Hocąk Text — The Markings on the Moon, Version 2

The Markings on the Moon (Version 2)
narrated by Reuben David St. Cyr

Interlinear Hocąk-English Text
by Albert Samuel Gatschet

Reproduced with the kind permission of the
National Anthropological Archives, Smithsonian Institution

Note: Gatschet's [l] has been changed to the standard [r]. Question marks in parentheses, sic (?), are those of Gatschet, all others mark uncertain readings.

p. 16 —

Žégi	ciporukéža	ną́kškone	égi	wą́kya (-ya a)	hicáwina	hakaraíkici	nákškuni.
Once upon a time	round tent, lodge grass tent	there (it) was	and	a man	(and) his wife	living with	there they were.

Nų́piwi	hínuk híriškuni,	égi	hą́pka	wą́k	céga	wažónina	ų́je	sážkuni.
Two	(were) daughters theirs	and	daily	man	that	hunted	he did	all the time, then.

Hagóreža	hínuknik	ną́ka	xetériškuni,	éki	hą́pka	hątáginac	ną́kthaškúniže.
After this, hereupon	girls	these	became older	then	daily	they fasting	they were in the habit of.

Hakóreša	xúnuna	weškúniže	Wáxoxge	-Hišóga	hihántaše	éškuni.	Xetéra	híške
At once	younger (smaller)	said so:	"Shell	Spit(ter)	I dreamt of him,"	she said.	The other one	she too

p. 17 —

hihántaše	éškuni;	égi	hakǫ́reša	wakúje	ųéškune	kíkų	hiháneǧa	níke
dreamt of him	she said,	and	at once	moccasins	to be supplied (?)	they made for themselves;	after this	somewhere

hówa	harahitéškune or: haraíreškune.	Égi	akóreža	wą́hirégają	nixéteja
they travelled,	I have and/or they are gone (they might have gone)	and	hereupon	while they went there	a big body of water

há-uji	cinak,	hitéškuni;	égi	minak	hitánaǧa	wóru	-xuts	nánk	škúni;
they came on to	the village,	he (male) said	and	they sat down	after that,	looked	around	and sitting	there (watching)

té-e	té nąjeja	hižą́	hówe	wájowe	ųješkúni.	Égi	Šią́gega	wa-ųješkuni.
this	in midst of lake	some- body	going around	in a boat (dugout)	there he was (Šiąg.)	And	Šią́gega	it was him!

"Hįgiwankjéta,"	áwišguni,	égi	giwaínišguni	gíwa	hitánųge	hínke	wánaxkų
"Let us halloo at him,"	they said,	and	they hallooed at him	they hallooed	[untrs.]	not	he did hear them,

kíkųni	škuni	-že.	Hagóreža	hiskéxci	hinke	wanaxkų́nigi	waíreškúni;
he made out, simulated	he did not	hear this.	Hereupon	surely	not	he did not hear them	they said;

p. 18 —

Waxóxkehíšoga	cą́	hingekcéna.	Žíge	gíwa	hitéškuni:	"Waxóxke	híšora,	hįkanek
Spit-Shell	instead (of Š.)	let us call by names	Again	call him	they did	Spit	-Shell,	to cross us

wákuruwáwax	háreǧa	wá-ižuškuni.	Égi	cíškun	hijómínank	hitéškuni,	hungú
broken from his ear	after he had	took them in his mouth.	And	he came	they got into (the dugout)	[they did],	pretty soon

hitárexcí káją́	šóškų́ni,	šógają	waxóxke	híšo škúni,	hinúknanka
afterwards	he spit,	when he spit	shells	he spit with,	the girls

wákiko-ik hitéškuni.	Égi	uníneki	híkoro-ke-nik-ra	hocéja	wacókeregíškuni.
tried to seize them away from (the other girl).	And	they landed	his grandmother	her house	to take them there.

Mínank nánkškúni	hoxcanągają́.	hižá	ną́nk-hajíškune	ho-ithiánaga
They sat down (girls, subj.)	in the evening	somebody	running-came	he looked, peeped into

p. 19 —

wéškųnižé	Šiągénigra	Waxóxgešoga	šo-iko:	ikorohóge	warawékce	ánankšána.
he came and said	Šiągénigra	Spit-Shell	spit	going to, gets ready to	you come to pound in a mortar	they are saying

Hinke	wágixap-níškuni	hungų́	žike	jiháneǧa	žíge	eškúni;	hinké hínigi
[not]	answer, respond (not)	somebody, a messenger from the chief's tent	again	(he) came	again	and said:	when he did not come

wá-i-reškúni;	Waxóxkešora	rašókce	ánankšana	cą́	hikáwide;	égi	žigé	jíškúni
they said;	Spit-Shell	you to spit they want	they say	instead (of pounding)	they are saying;	and	again	he (messenger) came

jiáneǧa	Waxóxkešora	rašókce	ánankšana	éškuni	ho!	eškuni,	réškuni;
he came	Spit-Shell	they want you to spit	they are	saying	all right,	he says,	he went, made a move to go

hígatsą	círa	hó-ixciankškúniže.	Égi	hirégiži	hínunknankre	nųxana	híjowaréškuni.
when he went	to the lodge	(it was) full (of people) there, they say.	And	when he went	the girls	snuck	and went there.

Ną́xawa	háhi	hó-ithį	hitéškuni,	té-e	hikána	hírera	wawéra	ų́xcį	ną́kskune.
They peeped in	go and	peeping surrepti- tiously	(did so)	[this]	their	husbands (of the girls)	pounding	away	sitting.

p. 20 —

Cí	hokiságica	wánk	skaxcínža	minąknakškúne,	Wexoxkéšuga	wá-ų	nákųne
Of the lodge	in the center	man	white altogether (awful)	sitting down, seated	Spit-Shell	"it must be he," (Shell-Spitter)	sitting

aireškúne;	hirarexcįkają́	šoškúne,	žékų	waxóxkata	rókana	híšoškúne,	waxóxke
they said	pretty soon after (they saw him)	he spit,	and	shells	many, lots of	he spit with,	for the shells

háki	-kó-ikra	ų́xtsįhitéškune	híkana hírera	ų́xtsį núnige	híža	-kítanik	hó-eškúni.
they (everybody in the tent)	grabbed	all were in a hurry	their husband (one for both)	he was in a hurry	one (shell)	only (from the whole lot)	he obtained.

Égi	hinų́-knąka	hákarareškúni.	Ną́	rírikra	nųpíwi	hánią kihitą́ga
Then	(both) girls	returned to (the tent) whence they came from	(Pieces of) wood	decomposed, rotten	two there were	they took back with them (to the tent)

hómikaki	áke	wátump híteškuni;	žékų	hiráneǧa	hákca	hákarairéškuni.
of the bed	on both sides	they put them;	when, after (?)	they did so	back, returning	they went (dual).

p. 21 —

Hakóreža	Waxoxkéšoga	šóra,	rúžtągi	wą́kšigeda	hakararéškuni.	Égi
Sometimes	Spit-Shell	spit,	after finishing	the people	went home (pl.), back.	And

hinųknánka	hókawa-hitáneǧa,	Waxóxkéžuga	nįgé	míganke-éja	hahí
the girls (dual)	entered (the tent, lodge)	Spit-Shell	where	he was lying	they went

mík'hitéškuni.	Šią́gega	gigíži	hókisakgeža	mínk-škúni,	ną	rírik	ną́ka
and lay down.	Šią́gega	when got back (to the tent)	in the middle	lay down	the logs	rotten	these (two)

rakákanaške	hóci-wáki—ų-hitégi	nágakanaške	haráxcak-hitégi	wókitekškúni
ants	was full of	ants	bit him	he became infuriated

rúwišnąkže	ánega	hížą	aíšawak	hipotáškúni.	Hungúžike
pinching him,	he said	one (of the logs)	(one) elbow	pushed.	Again

haráxcak-hitéškuni,	kácanga	wa-ína	nike	hót'ųránega	hatážą	híškune
they bit him,	now then	the blanket	somewhere	he threw away	light, fire	he made

t'é-e	ną́xa t'ek	wá-ų ną́kškuni	wókitekškuni	kíkawa-wąnega
[these]	two rotten logs	they were lying	he became furious	he arose, got up

p. 22 —

žécanga	ráganą́ga	máhi	pákų́	jireškúni.	Žécąga	hą́pgugi	máhina
at the time	he cried, wept	knife	to sharpen (kų = his)	he commenced, made a start.	at that time (when he had sharpened),	At dawn	his knife

níkarackereanega	hų́k'hocira	hówa	wácawa reškúni.	Háhi	hókewekája	t'é-e
he carried it in his belt ("belt" not expressed)	to chief's lodge	he went	for revenging himself.	When he went	into (the chief's lodge)	there were

hicáwiwa-hira	Waxoxkešóga	hókisak	hótump-ną́kškune.	Hitánįke	cášera
his two wives (of Š.)	(who had) Spit-Shell	in the middle	they had between.	And all three of them	necks

wámąšiš škúni,	wánickának	nąga	nų́xąwaškúni	hą́pcingi	húngra	wéškuni
he cut open,	forced, put them, took in his belt	and	he hid himself	at daylight	the chief	said (long ago)

"Híki	ną́iwináne,"	hínke	híxka	hiraníškune,	wáruxinkíkcege
"Try	to wake yourself up (all three of them)	not	move	they did	for waking them up (all three)

p. 23 —

hicégają	té-e	wa-íra	hónįją́-nąkškune.	Hórak gíregi	wónina
when he went, stood	there	(they were in a pool of) blood	they lay in it (sp. his two wives)	When it was told	hunted they (I not included)

haną́c	hįbireškúni	hakoréžan	ų́nakų	hi-ereškuni,	žégų
all (the people and the chief)	everyone went, took a hand in, the hunting	sometimes	when hunting in this effort	they found him (the murderer),	and

rúkąkąš híranų	negé	wánk rá	hówakeréškuni,	égi	waíréškuni.
grabs without effect	while they	skyward, above	he ascended, went,	and	they said (all),

Kécangéka	"Hágiuguwíre."	Jigiži	ną́wą́	tohireškúni	hóke xárare-éškuni,
Mr. Turtle	"Go fetch him."	When he came	to sing	he began	(archaic)

Šią́gega	wągéja,	hági	zázek	nihéra	háruxa	cą́tę	háreškuni,	"Rášipbi
Šią́gega	up above,	after (this flight?)	(on account of distance) very small	once (then)	he began	to appear	more	"Get him down (miraculously)

kcinéna,"	ánankškúni.	Harúxa	áške	kiriškuni,	gájanga	círahexciéja
he will,"	so they said.	He began	nearer	to come,	when	he passed above the lodge there

p. 24 — p. 24 —

kírigi	gúc	ná-i	hiranų́nige,	Kécangega	roxiškuni;	žécanga	aíkiją ji jeá
he came, arrived	shoot	all	tried (to shoot) him	Mr. Turtle	he forbid them	pretty soon	within arm-reach he came

nągá	Kécangega	sí kąja	há rukas híkšege	rúkągąškáją	híšcara	hóresíri
arrows and	K.	by the ankle (from the ankle up to calf)	tried to get hold	he tried to seize in vain	in his face	defecated

žékų	hiáneǧa	wángra	howakereškúni.	Égi	hikórokenigra	wákeše	aírena,
after (doing it)	doing it	above, skyward	he returned (in moon afterwards).	And	to his grandmother	he said,	they say,

hą́hewi-ną́kre	éja,	"Hówakere	kcįneže,"	eškúni,	éki	žékų	kúc
moon (wingre, "this" of sun and moon)	at (where the moon is) —	"He was giving	back,"	he said,	and	after	shoot

hiránunge,	iįxcį́	hiranųnige,	žékų	wągéca	hágixawaníškuni.	Éske
they did it in vain	they tried	to hit him in vain	then	above	he disappeared.	That is

hąhewéja	wánkšik	hájajáne	Šią́ngega	wá-ųježe	aírena.	Žéjana.
why in the moon	person	we are seeing now	Šią́ngega	it is he	they say.	The end of it.

Gatschet's Notes:

p. 16 —

hicáwina —

hicáwi, wife
hínuk, woman
hínukra rókana, many women
hínuk wacik, young woman not married, and spinsters

hakaraíkici — hižą́hakíci hajéna, I live with somebody

hą́pka —

hámbukai (ókahi), every day
hámbiže, day
hą́p, háp, day
hám té-e, today
hą́he, night
hą́he ókahi, every night

wažónina —

wažą wániątséna, I am hunting
wažóni, hunter
wažóni xéte ha-ų́wina, we had a big hunt

hínuknik —

hínuk niki, one girl,
niki, pl. nigra, young
hinuknikita róha, many girls

weškúniže —

žéske hihéna, I say so
hihéna, I said

Waxóxge, shell

Hišóga — hašónakšena, I am spitting

hihántaše —

hą́te mákšana, I am dreaming
hą́te, dream
hątéga, dreamer (not used)

p. 17 —

ųéškune, they made

kíkų — kik (?), for oneself

nixéteja —

xéte, big, is better than
xáte, xáte, as in šúnk xate, horse

há-uji — háwuji, to run onto quick without knowing.

tahá-ų, I travel that way.
há-un hahígają́, while I traveled thus.

wóru-xuts nánk — wótuxuxuts nánkšena, I am looking around sitting.

té nąjeja — té, lake; ną́jeja, in middle of.

hižą́ — hižą́náxkųna, I hear somebody.

hį́ke (not) náxkųne (hear) hakikóne, I simulate —- not hear him.

Hįgiwankjéta — wą́, to haloo, hawą́jéna, I halloo.

cinak — village; city. of ci, house,
cinak xatéža, large city.

p. 18 —

hingekcéna — Johnga hinigéna; my name is John, I call you John.

wákuruwáwax —

wažánizá ną́ca warégi túwax, I break from my ear;
túwax, I break a string.
wakúru, oneself?

wá-ižuškuni — wayážu, I take into my mouth.

híšo škúni, — hašó, I spit, I spit on, yášo, I spit with something.

wákiko-ik — I try to take, hi-ųjá, I try.

uníneki — uane nakšana, I am landing.

híkoro — coká, grandfather; hicúške, grandson, nephew.

hocéja —

wá ciéja, my house, where I live!
hóra ciéja, your house, cí, círa, house.
néxci waciéja, my own home, whether I live there or not.
hociéja, his, her house.
waciwéja, our house.
horaciwéja, your house.
hociréja, their house.
cwánina, my houses.
ciwašínina, your houses.
ciwánina, his houses.
cihiwaníwina, our houses.
ciwšíniwina, your houses.
ciwanínera, their houses.
ną́ wánina, my tree.
ną hašínina, your tree.
ną hánina, his, her tree.

wacókelegíškuni — wacwákere, "I go first and others follow."

hoxcanągają — hoxcána, evening.

hoxtánanig witíte (< wira wiríre), sunset.
witáxep (< wira háxep), sunrise.
wí, wíta, wíra, sun.
hą́he wíta (wira), moon (hánhe, night).

ną́nk-hajíškune — hának'haji, I come running.

hának háhank wína, we are running (dual & plural).

ho-ithiánaga — waíthi hajéna, I am peeping.

p. 19 —

wéškųnižé — hajiáneǧa hajéna, I came and said.

-že, they said, ferunt.

Šiągénigra Waxóxgešoga šo-iko: ikorohóge warawékce — "Š. come over and pound the mortar, because Spits Shells is going to spit."

Šią́genigra — -nigra, is young, baby, said of baby birds. of -niki, -nik, young, plural. (36) Now called the "Son of God." After going away he promised the people to return and be henceforth man in the moon. (73)

wáwe nakšána, I pound a mortar sitting.
warawékce, you come to grind with that thing (mortar) only

ánankšána. — hihanákšana, I am saying.

hungų́ —

húnk, chief.
húnkra róra, chiefs-many.
húnk cóne, head chief.
wánkšik húnk, Indian chief.

rašókce — našókce ke wáhajéra, I want you to spit, in a standing position.

hatex hajéna, I piss standing.
šo-ikoróhoge, going to spit (getting ready to spit)

hó-ixciankškúniže — nápana hoíxcina, the basket is full.

nųxana — núxą, I am sneaking.

hánuxą, to keep secret.

háhi — hahí, I go (there).

ráre, you go.
réra, he goes.
tekcináwina, we go.
šerekcinéna, ye go.
haraírikcinéna, they are going.

hó-ithį — wá-ithį hajéna, I peep in standing.

hikána hírera — hikána, her husband; hírera, of two wives.

híjowaréškuni — hijáwatena, I go there.

p. 20 —

hokiságica — in the middle, center of

šunk-xátoci hokísagica, in the center of the barn ("horse ouse")

skaxcínža —

ská, white
šúcínža, redder than others compared
póro poro xcin(ža), rounder than other balls

wá-ų — (the person talked about)

aireškúne — they said

éškune, one girl said

hirarexcįkają́ — hirare, is part of, pretty soon; not used by itself .

rókana — has to be there to make wax. — plural!

híšoškúne — hi-, instrumental prefix

kó-ikra — hakiko-ik, to grab (used in plural of subj. only)

—wina, I am grabbing

ų́xtsįhitéškune — yakųe, I am in a hurry

hikúhe wá wąjína, I am in a hurry
-xtsį- is a particle not used by itself
hitéškune. he ran hard, but was beaten; unavailingly (?)

híkana — husband

núnige — nunige or nų́nge!

-kítanik -

wijúk	yą́šána	hajána
cat	only	I saw

(there was no cat visible)

hó-eškúni — wa-éna, I obtain; hižą, one; hižą kíta, only one. (cf. žekírę)

hákarareškúni — hakarahéna, I return where I came from

decomposed, rotten — the wood is rotting; they cannot say that

nųpíwi —

hinúmike, both
nųpiwi, two were
nųp, two

hánią kihitą́ga — hanią́kere, I take back with me

hómikaki — couch, place of bed for lying down

wátump — hátump, I put to a place

hákca —

hákere, I go back
tušcą, I finish, come to an end

p. 21 —

gigíži —

hagígiži, when I get back
hagígi, I get back

haráxcak — hižą hatáxcak, I bite somebody

hitégi — or hirégi.

wókitekškúni — wóyitek, I get mad

rúwišnąkže — Š. when feeling the ants he thought the two girls were pinching him.

túwišana, I pinch him

aíšawak hipotáškúni — aíšawak hipuáta ną́, I pushed him with the elbow

ną́ (past) is also striking

kácanga — now, this time

hót'ųránega —

wastunt'e, I am throwing (blanket, not string)
íniže ha-unehájena, I throw a stone standing
hátaža hajéna, I make a light

ną́xa t'ek —

nánxa, log
t'ék, rotten
t'é, dead; níup, alive

waką́ t'eža, a dead snake
waką́ t'era róha, many dead snakes

(t'era cannot stand alone)
róha, many

wa t'éhi korohóge, he gets ready to kill
wa t'ehi ga korohóge, I get ready to kill
wai psinc ya korohóge, I get ready to thrash
yakoróge, I get ready

p. 22 —

kíkawa-wąnega — hakíkawa-ų, I rise, get up

pákų́ — pá-ų nákšena, I sharpen (a knife, máhi)

jireškúni —

hawą́jite, I commence
túšcaną, I finish
hųgǫ́ hawą́jena, I continue doing (being around, -j-)

hą́pgugi —

haíne, morning
hoxcána, evening
wíta háxep ną́kšana, the sun is rising (sitting)
wíta hira ną́kšana, the sun is setting
hámbra huhéna, daylight is breaking (huhéna, coming)

níkarackereanega — niánckere, I carry in my belt

hókewekája —

wákewe, to get in
ho-, where the chief (hunk) lives

wácawa —

wacáwe, I go for revenge
wirokó-iskina, thanks I give you

hówa —

wáwa, I go
hówa, he went
cíža wakéwina, I went into the lodge

hókisak — hokísageja haminkšána, they lie between two (objects)

Hitánįke —

táni, three
hitánike, all three
pónank, whole

cášera — cáše, neck

wámąšiš škúni — wámanše, I cut off

wánickának — nią́ckanak, I put in my belt

prefix wa-: many things

nų́xąwaškúni — nuą́xawa, I hide myself

ną́iwináne —

yákį mákšena, I get awake
yaxkąxką nákšana, I move about
túxink, I wake (one) up
wáruxink, I wake (more than one) up

wáruxinkíkcege — he was going to, but did not do it, because they were dead

hicégają — gają, then when

p. 23 —

wa-íra honiją = mákšaną, I lay; the in blood (one), ną́kšk- refers to 2, 3, or many

wónina —

hižę´ wánią išéna, I hunt somebody, pl. obj.
hížke wánią išéna, pl subj & obj
hížke wánią jówina, we hunt them

hįbireškúni — hórok himpan, I help, take a hand in

ų́nakų — in their effort

hi-ereškuni —

yá-ena, I found it
yá-a, I find
(some archaic words in it)

rúkąkąš híranų — for all their grabbing

hówakeréškuni — wawákere, I ascend, go up

Kécangéka —

kécank, turtle
-ga, -ka appended to proper names: Dorseyga

Hágiuguwíre — hakuténa, I go and fetch

ną́wą́ — ną́wą nákšera, 1 sing. / pl. -ną́k-

zázek — zázek nik cait'ína, I appear very small

háruxa — when not an act, but an appearance is concerned: to begin

háreškuni —

hári, far
huskája hári, far out in the prairie

rášipbi — hakitášip, I get myself down

áške — áške hajína, I come nearer

kírigi — kígi, when he went home, to his place

gúc — hagúc, I shoot; pl obj wáguc

p. 24 —

roxiškuni — róaxi, I forbid

aíkiją ji jeá —

a-, arm
a-ikiją, arm-reach

sí kąja — sí košógera, ankle

hóresíri — reásiri, I shit [sic], ho-, into his face

wákeše aírena —

yáke, I said
híhe, I say

(where the moon is) — because the sun and moon stand still

hágixawaníškuni — híxawane, I disappear

hájajáne — hajánegre, I see now

žéjana — waíką, fable

Source:

Albert Samuel Gatschet, Linguistic and Ethnological Material on the Winnebago, Manuscript 1989-a (Washington, D. C.: Smithsonian Institution National Anthropological Archives, 1889, 1890-1891) 16-24. Informant: Reuben David St. Cyr.