Sign Language Among North American Indians Compared With That Among Other Peoples Part 54

_NOTES ON CHEYENNE AND ARAPAHO SIGNALS._

The following information was obtained from WA-Un'(_Bobtail_), MO-HI'-NUK'-MA-HA'-IT (_Big horse_), Cheyennes, and O-QO-HIS'-SA (_The Mare_, better known as "Little Raven"), and NA'-WATC (_Left Hand_), Arapahos, chiefs and members of a delegation who visited Was.h.i.+ngton, D.C., in September, 1880, in the interest of their tribes dwelling in Indian Territory:

A party of Indians going on the war-path leave camp, announcing their project to the remaining individuals and informing neighboring friends by sending runners. A party is not systematically organized until several days away from its headquarters, unless circ.u.mstances should require immediate action. The pipe-bearers are appointed, who precede the party while on the march, carrying the pipes, and no one is allowed to cross ahead of these individuals, or to join the party by riding up before the head of the column, as it would endanger the success of the expedition. All new arrivals fall in from either side or the rear. Upon coming in sight of any elevations of land likely to afford a good view of the surrounding country the warriors come to a halt and secrete themselves as much as possible. The scouts who have already been selected, advance just before daybreak to within a moderate distance of the elevation to ascertain if any of the enemy has preceded them. This is only discovered by carefully watching the summit to see if any objects are in motion; if not, the flight of birds is observed, and if any should alight upon the hill or b.u.t.te it would indicate the absence of anything that might ordinarily scare them away. Should a large bird, as a raven, crow, or eagle, fly toward the hill-top and make a sudden swerve to either side and disappear, it would indicate the presence of something sufficient to require further examination. When it is learned that there is reason to suspect an enemy the scout, who has all the time been closely watched by the party in the rear, makes a signal for them to lie still, signifying _danger or caution._ It is made by grasping the blanket with the right hand and waving it earthward from a position in front of and as high as the shoulder. This is nearly the same as civilized Americans use the hand for a similar purpose in battle or hunting to direct "lie quiet"!

Should the hill, however, be clear of any one, the Indian will ascend slowly, and under cover as much as possible, and gain a view of the country. If there is no one to be seen, the blanket is grasped and waved horizontally from right to left and back again repeatedly, showing a clear surface. If the enemy is discovered, the scout will give the _alarm_ by running down the hill, upon a side visible to the watchers, in a zigzag manner, which communicates the state of affairs.

Should any expedition or advance be attempted at night, the same signals as are made with the blanket are made with a firebrand, which is constructed of a bunch of gra.s.s tied to a short pole.

When a war party encamps for a night or a day or more, a piece of wood is stuck into the ground, pointing in the direction pursued, with a number of cuts, notches, or marks corresponding to the number of days which the party spent after leaving the last camp until leaving the present camp, serving to show to the recruits to the main party the course to be followed, and the distance.

A hunting party in advancing takes the same precautions as a war party, so as not to be surprised by an enemy. If a scout ascends a prominent elevation and discovers no game, the blanket is grasped and waved horizontally from side to side at the height of the shoulders or head; and if game is discovered the Indian rides back and forth (from left to right) a short distance so that the distant observers can view the maneuver. If a large herd of buffalo is found, the extent traveled over in going to and fro increases in proportion to the size of the herd. A quicker gait is traveled when the herd is very large or haste on the part of the hunters is desired.

It is stated that these Indians also use mirrors to signal from one elevation to another, but the system could not be learned, as they say they have no longer use for it, having ceased warfare(?).

SCHEME OF ILl.u.s.tRATION.

In the following pages the scheme of graphic ill.u.s.tration, intended both to save labor and secure accuracy, which was presented in the _Introduction to the Study of Sign Language_, is reproduced with some improvements. It is given for the use of observers who may not see that publication, the material parts of which being included in the present paper it is not necessary that the former should now be furnished. The TYPES OF HAND POSITIONS were prepared for reference by the corresponding letters of the alphabet to avoid tedious description, should any of them exactly correspond, or by alteration, as suggested in the note following them. These, as well as the OUTLINES OF ARM POSITIONS, giving front and side outline's with arms pendant, were distributed in separate sheets to observers for their convenience in recording, and this will still be cheerfully done when request is made to the present writer. When the sheets are not accessible the TYPES can be used for graphic changes by tracing the one selected, or by a few words indicating the change, as shown in the EXAMPLES. The OUTLINES OF ARM POSITIONS can also be readily traced for the same use as if the sheets had been provided. It is hoped that this scheme, promoting uniformity in description and ill.u.s.tration, will be adopted by all observers who cannot be specially addressed.

Collaborators in the gestures of foreign uncivilized peoples will confer a favor by sending at least one photograph or sketch in native costume of a typical individual of the tribe, the gestures of which are reported upon, in order that it may be reproduced in the complete work. Such photograph or sketch need not be made in the execution of any particular gesture, which can be done by artists engaged on the work, but would be still more acceptable if it could be so made.

OUTLINES FOR ARM POSITIONS IN SIGN LANGUAGE.

The gestures, to be indicated by corrected positions of arms and by dotted lines showing the motion from the initial to the final positions (which, are severally marked by an arrow-head and a cross--see EXAMPLES), will always be shown as they appear to an observer facing the gesturer, the front outline, Fig. 340, or side, Fig. 341, or both, being used as most convenient. The special positions of hands and fingers will be designated by reference to the TYPES OF HAND POSITIONS. For brevity in the written description, "hand" may be used for "right hand," when that one alone is employed in any particular gesture. When more convenient to use the profile figure in which the right arm is exhibited for a gesture actually made by the left hand and arm it can be done, the fact, however, being noted.

[Ill.u.s.tration: Fig. 340.]

[Ill.u.s.tration: Fig. 341.]

In cases where the conception or origin of any sign is ascertained or suggested it should be annexed to the description, and when obtained from the gesturer will be so stated affirmatively, otherwise it will be considered to be presented by the observer. The graphic ill.u.s.tration of a.s.sociated facial expression or bodily posture which may accentuate or qualify a gesture is necessarily left to the ingenuity of the contributor.

_ORDER OF ARRANGEMENT_.

The following order of arrangement for written descriptions is suggested. The use of a separate sheet or part sheet of paper for each sign described and ill.u.s.trated would be convenient in the collation.

It should always be affirmatively stated whether the "conception or origin" of the sign was procured from the sign-maker, or is suggested or inferred by the observer.

_Word or idea expressed by Sign_: __________________

DESCRIPTION:

____________________________________________________

____________________________________________________

____________________________________________________

CONCEPTION OR ORIGIN:

____________________________________________________

_Tribe_: ________________________________

_Locality_:______________________________

_Date_: _____________________ 188_.

__________________________ _Observer_.

TYPES OF HAND POSITIONS IN SIGN LANGUAGE.

[Ill.u.s.tration: A--Fist, palm outward, horizontal.]

[Ill.u.s.tration: B--Fist, back outward, oblique upward.]

[Ill.u.s.tration: C--Clinched, with thumb extended against forefinger, upright, edge outward.]

[Ill.u.s.tration: D--Clinched, ball of thumb against middle of forefinger, oblique, upward, palm down.]

[Ill.u.s.tration: E--Hooked, thumb against end of forefinger, upright, edge outward.]

[Ill.u.s.tration: F--Hooked, thumb against side of forefinger, oblique, palm outward.]

[Ill.u.s.tration: G--Fingers resting against ball of thumb, back upward.]

[Ill.u.s.tration: H--Arched, thumb horizontal against end of forefinger, back upward.]

[Ill.u.s.tration: I--Closed, except forefinger crooked against end of thumb, upright, palm outward.]

[Ill.u.s.tration: J--Forefinger straight, upright, others closed, edge outward.]

[Ill.u.s.tration: K--Forefinger obliquely extended upward, others closed, edge outward.]