AK&ARJU(U)K, two brown bears

Another method of construction was collected among the Inuvialuit and the Inuinnait in the western and central Canadian Arctic ("Mackenzie and Copper" Inuit, Jenness 1924: 14).

Comment(s) about relation(s)

For Mary Quliktalik (Niriungniq), the pattern of one brown bear resembles the one created in the string figure known as the 'fox', Tiriganniarjuttiaq. (Tiriganniarjuttiaq atausiq ajjilauluni ak&arjuuk).

Geolocation

Relations

Item Relations

Item: AK&ARJU(U)K INARLUKSIMAJUUK, the two brown bears with a line caught between their legs related through common consecutive operations (sub-procedure): This Item
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, two brown bears,” String figures, accessed February 24, 2026, https://stringfigures.huma-num.fr/items/show/77.
  • Overall presentation

  • Name : AK&ARJU(U)K, two brown bears

  • Creator : Céline Petit

  • Contributor(s) : Herve PANIAQ, Iglulik, Nunavut, Canada
    Mary Quliktalik NIRIUNGNIQ, Iglulik, Nunavut, Canada

  • Date : 2005-2018

  • Information on the string figure

    • General presentation of the string figure

    This string figure represents two brown bears that are going away from each other. They split and go in opposite directions.
    (Tapvaguuq ak&arjuuk maqruuk. Ungamut (...) qimaqattautiik).
    The two patterns representing the brown bears appear to be similar (Amma taakkua ajjigiik ak&arjuuk. Ajjigiittiak...).

    Construction method (ISFA)

    1. Opening A.
    2. Proximally transfer 2 loop to 1. Distally transfer 5 loop to 2.
    3. 5 passes proximally through proximal 1 loop, behind distal 1 loop, and hooks down 2n.
    4. Index Twist, and Navajo 1.
    5. R Katilluik, then proximally transfer 1 loop to 2.
    6. 1 pick up the lower oblical near strings.
    7. Inuit Ending. Extend so that strings part in the center.

    See Wirt et al. 2009: 13 for a detailed illustration.

    Construction method (contributor-s’ description)

    Herve Paniaq stresses that the method of making this figure is related to the one involved in the figure Ningaurulukturju(u)k.

    Close references (bibliography)

    "The two brown bears" (Inuit - Alaska to Eastern Canada), Jenness 1924 : 13 (I, fig. 3) : cf. "There is no figure more widely known among the western Eskimos, and the Barrow and Inland natives commonly challenge each other to a contest of speed in producing it" (Jenness 1924: 13).
    "Agdlarssuk, brown bear without head" (Aivilingmiut, Tununirmiut), Mathiassen 1928: 222.
    "The two brown bears", Paterson 1949: 16-17, 8.
    "Akhlârjuk, les deux ours bruns" (Arviligjuarmiut), Mary-Rousselière 1969 : 13-14, fig. 7.

    Mathematical concepts involved

    Bilateral symmetry.
  • Item references

  • Key words : String figure; Inuit; Iglulik; Eastern Canada; Arctic

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

  • Rights : Creative commons

  • Relation : Item original

  • Format : If it is available, you can see the video with subtitles by clicking here

  • Language : Inuktitut ; English

  • Location : Iglulik (Igloolik), Nunavut, Canada.

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

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