|
|
The Koasek Traditional Band of the Sovereign Abenaki Nation
Abenaki Language Basics
![]() 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
| 8manosek (fishing place -Ammonoosuc River) |
| Alsog8ntegok (St. Francis River) |
| Asepihtegw (river alongside - Ossippee) |
| Bitawbagwizibok (Richelieu River) |
| Etchemin River (sand berries) |
| Goategok (pine river - Coaticook River) |
| Kenebec (deep river - Kennebec River) |
| Kik8ntegok (river of fields - Chaudiere River) |
| Klahigantegok (wooden trap river - Nulhegan River) |
| Koategok (pine river - Coaticook River) |
| Koattegok or Koattegw (pine river - Coaticook River) |
| Koattegw (pine river) (Coaticook River) |
| Ktispontegok (great falls - Bellows Falls, Vermont) |
| Ktsitegok (great river) |
| Ktsitegwiiak (St.Lawrence River) |
| Kwenaskategok (long point river - La Platte River) |
| Kwenosakek (pike place - mouth of Lamoille River) |
| Kwenozasek (at the pike place - Pike River) |
| Kwinitegok (long river - Connecticut River) |
| Laesikantgw (rock shelter river - Androscoggin River) |
| M’mosem (my moose river - Mousam River) |
| Mikazawitegok (black river - Black River) |
| M'mosem (my moose river - Mousam River) |
| Mol8demak (deep river - Merrimack River) |
| Mol8joak (deep flow river) (Norridgewock) |
| Moliantegw (St.Lawrence River) |
| N8wijoanek (long rapids - Salmon Fall River) |
| Nebiz8nnibik (medicine water - Highgate Springs) |
| Nebiz8nnibizik (little medicine water - Alburg Springs) |
| Onegigwizibok (Otter River - Otter Creek) |
| Pagontegok (Concord River) |
| Pas8mkasik (clear sandy river - Passumpsic River) |
| Pasomkasik - Pemijoaswek (swift current - Pemigewasset River) |
| Pejepskw (bad rock – Pejepscot River) |
| Pemijewasek (Pemigewasset River) |
| Pesgatakwa (dark river - Piscataqua River) |
| Pibesgantegok (roily river - Dead Creek) |
| Pithiganitegw (Nicolet River) |
| Pokw8mtegok (very narrow river - Pocumtuck River) |
| Seniganitegok (stone works river - Lewis Creek) |
| Sobagwa (great ocean - Atlantic Ocean) |
W8linaktegw (the river which has long turns which
causes delay by its windings - Becancour River) |
| Wasabastegok (clear stream - White River) |
| Wazowategok (crooked river - Missisquoi River) |
| Wigw8madenik (Yamaska River) |
| Winoskitegok (onion river - Winooski River) |
| Wintegok (marrow river - Lamoille River) |
| Zawakwtegok (Saco 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
| Asepihtegw (river alongside - Ossippee) |
| Kebek (Quebec) |
| Kinib8ka (rough ground - Kennebunk) |
| Koasek (place of pines – Newbury, VT and Haverhill, NH) |
| Ktispontegok (great falls - Bellows Falls, Vermont) |
| Kwanah8moik (long point in the river bend - Durham) |
| Mad8balodniak (Village of Three Rivers) |
| Masessolina (Sorel) |
| Mazipskaik (flint place - Swanton, Vermont) |
| Mskitegwa (quiet water - Milton, Vermont) |
| Nanaskik (place of fish - Manchester) |
| Natami pontegok (first falls - Vergennes, Vermont) |
| Nsawiwi (between the rivers - Nashua) |
| O'bamasisek (Yamachiche) |
| Odanak |
| Ogwa8mkwik (at the accumulated sand - Ogunquit) |
| Penokok (down hill - Concord) |
| Pithiiganek (Nicolet) |
| Senikok (at the rocks - Suncook) |
| Sokwakik (southern place – Squakeag – Northfield MA) |
| village of Mad8balodniak (Three Rivers) |
| W8linack (Wolinak) |
| Wamesit (fishing place) |
| Winoskik (onion place - Winooski) |
| Wiwinebesakik (land around lake place - Winnepisaukee Village) |
| Wiwinijoanek (water flows around it - Dover) |
![]() 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 |
![]() 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)
|
The Abenaki Language
Hosted by The Cowasuck Band of the Pennacook Abenaki People
|
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:
05/10/2013
|
|
