Trowbridge’s List of Hocąk Moons (1823)
Manuscript page: | 98 |
The order of these moons suggests that the year began with the vernal equinox (March 23).
| Hocąk Moon | = | Translation | Month |
| Hoá.ra.kee.noo.na. | Hórakinuna | Moon of Spawning Fish | April |
| Mauk.aá.wee.na. | Mąkéwina | Planting Moon | May |
| Mau.aá.wee.ra | Mąéwira | Hoeing Moon | June |
| Wee.haútsh.raa.wee.ra. | Wihácrewira | Blossom Moon (in allusion to corn). | July |
| Wee.tátsh.oa.ger.ra. | Witácogera | Roasting (Corn) Moon | August |
| Hoa.wúnk.hee.roak.her.ra. | Hową́xiroxera | Deer Running Moon | September |
| Wee.zés.a.kaa.wee.na. | Wizésakewina | Snowbird Moon (This bird then feeds on the ground) | October |
| Tshu.aá.wauk.shoa.na. | Caéwakšona | Falling Horn Moon | November |
| Mau.neé.wee.ra. | Mąnį́wira | Winter Moon | December |
| Hoan.tshe.ník.kee.toamp.hoa.noa.nee.ger.ra. | Hocinikitophononigera | First Young Bear Moon | January |
| Hoan.tshe.ník.kee.toamp.Ha.taa.ra. | Hocinikitopxatera | Last Young Bear Moon | February |
| Wau.kǘ.kee.roo.har.ra. | Wakíkiruxara | Raccoon Running Moon | March |
"Wihácrewira" — this most closely matches McKern's, Waxócĕrĕwira, which actually refers to tasseling (xóc, "gray").
"Witácogera" — this matches Susman's Witájoxi-wíra, "Popping Month," for Watajóxhí-wirá, "Corn Popping Moon."
"Howukhirokhera" — Deer Running Moon would be Cáikirúxe-wirá, however this moon is most typically referred to as "Elk Whistling Moon" (Hųwą́žuk-wira). Here, however, we actually have, "Elk Running Moon," Hųwą-(hi)kiroxera-wirá.
"Wizésakewina" — wizésake as the name for the snowbird in unique.
"Caéwakšona" — for Ca-héwakšų́-wirá, "Deer Antler Shedding Month."
"Mąnį́wira" — this name for a month is unattested anywhere else.
"Hocnikitophononigera" — this would be for Hųjᵉnįk-(h)it’ųp-xųnųnįgᵉra, "The Early Placing of the Little Bear." The month is more commonly called, Hųjwíconįná, "First Bear Month."
"Hocinikitopxatera" — this would be for Hųjᵉnįk-(h)it’ųp-xatera, "The Late Placing of the Little Bear." . The month is more commonly called, Hųjwíroágnįná, "Second Bear Month." These last two bear moons refer to the birth of cubs during hibernation.
"Wakíkiruxara" — shortened by sandhi from Wake-híkiruxera.
Return to "Moons."
Source
Charles C. Trowbridge, "Manners, Customs, and International Laws of the Win-nee-baa-goa Nation," (1823), Winnebago Manuscripts, in MS/14ME, Trowbridge Papers, Burton Historical Collection.