Product Description
String Figures are designs woven on the hands with a loop of string. The designs portray a variety of subjects, both concrete and abstract, and often require a high degree of dexterity to make.Prior to Westernization, nearly all pre-literate societies were familiar with string figures, including those of Oceania, Southeast Asia, Australia, Japan, Africa, the Arctic, and North and South America. The extent of their distribution suggests that string figures are ancient--perhaps even relics of the stone age.The international String Figure Association was founded in 1978 by Dr. Hiroshi Noguchi, a Japanese mathematician, and Rev. Philip Noble, an Anglican missionary stationed in Papua New Guinea. The primary goal of our organizt=ation is to gather and distribute string figure knowledge, so that future generations will continue to enjoy this ancient pastime. We also encourage the invention of new figures and enjoy sharing them with one another. ... Read more