During my LA childhood (~1950-58), I regularly played Cat's Cradle with my sister and other kids. At that time, I preferred playing Jacks... My current and abiding obsession with string games began in college while studying anthropology.

Aren't they actually lichens?

Have the video version! I am so glad you included this because it absolutely gave me chills. This is the energy we need.

"Indian Tales" by Jaime d'Angulo, a retelling of a traditional California indigenous myth cycle of the creation of the world

The Boy Who Said Wow
Book by Todd Boss