8/31/2023 0 Comments Gaslight village wyoming county![]() If a throw was successful, the snake would move rapidly down the track, with Parker writing, “In its swift passage through the trough, the flexible stick twists and bends in truly snake-like fashion, its upturned head adding greatly to the resemblance.” JSTOR, Competitors tended to be boisterous, and could use what now is called “trash talk,” shouting derision and discouragement as a player drew back for throw, according to this account. Parker, “Snow Snake as Played by the Seneca-Iroquois.” American Anthropologist, vol. Dashing forward with every trained muscle in play, he hurls the snake into the trough, using all his skill to throw accurately and steadily.” Illustration in the 1909 report by New York State Museum official Arthur C. The palm of the hand of course is turned upward. Parker who witnessed the contests described the action as a player “grasps his snake by the tail, his thumb and middle-finger grasping the sides two or three inches from the end, and his index-finger bent and tightly pressed against the grooved end. This 1909 published account by New York State Museum official Arthur C. If it is fresh snow, wet snow, or icy conditions the snow snake will slide faster when it is properly waxed for the conditions. ![]() Players also used mixtures of special waxes, tallows and oils on their snakes to get them to slide easier, and those mixes were closely-guarded secrets, as a well-tossed snake could travel a great distance. Called a gawan’go, the U-shaped trough could be level or on gently downward sloping terrain, and different types of sticks were used, depending on whether the condition of the snow was wet, dry, icy, powdery or something else. Historically, the track was made by dragging a log through the snow, sometimes a half a mile or more. Examples of snow snakes at Ganondagan State Historic Site (Photo Credit: Wikipedia Commons) Smaller versions called “mud cats” are about half that long. Snow snakes can be six feet long or more. The hardwood stick has a tapered head to help it clear potential obstructions, giving it a snakelike appearance as it slides and shimmies down the track. Rather, this traditional game once widely played by the Iroquois and many other Native American tribes across North America uses a long smooth stick – known as a gawasa – that is thrown down a trough cut into the snow. The game does not involve an actual snake… All events are weather permitting, of course.Īnd not to worry, any first-timers. Our winter activities will include making a miniature wooden bow from ash, as well as Native American storytelling, Iroquois social dancing, and a variety of outdoor activities including snow shoeing, dog sled demonstrations, and the snow snake. One of the oldest outdoor winter games in North America is again coming to the Ganondagan State Historic Site in Ontario County.Īlready centuries old when Europeans first arrived in this country, the game of “snow snake” will be featured at our family-friendly annual Native American Winter Games on February 22.Įarlier that week from February 18 to 21, there also will be a variety of wintertime activities for visitors at Ganondagan, the state’s only historic site dedicated to Native American history and the only representation of a Seneca town in the United States.
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