Snow Snake

Snow Snake is a traditional Haudenosaunee game played during the winter. Historically, the games were played when the men of the villages returned from their annual hunting trip. The fun, sometimes intense, matches saw each village showcase its athletic ability. It was – and still is – an exciting game of skill to the Haudenosaunee people. It was often referred to as a medicine game that lifted the spirits of the men during long winters, but the games today are mostly just for sport and to build comradery.

Snow snakes are hand-made from a flattened or carved piece of wood. One end of the snow snake is curved up slightly and the other end is notched to make it easier to throw.

The object of the game is to throw the snow snake the farthest distance along a smooth trough made in the snow. Teams alternate tosses. The distance the snake travels is added to that team’s score and whichever side has the longest total distance – after a predetermined number of rounds – is the winner.