MEL, natakambol

Geolocation

Relations

Item Relations

This Item Same string figure procedure: Item: MISIMA, name of an island

Graphical representation of this item’s relations

Citation

Eric Vandendriessche, “MEL, natakambol,” String figures, accessed February 24, 2026, https://stringfigures.huma-num.fr/items/show/75.
  • Overall presentation

  • Name : MEL, natakambol

  • Creator : Eric Vandendriessche

  • Contributor(s) : Mata, village of Fonah, North Ambrym, Vanuatu
    Jaeck, village of Melvat, North Ambrym, Vanuatu

  • Date : 2016-2017


  • Information on the string figure

    • General presentation of the string figure

    The North Ambrymese name "mel" refers to the fruits of the tree limel (trunk of "mel”) or "nakatambol" in Bislama, Dracontomelon vitiense). The intermediate figure and final figures are called "mel gerlam" (big "mel") and "mel orpwi" (a single "mel").

    Construction method (ISFA)

    1. Opening A
    2. Pass 1 distal to 2 loops. Proximally, insert 1 into 5 loops, pick up 5n, and return to position.
    3. Proximally, insert 2 into proximal 1 loops, pick up proximal 1f, and return to position. Release 1.
    4. Distally, insert 1 into proximal (lower) index loops. Pick up 5n and return. Release 5.
    5. 5 and 4 hook down distal 2f. 5 pick up 1f and return. Release 1.
    6. Distally, insert 1 into proximal index loops, pick up both distal and proximal 2.
    7. Navaho 1
    8. Release distal 2 loops.
    9. Pass 1 distal to 2 loops. Proximally, insert 1 into 5 loops. Pick up 5n and return to position.
    10. Caroline extension
    11. Distally, insert 1 into distal 2 loops. Pick up distal 2f and return. Release distal 2 loops. Proximally, insert 2 into 1 loops. Release 1.
    12. Repeat steps 3-9

    Construction method (symbolic writing)

    Intermediate figure:

    $\underline{O}.A:\overrightarrow{m}1(2\infty):\underline{i}1(5\infty): p1(5n)\#:\underline{i}2(l1\infty): p2(l1f)\#:r1:\overline{i}1(l2\infty): p1(5n)\#:r5\underline{h}45(u2f):p5(1f)\#:r1:\overline{i}1(l2\infty): p1(l2f, u2f):N1:r2:\overrightarrow{m}1(2\infty):\underline{i}1(5\infty): p1(5n)\#:\underline{E}.C$

    Final figure:

    $\overline{i}1(u2\infty): p1(2f)\#:r2:\underline{i}2(1\infty):r1: \underline{i}2(l1\infty): p2(l1f)\#:r1: \overline{i}1(l2\infty): p1(5n)\#:r5:\underline{h}45(u2f):p5(1f)\#:r1:\overline{i}1(l2\infty): p1(l2f, u2f)): N1:r2: \overrightarrow{m}1(2\infty):\underline{i}1(5\infty): p1(5n)\#:\underline{E}.C$

    Mathematical concepts involved

    Iteration of a long sub-procedure (step 3-9)
    Symmetry
  • Item references

  • Key words : String figures, Ambrym Island (Vanuatu)

  • Publisher : Laboratory SPHERE (UMR 7219, University of Paris & CNRS)

  • Rights : Creative Commons / Attribution-NonCommercial-ShareAlike CC BY-NC-SA

  • Format : jpeg, eaf, mp4

  • Language : English, North Ambrym language

  • Location : Village of Fonah, North Ambrym, Vanuatu, South Pacific

  • Description : Ambrymese string figure, method of construction, linguistic data, cultural aspects

Output Formats