ettutokai

Ettutokai is a traditional Inuit game played with a yo-yo like object. The game is primarily known among the Inuit people of Greenland and Canada. The ettutokai typically consists of a carved bone or ivory disk, often decorated, with a string attached. The string is wound around the disk, and the player then performs various maneuvers by throwing and catching the disk, similar to a yo-yo.

The complexity of the ettutokai varies, with simple throws and catches to more intricate patterns and spins. It is often played individually, but can also be a social activity with participants challenging each other. Historically, the game served as a form of entertainment and a way to develop fine motor skills and coordination. While its prevalence may have decreased with the introduction of modern toys, the ettutokai remains a part of Inuit cultural heritage. Descriptions and examples of ettutokai can be found in ethnographic studies and museum collections focusing on Inuit art and games.