Nauru

String figures from the Pacific Island nation of Nauru (nah-oo-roo) are often billed as the most elaborate designs ever created. Fifteen are illustrated in Jayne’s book. Honor Maude’s Nauru book includes instructions for making many more. One would assume that Nauruan construction methods are complex and difficult to master, but in reality they are rather straightforward.

Joseph D’Antoni wrote an article for the ISFA Bulletin called “Variation on Nauru Island Figures.” In it, he demonstrated that classical Nauruan figures typically begin with movements that create the center of the design:



Once the center is formed, a finishing sequence is applied to add flanking diamonds and make the figure easier to display. D’Antoni shows how various beginnings can be combined with various finishing sequences to create dozens of intricate designs with very little effort:



Certain manipulation sequences are common to many Nauru Island string figures. These sequences produce a predictable design in a specific part of a figure each time they are applied. Furthermore, these sequences are independent of one another and additive in nature. New figures can be rationally designed by linking these "design units" together in various combinations. One-hundred-thirty-five examples are provided by Joseph D'Antoni. Variations on Nauru Island Figures

Four traditional finishing sequences are used in Nauran figures:


 * Small Amwangiyo


 * Amwangiyo


 * Nauru Ending


 * Eongatubabo

Some of these sequences use Caroline Extension to display the finished pattern.

Read Honor Maude's Book
File:Honor_Maude_The_string_figures_of_Nauru_Island.pdf