, played with two sticks, each tin- length of an arm ; atsa, played with forked sticks and a ring, and aspi n.
'Navajo Legends, p. S3.
' 7aka-/had-s;ita was the first of four games played by the young Bastaeao^an with the gambling god Nofcoilpi. These four games are not the same as the four described as brought from the under world. They comprise, in addition, nauco:. " hoop and pole;" tsi'nbelsi/, or push on the wood, in which the contestants push on a tree until it is torn from its roots and falls, and tool, or ball, the object in which was to nil fee ball so that it would fall beyond a certain line. Compare the gambling episode with that of Poshaiyanne, tin- sia culture hero and the Magician. The four games played by them were not the same (see p. 730).
716
REPORT OF NATIONAL MUSEUM, 1896.
Navajo. Arizona. (Oat. No. 74735, U.S.N.M.)
Set of seven blocks of cedar wood, J inch in length, ■& inch wide, and J inch thick (fig. 40). Section hemispherical. Six have flat sides blackened and one painted red; opposite unpainted. Collected by Dr. Washington Matthews, U. S. A. The game was " played with counters by women." These blocks furnish an exact parallel to the Korean "chestnut" nyout.
Fig. 40.
SET OF BLOCKS FOR GAME.
Length, | inch. Navajo Indians, Arizona.
Cat. No. 74735, U.S.N. M.
BEOTHUKAN STOCK.
Beothuk. Newfoundland.
From colored drawings of ancient bone disks, attributed to the Beo- thuk, and presented to the United States National Museum by Lady Edith Blake, of Kingston, Jamaica, it would appear that this tribe may
have used gaming disks resembling those of the Micmac.
CADDOAN STOCK.
Arikara. (Oat. Nos. 6342,(3355, U.S.N.M.)
Set of eight plum
stones, plain on one
side, and marks burned
upon the other, as
shown in fig. 41. . Four
have stars on burned
ground; two, circular
marks, and two are entirely burned over. Basket of woven grass, 7
inches in diameter at top, and 2 inches deep. Collected by Dr. Gray
and Mr. Matthew F. Stevenson.
Brackenridge,1 referring to the Arikara, states:
In the evening, about sundown, the women cease from their labors and collect into little knots, and amuse themselves with a game something like jackstones. Five I><-bbles are tossed up in a small basket, with which they endeavor to catch them again as they fall.
Fig. 41.
SET OF PLUM STONES FOR GAME.
Diameter, \i inch. Arikara Indians. Cat. No. 6355, U.S.N.M.
'II. M. Brackenridge, Views of Louisiana, together with a Journal of a voyage up tin Missouri River in 1811, Pittsburg, 1814.
CHESS AND PLAYIXG-CARDS.
717
It seems hardly necessary to point out that he failed to comprehend the object of the game. Pawnee.
In reply to a letter addressed by the writer to Mr. George Bird (Irin- nell, of New York City, he kindly wrote the following account "of what the Pawnee call the seed game : "
I have seen this game played among the Pawnee, Arikara, and Cheyenne, and substantially in the same way everywhere. The Pawnee do not use a bowl to throw the seeds, hut hold them in a flat wicker basket, about the size and shape of an ordinary tea plate. The woman who makes the throw holds the basket in front of her close to the ground; gives the stones a sudden toss into the air, and then moves the basket smartly down against the ground, and the stones fall into it. They are not thrown high, but the movement of the basket is quick, and it is brought down hard on the ground so that the sound of the slapping is easily heard. The plum stones are always live in number, blackened, and vari- ously marked on one side. The women who are gambling sit in line opposite to one another, and usually each woman bets with the one sitting opposite her, and the points are counted
by sticks placed on the ground between them, the wager always being on the game, and not on the different throws. It is exclusively, so far as I know, a woman's game.
Pike1 says:
The third game alluded to is that of la platte, described by various travelers (as the platter or dish game) ; this is played by the women, children, and old men. who, like grasshoppers, crawl out to the circus to bask in the sun, probably covered only with an old buffalo robe.
ESKIMAUAN STOCK.
Speaking of the Central Eskimo, Dr. Franz Boas- says: A game similar to dice, called tingmiujang, i. e., images of birds, is frequently played. A set of about lifteen figures, like those represented in tig. 12, belong t" this game; some representing birds, others men and women. The players --it around a board or a piece of leather and the figures are shaken in the hand and thrown upward. On falling, some stand upright, others lie flat on the back or on the side. Those standing upright belong to that player whom they face; Bometimes they are so thrown that they all belong to the one that tossed them up. The player- throw by turns until the last figure is taken up, the one getting the greatest num- ber of litrures beinir the winner.
Fig. 42.
IVORY IMAGES USED AS DUE IN GAME OE TTNGMIUJ \\o.
Cential Eskimo.
From Sixth Annua] Report of the Bureau of Ethnology.
1 Elliott Coues, The Expedition of Zebulon Montgomery Pike, New York, Li p. 534.
-The Central Eskimo, Sixth Annual Report of the Bureau of Ethnology, Wash- ington, 1888, p. 567.
718
RKPORT OF NATIONAL MUSEUM, 1896.
Mr. Job n Murdoch ' describes similar objects which be purchased at Plover Bay, eastern Siberia, in 1881 (fig. 43). They were supposed to be merely works of art. Referring to the account given by Dr. Boas of their use as a game, be says:
Fig. 4:;.
GAME ( 0 OF FOX AND GEESE. After Murdoch.
It is therefore quite likely they were used for a similar purpose at Plover Bay. If this be so. it is a remarkable point of similarity between these widely separated Eskimo, for I can ham nothing of a similar custom at any intermediate point.
Mr. Murdoch refers to the game as mentioned by Captain Hall,2 who, speaking of the Central Eskimo, says:
They have a variety of games of their own. In one of these they use a number of bits of ivory made in the form of ducks.
Fig. 44.
CAKVKI) IVORY WATER BIRD- AM) SEAL.
St. Lawrence Island, Siberia. Cat \... 68457, D 9.N.M.
In the United States National Museum (Cat. No. G3457) there is a set of carved water birds and a seal (fig. 44), collected from the Eskimo at St. Lawrence Island, Alaska, by Mr. E. W. Nelson, in 1882. He informs me, through Prof. Otis T. Mason, that he never saw the flat-
1 Ethnological Results of the Port Barrow Expedition, Ninth Annual Report of the Bureau of Ethnology, Washington, 1892, p.364.
1 !ii! Lea Francis Hall, Arctic Researches, New York, 1860, p. 570.
CHESS AND PLAYING-CARDS.
719
bottomed geese and other creatures used in a game, and all of his specimens are perforated and used as pendants on the bottom of per- sonal ornaments and parts of clothing.
Prof. Benjamin Sharp, of the Academy of Natural Science, tells me that he saw the carved water birds used as a game, being tossed and allowed to fall by Eskimo of St. Lawrence Bay, Siberia.
In reply to my inquiry in reference to the use of such objects in games by the Arctic Highlanders of (Ireenland, Mr. Henry G. Bryant writes me that small images of birds are rare among them, although
Fig. 45.
WOODEN 15LOCKS, SAID TO HE USED IN GAME.
Length, 1* inches. Northwest Arctic Coast.
Cat. No. 7404, U.S.N. M.
representations of men, women, walrus, seal, bears, and dogs are part of the domestic outfit of every well regulated family.1
I understand that tho leg hones of the arctic fox are sometimes tied together on a string, and at times these are thrown up and their position noted when striking the ground.
Mr. Bryant adds:
Perhaps they attach a significance to the position of tho fox hours, which may be analogous to the practice of using wooden or DOB6 dice by other tribes.
A set of carved ivory tablets (figs. 195-300), strung upon a fehrong, are described as among the properties of an Eskimo shaman in
'Mr. Bryant states that these miniature figures, which arc mad.- of ivory, are
employed to teach children the arts of the chase.
720 REPORT OF NATIONAL MUSEUM, 1896.
Alaska. It is possible that they are used in tbe same manner as the fox bones.
In tbe United States National Museum (Cat. No. 7404) are four wooden blocks, said to be used in a game, from the Northwest Arctic Coast. These blocks (fig. 45), which were collected by Mr. R. Kennicott, have a rounded base marked with two transverse cuts. They are per- forated as if for stringing. From the locality given they are probably Eskimauan.
In conclusion, reference should be made to a game described by Mur- doch1 among the Point Barrow Eskimo with twisters and marline spikes used for backing the bow.
Lieutenant Ray says he has seen it played with any bits of stick or hone. Accord- ing to him the players are divided into sides, who sit on the ground about 3 yards apart, each side sticking up one of the marline spikes for a mark to throw the twisters at. Six of the latter, he believes, make a complete set. One side tosses the whole set, one at a time, at the opposite stake, and the points which they make arc counted up by their opponents from the position of the twisters as they fall. He did not learn how the points were reckoned, except that twisters with a mark on
Fiji, -i 6.
TWISTERS USED IN GAME.
Length, 5§ inches.
Point Barrow Eskimo.
After Murdoch.
them counted differently from the plain ones, or how long the game lasted, each side taking its turn of casting at the opposite stake. He, however, got the impression that tbe winning side kept the twisters belonging to their opponents. Mr. Xelson informs me that a similar game is played with the same implements at Norton Sound.
The present writer has repeated this account, from the general like- ness of the implements (sinew twisters) (fig. 46) to the staves tossed as dice, rather from any clearly apparent identity of the games.
IROQUOIAN STOCK.
Cherokee, ^orth Carolina.
I am informed by Mrs. Starr Hayes that the Cherokee play a game in a flat square basket of cane like the lid of a market basket, with col ored beans, under the name of " Black eye and white eye." The shal low basket used is 14 feet square. The beans are colored " butter beans," a variety of lima, and those selected are dark on one side and white on the other. Twelve beans are kept as counters. Six others are put in the basket, as they come, and the players, who are four in number, and each two partners, play in turn. The basket is held in
Ninth Annual import of the Bureau of Ethnology, p. 364.
CHESS AND PLAYIN<;-CARDS. 721
both hands, slightly shaken, and then with a jerk, the beans are tossed in the air. If all turn black, two are taken from the counters; if all turn white, three are taken. If but one turns up white, one is taken from the twelve. When they turn five white, one only is taken. The game is played three or six times weekly. Whoever gets twelve beans has the game.
Delaware.
See account by Loskiel on page 725.
Huron. Ontario, Canada. Charlevoix1 gives the following account:
As I returned through a quarter of the Huron village I saw a company of these savages, who appeared very eager at play. I drew near and saw they were playing at the game of the dish (jt-u dn plat). This is the game of which these people are fondest. At this they sometimes lose their rest, and in some measure their reason. At this game they hazard all they possess, and many do not leave off till they are almost stripped quite naked and till they have lost all they have in their cabins. Some have been known to stake their liberty for a time, which fully proves their passion for this game; for there are no men in the world more jealous of their liberty than the savages.
The game of the dish, which they also call the game of tho little bones (jeu des ossclets), is only played by two persons. Each has six or eight little bones, which at first I took for apricot-stones; they are of that shape and bigness. But upon viewing them elosely I perceived they had six unequal surfaces, the two principal of which are painted, one black and the other white, inclined to yellow. They make them jump up by striking the ground or the table with a round and hollow dish, which contains them and which they twirl round first. When they have no dish they throw the bones up in the air with their hands; if in tailing they come all of one color, he who plays wins five. The game is forty up, and they subtract the numbers gained by the adverse part}'. Five bones of the same color win hut one for the first time, but the second time they win the game. A less number wins nothing.
He that wins the game continues playing. The loser gives his place to another, who is named by the markers of his side; for they make the parties at fust, and often the whole village is concerned in the game. Oftentimes also one village plaj a against another. Each party chooses a marker; but he withdraws when he pleai which never happens but when his party loses. At every throw, especially if it happens to be decisive, they make great shouts. The players appeal- like people possessed, and the spectators are not more calm. They all make a thousand contor- tions, talk to the bones, load the spirits of the adverse party with imprecations, and the whole village echoes with bowlings. If all this does not recover their luck, the losers may put oft the party to tho next day. It costs them only a small treat to the company. Then they prepare to ret nm to the engagement. Bach in\ okes his genius, and throws some tohaeco in the tiro to his honor. They ask him above all things for lucky dreams. As soon as day appears they go again t<> play; hut if the los fancy the goods in their cabins made them unlucky the first thing tiny <1" is to change them all. The great parties commonly last live or Bis days, and often con- tinue all night. In the meantime, as all the persons present, .it least bhos< who are concerned in the game, are in agitation that deprives them of reason, as they quar- rel and tight, which never happens among savages but on the-. sions and in drunkenness, one may judge if when they have done playing they «1«> not want 1
1 P. de Charlevoix, Journal d'nn Voyage dans I'Amerique Septentrionnale, Pa
1744, LIT. p. 25!) (Jnin, 1721 >. NAT 3IUfc> 1)0 40
722 REPORT OF NATIONAL MUSEUM, 1896.
It sometimes happens that these parties of play are made by order of the physician or at the request of the sick. There needs for this purpose no more than a dream of one or the other. This dream is always taken for the order of some spirit, and they prepare themselves for the game with a great deal of care. They assemble for sev- eral nights to try and to see who has the luckiest hand. They consult their genii, they fast, the married persons observe continence, and all to obtain a favorable dream. Every morning they relate what dreams they have had and of all the things they have dreamt of which they think lucky and they make a collection of all and put them into little bags which they carry about with them, and if anyone has the reputation of being lucky — that is, in the opinion of these people, of having a familiar spirit more powerful or more inclined to do good — they never fail to make him keep near him who holds the dish. They even go a great way sometimes to fetch him, and if through age or any infirmity he can not walk, they will carry him on their shoulders.
They have often pressed the missionaries to be present at these games, as they believe their guardian genii are the most powerful.
Brebeuf ] describes the game as follows :
The game is also in great repute as a medicine, especially if the sick has dreamed of it. This game is a game of chance, pure and simple. They take six prune stones, white on one side and black on the other, put them in a plate, and shake the latter violently, so that the bones fall to the ground, showing one or the other side, as it may happen. The game is to get either all with the black side or all with the white side up. Generally they play village pitted against village. They all convene in a hut, and take places on benches ranged along the sides. The sick is carried in a coverlet, and the one who is to shake the plate (there is only one player for each side) walks after the sick, head and face wrapped in his robe. As soon as the player of the opposing party takes hold of the plate they cry aloud, Acltinc achinc, achinc, trois, trois, trois, or rather, ioio, ioio, ioio, desiring that either three white or three black be thrown by him. This winter you would have seen a good many returning to their village, having lost their breeches at a time when there was nearly 3 feet of snow, as frolicsome as if they had won. What I find the most remarkable thing about it is the preliminary arrangements. Some of them fast several days before the game is to take place. The evening before they convene in a hut, and by a cere- mony try to find out the result of the game. The one who is chosen to hold the plate takes the stones, puts them in the plate, which he covers, so that nobody can touch them. After this they sing. After the song the plate is uncovered, and the stones are either all black or all white.
Thereupon I asked a savage whether the opposing party did not do the same, and whether they could not get the stones arranged in the same way. He answered " Yes." "Nevertheless," I said, "both can not win," which he did not know how to answer. He told me, further, two remarkable things:
1. They choose for holding the plate someone who had dreamed that he won or who had a charm. Generally those who have one do not make a secret of it, but carry it about with them. They say that one person in our village rubs the stones witli a certain ointment and never fails to win.
2. In making the trial some of the stones disappear and are found after a time in the plate with the others.
Father Lalemaiit2 relates the following:
One of the latest foolish things which has happened in this village was occa- sioned by a sick person in one of the neighboring villages, who, in order to regain his health, dreamed or really get the prescription of the local medicine man that a "game of platter" should be played for him. He spoke about it to the headmen,
1 Relations des Jesuites, Relation en TAnnde, 1636, Quebec, 1858, p. 113. 'Idem., 1639, p. 95.
CHESS AND PLAYING-CARDS. 723
who soon convened the council and decided upon the date and the village which should be invited for this purpose, and this village was oars. A deputation was
sent thence here to make the proposition, which was agreed upon, and thru the oec- essary preparations were made by both parties.
This ''game of platter'' consists in tossing about in a ft ooden dish several wild- plum pits, each being white on one side and black on the other, from which follows gain or loss, according to the rules of the game.
It is beyond my power to describe properly the earnestness and activity displayed by our Barbarians in getting ready and in seeking all means and signs of good luck and success in their game. They meet at night and pass part of it in shaking the plate to see who is the most adroit, and part in spreading out their charms and exhorting them. Toward the end they all sleep in the same cabin, having pre- viously fasted and abstained for some time from their wives, all this to have a lucky dream, and the next morning they 'tell what has happened in the night. Finally. everything that they have dreamed could bring them good luck is collected and placed in bags for carrying. Besides this, they search everywhere for those who have charms affecting the game, or "Ascandics n or familiar spirits to assist the one who holds the dish, aud be nearest him when he shakes it. If there are any old men whose presence is recognized as efficacious in increasing the strength and value of their charms, not content with carrying their charms, they load them on the shoulders of the young men in order to carry them to the place of assembly. As we pass in the country for powerful sorcerers, they do not fail to give us notice to pray and perform many ceremonies to cause them to win.
As soon as they arrive at their appointed place, each party ranges itself along one or the other side of the cabin, filling it from top to bottom, under and above the ■' andichons," which are of bark and made like a bed canopy or roof, corresponding ro that below, fastened to the ground upon which they sleep at night. They place licmselves upon the poles that lie and are suspended along the length of the cabin. The two players are in the middle with their seconds who hold the charms. Every- one present bets with someone else whatever he pleases, and the game begins.
It is at this moment that everyone sets to praying or muttering I know not what words, with gestures and violent agitations of the hands, eyes, and The entire face, all lor the purpose of attracting good fortune to themselves and exhorting their particular spirits to take courage and not let themselves be worried. Some are appointed to utter execrations and make contrary gestures for the purpose of forc- ing bad luck upon the other side and frightening the familiar spirits of the oppos- ing party.
This game was played several times this winter throughout all the country, but I do not know how it happened that the villages where we have missions were always unlucky to the last degree, and a certain village lost 30 porcelain (wampum I collars each of 1,000 beads, which is in this country, as if we said in France, 50,000 pearls or pistoles.1 But this is not all. Always hoping to regain what they have lost, they bet tobacco bags, clothes, shoes, and breeches, in a word, all they possess, *-«> that, if they are unlucky, as happened to these people, they return borne stark-naked, having lost even their breech-clouts.
Nicolas Perrott 2 says :
The savages have also a sort of game of dice, the bos ot* which Is a wooden plate, well rounded and well polished on both sides. The dice are made ot* six small flat
1 The term pistole was used only as a money of account. It was generally equiva- lent to 10 lirrcs tounwis. The line tournote was of 20 sons, in distinction from the livre of Paris of 25 sous. What the actual value would be no one can tell. It may be said that 50,000 pistoles was equal to 500,000 linr* toumoit&i that time. Personal letter from Prof. Dana C. Munro.)
2Memoire sur les Moeurs, Coustumes et Religion des Sauages de I'Amerique Sep- tentrionale, Leipzig et Paris, 1864, p. 50.
724 REPORT OF NATIONAL MUSEUM, 1896.
pieces of bone, about the size of a plum stone. They arc all alike, having oneof the faces colored black, red, green, or blue, and the other generally painted white or any different color from the first-mentioned face. They throw these dice in the plate, holding the two edges, and on lifting it they make them jump and turn therein. After having struck the dish on the cloth, they strike themselves at the same time heavy blows on the chest and shoulders while the dice turn about, crying "Dice! Dice! Dice!" until the dice have stopped moving. When they find five or six showing the same color, they take the grains which have been agreed upon with the opposite party. If the loser and his comrades have nothing more to play with, the winner takes all that is on the game. Entire villages have been seen gambling away their possessions, one against the other, on this game, and ruining themselves thereat. They also challenge to a decision by one throw of the die, and when it happens that a party throws six, all those of the tribe that bet on him get up and dance in ca deuce to the noise of gourd rattles. All passes without dispute. The women and girls also play this game, but they often use eight dice and do not use a dicebox like the men. They only use a blanket, and throw them on with the hand.
Sagard Theodat1 says:
The men are addicted not only to the game of reeds (which they call "Aefcara," with three or four hundred small white reeds, cut equally to a length of a foot), but also addicted to other kinds of game, as for instance, taking a large wooden platter with five or six plum stones or small balls, somewhat flattened, about the size of the end of the little finger, or painted black on one side and white on the other. They squat all around in a circle and take each his turn in taking hold of the platter with both hands, which they keep at a little distance from the tioor. and bring the platter down somewhat roughly, so as to make the balls move about; they take it as in a game of dice, observing on which side the stones lie, whether it goes against them or for them. The one who holds the platter says, continually while strik- ing it, "Tet, tet, tet," thinking that this may excite and influence the game in his favor.
For the ordinary game of women and girls (at times joined by men and boys) are used five or six stones (as those of apricots) black on one side and yellow on the other, which they hold in their hands as we do dice, throwing the stones a little upward, and after they have fallen on the skin which serves them as a carpet, they see what the result is, and continue to play for the necklaces, ear ornaments, and other small articles of their companions, but never for gold or silver coin, because they do not know the use of it, so that in trade they barter one thing for another.
I must not forget to mention that in some of their villages they play, which we call in France, Porler Jes Momons (carry the challenge). They send a challenge to other villages to come and play agaiust them, winning their utensils, if they can, and meanwhile the feasting does not stop, because at the least inducement the kettle is on the fire, especially in winter time, at which time they especially feast and amuse themselves in order to pass agreeably the hard season.
Huron (Wyandot).
Col. James Smith2 describes the Wyandot as "playing a game resembling dice or hustle-cap. They put a number of plum-stones in a small bowl; one side of each stone is black and the other white; then they shake or hustle the bowl, calling hits, hits, hits, honesey,
1 Histoiro du Canada, Paris, 1866, p. 243.
2 An account of the Remarkable Occurrences in the Life and Travels of Col. James Smith during his Captivity with the Indians in the years 1755-1759, Cincinnati, 1-70, p. 46.
CHESS AND PLAYING-CARDS. 725
honesey, rago, rago; which signifies calling for white or black, or what they wish to turn up; then they turn the bowl and count the whites and blacks."
Iroquois. Western Pennsylvania and southern New York. Loskiel ' gives the following account:
The Indians are naturally given to gambling, and frequently risk their arms, furniture, clothes, and all they possess to gratify this passion. The chief game of the Iroquois and Delawarea is dice, which indeed originated with them. The dice are made of oval and flattish plum-stones, painted black on one and yellow on the other side. Two persons only can play at one time. They put the dice into a dish, which is raised alternately by each gambler and struck on the table or floor with force enough to make the dice rise and change their position; when he who has the greater number of winning color counts five, and the hrst who has the good fortune to do this eight times wins the game. The spectators seem in great agitation during the game, and at every chance that appears decisive cry out with great vehemence. The gamblers distort their features, and if unsuccessful mutter their displeasure at the dice aud the evil spirits who prevent their good fortune. Sometimes whole townships, and even whole tribes, play against each other. One of the missionaries happened to be present when two Iroquois towuships, having got together a number of goods, consisting of blankets, cloth, shirts, linen, etc., gambled for them. The game lasted eight days. They assembled every day, and every inhabitant of each township tossed the dice once. This being done, aud the chance of each person noted down, they parted for the day. Rut each township offered a sacrifice in the evening to insure success to their party. This was done by a man going several times around a lire, throwing tobacco into it, and singing a song. Afterwards the whole company danced. When the appointed time for the game was at an end they compared notes, and the winner bore away the spoil in triumph.
Mohawk. New York.
Bruyas- in his radical words of the Mohawk language, written in the latter part of the seventeenth century, gives under Atnenha, " Noyau" (stone of a fruit), the compounds T8atnenha8inneton, "jouer avec les noyaux comme sont les femines, en les jettant la main," and T8atenna8eron, uy jouer an plat."
Onondaga. New York.
Rev. W. M. Beauchamp :i states :
Among the Onondaga now eight bones or stoms aie used, black on one side and white on the other. They term the game Ta-you-nyun-wdt-hak or. " Finger Shaker," and from one hundred to three hundred beans form the pool, as may be agreed. With them it is also a household game. In playing this the pieces are raised in the hand and scattered, the desired result being indifferently white or black. Essen- tially the counting does not differ from that given by Morgan see p. Tl'o" . Two white or two black will have si\ of one color, and these count two beans, called O-yd-ha, or the Bird. The player proceeds until he loses, when his opponent takes his turn. Seven white or black gain four beans, called O-mo-xnh, or Pumpkin. All white or all black gain twenty, called O-hi'n-tnh, or a Field. These are all that draw anything, and we may indifferently say with the Onondaga, two white or black
1 George Henry Loskiel, History of the United Brethren, London. L794, I. p
2 Rev. Jacques Brnyas, Radioes verbornm IroqusBorum, New York, ivi">.:. Cited by Andrew McFarland Davis, Bulletin of the Essex Institute. XVIII, p. 186.
:! Iroquois games, Journal of American Folk Lore. IX, p. 269.
726 REPORT OF NATIONAL MUSEUM, 1896.
for the first, <>r six with the Seneca. The game is played singly or by partners, and there is no limit to the number. Usually there are three or four players.
In counting the grains there is a kind of ascending reduction ; for as two birds make one pumpkin, only one bird can appear in the result. First come the twenties, then tlic fours, then the twos, whioh can occur but once. Thus we may say for twenty, Jo-han-to-tah, "you have one field" or more, as the case maybe. In fours we can only say Ki-yae-ne-you-sdh-ka, "yon have four pumpkins," for five would make a field. For two beans there is the simple announcement of O-yii-ah, "bird."
The game of peach-stones, much more commonly used and important, has a more public character, although I have played it in an Indian parlor. In early days the stones of the wild plum were used, but now six peach-stones are ground down to an elliptic flattened form, tho opposite sides being black or white. This is the great game known as that of tho dish nearly three centuries ago. The wooden bowl which I used was 11 inches across the top and 3 inches deep, handsomely carved out of a hard knot. A beautiful small bowl, which I saw elsewhere, may have been used by children. The six stones are placed in the Kah-oon-uah, the bowl, and thence the Onondaga term the game Ta-yune-oo-wdh-es, throwing the bowl to each other as they take it in turn. In public playing two players are on their knees at a time, holding the bowl between them. Beans are commonly used for counters. Many rules are settled according to agreement, but the pumpkin is left out, and the stones usually count five for a bird and six for a field. All white or all black is the highest throw, and five or six are the only wiuning points. In early days it would seem that all white or all black alone counted. The bowl is simply struck on the floor. This ancient game is used at the New Year's or White Dog Feast among the Onondaga yet. Clan plays against clan, the Long House against the Short House, and, to foretell the harvest, the women play against the men. If the men win, the ears of corn will be long like them; but if the women gain the game, they will be short, basing the results on the common proportion of the sexes. As of old, almost all games are yet played for the sick, but they are regarded now more as a diversion of the patient's mind than a means of healing. The game of the dish was once much used in divination, each piece having its own familiar spirit. But it is more commonly a social game now.
Seneca. New York.
Morgan ! describes the Iroquois game under the name of Gas-ga-e-sd-ta, or "deer-buttons."
This was strictly a fireside game, although it was sometimes introduced as an amusement at the season of religious councils, the people dividing into tribes as usual and betting upon tho result. Eight buttons, about an inch in diameter, were made of elk horn, and, having been rounded and polished, were slightly burned upon one side to blacken them [fig. 47]. When it was made a public game it was played by two at a time, with a change of players as elsewhere described in the Peach-stone game. At the fireside it was played by two or more, and all the players continued in their seats until it was determined. A certain number of beans (fifty perhaps) wen made the capital, and the game continued until one of the players had won them all. Two persons spread a blanket and seated themselves upon it. One of them shook the deer-buttons in his hands and then threw them down. If six turned Dp of 1 lie same color, it counted two; if seven, it counted four; and if all, it counted twenty, the winner taking as many beans from the general stock as ho made points by the throw. He also continued to throw as long as he continued to win. When less than six came up, either black or white, it counted nothing, and the throw passed to the other player. In this manner the game was continued until the beans were taken up between the two players. After that the one paid to the other out of
1 League of the Iroquois, Rochester, 1851, p. 302.
CHESS AND PLAYING-CARDS.
727
his own winnings, the game ending as soon as the capital in the hands of either player was exhausted. If four played, each had a partner or played independently,
as they were disposed; but when more than two played, each one was to pay the winner the amount won. Thus, if four were playing independently, and ;ifter the beans were distributed among them, in the progress of the game one of them should turn the buttons up all black or all white, the other three would be obliged to pay
Fig. 47.
GUS-GA-E-SA-TA, OR DEER-BUTTONS.
Seneca Indians, New York.
After Morgan .
him twenty each; but if the beans were still in bank, he took up but twenty. The ileer buttons were of the same size. In the figure [tig. 47] they are represented at different angles.
An ancient and favorite game of the Iroquois, Gus-ka'-ek, was played with a bowl and peach-stones. It was always a betting game, in which the peoplo divided by tribes. By established custom, it was introduced as the concluding exercise on the last day of the Green Corn and the Harvest festivals, and also of the New Year's jubilee. Its introduction among them is ascribed to the first To-do- da1 -ho, who flourished at the forma- tion of the League. A popular belief prevailed that this game would be enjoyed by them in the future life — in the realm of the Great Spirit — which is perhaps but an extravagant way of expressing their admiration for the game. A dish about a foot in diameter at the base was carved out of a knot or made of earthen. Six peach-stones were then ground or cut down into ■ in oval form, reducing them in the process about half in size, after which the heart of the pit was re- moved and the stones themselves
were burned upon one side to blacken them. The above representation 4<)] will exhibit both the bowl and the peach-stones, the latter being drawn in different positions to show the degree of their convexity.
It was a very simple game, depending, in part, upon the dexterity of the player, but more upon his good fortune. The peach-stones were shal.cn in the bowl by the player, the count depending upon the number which came up of one color after they
Fig. 18.
QUA K \ 1 a. OH ii \' M BTOJIBB.
Seneca Indiana, Ne* York.
\ii.r Morgan.
728
REPORT OF NATIONAL MUSEUM, 1896.
Fig. 49.
GA-JIH. OR BOWL FOR GAME.
Seneca Indians. New York.
After Morgan.
had ceased rolling in the dish. It was played iu the public council-honse by a sue- on of players— two at a time— under the supervision of managers appointed to represent the two parties and to conduct the contest. Its length depended some- what upon the number of beans which made the bank— usually one hundred— the victory being gained by the side which finally won them all. A platform was erected a few feet from the lloor and spread with blankets. When
the betting was ended, and the articles had been delivered into the custody of the mana- gers, they seated them- selves upon the plat- form in the midst of the throng of specta- tors, and two persons sat down to the game between the two divi- sions into which they arranged themselves. The beans, in the first instance, were placed together in a bank. Five of them were given each player, with which they commenced. Each player, by the rules of the gam.-, was allowed to keep his seat until he had lost this outfit, after which he surrendered it to another player on his own side selected by the managers of his own partv. And this was the case, noth withstanding any number he might have won of his adversary Those which he won were delivered to his party managers. The six peach-stones were placed in the bowl and shaken by the player: if rive of them eame up of one color, either white or black, it counted one, and his adversary paid to him the forfeit, which was one bean; the bean simply representing a unit in counting the game. On the next throw, which the player having won retained, if less than live came op of the same color it counted nothing, and he passed the bowl to his adversary. The second player then shook the bow] ; upon which, if they all came up of one color, cither white or black, it counted rive. To pay this for- feit required the whole outfit of the first fter which, having nothing topay with, he vacated his seat and was
Led by another of his own side, who re- • d from the bank the same number ol it had. The other player fol- lowed his throw as long as he continued
to win : after which he repassed the bowl to his adversary. If a player chanced to win five and his opponent had but one left, this was all hecouldgain. In this manner the _ Qtinued, with varying fortune, until the beans were divided between
- in proportion to their success. After this the game continued in the same manner at before, the outfit of each new player being advanced by the man- his ,,wn party; but as the beans or counters were now out of sight, none
' i* Fig. 50.
pea' n .-tone bowl oamb.
Greatest diameter of bowl, 9| inches.
Seneca Indians, New York.
Collected by J. N. B. H
Report of U. S. National Museum, 1896.— Culm.
Plate 6.
Bone Gaming Disks.
Diameter, f inch. Seneca Indians, New York. ' Cat. No. 31073, Museum of Archaeology, University of Pennsylvania.
CHESS AND PLAYING-CARDS. 729
but the managers knew the state of the game with accuracy. In playing it there were but two winning throws, one of which counted one and the other five. When one of the parties had lost all their beans, the game was done.
The implements for a Seneca bowl game in the possession of Mr. John N. B. Hewitt, of the Bureau of American Ethnology, obtained by him from the Seneca Indians, Cattaraugus Reservation, Cattaraugus County, New York, consist of a wooden bowl (fig. 50), 9| inches in diameter, and six dice made of fruit stones. A set of bone gaming disks from the same tribe and place, also in his possession, are repre- sented in plate 6. As will be seen, they are eight in number, and marked on one side, in a similar way to those of the Micmac and Penobscot. Tuscarora (*?), North Carolina.
Keferring to the Xorth Carolina Indians, Mr. John Lawson1 writes:
They have several other games, as with the kernels or stones of persimmons, which are in effect the same as our dice, because winning or losing depends on which side appears uppermost and how they happen to fall together.
Again, speaking of their gambling, he says'2:
Their arithmetic; was kept with a heap of Indian grain.
He does not specify this game as played by any particular tribe in North Carolina, and it was probably common to all of them.
KERESAN STOCK.
Laguna. New Mexico. Capt. George II. Pradt, of Laguna, writes as follows:
The game played with a circle of small stones is called, by the Keres pueblos, "Ka-w£-su-knts."3 The stones number forty, and arc divided into tens by openings called doors or gates called "Si-am-maj" the doors are placed north, south, cast, and west.
In the center of the circle is placed a flat stone, upon which arc thrown the three counters. These arc Hat pieces of wood about 4 inches long, .V inch wide, and | inch thick; painted black on one side, and marked with 2, 3, and 10 marks, respectively. The counters are firmly grasped with the ends down, and forcibly thrown (ends down) on the stone in the center, in such a manner that they will rebound, and the marks, if any are uppermost, are counted, and the player lays his marker (a small stick like a pencil) between the stones the proper distance from the starting point to record the number. The starting point is one of the "doors,"' w hichever is selected, and the game is played by any number that can assemble around the circle. A player can go around the circle in either direction, 1 > i i t if another player arrives at the same point he "kills"' the prc\ ions player and that one is obliged to go back to the starting point; the first one making the circuit successfully wins the game. which is generally played for a small stake. The game is modified sometimes 1»\ ruling that if a player falls into one of the doors he must go back, but in thi^ case the player is not obliged to go back it* another happens to mark as many points as he.
Sometimes a round stone is painted to resemble a face and has a wreath of e\er-
,The History of North Carolina, London. 1719, p. lTti. -Tage 27.
'"Meaning a "punch" or sudden blow, the only name the Laguna have for it. (G.II.P.)
730 REPORT OF NATIONAL MUSEUM, 1896.
greens placed around it, and is used as a mascot; it is placed to one side of the circle and is appealed to by the players to give, them good numbers; this mascot is generally called '< Kum-mushk-ko-yo," a traditional fairy or witch. The name means ''the old spider woman."
Sta. New Mexico.
Mrs, Matilda Coxe Stevenson1 describes the game as played by the Sia under the name of Wash'lcasi.
Forty pebbles form a square, ten pebbles on a side, with a flat stone in the center of the square (fig. 51). Four flat blocks, painted black on one side and unpaiuted on the other, are held vertically and dropped upon the stone.
The counts are as follows :
4 painted sides up = 10 4 unpainted sides up = 6 3 painted sides up = 3 2 painted sides up = 2 1 painted side up =
The players move in opposite di- rections, both starting at one of the corners. The game is described as the first of four games played by Po'shaiyanne, the Sia culture hero, with the tribal priest. The stake was the latter's house in the north. The second of the four games is of the bowl class, which I have included in this series. The stake in this game was the ti'amoni, or priest's, house in the west. It was played with six 2-inch cubes, which were highly polished and painted on one side. These were tossed up in a large bowl held with each hand. u When three painted sides are up, the game is won; with only two painted sides up, the game is lost. Six painted sides up is equivalent to a march in euchre." The games that followed were, first, a game played with four sticks with hollow ends, under one of which a pebble was hidden. This was played for the priest's house in the south. Second, a game played with four little mounds of sand, in one of which a small round stone was hidden. This was played for the priest's house in the east. The games were then repeated in the same order commencing with Wash'lcasi for the house in the zenith, the game with the six blocks for the house in the nadir, and finally, the third in order, that with the four sticks with hollow ends, lbr all the people of the tribe.
Mr. Charles F. Lummis informs me he has witnessed the game with tin- staves or blocks in the following pueblos belonging to this stock: Acoma, Cochitr, Laguna, El Kito(Laguna Colony) and San Felipe.
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1 The Sia, Eleventh Annual Report of the Bureau of Ethnology, Washington, 1894, j,. 60.
CHESS AND PLAYING-CARDS.
731
KIOWAN STOCK.
Kiowa. Indian Territory. (Cat. No. L52908a, I.S.N.M.)
Set of four sticks of willow wood, 7 inches in length, g inch in width, and -{\ inch in thickness (tig. 52), nearly hemispherical in section, with one sidetlat, and having a deep groove, the stick being doubtless a sub- stitute for the cane, like that used by the Zufii, as suggested by Mr. Gushing. Three of the grooves are painted red, these sticks having two oblique marks burned across the grooved face near each end. The fourth stick has the groove painted black, with three lines burned across the middle in addition to those at the ends. Its rounded reverse is marked with a star in the center, composed of four crossed lines burned in the wood. The rounded sides of the others are plain. The col- lector, Mr. James Moo- ney,1 prefaces his ac- count of the game with the following song, em- ployed in the Ghost Dance:
Hise' hi, hisc' hi,
1 1 <i tint baku' (ha' na}
Hii tin& bain iha' na, Rati' ta-u' seta' na, Hiiti' ta-u' seta' na.
TRANSLATION.
My comrade, my comrade, Let us play the awl game, Let ns play the awl game, Let us play the dice game, Let us play the dice game.
The vroman who composed this song tells how, on wak- iDg up in the spirit world.
she met there a party of her former girl companions and sat down with them to play the two games universally popular with the prairie tribes.
The first is called ni baku' thana by the Arapaho and bona or "awl game" from toon, an awl) by the Kiowa, on account ofan awl, the Indian woman's substitute for a needle, being used to keep record of the score. The game is becoming obsolete in the north, but is the everyday summer amusement of the women among the Kiowa. Comanche, and Apache in the southern plains. It isverj amusing on account of th< unforeseen " rivers" and " whips" that are constantly turning up to disappoint expectant winner, and a party of women will frequently sit around the blanki halt a day at a time, with a constant ripple of laughter and good-humored jolt they follow the chances of the play. It would make a very pretty picnic game, or could be readily adapted to the parlor of civilization.
The players sit on the ground around a blanket marked in charcoal with lines and dots and quadrants in the corner., as Bhown in fig, 6, In the center a a Mom- upon which the sticks are thrown. Each dot, exoep ting those between the parallels,
Fig. 52.
SET OF STAYKS FOB BAMB.
(The lowest stick shows obverse of one above it.i
Length, 6$ inches.
Kiowa Indians, Indian Territory.
Cat. No. 1689086, U.S.N.M.
1 The Ghost Dance Religion, Fourteenth Annual Report of the Bureau of Ethnol- ogy, Washington, 1896, II. p. 1002.
732
REPORT OF NATIONAL MUSEUM, 1896.
counts a point, making twenty-four points for dots. Each of the parallel lines and each cud of the curved lines at the corners also counts a point, making sixteen points for the lines, or forty points in all. The players start at the bottom, oppos- ing players moving in opposite directions, and with eacli throw of the sticks the thrower moves an awl forward and sticks it into the blanket at the dot or line to which her throw carries her. The parallels on each of the four sides are called "rivers," and the dots within these parallels do not count in the game. The rivers at the top and bottom are " dangerous" and can not be crossed, and when the player is so unlucky as to score a throw which brings her to the edge of the river (i.e., upon the first line of either of these pairs of parallels) she "falls into the river" and must lose all she has hitherto gained, and begin again at the start. In the same way, when a player moving around in one direction makes a throw which
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Fig. 53.
SET OF STAVES FOlt GAME.
Length, S'l incites.
Kiowa Indians, Indian Territory.
Cat. No. 16290&Z, I'.s.N.M.
brings her awl to the place occupied by the awl of her opponent coming around from the other side, the said opponent is "whipped back" to the starting point and must begin all over again. Thus there is a constant succession of unforeseen accidents, which furnish endless amusement to the players.
The game is played with four sticks, each from 6 to 10 inches long, flat on one side and round on the other. One of these is the trump stick, and is marked in a distinctive manner in the center on both sides, and is also distinguished by having a green line along the flat side, while the others have each a red line. The Kiowa call the trump stick sahc, "green," on accouut of the green stripe, while the others are called guadal, "red." There are also a number of small green sticks, about the size of lead pencils, for keeping tally. Each player in turn takes up the four sticks together in her hand and throws them down on end upon the stone in the center. The number of points depends upon the number of Hat or round sides which turn
CHESS AND PLAYING-CARDS.
733
up. A lucky throw with a green, or trump, stick generally gives the thrower another trial in addition. The formula is :
1 flat side up = 1.
1 flat side up (if sahe) = 1 and another throw.
2 flat sides up (with or without sake) = 2.
3 flat sides up — 3.
3 flat sides up (including sahe) = 3 and another throw.
All 4 flat sides up = 6 and another throw.
All 4 round sides up = 10 and another throw .
Kiowa. Indian Territory. (Cat. No. 1529086, U.S.N.M.)
Set of four sticks of a variety of alder, 5£ inches in length, ft inch in width, and J inch in thickness. Three with groove painted red, on Hat side, and one with groove painted black. The former are burned with four diagonal marks resembling the feathering of an arrow on
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Fig. 54.
STAVES FOR GAME.
Length, 8£ inches.
Kiowa Indiana, Indian Territory.
Cat. N". 152908c, I'.S.VM.
alternate sides of the groove near each end. The fourth stick has in addition two parallel marks burned directly across the middle. Its rounded reverse is burned with a design in the shape of a diamond. The reverses of the others are plain.
Kiowa. Indian Territory. (Cat, No. 152908d, U.S.N.M.)
Set of four sticks of willow wood or chestnut sprout, 8g inches in length, | inch in breadth, and fcinch in thickness tig. 63). Three have flat sides with* lengthwise groove painted red. with parallel oblique lines like arrow feathering burned on alternate sides of the gro >ve at the ends, opposite to which are similar marks arranged in triaugles. The rounded reverses of these sticks are plain. The fourth stick has an incised device painted black and resembling two feathered arrows, the heads of which meet a transverse band cut across the middle.
734
REPORT OF NATIONAL MUSEUM, 1896.
Its rounded side lias three parallel lines burned across the center, on one side of which is an iucised design resembling a serpent, and on the other an undetermined figure.
Kiowa. Indian Territory. (Oat. No. 152908c, U.S.N.M.)
Set of four sticks of elm wood, 8J inches in length, -,% inch in width, and !% inch in thickness (fig. 51). Three with groove painted red and one with groove painted black. Former burned with two sets of two parallel marks about lg inches apart across the grooved face near each end.
The fourth stick has in addition oblique
marks burned across the center of the same
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side, with two pyra- midal dotted designs in the center of the opposite rounded side, which on the others is plain.
Kiowa. Indian Ter- ritory. (Cat. No. 152909a, U.S.N.M.)
Set of four sticks, 5 J inches in length, -^ inch in breadth, and -vV inch in thickness (fig. 55). Section ellipsoidal. One side, slightly flatter than the other, is grooved and marked with fine cross lines, forming a lozenge pattern. Three are painted red and one dark green. One of the red sticks is burned in the center, with two parallel marks obliquely across both the grooved and opposite side. The green stick has an undetermined figure burned in the center of the rounded side, which on the other two is plain.
Kiowa. Indian Territory. (Cat. No. 152909&, U.S.N.M.)
Set of four sticks, 3f inches in length, ^6- inch in breadth, and J inch in thickness. Flat sides grooved and painted, three red and one black. One of the red has an oblique incised line cut across the middle, and two parallel lines on the opposite, rounded side. The black stick has a small triangle cut lengthwise in the center of the rounded side, across which is a transverse incised line.
Kiowa. Indian Territory. (Cat. No. 152909c, U.S.N.M.) Set of four sticks, 5g inches in length, ^ inch in breadth, and £ inch in
SET OF STAVES FOE GAME.
(The two lower sticks represent the obverses of those directly
above.)
Length, 5£ inches.
Kiowa Indians, Indian Territory.
Cat. No. 152909a, U.S.N.M.
Report of U S National Museum. 1896.— Culin.
Plate 7.
1
Ivory and Wooden Dice.
Tlingit Indians. Alaska.
Cat. Nbs. E 894, 650, 1859, 650, loot. American Museum of Natural History. New York.
CHESS AND PLAYING-CARDS.
735
thickness. The flat sides are grooved ami have triangular expansions of
the groove at each end. Three are painted red and one black. One of the red sticks is marked like the one in the preceding, and the black stick in the same manner.
These Kiowa sticks were all collected by Mr. James Bfooney. In each set there is an odd stick, regarded by the author as corresponding with the dilate.
KOLUSCHAN STOCK.
Tlingit. Alaska. (Amer. Mns. Nat. Hist., New York.)
Small ivory die (Cat. No. E. 050) (Plate 7), shaped like a chair, height
Fig. 56.
LEATHER TABLET ON WHICH DICK AUK THROWN.
II. Lght, 7; inches.
Tlingit Indiana, Alaska.
Cat. N American Museum ol Natural Httory.
1 inch, H inch wide at back, and -] '} inch at side, with vertical hole from top to bottom tilled with lead. It is called ket-chii. From Shakan.
Small wooden die (Cat. No. E. G50) (Plate 7), like preceding. Sides engraved with crossed lines. Back has tour lead pings, and a hole for similar plug. Front has incised rectangular design with three had plugs.
73f>
REPORT OF NATIONAL MUSEUM, 1896.
Small ivory die (Cat, No. B. 894) (Plate 7), like preceding. Height 1 inch, Jii inch wide at back, and -£$ inch at side. Front face has small plug of lead.
Small wooden die (Cat. No. E. 1557) (Plate 7), like preceding, 1J inches high, ■{ -ji inch wide at back and sides. Back and three sides marked with incised lines.
Small wooden die (Cat. No. E. 1859) (Plate 7), like preceding, || inch high and & inch wide at side. Perfectly plain.
From Sitka. Designated as woman's gambling die. All the above were collected by Lieutenant Emmons.
Dr. Boas informs me that one die is used. The counts are: Either side up = 0; back or front up = 1 ; bottom up = "2. The dice are thrown upon a thick tablet of leather cut with a totem ic device, about 8 inches square. One (Cat. No. E. GOO, fig. 56) has the device of a bear's head. Another (Cat. No. E. 1057) a beaver, and still another (Cat. No. E. 2404) an unidentified animal. Similar dice are used by the Kwakiuti. (See p. 710.)
LUTUAMIAN STOCK.
Klamath. Oregon. (Cat. No. 24120, U.S.N.M.) Four woodchuck teeth dice (fig. 57). Two, both lefts, stopped at the end with red cloth, and marked on the flat side with chevron pattern, and two, somewhat smaller, one right and the other left, apparently from the same animal, marked on the same side Collected by L. S. Dyer, Indian Agent. The game is described by Dr. Albert S. Gatschet,1 under the name of Skushash.
Fig. 57.
SET OF WOODCHUCK TEETH DICE.
Length, 1£ to If inches.
Klamath Indians, Oregon.
Cat. No. 24126, U.S.N.M.
with five small holes.
The four teeth of the heaver are marked for this game by the incision of parallel lines or crosses on one side, and a small piece of woolen or other cloth is inserted into the hollow to prevent hreaks in falling. The two longer or upper teeth of the beaver are called the male (lakf), the pair of lower and shorter the female teeth (gulo) kiilu; distributive form: ktikalu. The marked side of the teeth wins, if it is turned up after dropping. The teeth of the woodchuck (mii-i, moi) serve for the same purpose.
A further account of the game is found in the text translated by Dr. Gatschet:
The Klamath Lake females play a game with heavers' teeth, letting them drop on a ruhhing stone. When all the teeth fall with the marked side; uppermost, they win two checks. If both female teeth fall right (marked) side up, they win one check. If both male teeth fall right side up, they win one check. Falling
' The Klamath Indians, Contributions to North American Ethnology, Washington, 1890, II, Pt. 1, p. 81.
CHESS AND PLAYING-CARDS.
737
unequally, they win nothing. They quit when one side lias won all the stakes. In this game of heavers' teeth {puman iiit) or woodchucks' teeth {muyam tit) they use twelve check sticks to count their gains with. The game is played by two persons, or by two partners on each side. Women only play thi^ game.
The beaver teeth game may be regarded as a modification of the bone game, played by the Blaekfeet. The four beaver teeth marked with circles or dots and lines arranged in chevrons clearly replace the four similarly marked staves. Again the tooth tied with sinew see account by Mr. Eells, p. 747) corresponds with the sinew wrapped stave. The counters, 2, agree with those of the Blaekfeet.
MARIPOSAN STOCK.
Yokut. Fort Tejon and Tule River, California. (Cat. No. 19G95, CT.S.N.M.) * Set of eight dice (fig. 58), made of canyon walnut shells split in the middle, and each half bowl filled with pitch and powdered charcoal
Fig. 58.
SET OF WALNUT SHELL DICE.
Diameter, 1 inch.
Yoktit Indians, California.
Cat. So. 19695, I'.S.VM.
inlaid with small red and white glass beads and bits of abalone shell. Collected by Stephen Powers. The game is thus described by the collector: '
The Yokuts have a sort of gambling which pertains exclusively to women. It is a (rind of dice throwing and is called u-chu'-us. For a dice they take half of a large acorn or walnut shell, fill it level with pitch and pounded charcoal, and inlay it with hits of bright-colored abalone shells. For a dice-table they weave a very lai fine basket-tray, almost fiat, and ornamented with devices woven in black or brown, mostly rude imitations of trees and geometrical figures. Four squaws sit around it to play, and a fifth keeps tally with fifteen sticks. There arc eight dice, and they scoop them up in their hands and dash them into the basket, counting one \\ hen t wo or live flat surfaces turn up. The rapidity with which the game goes forward is wonderful, and the players seem totally oblivious to all things in the world bee After each throw that a player makes she exclaims, yet ni (equivalent to one-j wi-a-tak, or ho-mai-4h, which are simply a kind of sing-song or chanting.
■Stephen Powers, Tribes of California, Contributions to North American Eth- nology, III, p. 377, Washington, lsT7.
NAT Mrs 90 47
738
REPORT OF NATIONAL MUSEUM, 1896.
NATCHESAN STOCK.
\ \ i 'chez. Louisiana.
Le Page du Prat/.1 says, referring to the women's game of the Natchez:
These pieces with which they play are three little hits of cane from 8 to 9 inches long, split in two equal parts and pointed at the ends. Each piece is distinguished by the designs which are engraved on the convex side. They play three at a time
and each woman has her piece. To play this game they hold two of these pieces of cane on the open left hand, and the third in the right hand, the round side upper- most, with which they strike upon the others, taking care to only touch the end. The three pieces fall, and when there are two of them which have the convex side uppermost, the player marks one point. If there is only one, she marks nothing. After the first, the two others play in their turn.
PIMAN STOCK.
Papago. Pima County, Arizona. (Cat. No. 174516, U.S.N.M.)
Set of four sticks of sehuara cactus, about 9J inches in length, f inch in width and J inch thick (fig. 59). Section ellipsoidal. Painted solid
Fig. 59. SET OF STAVES FOR CHIXG-SKOOT.
Length, fl£ inches.
Papago Indians, Pima County, Arizona.
Cat. No. 174516, U.S.N.M.
red on one side, " which is flat and marked with black lines of numerical and sex significance." Collected by Mr. W J McGee and Mr. William Diuwiddie.
The same is described by the collectors under the name of Ghing- skoot. The four marked faces receive the following names:
(a) ''Old man.*' (c) " Young man." b) "Old woman." (<l ) " Young woman."
In the play the sticks are held vertically, bunched in the right hand, and struck from underneath on their lower ends by a stone grasped in the left hand, the blow shooting them vertically into the air (Plate 8).
Histoire de la Louisiane, Paris, 1768, III, p. 4.
Report of U. S. National Museum, 1896— Culm.
Plate 8.
Papago Indian Striking Staves in the Air in Playing Ghing-skoot. From a photograph by William Dinwiddie.
CHESS AND PLAYING-CARDS.
When 2 hacks and 2 fronts of any Mirks come up it equals
When 3 fronts and 1 l>ack of any sticks come np it equals 3.
When 3 backs and the " Young Man '* come up it counts 4.
All fronts np count
When 3 hacks ami the "Old Woman" come up it eonnl -
All backs ■•onnt 10.
When 3 backs and the " Young Woman" come up it counts 14.
When :; backs and the "Old Man" come np it counts 15.
It the -ticks touch or fall on one another the throw must l»e repeat
The counts are kept upon a rectangle marked on the ground fig. 60 . usually approximating 12 by 8 feet, having- ten holes or pockets, count- ing the corners eacli time, along each side. At two alternate coiners are two quadrants called "houses'1 Jcee of live holes each, not count- ing the corner holes, called --doors" {jov-ta .
PLAYER
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PLAYER Ke 60.
CIRCUIT FOR PAPA'.O STAVE GAMK.
The game is played by two, three, or four playei - -'-It' or partners, with counters railed "horses." These usually number two foi each player. They are put into play consecutively and by alternate tin of the players. A throw of less than ri\«\ which does no( cs horses out of the door (two . prevents a player from «-n r «-i i i _ her
horse until hi> agg Ejate throws are 5-f, thus patting his horse into the rectangle proper. After all the horses of a single contest mt in play, he may move the same horse continuously. In counting the pockets, from "A" to either of the nearest corners, is 1~>. U is optional with the player whether he turns to the lefl _ht upon leaving the
door, though he must move his horse around the n e in the same
At this play they all laugh, and say the player " has not done skinning himc
740
REPORT OF NATIONAL MUSEUM, 1896.
direction after once starting. If "X" throw 15, moving to "«," and "\Y" throws the same number, enabling him to move to the same point, he "kills" or throws "XV horse out of play, and he must start his piece over again ; and again, if he should throw 14, he accomplishes the same result (there is no "one" in the stick count). However, if "X" should get to ucn and "W" throw 10 from "house," and get to ud,n he does not kill him. If on the next throw " W" throws 14 and "X" has not moved from "c" he kills him.
.V horse must run entirely around the rectangle and back into the house x>ockets, where he is safe from being "killed;" but to make him a winning piece, the exact number to count to "«■" must be thrown by the sticks. When a horse is upon a pocket adjoining " a," a two throw
C
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Fig. 61.
SET OF STAVES FOR GAME.
Length, 9 inches. Pima Indians, Arizona.
Cat. Xo. 27342, U.S.X.M.
is considered out. The object of the game is to carry all the horses around the pockets and out again at "a," the first player succeeding in this being declared the winner.
Pima. Arizona. (Cat. No. 27842, U.S.X.M.)
Set of four sticks of willow1 wood, 9 inches in length, J inch in breadth, and \ inch in thickness (fig. 61). Flat on one side, which is incised with transverse and diagonal lines filled in with black paint; opposite, rounded and painted red. Collected by Mrs. G. Stout.
Pima. Arizona. (Cat. No. 27843, U.S.N.M.)
Set of four sticks of willow l wood, 8§ inches in length, f inch in breadth, and J inch in thickness (fig. 62). Identical with preceding, except in the arrangement of the incised lines. Collected by Mrs. G. Stout.
1 Salix amygdaloides.
CHESS AND PLAYING-CARDS.
741
Pima. Arizona. (Cat. No. 7G017, GT.S.N.M.)
Set of lour sticks of hazel wood, 7£ inches iu length, J inch in breadth,
^X
X2
Fig. 62.
SET OF STAVES FOR GAME.
Length, 8g inches. Pima Indians, Arizona.
Cat. No. 20S43, U.S.N.M.
and J inch in thickness (fig. 63). Flat on one side, and marked with incised lines cut at angles across the sticks. These lines are painted
Big. 63. SET OF ff] LVBS i <>K OAMB.
Length, 7; inches. Pima Indians, Arizona.
. N . J«017, I .S.N.M.
red. and the inscribed faces painted black. Opposite, rounded Bides, plain. Collected by Mr. Edward Palmer. Described as men's >ti<
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742 REPORT OF NATIONAL MUSEUM. 1896.
Mr. Palmer states:
A space of 10 square feet is inclosed by holes made in the ground (fig. 64). At opposite corners on the outside are two semicircular rows of live holes each. At 1he
beginning a marking stick is put in the center hole A of each semicircle, and the point is to play around the square, and back again to the center hole. Each pair of players moves the pegs in opposite directions, and "whenever the count is made that would bring the stick to the hole occupied by that of the antagonist, he is sent back to his original starting place. The counts are as follows:
4 round sides up = 10. 4 flat sides up = 5.
When only one flat side is up, it counts what- ever is marked on it; any three, counts 3, and any
Q O two> 2-
O ° Pima. Arizona, (Cat. No. 76018, U.S.N.M.)
O 2 Set of four sticks, 7| inches long, h inch.
o n O n ft OOOOO *n breadth, and J inch in thickness. Flat
0 O on one side and painted black; opposite,
O O rounded and painted red. Collected by
ng. 64. Mr. Edward Palmer. Described by the
circuit for riMA stave game. collector as women's sticks. Two play.
With Cat. No. 76017, U.S.N. M. Collected by rr\\ 4. • 1 „ 1 n • <i ^ •l^l i
Edward raimer. The sticks are held m the right hand,
between the thumb and forefinger, and, with an underthrow, touch the ground slightly, and are let fly. The counts are as follows :
4 hlacks = 2. 4 reds = 1. 2 blacks = out.
6A_ 8 4 6 J
Tarahumara. Pueblo of Carichic, Chihuahua, Mexico. (Cat. No. Anier. Mus. Nat. Hist., New York.) Set of four split reeds,1 6 inches in length and J inch in width, marked on inner, flat sides, as shown in fig. Go. Opposite sides plain. Used in the game of Ro-ma-la-~ka, or Quince (Plate 9). They call the sticks Roma-la.
Tepeguana. Talayote, near Nabogame, Chihuahua, Mexico. (Cat. Nb« ;»¥r> Amer. Mus. Nat. Hist., New York.) Set of four ash-wood sticks, 18.] inches in length, J inch broad, and J inch thick, marked on one side with incised lines smeared with red paint (Plate 10, fig. 1); reverse, plain.
Tepeguana. Chihuahua, Mexico. (Cat. No. #0-, Amer. Mus. Nat. Hist., New York.) Set of four ash-wood sticks identical with the preceding, except that they are 16jj inches in length. (Plate 10, fig. 2.)
1 Called by the natives tubar.
Report of U. S. National Museum, 1 896.— Culm.
Plate 9.
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Report of U. S. National Museum, 1896. — Culin.
Plate 10.
Sets of Staves for Game of Quince. Lengths: „. is.', inches; b, L6J Inches; c, 11J to r; Inches
Tepeguana Indians. Chiliualuia. Mexico. Cat. Nos. 9BjV gYo, t8§9i American Museum of Natural BUstor] N fork.
CHESS AND PLAYING-CARDS.
743
Fig. 65.
SET OF STAVES FOR GAME OF RO-MA-LA-KA.
Length, 6 inches. Tarahumara Indians, Pueblo of Carichic, Chihuahua, Mexico.
Cat. No. g^g, American Museum of Natural History. ,
Pig SET OF STAVES FOB (iA.ME.
Length, *>A inches. Tepeguana Indians, Cbihuahna, Mexico
• lojhi Anurlcan Museum of Natural I
744 REPORT OF NATIONAL MUSEUM, 1896.
Tepeguana. Chihuahua, Mexico. (Oat. No. i{;f9. Amer. Mus. Nat.
Hist.. New York.)
Set of four sticks of canyon walnut or hickory, of slightly different
lengths, from 11J to 13 J inches; ^ inch wide and J inch thick. One
side flat with incised designs composed of straight and oblique lines.
the incised places being stained
o ° red (Plate 10, fig. 3); opposite
o sides rounded and plain.
O °ooooo ooooo Tepeguana. Chihuahua, Mex-
o o ico. (Cat. Xo. totsj Amer.
o o Mus. Xat. Hist., New York. |
o . o Set of four sticks of pinon wood,
° ° 6J inches in length and f inch
square. These sticks have four instead of two faces. Two oppo- site sides are flat and unpainted. One set of the other four sides are unpainted, with incised lines filled with red paint, as shown in fig. GO. The sides opposite to these are slightly rounded and painted red. The top stick is marked with a diagonal line across the middle, the next with two straight transverse lines near each end, the third is plain, and the fourth has a single transverse cut across the middle. The preceding Tarahumara and Tepeguana specimens were all collected by Dr. Carl Lumholtz. He informs me that the Tepeguana call the game In-tu-viga-i | zu-li | ga-i- rd-ga-i, "game straight throwing.'7 It is also generally known by the Spanish name of Quince,1 or "Fifteen."
lie states that it is played by all the tribes in Chihuahua who live in or near the Sierra, and by the Mexicans as well, but is not seen south of the State of Durango. It is not known to the Cora or Huichole in the State of Jalisco, or to the Tarasco of Michoacan.2
1 Also in French, Quinze, "a popular game with cards, in which the object is to make fifteen points.'' Tbe name (Jinnee does not appear to be confined anions the Indians to tin- game played with staves. Mr. Edward Palmer describes the follow- ing game under the name of (Jains (quincel) among the Pima of Arizona: "Any i) in ii 1 >« r can play. A short, split stick is first tbrown in a slanting direction, and each <>ne pitches his arrow to see who can come nearest to it. The one who does so holds the stick up while the others pitch. If the arrow touches the split stick and docs not catch, the thrower loses nothing. If, however, the arrow remains in the split stick it becomes the property of the holder. The game ends when one has all the arrows or they tire out."
Mi. ( . V. Hartman, who accompanied Dr. Lumholtz, informs me that Quince is played with four Rattened reeds by the Zaque Indians of the Rio Fuerte in Sinaloa. They call tin- game in their language ke-zu-te.
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Fig. 67. |
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Carl Lumholtz. |
CHESS AND PLAYING-CARDS.
745
Dr. Lumholtz informs me that Quince is played by throwing the four staves against a flat stone, the counts being kept around a diagram (fig. 07), which consists of holes pecked in the rock, about 3 by 1 feet.
PUJUNAN STOCK.
Xishinam. California. Powers' gives the following account:
The ha is a game of dice, played by men or women, two, three, or four together, The dice, four in number, consist of two acorns split lengthwise into halves, with the outsides scraped and painted red or black. They are shaken in the hands and thrown into a wide, flat basket, woven in or- namental patterns, sometimes worth $25. One paint and three whites, or vice versa, score nothing; two of each score one; four alike score four. The thrower keeps on throw- ing until he makes a blank throw, when aJ^v \\*) another takes the dice. When all the play- ers have stood their turn, the one who has scored most takes the stakes, which in this game are generally small, say a "bit.''
SALISHAN STOCK.
Clallam. Port Gamble, Washing ton. (Cat. No. 19653, Field Co- lumbian Museum, Chicago.) Set of four beaver teeth dice, two with straight lines and two with cir- cles. Collected by Rev. Myron Eells. Mr. Eells writes:
Precisely the same kind are used by the Twana, Puyallup, Snohomish, Chehalis, ;ind Queniut, in fact by all the tribes on Paget Sound. I have obtained them from the Twana and Queniut.
To this list Mr. Eells has added the Cowlitz, Lummi, Skagit, and Squaxon and the Soke of British Columbia.
Tulalip Agency, (Cat, Xo. 130990,
Fig
BEATER I BETH DH
Lengl h. 1 1 to - inches. Snohomish (? ) [ndians, Tulalip Agency,
Washington.
. 180990, (J.S.N.M.
Snohomish (?)2
Washington.
U.S.N.M.)
Set of four beaver teeth dice (fig. 68).
Two, both lefts, stopped at end and marked on fiat side with rings
and dots, and two, rights and lefts, both apparently from the same
animal, with both sides plain. Twenty -eight radial bones of birds,
'Contributions to North American Ethnology, Washington, is77. III. p. 332.
-It is not possible to determine the tribe exactly. The tribes al the Tulalip Agency are given in Powell's Indian Linguistic Families of North America as follows: Sno- homish, 443; Madison, 14A; Muckleshoot, 103; Swinomish. 227; Lummi, 295.
746
REPORT OF NATIONAL MUSEUM, 1896.
about 3 inches in length (tig. 69), used as counters. Collected by Mr. E. 0. Gherouse. Designated by the collector as a woman's game.
Lku'xgen (Songish). Vancouver Island, British Columbia.
Dr. Franz Boas1 gives the following account:
Smetale'f a game of dice, is played with four beaver teeth, two being marked on one of their fiat sides with two rows of small cir- cles. They are called "women" {sta'nae smv- taW). The two others are marked on one of the flat sides with cross lines. They are called "raeu" (suwe' k-'a smvtalt'). One of them is tied with a The game is played by two
Fig. G9. GAME COUNTERS. RADIAL BONES OF BIRD.
Length, about 3 inches. Snohomish (?) Indians, Tnlalip Agency, Washington.
Cat. No. 130990, U.S.N.M.
small string in the middle. It is called iHJr' ale" & sen.
persons. According to the value of the stakes, thirty or forty sticks are placed
between the players. One begins to throw up or down he wins two sticks. If the faces of the two "men" are up, of the two " women" down, or vice versa, he wins one stiek. When the face of the iHk-' ak'" ('' sen is up, all others down, or vice versa, he wins four sticks. Whoever wins a stick goes on playing. When one of the play- ers has obtained all the sticks he wins the game.
Nisqualli. Washington. Mr. George Gibbs2 states :
The women have a game be- longing properly to themselves. It is played with four beaver teeth, meh-ta-la, having particu- lar marks on each side. They are thrown as dice, success de- pending on the arrangement in which they fall.
When all the marked faces are either
Fig. 70.
SET OF BEAVER TEETH DICE.
Length, 1$ inches.
Thompson River Indians, interior of British Columbia.
Cat. No. g^j, American Museum of Natural Ilitory.
In his Dictionary of the Xisqualli, the name of the game is given as me-tala, s'me-ta-la; the highest or four point of the dice, Ices.
' Se<ond General Report on the Indians of British Columbia, Report of the Sixtieth meeting of the British Association lor the Advancement of Science, Leeds, 1890, London. 1891, p. 571.
2 Contributions to North American Ethnology, I, p. 206.
CHESS AND PLAYING-CARDS. 747
Nslakyapamuk (Niakapamux). Thompson River Indians, interior of British Columbia. (Gat. No.
Anicr. Mas. of Nat. Hist., New York.)
Set of four beaver teeth dice (fig*. 70); one, partly split, wrapped with sinew. Marked on one face with lines and dots. Opposite sides plain. Collected by Mr. James Teit. Shooshwap. British Columbia.
Dr. Boas1 states they play the game of dice with beaver teeth. Twana. Washington.
Kev. M. Eells writes:2
The dice are made of beavers' teeth generally, but sometimes from musk rats' teeth. There are two pairs of them, aud generally two persons play, one on each side, but sometimes there are two or three on each side. The teeth are taken in one hand and thrown after the manner of dice. One has a string around the middle. If this one is down and all the rest are up, or up and the rest down, it counts four; if all are up or down, it counts two; if one pair is up and the other down it couuts one; if one pair is up or down and the other divided, unless it be as above, when it couuts four, then it counts nothing; 30 is a game, but they generally play three games, and bet more or less, money, dresses, or other things. They sometimes barn very expertly to throw the one with the string on differently from the others, by arranging them in the hand so they can hold this one;, which they know by feeling, a trifle longer than the others.
SHAHAPTIAN STOCK.
Klickitat. Washington. (Cat. No. 20055, Mas. Arch., Univ. Perm.) Three beaver teeth dice, two marked with five circles with central dot and one with chevrons on flat side. All have ends wrapped with sinew to prevent splitting. One with circles and one with chevrons wrapped about the middle with sinew. Collected by Mr. A. B. Averill.
SHOSHONEAN STOCK.
Comanche. Kiowa Reservation, Indian Territory. (Cat. No. 1 .*>i_M.H 1*7, U.S.N. M.) Set of six bone dice, having both faces convex, and bearing on one face incised designs (tig. 71) filled with red paint. The reverses are plain, with the exception of the third from the left, which has a cross inscribed upon the back. The device on the (ace of this die was intended to represent the head of a buffalo, which is more plainly delineated upon one of the Mandan dice (fig. SI). Two of the plum stones in the Sioux game described by Colonel McChesnex p. Too have a buffalo head on one side, opposite to which is a cross. Col lected by Mr. James Mooney, 1891. Described by the collector i- played by women, and shaken up in a basket.
Comanche. Kiowa Reservation, Indian Territory. Oat. N<>. L5291 1/'. U.S.N.M. Set of six bone dice with designs like those on the preceding, but
1 Second Geneial Report on tlie Indians of British ( Eolumbia, p. 641. 2Bulletin, U. S. Geological and Geographical Survey, III. No. 1. p. I
748
REPORT OF NATIONAL MUSEUM, 1896.
painted green instead of red (fig. 72). Collected by Mr. James Mooney,
1891.
Parte. South Utah. (Cat. No. 9411, Peabody Museum.)
Fourteen strips of cane 5| inches long and in width, with the inner, curved sides painted red (tig. 7-*). Said to be used upon the dice prin- ciple, the red sides only being counted. Collected by Mr. Edward Palmer.
s\
Fig. 71.
SET OF BONE DICE.
Lengths, 1J to \% inches.
Comanche Indians, Indian Territory.
Cat. No. 152911a, U.S.N.M.
Paiute. Pyramid Lake, Nevada. (Cat. No. 19054, U.S.N.M.)
Set of twelve sticks of grease wood1 1J inches in length, t% inch in breadth, and J inch in thickness (fig. 74). Both sides rounded, the outer painted red and the inner unpainted. Collected by Stephen Powers. Described by the collector as women's gambling sticks.
Fig. 72.
PET OF BONE DICE.
Lengths, 1| and li inches.
Comanche Indians, Indian Territory.
Cat. N<>. 152911ft, t.S.N.M.
SHOSHONI. Fort Hall Agency, Idaho. (Cat. Xo. 22285, U.S.N.M.)
Set of four sticks 10 inches in length, & inch in breadth, and -,36- inch in thickness; rectangular in section (fig. 75). Made from grooved box boards, which Mr. dishing pointed out to the writer were used as a substitute for split canes. Burned on inner grooved side with four transverse marks, two near each end. Collected by William H. D anil son.
lLarrea Mexicana.
Report of U. S. National Museum, 1896.— Culm
Plate 11
Bark Tablets thrown as Dice.
Length. 5 to 10 inches. Uinkaret Indians, Utah. Cat. No. 11217, U.S.N.M.
CHESS AND PLAYING-CARDS.
749
Uinkaret.1 Arizona. (Cat. ^To. 11217, U.S.KM.)
Ten liat pieces of cedar bark (Plate 11), rectangular, with rounded cor- ners, from 5 to 10 inches in length and lj to 2J inches in width. Inner,
Fiff. 73.
GAMING CANES.
Length, 5| inches. Paiute Indians, southern Utah.
Cst. No. 9411, Peabody Museum of American Archeology.
smooth sides marked with blotches of red paint; reverse plain. Col- lected by Maj. J. W. Powell, who has kindly furnished me with the following information concerning them:
They were used as dice, but the method of counting I do not now renieraber. In fact, there were peculiarities in the count which I never quite mastered, but I remem-
Fijr. 74. SET OF STICKS FOB OAME.
Length, 2] inches. Paiute Indians, Nevada- Cat n i .S.N.M.
1 Mr. Frederick W. Hodge informs me that the Uinkaret formed a division of the Paiute, and in 1873-7-1 lived in mountains of the same name in Northern Arizona.
"Their population at that time was only 101, and I have no doubt they ar Hcially
recognized as Paiute proper. The name means 'Where the pine grows.' Powell is
the only one who has mentioned them, as he is practically the only student who has studied this branch of the Shoshonean tribes,"
7f>0
REPORT OF NATIONAL MUSEUM, 1896.
ber that 1 was satisfied that every piece represented a region. The bark cards were shamed by tossing- them in a little tray basket, or kaicltoats, sometimes used by the women as taps, but having a more general use as gathering baskets. They were shaken up under the concealment of a blanket and tossed upon another blanket, and different arrangement produced different numbers, which were counted upon little sticks. Each party in the game started with a definite number of these sticks, and the final winner was the one who accumulated all in his pile.
Fig. 75.
SET OF STAVES FOE GAME.
Length, 10 inches. Shoshoni Indians, Fort Hall Agency, Idaho.
Cat. No. 22285, U.S.N. M.
SIOUAN STOCK.
Asstnaboin. Dakota. (Cat. No. 8498, U.S.N.M.)
Set of four sticks of polished hickory 15£ inches in length, about 1 inch in breadth in center, tapering to f inch at ends, and J inch in thickness. Two are burned on one side with war calumets, or toma- hawks, and with crosses (stars?) at each end, and two each with four
Fig. 76.
8ET OF STAVES FOR GAME.
Length, 15£ inches. Assinaboin Indians, Dakota.
Cat. No. 8498, U.S.N.M.
bear tracks, with stripes of red paint between (fig. 76;. Opposite sides plain. Ends rounded, one notched and tied with sinew to prevent splitting. Collected by Dr. J. P. Kimball.
Assinaboin. Upper Missouri.
In a report to Hon. Isaac I. Stevens, Governor of Washington Terri- tory, on the Indian tribes of the Upper Missouri, by Mr. Edwin T.
CHESS AND PLAYING-CARDS.
751
Denig, a manuscript1 in the library of the Bureau of American Eth- nology, there occurs the following accounts of the bowl and stave game among the Assinaboin :
Most of the leisure time, either by night or by day, among all these nations is devoted to gambling in various ways, and such is their infatuation that it is tin- cause of much distress and poverty in families. For this reason the name of being a desperate gambler forms a great obstacle in the way of a young man getting a wife. Many quarrels arise among them from this source, and we are well acquainted with an Indian who a few years since killed another because after winning all he had he refused to put up his wife to be played for. Every day and night in the sol- dier's lodge not occupied by busi- ness matters presents gambling in various ways all the time; also in many private lodges the song of hand gambling and the rattle of the bowl dice can be heard.
Women are as much addicted to the practice as men, though their games are different, and not being