Lightning

I obtained this figure from Dr. Haddon in August, 1904. He learned it from two old Navaho men in Chicago in 1901, and has published a description of it (5, p. 222, pl. xv, Fig. 5). The Navaho name is Atsinil-klish. In the Philadelphia Free Museum of Science and Art there are two examples of the finished patterns, collected by Mr. Stewart Culin, but they are so badly distorted as to be scarcely recognizable: No. 22712 is Navaho, from St. Michael’s Mission, Arizona; No. 22732 called Vo-pi-ri-dai = Lightning, is by the Tewa Indians from Isleta, N. M.

1-3

First, Second and Third: The same as the First, Second and Third movements of the "Bow."

4

Fourth: Bend each ring finger toward you over the far middle finger string and take up from below with the back of the finger the near index string (Fig. 487, Left hand), and return the ring finger to its position (Fig. 487, Right hand).

Fig. 487
5

Fifth: Pass each little finger over the far ring finger string, and take up from below on the back of the finger the far middle finger string (Fig. 488, Left hand), and return the little finger to its position (Fig. 488, Right hand).

Fig. 488

You now have two twisted strings passing between the two little fingers, two loose strings passing over the thumbs and two strings laced around the other fingers.

6

Sixth: Turn the hands with the thumbs upward and the palms facing each other. The little finger strings should be taut, but must not be disturbed. Keep all the fingers close together so that the strings cannot slip; the success of the figure depends entirely upon this p