Abenaki Snow Snake Games
February 24, 2010

Lacking snow and cold weather, the Koasek Traditional Band of Abenaki hosted they’re second annual Snow Snake games in Thetford, Vermont on February 20, 2010.

Chief Brian Chenevert stated that "this year Tribal Council Member Nathan Pero spent many hours preparing the area for the competition even trucking in snow. The point of this year’s game was to just have fun; there were no winners or losers." .

"For our first year’s games, the snow was too deep to make a proper tunnel for the snow snake competition so we made a make-shift competition area in a long drive way," said Chenevert."

The Snow Snake is a winter game played by the Abenaki. Most Abenaki snow snakes were hand carved pieces of wood, usually of hickory or ash, that were approximately 18-24 inches long, although some Wabanaki tribes made snow snakes that were up to 6 feet long.  

 Calling to play:

If someone wanted to start a game of snow snake he would run through the village calling out that a game would be played. Soon all those who wanted to play would join him, each bringing their own snow snake that may have taken months to make.  Then one or more of the players would take a log approximately 3 inches in diameter and drag it through the snow to form a path for the snakes to go down.  

 The Play

Each player advances to the throwing point one at a time.  Calling the name of the snow snake and giving a quick underhand throwing motion; as if skipping a stone over the water, the player throws it as far as it will go.  

"The children proudly stood their snow snake in the side of the snow snake path wherever their snake stopped hoping the next thrower would not beat their mark. Tribal Citizen Bernie Mortz made a dozen extra snow snakes so those onlookers who came and did not have one could give it try," remarked Chenevert.

The design presented here is adapted from published Maine examples.  The snowsnakes are very easy projects, using
dimensional lumber and requiring but little carving expertise.

Bill of materials

1.  Hardwood lumber 1" X 1/2" X 40".

Instructions

1.  With a pocketknife, whittle the snowsnake head to the shape shown in the photograph above.

2.   With a hand plane carefully plane the rest ot the snowsnake to a triangular cross section.

3.  Taper the end and sand the snowsnake.

4.  If you wish, carve in the head design and body designs with a small gouge.

5.  Final sand, stain and varnish the snowsnake.