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Abenaki Language Basics

5. Trees

  Months/Days/Seasons

Months of the Year
 
January = Alamikos - the Greetings Maker Moon
February = Piaôagos - the Makes Branches Fall In Pieces Moon
March = Mozokas - the Moose Hunter Moon
April = Sogalikas - the Sugar Maker Moon
May = Kikas - the Field Maker Moon
June = Nokahigas - the Hoer Moon
July = Temaskikos - the Grass Cutter Moon
August = Temezôas - the Cutter Moon - refers to harvesting
September = Skamonkas - the Corn Maker Moon
October = Penibagos - the Leaf Falling Moon
November = Mzatanos - the Freezing River maker Moon
December = Pebonkas - the Winter Maker Moon
Thirteenth = Sigwankas - the Spring Season Maker Moon
Note:  
There are twelve months in a year, but thirteen moons on Turtle Island (America). Additionally, there are thirteen sections on a turtle's shell... The thirteenth moon is between the month of March and April.
 
 
Days of the Week

Sunday = Sanda
Monday = Kizsanda(after Sunday)
Tuesday = Nisda Alokan(two times working)
Wednesday = Nsida Alokan(three times working)
Thursday = Iawda Alokan(four times working)
Friday = Skawatukwikisgad(day of the Crucifix)
Saturday = Kadawsanda(wants to be Sunday)
 
Seasons

Summer = Niben
Autumn = Tagwôgo
Winter = Pebon
Spring = Sigwan
 
 
          

Lakes/Rivers/Mountains

 
Rivers/Springs/Creeks   
 
Ktsitegok (great river)
Moliantegw (St. Lawrence River)
Kwinitegok (long river - Connecticut River)
Bitawbagwizibok (Richelieu River)
Wigw8madenik (Yamaska River)
Pithiganitegw (Nicolet River)
Alsog8ntegok (St. Francis River)
W8linaktegw (the river which has long turns - which causes delay by its windings) (Becancour River)
Kik8ntegok (river of fields) (Chaudiere River)
Koattegok or Koattegw (pine river)(Coaticook River)
Etchemin River (sand berries)
Kenebec (deep river - Kennebec River)
Mol8joak (deep flow river) (Norridgewock)
Laesikantgw (rock shelter river - Androscoggin River)
Zawakwtegok (Saco River)
M’mosem (my moose river - Mousam River)
Pesgatakwa (dark river - Piscataqua River)
Mol8demak (deep river - Merrimack River)
Pemijewasek (Pemigewasset River)
Asepihtegw (river alongside - Ossippee)
N8wijoanek (long rapids - Salmon Fall River)
Pagontegok (Concord River)
Pokw8mtegok (very narrow river) (Pocumtuck River)
Kwinitegok (long river - Connecticut River)
Ktispontegok (great falls - Bellows Falls, Vermont)
8manosek (fishing place - Ammonoosuc River)
Pasomkasik - Pemijoaswek (swift current - Pemigewasset River)
Goategok (pine river - Coaticook River)
Nebiz8nnibizik (little medicine water - Alburg Springs)
Mikazawitegok (black river - Black River)
Pibesgantegok (roily river - Dead Creek)
Nebiz8nnibik (medicine water - Highgate Springs)
Kwenosakek (pike place - mouth of Lamoille River)
Kwenaskategok (long point river - La Platte River)
Klahigantegok (wooden trap river - Nulhegan River)
Pas8mkasik (clear sandy river - Passumpsic River)
Kwenozasek (at the pike place - Pike River)
Wasabastegok (clear stream - White River)
Onegigwizibok (Otter River - Otter Creek)
Wazowategok (crooked river - Missisquoi River)
Wintegok (marrow river - Lamoille River)
Winoskitegok (onion river - Winooski River)
Seniganitegok (stone works river - Lewis Creek)
Onegigwizibok (Otter River - Otter Creek)
Bitawbagwizibok (Richelieu River)
Ktsitegwiiak (St.Lawrence River)
Moliantegw (St.Lawrence River)
Wigw8madenik (Yamaska River)
Pithiganitegw (Nicolet River)
Alsog8ntegok (St.Francis River)
W8linaktegw (the river which has long turns which causes delay by its windings) (Becancour River)
Kik8ntegok (river of fields) (Chaudiere River)
Koattegw (pine river) (Coaticook River)
Kenebec (deep river - Kennebec River)
Mol8joak (deep flow river) (Norridgewock)
Sobagwa (great ocean - Atlantic Ocean)
Laesikantgw (rock shelter river - Androscoggin River)
Pejepskw (bad rock – Pejepscot River)
Zawakwtegok (Saco River)
M'mosem (my moose river - Mousam River)
Pesgatakwa (dark river - Piscataqua River)
Mol8demak (deep river - Merrimack River)
Pemijewasek (Pemigewasset River)
N8wijoanek (long rapids - Salmon Fall River)
Pagontegok (Concord River)
Mikazawitegok (black river - Black River)
8manosek (fishing place -Ammonoosuc River)
Pasomkasik - Pemijoaswek (swift current - Pemigewasset River)
Koategok (pine river - Coaticook River)
 
Lakes/Ponds
 
Namaskonkik (fish field) (Megantic Lake)
Moz8debinebesek (Moosehead Lake)
Kwen8bagok (long lake - Kennebago Lake)
Sobagwa (great ocean - Atlantic Ocean)
Pejepskw (bad rock - Pejepscot)
Wiwinebesaki (land around the lake - Lake Winnepisaukee)
Massabeskik (large lake - Massabesikick Pond)
Seninebik (rocky lake - Lake Sunapee)
W8bagok (clear lake - Lake Umbagog)
the Menahanbagok, (island pond - Island Lake)
Mamhiawbagok (wide water - Lake Mephramagog)
Sobagwa (ocean - Sebago Lake)
Bonsawinno (fire keeper - Lake Bomoseen)
Massawippi (clear water - Holland Pond)
Tamakwa (beaver - Maquam Bay)
Masipskiwibi (flint water - Missisquoi Bay)
Bitawbagok (lake between - Lake Champlain)
Namaskonkik (fish field) (Megantic Lake)
Moz8debinebesek (Moosehead Lake)
Kwen8bagok (long lake - Kennebago Lake)
Wiwinebesaki (lake around lake - Lake Winnepisaukee)
Massabeskik (large lake - Massabesikick Pond)
Seninebik (rocky lake - Lake Sunapee)
W8bagok (clear lake - Lake Umbagog)
Wasabastegok, Sobagwa (ocean - Sebago Lake)
 
Mountains
 
Wachuset (mountain of small / middle height - Mt. Wachuset)
Wawobadenik (white mountains - Adirondack lands and mountains)
Gawasiwajo (windfall mountain - Mt.Kearsage)
G8dagwjo (hidden mountain - Mt. Washington)
Menonadenak (stands alone mountain - Mt.Monadnock)
Wawobadenik (White Mountains or Adirondack Mountains)
Pemapskadena (rocky mountain - Mt. Ascutney)
Mozeodebe wadso (moose head mountain - Mt. Mansfield)
Mateguasaden (rabbit mountain - Mt. Philo)
Pisgag (dark - Mt. Pisga)
Wachuset (mountain of small / middle height - Mt. Wachuset)
Dowabodiwadjo (saddle mountain – Camel’s Hump)
Mozal8mo (calls like a moose - Mt. Moosalamoo)
Mozalhlakik (cow moose land - Mt. Mooselauke)
 
 
 
Towns/Villages
 
Masessolina (Sorel)
Pithiiganek (Nicolet)
Mad8balodniak (Village of Three Rivers)
Odanak
W8linack (Wolinak)
Kwanah8moik (long point in the river bend) (Durham)
Kinib8ka (rough ground) (Kennebunk)
Ogwa8mkwik (at the accumulated sand - Ogunquit)
Nanaskik (place of fish - Manchester)
Penokok (down hill - Concord)
Senikok (at the rocks - Suncook)
Wiwinijoanek (water flows around it - Dover)
Koasek (place of pines – Newbury, VT and Haverhill, NH)
Winoskik (onion place - Winooski)
Mskitegwa (quiet water - Milton, Vermont)
Mazipskaik (flint place - Swanton, Vermont)
Natami pontegok (first falls - Vergennes, Vermont)
Masessolina (Sorel)
Pithiiganek (Nicolet)
village of Mad8balodniak (Three Rivers)
Kwanah8moik (long point in the river bend) (Durham)
Kebek (Quebec)
O'bamasisek (Yamachiche)
Kinib8ka (rough ground) (Kennebunk)
Ogwa8mkwik (at the accumulated sand -Ogunquit)
Wiwinebesakik land around lake place - Winnepisaukee Village)
Asepihtegw (river alongside - Ossippee)
Wamesit (fishing place)
Nanaskik (place of fish - Manchester)
Penokok (down hill - Concord)
Senikok (at the rocks - Suncook)
Wiwinijoanek (water flows around it - Dover)
Nsawiwi (between the rivers) (Nashua)
Sokwakik (southern place – Squakeag – Northfield MA)
Ktispontegok (great falls - Bellows Falls, Vermont)
 
 
       

  Colors/Numbers       

Colors:

It is red... Mkuigen
It is blue... Wlôwigen
It is yellow... Wizôwigen
It is green... Askaskuigan
It is white... Wôbigen
Is is black... Mkazawigen
Is is brown... Wdamôôbamegua
It is violet... Minôbowigen
It is grey... Wibguigen
 
Numbers:
 
These are the simple translations for the numbers for counting:
One Pazekw
Two Nis
Three Nas
Four Iaw
Five Nôlan
Six Nguedz
Seven Tôbawôz
Eight Nsôzek
Nine Noliwi
Ten Mdala
Eleven Nguedônkaw
Twelve Nisônkaw
Thirteen Nsônkaw
Fourteen Iawonkaw
Fifteen Nônônkaw
Sixteen Nguedôz kasônkaw
Seventeen Tôbanôz kasônkaw
Eighteen Nsôzek kasônkaw
Nineteen Noliwi kasônkaw
Twenty Nisinska
Twenty-one Nisinska taba pazekw (etc..)
Thirty Nsinska
Thirty-one Ninsinka taba pazekw (etc...)
Fourty Iawinska
Fifty Nônninska
Sixty Nguedôz kasinska
Seventy Tôbawôz kasinska
Eighty Nsôzek kasinska
Ninety Noliwi kasinska
One hundred Nguedatgua
 
 
          

Animals

Ant Alikws
Bass Môlazigan
Bat Madagenilhas
Bear Awasos
Beaver Tmakwa
Bee Wawilômwa
Bird Sips
Blue Jay Tidesso
Bobcat - Lynx (no tail) Bezo
Buffalo Pziko
Bullfrog Agebalam
Butterfly Mamijôla
Cat Minowis
Caribou Magôlibo
Carp Wôbhagas
Chickadee Kejegigilhasis
Chicken Ahamo
Chipmunk Anikwses
Cock Nôbalha
Cod Nokamagw
Cougar (much tail) Bittôlo
Cow Kaoz
Cricket Chôls
Crow Mkazas
Deer Nolka
Dog Almos
Duck (black) Kwiguigum
Eagle Mgeso
Eel Nahômo
Elk Wôboz
Fish Namas
Fisher Wlanigw
Fly Wjawas
Fox Wôkwses
Frog Chegual
Goat Kots
Goose Wôbtegua
Gull Kaakw
Hawk (bird of prey) Siômo
Hawk (Smiter) Seguanilha
Heron Kasko
Horse Ases
Humming bird Nanatasis, Nanataso
King-Fisher Cheskwadadas
Lamb Azibis
Lizard Kakadôlôgw
Lobster Sôga
Loon Mdawilha
Mackerel Makelo
Marten (sable) Apanakes
Mink Mosbas
Mole Alemônska
Moose Moz
Mosquito Pegues
Mouse Wôbikwsos
Mule Spôniloli as
Muskrat Moskuas
Nightingale Wlôgowilhas
Nuthatch Cigôlôdawasid
Otter Wnegigw
Owl Kokokhas
Owl (Horned) Titgeli
Ox Aksen
Oysters Alsak
Partridge Pakesso
Peacock Pôlôbai-sibes
Pickerel Watagua
Pig Biges
Pigeon Wôbipelaz
Pigeon (wild) Pelaz
Pike Kwenoza
Plover Sasaso
Porcupine Kôgw
Rabbit Mategwas
Racoon Asban
Raven (Northern crow) Ponki-mkazas
Robin Kwikueskas
Salmon Mskuamagw
Seal Akigw
Sheep Azib
Skunk Segôgw
Snake Skog
Snake (garter-red racer) Makwaaskadamôd
Snake (Rattle) Sisikwa
Spider Mamselabika
Squirrel Mikowa
Squirrel (black) Psanigw
Squirrel (flying) Planigw
Sturgeon Kabas
Swallow Soglonilhasis
Swan Wigualha
Toad Maska
Trout Namagw
Turkey Nahama
Turtle Tolba
Weasel Saguasis
Whip-poor-will Papoles
Wolf Môlsem
Wolverine Alaskana
Woodchuck Agaskw
Woodpecker O'basas
Woodpecker (black) Mama
Worm Skoks
 
 
          

Trees

Oak tree Anaskemezi
Elm tree Anibi
Beech tree Wajoimizi
Ash tree Mahlakws
Maple tree Senomozi
Birch tree Maskwamozi
Willow tree Kanozas
Cedar tree Môlôdagw
Hemlock tree Alnisedi
Red Pine tree Pasaakw
Sassafras tree Sasôgsek
Apple tree Aplesakuam
Plum tree Azawanimenakuam
Cherry tree Adbimenakuam
Orange tree Wasawasakuam
Poplar tree Wawabibagw
Alder tree Wdopi
Fir tree Kokokhôakw
Elder tree Saskib
Basswood tree Wigbimizi
Thorn tree Chignazakuam
Wild Cherry tree Maskwazimenakuam
White Spruce tree Msazesso
Black Spruce tree Mskak
Tamarac Pôbnôdageso
Sarsaparilla Sasôgsek
 
Language links:
 
Elie Joubert’s (Odanak) site (Audio)
 
Abenaki Language Preservation site
 
Abenaki to English Dictionary
 
 
          

Prayers:

"The Lord's Prayer"

Nemit8kusena Our Father
Nemit8kusena spemkik aian, Our Father in the above Land,
s8gm8walmegwadets aliwizian  Sanctified like a chief is thy name.
amanta pachi wawittoak May it be pleasing to our Creator,
ketebaldamuaw8ganek; That we should be forgiven;
ali kitt8gwak kedelaldamu8gan Here on earth as we forgive others.
spemkik dali aliwizian There in the above land shall it be
o nobi dali kik Here the same, here the same
ali kikt8gwadets.
On earth may it be obeyed.
M8milina alemikisgak Give us during this day
nedatasigwiskwaab8nemena; Our everyday bread;
ioba achi anhaldamawiaga Also, forgive us
kag8wiulakeban, Our transgressions,
ali niona anhaldamauak As we forgive
kag8wihuhakedebanik; Others their transgressions;
muzak dali chigittawikkak Do not then allow
t8m8ppa uji Us to walk over
saagi-unemihinamega Or hurt anyone
w8walha dakki Protect us at last
saaguazu8mina mamajigek. From all that is very bad.
Nialach. That it may be.
 
 
 
A prayer by: Chief Edwin "Joe" Pero – Koasek Chief (1946 – 1981)
 
Kassiwi Niona Enna Odakozik Chibaio Agaskwikok
With We Who Visit Ghosts From
 
Kizos Aalakws Nionakiya Alnobanogan Nionakiya
The Sun Star of Our Birth and in Our
 
Aw8zsiswogan Enni Taolani Agaskwikok Noesal Niona
Infancy Which Is from the Land of
 
Kizosaltoalakws Taolawisi Maskozisis Taolwisi Nolka Moz
The Rising Star as Long as the Deer and Moose Shall Run Free and the Grass Shall Grow
 
Sibo Ikok Pon Tekw
And the Rivers Run Swiftly the Abenaki Shall Survive
 
Wobigid Sanoba Magigwogan
The Whiteman's Wickedness
 
N'mahomios Chibaio
Again Our Grandfathers Spirits
 
Amikimek Pmegamek Agakidozik
Have Given Us Guidance and Wisdom to Rise and Come Together to Dance; We Have Been Taught
 
Kazaldozk Nigawes Spemki Toldal8zi Nosokazik
To Love Mother Earth and to Respect Her
 
Niona Aho Wobenakiak Kizos Posiwaganogan
We Are the Children of the Dawn the People
 
Wobenakiak Mozmozik Odiozon
Of the East May the Great Spirit and
 
Kinikinik Volcanda Kottliwi Kwahliwi Tapsiwi
The Great Creator Bless Us and Smile upon Us
 
 
Hail Mary
 
Mali kedalamikol passankogowan wliwawogan Ne Logmômna Kwijthamekw, kolalmegwesitali phanemikokta wlalmegwat keminkogan tali khagak Jasos.
 
Wawassi Mali, Ktchi Niwaskw wigawessa, winowôswawina saagawa kosowinowiak, nikwobi, ta tôniadoji Kadawi matchinaak.
 
Nialatch
 
 
A prayer by Chief Yellow Hawk of the Sioux Nation, Translated to Abenaki
 
Kci Niwaskw, k’kizi nodamna lalômowôgen kzelômsenek, tbestawi!
O Great Spirit, whose voice I hear in the winds and whose breath gives life to all the world, hear me!
 
Askwa ndawôssizwi ta npiwsessi, nd’achwaldam wijokamwôgan ta sassaginowôgan.
I come before you, one of your many children. I am small and weak, I need your strenght and wisdom.
 
Ntawogol chwiba tbestak klalômowôgan; nsizgol askamiwi namitoak toji wskiwligek nakihôt kizos; neljial wlilawatoak kdakinna.
Let me walk in beauty and make my eyes ever behold the red and purple sunset, make my hands respect the things you have made, my ears sharp to hear your voice.
 
K’nadodmol wji milian wawôdamwogan wji kizi n’kinamothlôwaa nkawatsowôgan nijiak: llagidamwôgan kôttlezit alômiwi wanibagw ta nagwiwi sen.
Make me wise, so that I may know things you have taught my people, the lesson you have hidden in every leaf and rock.
 
Kchi Niwaskw, k’nadodmol wji kizi mlikigia, nda wji paami wawôdamoa ndaki nijiak, kanwa wji kawhoaa nkadonalgoagw niatta.
I seek strength not to be superior to my brothers but to be able to fight my greatest enemy, myself.
 
Ni chiga maôwi odji machinaa, n’kiziji wanaskol wlidbimiwi.
Make me ever ready to come to you with clean hands and straight eyes, so when life fades as a fading sunset, my spirit may come to you without shame.
 
 
Abenaki Prayer of thanks
 
Sôkhipozit Niwaskwak, N'milipedgibna ôdamô wji oliwni.
Eastern Spirits, We give back (to you this) tobacco for thanks.
 
Nibenaki Niwaskwak, N'milipedgibna ôdamô wji oliwni.
Southern Spirits, We give back (to you this) tobacco for thanks.
 
Nikilhôt Niwaskwak, N'milipedgibna ôdamô wji oliwni.
Western Spirits, We give back (to you this)  tobacco for thanks.
 
Pebônaki Niwaskwak, N'milipedgibna ôdamô wji oliwni.
Northern Spirits, We give back (to you this)  tobacco for thanks.
 
Gicimahômak ta Giciokmesak, N'milipedgibna ôdamô wji oliwni.
Great Grandfathers and Great Grandmothers, We give back (to you this); tobacco for thanks.
 
Alombagwinnosizak, N'milipedgibna ôdamô wji oliwni.
Little Water Spirits, We give back (to you this)  tobacco for thanks.
 
Awaas Niwaskwak, N'milipedgibna ôdamô wji oliwni.
Spirits of the animals, We give back (to you this)  tobacco for thanks.
 
Nawawas, Gici Niwaskw, N'milipedgibna ôdamô wji oliwni.
The one who comes to us, Great Spirit, We give back (to you this)  tobacco for thanks.
 
 
Source for material where otherwise not noted:

 


Copyright © 2011 Koasek Traditional Band of the Sovereign Abenaki Nation

Last update: 04/10/2011