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Indian Scout Talks: A Guide for Boy Scouts and Camp Fire Girls, a non-fiction book by Charles Alexander Eastman |
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Chapter 21. The Gesture--anguage Of The Indian |
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_ CHAPTER XXI. THE GESTURE—LANGUAGE OF THE INDIAN The American Indian is extremely pictorial in his habits of thought and in his modes of expression. Even his every-day speech is full of symbols drawn from the natural world. Yet more poetic and descriptive in character is that form of communication properly called “gesture speech,” but commonly known as “Indian sign-language.” This language is most fully developed among the tribes of the Great Plains, many of whom speak entirely different tongues, for use in their frequent meetings, either accidental or for the purpose of concluding a treaty of peace. It is also used by deaf mutes among Indians. It has been learned and elaborately written out by several authorities, chief of whom is Captain W. R. Clark of the United States Army. Being understood by few, it will serve excellently as a secret code, so much desired by young people, and is especially appropriate to the ceremonials of Boy Scouts and Camp Fire Girls. We Indian boys were taught from babyhood to be silent, to listen to the things that nature is saying all about us. But since it is hard for a healthy boy to keep his discoveries and observations entirely to himself, he must devise some outlet. Our silent communication, our “wireless,” was the gesture-language. It should be remembered that among Indians the whole body speaks, and that all oratory, and even conversation, is accompanied by graceful and significant gestures. The accomplished user will make the signs herein described rapidly and smoothly, investing the whole with genuine charm, as a novel kind of pantomime. For it will be seen that these are no arbitrary signs, but actual air-pictures, and not manual only, since they include a variety of movements and considerable facial expression. The construction or grammar of the sign-language is simple. Adjectives follow nouns, conjunctions and prepositions are omitted, and verbs are used in the present tense only. The following signs, well-learned, will enable one to carry on a short conversation, and many more may be devised along these lines by an ingenious boy or girl. Attention, or Question. Hold right hand, palm outward, fingers and thumb separated, well out in front of body at height of shoulder. This is used to begin a conversation. I understand. Throw right forearm out in front of body with fingers closed, except index finger, which is curved and drawn back. This indicates that you grasp and draw something toward you, and is used occasionally while another is talking. If you do not understand, use the Question sign. I. Touch breast with index finger of right hand. Glad. (Sunshine in the heart.) Place compressed right hand, fingers slightly curved, over region of heart; bring left hand, palm downward, in sweeping curve to left of body, at the same time turning it palm upward, as if turning up or unfolding something. The expression of the face should correspond. Sad. Place the closed fist against the heart. Appropriate facial expression. Surprised. Cover mouth with palm of right hand, open eyes widely, and move head slightly backward. Angry. (Mind twisted.) Place closed right fist against forehead and twist from right to left. Ashamed. (Blanket over face.) Bring both hands, palms inward, fingers touching, in front of and near the face. Good. (Level with heart.) Hold extended right hand, back up, close to region of heart; move briskly forward and to right. Bad. (Throw away.) Hold one or both hands, closed, in front of body, backs upward; open with a snap, at the same time moving them outward and downward. Brave, Strong. Hold firmly closed left hand in front of body, left arm pointing to right and front; bring closed right hand above and a little in front of left, and strike downwards, imitating the blow of a hammer. (This gesture, vigorously made, intensifies any previous statement or description.) Alone. Hold up index finger. On Horseback. Place first and second finger of right hand astride left index finger. Motion of galloping may be made, or a Fall from the horse represented. Tent, or Wigwam. Bring both hands together at the finger tips, forming a cone. House. Interlock fingers of both hands, holding them at right angles. Camp. Sign for Tent, then form circle with arms and hands in front of body. City, or Village. Sign for House, then Camp sign. Sleep. Incline head to right and rest cheek on right palm. For going into camp, or to indicate the length of a journey, make sign for Sleep and hold up as many fingers as nights were spent on the way. Time is told by indicating the position of the sun; the Seasons as follows: Spring. (Little grass.) Hold hands, palms upward, well down in front, fingers and thumbs well separated and slightly curved; separate hands slightly. Then hold right hand in front of body, back to right, closing fingers so that only tip of index finger projects. (This last sign for Little.) Summer. Sign for Grass, holding hands at height of waist. Autumn. (Falling leaves.) Hold right hand above head, fingers closed, except index finger and thumb, which form nearly a circle; bring hand slowly downward with wavering motion. Winter. Hold closed hands in front of body and several inches apart; give shivering motion to hands. To indicate Age, give sign for Winter and hold up fingers; all counting is done in the same way, in multiples of ten; as, for one hundred, open and close fingers of both hands ten times. Color is usually indicated by pointing to some object of the color spoken of. Brother. Touch first and second finger to lips. Sister. Sign for Brother, and that for Woman. Woman. (Long hair.) Bring both palms down sides of head, shoulders, and bosom, with sweeping gesture. Love. Cross both arms over bosom. Give Me. Hold right hand well out in front of body, palm upward, close, and bring in toward body. Beautiful. Hold palms up like mirror in front of face; make sign for Good. Ugly. Same as above, with sign for Bad. Peace. Clasp both hands in front of body. Quarrel. Hold index fingers, pointing upward, opposite and a few inches apart; move sharply toward each other, alternating motion. Liar. (Forked tongue.) Bring separated first and second fingers of right hand close to lips. Scout. (This is also the sign for Wolf.) Hold first and second fingers of right hand, extended and pointing upward, near right shoulder, to indicate pointed ears. Trail. Hold extended hands, palms up, side by side in front of body; move right to rear and left to front a few inches; alternate motion. It is finished. Bring closed hands in front of body, thumbs up, second joints touching; then separate. This sign ends a speech or conversation. _ |
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