11 February 2023, at 10 AM at Millot Green, Alstead, New Hampshire
All ages are invited. Alcohol/Drug Free Environment
Present by
Ko’asek (Co’wasuck) Traditional Band of the Sovereign Abenaki Nation
49 Pleasant St. #106, Alstead, NH 03602
Sponsored by: Koasek of Turtle Island, Inc, 501/3 Non-Profit
Location: Millot Green – 15 Mechanic St., Alstead, NH (In back of town hall and next to police station)
A Free Event
TSOHEAC, (Ps8-Skog) THE SNOWSNAKE GAME
The snow snake game is played throughout North America wherever there is enough snow to warrant it. Most Native American snow snakes are quite long, from four to as long as ten feet, often thrown down a special lane made in the snow. The Abenaki game and snow snakes are somewhat different from the general pattern. Snow snakes are recorded by Euroamerican observers from the Passamaquoddy and Penobscot people and the Abenakis at Norridgewok, Maine.
Most of the snow snakes of Wôbanakik are shorter than those of the Haudenosaunee (Iroquois) or more western native people (Games, mudcat [short] snow snake). Except for an exceptional five to seven foot example from the Passamaquoddy people, and a short Penobscot 14 1/2″ long example, most snow snakes are 18″-24″ long. Among the numerous shapes are two named varieties, the spoon mouth (called mquon in Passamaquoddy) and snake head (called atosis in Passamaquoddy). Some have a pewter or lead weight cast into the head (Games, snow snake head). These are fine wood shop projects. Make the snakes from maple, birch or ash about 7/7″ – 1″ wide by 1/2″- 5/8″ thick. Carving is optional but does not improve the distance of the throw. I have made mine longer, about 3 feet long, so they will be more competitive with other native Nations’ snow snakes, but the design is up to you.
To access and read more about the history of the Koasek Snow Snake Games, please click on the link to download the, 3 piece flyer for snow snake games
Click link below to access video created by John Lambert, a friend of our tribe.
https://drive.google.com/file/d/1vGWOqBVWmTiRTisWn1hjUrSQCFvy2nVW/view?usp=sharing
