AK&ARJU(U)K INARLUKSIMAJUUK, the two brown bears with a line caught between their legs
Geolocation
Relations
Item Relations
| This Item | related through common consecutive operations (sub-procedure): | Item: AK&ARJU(U)K, two brown bears |
| Item: AK&ARJUK TISIMINIT ANIGISAAQTUQ, a brown bear issuing from its cave | related through common consecutive operations (sub-procedure): | This Item |
Graphical representation of this item’s relations
Citation
Céline Petit, “AK&ARJU(U)K INARLUKSIMAJUUK, the two brown bears with a line caught between their legs,” String figures, accessed February 24, 2026, https://stringfigures.huma-num.fr/items/show/249.
- Overall presentation
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Name : AK&ARJU(U)K INARLUKSIMAJUUK, the two brown bears with a line caught between their legs
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Creator : Céline Petit
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Contributor(s) : Mary Quliktalik NIRIUNGNIQ, Iglulik, Nunavut, Canada
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Date : 2011-2015
- Information on the string figure
This string figure represents two brown bears (ak&aak,
AK&ARJUUK) that are linked through a line caught between their legs or possibly one running from their anus (INARLUKSIMAJUUK).
The two patterns representing the brown bears with their backs turned to each other are said to be similar.
In the 'Iglulik area' as a whole (and among Amitturmiut and Mittimatalingmiut in particular), this figure is also interpreted as depicting two dogs (or big dog pups, QIMMIARALLAAK ?) with a line between their legs.
AK&ARJUUK) that are linked through a line caught between their legs or possibly one running from their anus (INARLUKSIMAJUUK).
The two patterns representing the brown bears with their backs turned to each other are said to be similar.
In the 'Iglulik area' as a whole (and among Amitturmiut and Mittimatalingmiut in particular), this figure is also interpreted as depicting two dogs (or big dog pups, QIMMIARALLAAK ?) with a line between their legs.
1. Position 1.
2. R1 hooks up L palmar string.
3. Proximally insert L1 into R1 (distal) loop and extend.
4. R2 picks up L palmar string and L2 picks up R palmar string (as in Opening A).
5. Proximally transfer 2 loop(s) to 1. Distally transfer 5 loop(s) to 2.
6. Insert 5 proximally into double proximal 1 loop. 5 pass behind distal 1 loop and hook down 2n.
7. Index Twist [2 hook up double proximal 1 loop while releasing 2 loop] and Navajo 1.
8. R Katilluik [= proximally insert R1 into L1 loop, release L1 then insert L1 into R1 double loop and extend; 1 pick up double 2n and return while moving under proximal double 1n; release 2], then proximally transfer 1 loop to 2.
9. 1 pick up the lower diagonal near strings.
10. Inuit Ending [= distally insert 2 into 1 loop, 2 pick up 1n, release 1, transfer double distal 2 loop to 1, and release 2] and extend.
[= Starting at 4, proceed as in making the "two brown bears", AK&ARJUUK]
2. R1 hooks up L palmar string.
3. Proximally insert L1 into R1 (distal) loop and extend.
4. R2 picks up L palmar string and L2 picks up R palmar string (as in Opening A).
5. Proximally transfer 2 loop(s) to 1. Distally transfer 5 loop(s) to 2.
6. Insert 5 proximally into double proximal 1 loop. 5 pass behind distal 1 loop and hook down 2n.
7. Index Twist [2 hook up double proximal 1 loop while releasing 2 loop] and Navajo 1.
8. R Katilluik [= proximally insert R1 into L1 loop, release L1 then insert L1 into R1 double loop and extend; 1 pick up double 2n and return while moving under proximal double 1n; release 2], then proximally transfer 1 loop to 2.
9. 1 pick up the lower diagonal near strings.
10. Inuit Ending [= distally insert 2 into 1 loop, 2 pick up 1n, release 1, transfer double distal 2 loop to 1, and release 2] and extend.
[= Starting at 4, proceed as in making the "two brown bears", AK&ARJUUK]
"Akhlârjûk erhluminik atayûk - les deux ours bruns reliés par le rectum" (Arviligjuarmiut, Canada), Mary-Rousselière 1969 : 14-15, fig. 8.
Bilateral symmetry.
- Item references
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Key words : String figure; String game; Inuit; Iglulik; Eastern Canada; Arctic
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Publisher : Laboratory SPHERE (UMR 7219, University of Paris & CNRS)
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Rights : Creative Commons / Attribution-NonCommercial-ShareAlike CC BY-NC-SA
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Language : Inuktitut ; English
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Location : Iglulik (Igloolik), Nunavut, Canada
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Description : Iglulingmiut (Amitturmiut) Inuit string figure (Nunavut, Canada): symbolism, method of construction, references to the same figure as documented among different Inuit groups (Alaska, Canada, Greenland)