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Reconstructions of Nauruan string figures

Domaneab, a meeting house

1. Nauru opening II.
2. 1 passes over 2 loop and holds down 1f, 2n and 2f. 2, over 2f and under all other strings, picks up all strings on 3, 4, and 5. Then 2, from above, picks up 1n.
3. 1, still holding down three strings, passes under all strings to pick up upper 2f. 1 returns through the centre of the figure, releasing the strings it was holding down. 2 releases all except the original 2 loop.
4. 1, under 2n, over 2f and 3 loop and 4n, picks up 4f and 2n.
5. 2 picks up lower 1f. Release 1.
6. 1, from below, removes upper 2 loop.
7. Release 2 and 4. Extend with fingers pointing away.

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Cantilever Jetty

This is a simple continuation of the previous figure.

1. Complete Domaneab.
2. Release 3.
3. Use your favourite extension, see-sawing hands to absorb the released 3 loops.

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Aom, the hermit crab

Several different recontructions have been proposed for this figure, and this is the best of the three discovered by me. Other methods can be found in the 2002 issue of the Bulletin of the International String Figures Association.

1. Nauru opening I.
2. 1 holds down 2n and 2f. 2 picks up 3n and 5f. 1 straightens, then 2 picks up 1n, releasing 1 loop.
3. 1 enters lower 2 loop from below; tips of 1 and 2 hold upper 2f, then 2 turns down through lower loops, towards you and up, releasing all but upper loop, which remains on the tip of 2. Release 1 but do not extend.
4. 1, under 2 loop and 3n, over 3f, picks up 5n.
5. 1, from above, removes 2 loop.
6. Mouth or big toe or beautiful assistant grasps crossed strings passing under 1n. Navaho 1 loops.
7. Release 3 and extend.

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