Snow snake game...TSOHEAC

A winter game played by the Abenaki was called the Snow Snake. Most Abenaki snow snakes were hand carved pieces of wood, usually hickory or ash, that were approximately 18-24 inches, although some Wabanaki tribes made snow snakes that were up to 6-7 feet long. Among the numerous shapes are two main varieties, the spoon mouth – M’quon which is about 2 feet long and flat at top and bottom with one end concave like the bowl of a spook and the snake head – Atoosis which is long slender and round with one end resembling a snakes head and the other pointed.  There is also the Skegaweis which is flat underneath, round on top and about 2 feet in length and the P’tgukwholok which is the largest of all and is from 5 to 7 feet long and nearly round with both ends raised slightly and pointed.

The game begins...

If someone wanted to start a game of snow snake he would run through the village calling out that a game would be played. Soon all those who were interested in playing would join him each bringing their own snow snakes.  Then one or more of the players would take a log approximately 3 inches in diameter and drag it through the snow to form a path for the snakes to go down.  Often time the game was played at a place with a hard flat crust of snow so that the snow snakes would glide easily on top.

The play...

Each player would line up and take a turn throwing his or her snow snake. The snow snake was thrown in a motion similar to that of skipping a stone on water. Once your snow snake stopped it was stuck up in the snow beside the path at the place it stopped to show the distance. The snow snake that had gone the furthest was the winner. Among the Penobscots sometimes the winner would win all the other snow snakes.  He would then gather up all the snow snakes, yell out and toss them all into the air. Then the other players would rush to get their snow snake, or the one they thought was the best.  Today the teams play for fun although the Haudenosaunee in NY compete for prizes.

Making snow snakes...

The designs presented here are adapted from published Maine examples. These projects can be made using dimensional lumber and require little carving expertise.

For shorter snow snakes:
     Materials needed:
     1. Hardwood lumber 1" X 1/2" X 40"

     2. Carving tools (Pocketknife and hand plane)

     3. Sandpaper

     4. Stain

     5. Varnish

Instructions:
1. With a pocketknife or any other carving tools, whittle the snowsnake head to one of the shapes shown in the pictures above.

2. With a hand plane carefully plane the rest of the snowsnake to a triangular cross section.

3. Taper the end and sand the snowsnake.

4. If you wish add designs you can carve in the head design and body designs with a small gouge or wood burner.

5. Final sand, stain and varnish the snowsnake. The varnish helps to keep out moisture as well as give the snake a smooth glassy finish so it will glide faster. Ski wax may also be used.

For a longer Snow Snake:

     Materials needed:
     1. 8 foot long 2x2 or 2x4 board

     2. Carving tools (Pocketknife and hand plane)

     3. Sandpaper

     4. Stain/varnish

Instructions:

The board should be sawn and sanded down so it is from 5 to 7 feet long with a 4 inch long head. The snake should be about 3/4 to 1 inch wide and 1/2 inch high for the length of the body. The head should be from 1 1/2 to 2 inches tall. Using a 2x2 firring strip as the blank works well, or rip cut a 2x4.

The underside of the snake is rounded and the back is flat. The bottom of the head should slope up like the front of a snow ski.

Each snake should be well sanded, especially the bottom. Then, varnished for a smooth finish.  For extra detail and design you can also try wood burning some symbols onto it!

You can also create a larger 2x2 snake by cutting a 2x4 down the middle leaving a head at each end.

 

Here is a great resource for multiple crafts, but specifically you can go to the tab for Joe "Hugga" Dana to view his snow snakes.
http://tok.asap.um.maine.edu/miba/examples/scrollable-view.html

A Sports Illustrated article on Professional Snow Snake games:

http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/vault/article/magazine/MAG1129347/index.htm

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