this brings to mind the Peruvian and Inca and Andes and other south american way of counting llamas..with quipu...
(i think that is what they are called)
strings with knots tied in them to represent numbers of critters.
also a northern california indian communication system built on similar tied strings--which was used to invite neighboring tribes to pow wow
like gatherings, dances, gambling games and ceremonies...a runner was
sent out to deliver the message with a string with knots tied in it to indicate the number of days until the event. also known as invitation strings.