Hocąk Syllabic Text — The Elk's Skull
Told by an elder of the tribe in 1912
Transcribed by Sam Blowsnake
Translation based on the interlinear of Oliver LaMère
Version 1
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| Oliver LaMère, Translator | Winnebago V, #7: 318 |
For a description of this manuscript, its source, style, transcription, and interlinear translation, see the syllabic text to Trickster's Warpath.
| A Ai. | e tt. | Ao rKy d. | A xele deAe. | Ao rK |
| Hahi | éja | hosgaižą | haxebše. | Hosga |
| On the way | [there] | a valley* | he came. | Valley |
p. 318 —
| a K Ki nK Le Ki. | Le x Lo loAo Lo Ki d. | Ki ttK | Ai Le K tt. |
| akakinąkregi, | réǧarupórokižą | gijak | hiregają |
| across, | a (round) drum | to beat | they did and |
| A K L xe Ai Le Ki di. | wo Ki roKo. | w xe de. |
| hakaraxehiregiži, | wogizok | waxeže. |
| they were whooping [and] | very much | they made noise. |
| de Ko w K tt | A Ai xoKo deAe. | Ko L | tt xitti |
| Žegųwagają | hahixukše. | "Korá, | jaxjį |
| So much so | it reached up to the sky. | "Well,* | what |
p. 319 —
| o | Ai Ko Lo Ao w n | Ki di. | Ai tt | w w te Kette. |
| ’ų | hikorohowaną, | giži. | Hija | wawatekje. |
| to do | they are about to | [.] | There | I will go over. |
| rii xitti | Ai K K. | w d. | wo d w | A ttA ni. |
| S’ixjį | hįkaga | wažą | wožáwa | hacanį. |
| For a long while | not | any | fun | I have not seen. |
| Ai Ko tt Ko* | o Ai Le Ktt n Ae | w o n Ki di |
| Higųjagu | ’ųhirekjanahe, | wa’ųnąkiži |
| Whatever | they are about to do, | [doing it] |
| Ai tto Lo K o Kette | e de | w diAi | Ko Lo Ao Ai Le deKe. |
| hijoroga’ųkje," | éže. | "Waši | korohohireške, |
| I will join them," | he said. | "To dance | they are going (about to), also* |
p. 320 —
| Ai deKe | leAe diAi doAo no K tt* | aK deAe. | Ao rK L. |
| hišgé | pešišųnųgają," | akše. | Hosgara |
| also | I used to dance," | he was saying. | The valley |
| A Lo ttA Le K tt | di Ke | oy Le de. | di Ke. |
| harucaregają, | žigé | ’ųįreže. | Žigé |
| when he was going across, | again | they did it. | Again |
| ttiAi wi tti Ke Le de. | A K L Ke Le Ki di. | Lo K n xitti de. |
| ciwįjikereže. | Hakarakeregiži, | rokanaxjįže. |
| there was a noise. | They all shouted, and | it was great. |
p. 321 —
| w d. | w KidiKi | Ae Kitti Kette Ki di. | A LK dAe. |
| Wažą | wąkšik | hekjįkjegiži, | harakše. |
| [Something] | people | a very great many will be there, | he was thinking. |
| Ai Ko | di Ke. | oyi Le de. | ttiAi w tti Ke Le Ki di. |
| Higų | žigé | ’ųįreže. | Ciwajigeregiži, |
| [Yet] | again | they did it. | When the drum was hit, |
| de Ko. | m xiAi L. | Ao lA L dL tti Ke Le de. | A K L xe Ai Le Ki di. |
| žegų | mąxira | hoparašrajikereže. | Hakaraxehiregiži, |
| [then] | the heavens | they seemed to burst. | [When] they shouted at it, |
p. 322 —
| K tt K. | de Ko | A Ao Ao L | Lo K n Ki di. |
| gająga | žegų | hahuhura* | rokanagiži, |
| now | [then] | anxious | so [much] that |
| n Ki nK deAe. | a deKe niKi | w nK | no ni Ke |
| nąginąkše. | Aškenįk | wanąk, | nųnįgé |
| he began to run. | Very close | they were saying it,* | but |
| Ai Ke | w KidiKi | ni Ke | w d | A tt ni de. |
| hįké | wąkšik | nįgé | wažą | hajanįže. |
| not | people | anywhere | any | he could not see. |
p. 323 —
| di Ke | oy Le de. | Lo K n de. | A K w d. | de Ko |
| Žigé | ’ųįreže. | Rokanaže. | Hagáwažą | žegų |
| Again | they did it. | It was very great. | Ah, such a [thing]! | [then] |
| m xiAi L | Ao lA L dL tti Ke Le Ai Le de. | K tt. |
| mąxira | hoparašrajikerehireže, | gają. |
| the sky | it seemed to burst* | [.] |
| Ai Ko | K tt K. | Ao Lo KLe Ki | deKe | owK |
| Higų | gająga | horokregi | ške | ’uwąk |
| Even | now | in their midst | [also] | he was walking* |
| w ow Ko ni | Ai Le w Ai | no ni Ke | Ai Ke |
| wa’ųwąkųnį | hiréwahi, | nųnįgé | hįké |
| [he was maybe] | it seemed, | but | not |
p. 324 —
| w d tt ni de. | e Ki. | w d | Ao deAe Le Ki d |
| wažąjanįže.* | Égi | wažą | hušerekižą |
| he did not see anything. | Here | some | a bone† |
| nK deAe. | e Ki | w d | Ai L n i ni rKe de. | Ao w. |
| nąkše. | Égi | wažą | hiranąįnįskeže. | Hųwą́ |
| it was lying. | Here | something | he seemed to notice. | Elk |
| lAyi d. | w o nK deAe. | Ae L. | Lo K n xitti de. |
| paižą | wa’ųnąkše. | Héra | rokanaxjįže. |
| a head | it was. | Horns | it had many. |
p. 325 —
| Ae L. | x x ttiAi de | de tt K. | liAi Ai* | we riAi wi de. |
| Héra | xaxaciže. | Žejąga | pįhí | wesįwįže. |
| The horns | they branched in every direction. | Now again | carefully | he watched it. |
| di Ke | oy Le de. | wo Ki roKo | wo d w de. |
| Žigé | ’ųįreže. | wogizok | wožáwaže. |
| Again | they did it. | Very much | it was fun. |
| tt | Ao w | lA n KeLe | e Ki | w oyi Le de.† |
| Ja* | hųwą́ | panąkere | égi | wa’ųįreže. |
| And | elk | the head | [here] | it happened.‡ |
p. 326 —
| w Ki Li diAili ttAo L. | Lo K n xitti de. | Lo KL. |
| Wakirišipcora | rokanaxjįže, | rogra |
| Flies | there were very many, | inside |
p. 326 —
| Aoyi xitti xitti | w o nK deAe. | Lo Ke tt | Ao K wy L n K. |
| hoixjįxjį | wa’ųnąkše. | Rogeja | hokawairanąga |
| (completely) filled | it was. | Inside | they would go and |
| Ai Ai nl n Ki Le K | w o nK deAe. | w xe | n xoKo tte K. |
| hihinąpnąkirega, | wa’ųnąkše, | waxe | nąxgųjega. |
| when they would rush out, | [they did] | shouting | he heard. |
| wo Lo xotto deAe. | wo Ki roKo | wo d w Ai | w o n Kede. |
| Woruxúcše. | wogizok | wožawahi | wa’ųnąkše. |
| He looked at them. | Very much | fun | they were having. |
p. 327 —
| w Ki liAi tte de. | tt Ko | Ai Ko tt Ko | o w o n Ki di. |
| Wagipiježe. | "Jagú | higųjagu | uwa’ųnąkiži, |
| He coveted (envied) them. | "Well, | whatever | they were doing, |
| Ao Lo K o Ktt ne de | Ai A o Ae d L. | tt rKe |
| horok’ųkjaneže. | Hiha’ųhežara, | 'Jasgé |
| I would join them. | I was saying as I came, | 'What |
| A Ki di | Ao Lo K o n Ko ni | Ai Ai L tte de. |
| hagiži | horok’ųnąkųnį'?" | hihiraježe. |
| I could do | to join them'?" | he was thinking. |
p. 328 —
| K tt K | we de. | Ko te | Ai roAo Ki tti wi L. | A K w d |
| Gająga | wéže, | "Koté | hisųkijiwira, | hagáwažą |
| Then | he said, | "Say | my younger brothers, | what (a) great |
| wo d w | L wi d. | A K w d. | w d | liAi | doo wi d. |
| wožáwa | rawiša, | hagáwažą | wažą | pį | š’uwiša. |
| fun | you are making, | what a great | thing | good | you are doing. |
| Ao Lo K o | deyi di y Le n. | tt rKe | L wiy n K | w doo |
| Horok’ų | žeižiyareną. | Jasgé | rawianąga | waš’ų |
| To be one of you | I wish very much. | How | [you do and] | to do this |
p. 329 —
| A L tte Ki di. | Ai L Ki Koro wi Ki di.* | Ai deKe |
| harajegiži, | hiragigųswigiži, | hišgé |
| if you are able, | if you show me how, | also |
| Ao Lo K o n n. | w wi Ke de. | Ko te | Ao LoKo o |
| horok’ųnaną," | wawigéže. | "Koté, | horok’ų |
| I would join you," | he said to them. | "Say, | [to join together]* |
| wo tteAe xiAi de. | ttA K L. | dolo leKe tt | w K w wiy n K |
| wocexiže. | Cakara | žopekeja | wągawawianąga |
| trouble it is. | The neck | [at the hollow] | we enter it and |
p. 330 —
| w o A tt wi n | tt Ko | Ai dtt L tt wi K tt |
| wa’ųhajawiną, | jagú | hišjarajawigają," |
| it is how we do it, | as | you have already seen," |
| Ai Ky Le de. | ay Le Ki di. | Ai tto Ke we | n i K deKe. |
| higaireže. | Airegiži, | hijokewe | naįgašge |
| they said to him. | Thus they said | to enter | so he would try, but |
| Lo dak ra de. | w Lo Ko xitti | no ni Ke. |
| ruš’aks’aže. | Warugųxjį, | nųnįgé |
| he would fail. | He liked very much to do it,* | but |
p. 331 —
| Ai Ke | w d | de rK ni de. | tt rKe |
| hįké | wažą | žesganįže. | "Jasgé |
| not | [anything] | he was not able. | "How |
| L wiy n K | Ai tt | Ao L K w L tt wi de. |
| rawianąga | hija | horakawarajwiže, |
| you do [and] | [there] | you manage to enter, |
| Ai rAo Ki tti wi L. | e de. | w KL. | A Lo Kere deAe. |
| hisųkijiwira?" | éže. | Wąkra | harugesše. |
| my younger brothers?" | he asked. | The man | he lacked,* |
| w Lo Ko no ni Ke. | e Ki | w Ky Le de. | Ko te |
| warugųnunige. | égi | wagaíreže. | "Koté, |
| although he longed to. | Then | they said to him, | "Say, |
p. 332 —
| Ai Ki Ao L Ke we Kette Ki di. | w deAe Kette n. |
| higihoragewekjegiži | wašekjeną, |
| if you wish to come in | just say, |
| ttA K L | dolo leKe L | xeAe te Le. | Ai deAe Ki di. |
| 'Cakara | žopekra | xetere.' | hišegíži, |
| 'Neck | [the hollow of] | become big.' | If you say it, |
| ttA K L | dolo leKe L.* | xeAe te tti tte Ktt ne n. | de Ko Ki di |
| cakara | žopekra | xetejijekjaneną. | Žegųgiži |
| the neck | [the hollow] | it will become big. | This way |
p. 333 —
| Ai Ki Ao L K w n n. | de rKe | Ai A wiy n K | w o A tt wi n |
| higihoragawananą. | Žesge | hihawiyanąga | wa’ųhajawiną," |
| you can come in. | That way | [we say and] | the way we do it," |
| Ai Ky Le de.* | de tt K. | Ai tt tti n K n K. | tt K L |
| higaireže. | Žejąga | hijajinąkanąga, | "Cakara |
| they said to him. | So now | he sat down to it and, | "Neck |
| dolo leKe L. | xeAe te Le. | e K tt | ttA K L. |
| [the hollow] | xetere," | egają | cakara |
| the hole (for the neck) | become big," | he said, and | the neck |
p. 334 —
| dolo leKe | Ao loAo xL | xeAe te tti tte de. | n roAo L. |
| žopek | hopoxra | xetejiježe. | Nąsúra |
| [hollow] | the hole | it became big. | His head |
| Ao Ki liAi Ki di | Ai tto K w. | Aili deAe. | n roAo L. |
| hokipįgiži | hijokawa | hįpše, | nąsúra |
| it fit in so | he entered | [he reached and remained,] | his head |
| ttA deAe tt | Ai liA. | K tt | A ntt | Ai Ai nl n Ki Le de. |
| cašeją | hipi. | Gają | haną́c | hihinąpnąkireže, |
| his neck | up to. | Just then | all | they ran out, |
p. 335 —
| w Ki Li n KLe. | e Ki | Ao w tti Ao L. | xoAo no niKi Ki Li tte de. |
| wakirinąkre. | Égi | howajihura | xununįkiriježe. |
| [the insects.]* | Then | where he entered | it became small again. |
| e tt | Ao Ki L ttAK Ki de. | o xitti | no ni Ke |
| Éja | hogiracagiže. | ’ųxjį, | nųnįgé |
| There | he was held fast. | Very much he [did,]* | but |
| tt Ko Kette. | de Ko | Lo daK deAe. | n roAo L |
| jagukje. | Žegų | ruš’akše. | nąsúra |
| it was of no avail. | [Thus] | he failed.* | His head |
p. 336 —
| Ko Lo rL. | Lo daK Ki di. | de Ko | Ao K nK K n K. |
| kurusra | ruš’akiži, | žegų | hokąnakanąga |
| to free | when he failed, | thus | he wore it, and* |
| ni ttAe ttL | ttA we de. | Ae L | A x LK deAe. |
| nįcejara | cawéže. | Héra | haxarakše. |
| the river [edge] | he went towards. | Horns | he had long, branchy ones. |
| Ao w | lAy d | Ao K n K n K. | ni L | Ao ta liKi di. |
| Hųwą́ | paižą | hokąnakanąga | nįra | hot’ąpgiži, |
| Elk | a head | he wore and | the river | when he came to it, |
p. 337 —
| ni tteAe ttL | Ao w Le de. | A Ko Le d L. | o ni A o. |
| nįcejara | howareže. | Hagorežąra, | ’ųniha’ų, |
| along the [river's] edge | he went. | Finally, | as thus he went on, |
| te we L Ki. | w KidiKi | e tt | Ao m ttiAi d | Ai L Ai de. |
| tewéraki | wąkšik | éja | homącižą | hirahiže. |
| unexpectedly | people | there | habitations* | he came. |
| de Ko | e tt. | A A Ae Ke de. | e Ki | Ay ni Ki di. |
| Žegų | éja | hahąhegeže. | Égi | hainigiži, |
| [Then] | there | he waited for night. | Then | in the morning, |
p. 338 —
| w o de. | ni w Ko ni Ke | Ao o n Ki di. | e tt | miKi deAe. |
| wa’ųže. | Niwagunige | ho’ųnąkiži, | éja | mįkše. |
| he did thus. | To dip water | where they came, | there | he lay. |
| w Ke A | w i L | K L iy n K. | A tt L. | n Ke we rKe de. |
| Wakeha | wa’įra | kara’iyanąga | hajara | nąkewesgeže. |
| Coon skin | the blanket | wearing, [and] | to look at him | he was frightening.* |
| Lo L. | A ntt. | w Ke A | w i | A ni Ki di |
| Rora | haną́c | wakeha | wa’į | hanįgiži, |
| The body | whole | coon skin | blanket | [that he had], |
| Ai L Lo K n K | e Ki. | Ae L | x x ttiAi Ki di. | e Ki. |
| hirarúkąnąga | égi | héra | xaxacigiži, | égi |
| it was covered, and | then | horns | having long, branching ones, | and |
p. 339 —
| Ay ni xitti | Ai no Ki d. | niy Ko tti K tt | A tt de. |
| hainixjį | hinųkižą | niagujigają | hajaže. |
| early in the morning | a woman | she came after water, and | she saw him. |
| A Ktt | Ao Ki n K tt | w Ke de. | w Kd ne. |
| Hakjá | hokinąkają, | wageže, | "Wakšąne. |
| Back | she started to run, but | he said to her, | "Turn back. |
| n tto ni tt n. | Ai Ke de. | w Kd di. | Ai tt | tti Ki di. |
| nąjonijáną," | higeže. | Wakšąši, | hija | jigiži, |
| I bless you," | he said to her. | She turned back, | there | when she came, |
p. 340 —
| w Ke de. | K L n K. | m rL. | Ai d | A diAi ni L tti Kette n. |
| wagéną, | "Karanąga | mąsra | hižą | hašinirajikjeną. |
| he said to her, | "Go home and | ax | an | bring with you. |
| e Ki. | n li Lo xtt ttL. | tt n K | Ai doo Kette Ki di. |
| Égi | nąpiruxácra | jánąga | hiš’ųkjegiži, |
| Then | the offerings | as many as | you should use, |
| w KidiKi | w L Ki do L. | e | ayi Le Ktt ne n. | e de. |
| wąkšik | warakižura | e | airekjaneną," | éže. |
| people | your [companion] | they | they will tell you," | he said. |
| e Ki. | n roAo. | A ni L. | ttA lo ni A Le Ki. |
| "Égi | nąsu | hanira | caboniharegi |
| "Then | head | my | on top of it |
p. 341 —
| Ao L tti Ktt wi n. | e Ki. | n roAo Ao deAe Le K ni L. | tt Ko |
| horajįkjawiną. | Égi | nąsuhušerekanira | jagú |
| you will strike. | Then | my skull | whatever |
| Ai Lo L Ko wi Ki d[i] | Ai rKe Ktt ne n. | Ao w. |
| hirorakųwigiž[i], | hisgekjaneną. | Hųwą́ |
| you use it for, | it will become true. | Elk |
| w Kette xiAi | A ni n. | ttAi n Kn KeLe | A te n. |
| Wakjexi | haniną. | Cinąknąkre | hateną," |
| [Water] Spirit | I am. | This village | it is blessed,"* |
p. 342 —
| Ai Ke de. | ni Le | xAe te L | Ai d | wi ne n |
| higeže. | "Nire | xetera | hižą | winéną," |
| he said to her. | "In the waters | the great ones | one of | I am," |
| Ai Ke de. | e Ki. | Ai noKo tte K | Ke Le de. | Ki Ki di. |
| higeže. | Égi | hinųkjega | kereže. | Gigiži, |
| he said to her. | Then | the woman | went home. | When she got home, |
| Ao LK deAe. | ni w Ko Le Ki. | w Ktte xiAi | dK dA n. |
| horákše. | "Niwaguregi | Wakjexi | šakšaną. |
| she told it. | "At the water dipping place, | Waterspirit | [an ancient one] there is. |
| n tto tt de | e n. | m Ko do L. | Ko Ki d. | deKe |
| Nąjoją́že, | éną. | Mąkošura | kokižą | ške |
| He blessed me, | he said. | Medicine* | a box | [also] |
p. 343 —
| A ni w owK dA n | e de. | e Ki. | m rL. | e Ki. |
| haniwa’ųwąkšaną," | éže. | "Égi | mąsra | égi |
| he has with him," | she said. | "Then | an ax | and |
| tt n K. | n li Lo xtt ttL. | Ai tti do wi Ki di | e Ki. |
| jánąga | nąpiruxácra | hijižuwigiži, | égi |
| all | the offerings | when we place there, | then |
| ttA lo ni Ay tt. | Ao tti Ktt wi | e n. | n roAo L. |
| cabonihaija | hojikjawi, | éną. | Nąsúra |
| on top of his head | we would hit, | he said. | His skull* |
p. 344 —
| Ai Ki xoAoxo wi Ki di. | de e | e | w d | Lo Ko Ktt wi |
| higixoxwigiži | žee | e | wažą | rokųkjawi, |
| we would crack and | that | [it] | for things* | we could use it, |
| e n. | e de. | w Kidi KL. | n li Lo xtt | A K L ni L n K. |
| éną," | éže. | Wąkšíkra | nąpiruxac | hakaraniranąga |
| he said," | she said. | The people | offerings | they took with them and |
| Ko A L. | ttA wy Le de. | Ao w Le L. | teyK dAe. |
| kohara | cawaireže. | Howarera, | teikše. |
| [below]* | they went. | Sure enough, | there he was. |
| n Ke we rKe de. | n li Lo xtt L. | t ni L. | m dAo |
| Nąkewesgeže. | Nąpiruxajara, | tanira, | mąšu |
| Very fearful [frightening] he was. | The offerings, | tobacco, | feathers |
p. 345 —
| doAo ttL. | ttA A rK L. | tteAe Ai | doAo ttL. | Lo K n. |
| šujra, | cahaskra, | cehį | šujra, | rokana |
| red, | white deerskin, | yarn belts | red, | very much |
| w Ki oyi Le de. | de Ko | Ai Le Ki di | e Ki. | Ai d |
| wagi’ųįreže. | Žegų | hiregiži, | égi | hižą |
| they brought. | Thus | when they did, | then | one |
| A L tti Le Ki di. | m r K. | Ai ow n K. | ttA lo ni Ay tt | Ao tti de. |
| harajiregiži, | mąska | hi’ųwanąga | cabonihaija | hojiže. |
| they appointed, | the ax | he used and | the top of his head | he struck him. |
| n roAo L. | Ki Lo ttAe | tti Ke Le de. | K tt |
| Nąsúra | kiruce | jikereže. | Gają |
| His head | it split in two | [it did suddenly.] | And there |
p. 346 —
| te we L Ki. | w Ktt K K | Ai Kd n K | e tt | Ki K w a de. |
| tewéraki | Wakjąkaga | hikšánąga | éja | gigawa’aže. |
| unexpectedly | Trickster | laughing, [and] | there | he arose. |
| wo x nK | liAi ni Ki d. | w x n KL. | woyi niKi Ai L Ki Ki wi n |
| "Woxanąk | pinigižą | woxanąkra. | Woinįk hiragigiwiną," |
| "Headdress | a nice one | I was wearing.* | You spoiled it for me,"† |
| a n K. | e tt | Ai Kd L | Lo K n w n K | Ki K w a de. |
| ánąga. | Éja | hikšára | rokanawanąga | gigawa’aže. |
| he said. | There | he laughed | very much, and then* | he got up. |
p. 347 —
| w Ktt K K. | w owK dA n* | ay Le de. | e Ki. | w w Ke de. |
| "Wakjąkaga | wa’ųwąkšaną," | aíreže. | Égi | wawageže, |
| "Trickster | it is," | they said. | Then | he said to them, |
| w d L. | Lo A. | n li Lo xtt ttL. | doo wi n. |
| "Wažąra | roha | nąpiruxácra | š’ųwiną. |
| "Things | many | offering | you let go. |
| Ai Ke | Aoyi ni Ke xitti ni Ki | xA w ni wi ni n. |
| Hįké | hoinįgexjįnigi | xawaniwinįną. |
| Not | for naught | it will not go for (amount to) |
p. 348 —
| lA n KLe. | w di | Lo L Ko wi Ki di | Ai rKe Ktt ne n. |
| Panąkre | wažį́ | roragúwigiži, | hisgekjaneną," |
| This head | whatever | you use it for, | it will be so," |
| wi Ke de. | e rKe | e tt. | wi Lo Ko | Ki Koo Ai Le de. |
| wigeže. | Ésge | éja | wirókų | kik’ųhireže. |
| he said to them. | So | there | instruments* | they made themselves. |
| Ao w Le L. | Ai rKe | Ai Le de. | e Ki. | de Ko |
| Howarera, | hisge | hireže. | Égi | žegų |
| Sure enough, | good* | they were. | [And] | then |
| e tt | ni Ke | Ao w Ke Le de. |
| éja | nįgé | howagereže. |
| there | [someplace] | he went away. |
Source:
Oliver LaMère (trs.), "Wakjąkaga," in Paul Radin, Winnebago Notebooks (Philadelphia: American Philosophical Society, 1912) Winnebago V, #7: 317-349.