Finger dance

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The finger dance is a game played by the ironborn of the Iron Islands.

The finger dance is played by at least two people and consists of throwing a hand axe at each other. One must catch the axe or leap over it without missing a step. The name comes from the fact that the game usually ends with a dancer losing one or more of his fingers.[1]

History

According to ironborn legend, Harras Hoare, known as Harras Stump-hand, succeeded Rognar II Greyiron as King of the Iron Islands by winning the finger dance, losing two fingers in the process. Archmaester Haereg instead attributes Harras's selection as king to his marrying an Andal maiden and gaining her family as allies during the Andal invasion.[2]

During a finger dance between the brothers Aeron and Urrigon Greyjoy, Urrigon lost half his hand and later died of infection. The memory still haunts Aeron.[3]

References and Notes