Until the mid 1800's most Seneca men wore their hair long, divided into two braids. Warrior shaved or burned their hair, leaving only a scalp lock. Lacrosse is a sport that has been played by the Senecas, centuries before the White Man's discovery of America. It continues to be popular today. Another popular winter sport, Snow Snake, is the national game of the Iroquois.
Snow snakes are smooth, polished, flexible rods, made of hard wood.
When there is abundant snow, a smooth, shallow course is laid out by pulling a smooth-barked log in a straight line. This packs the snow. The course is then sprinkled with water to form an ice crust. Those playing, gather at one end of the track and take turns throwing the snakes with force, skill, and accuracy so as to make them travel the longest distance possible in the shortest time. Because they lacked a written language, the Iroquois used such memory aids as pictographs, wampum, and other symbols in the making of records, and in affirming treaties.