Hocąk Text — Tobacco Origin Myth, Version 5
narrated by Sam Blowsnake
Sam Blowsnake |
p. 53 —
’Éki | š’áknįwį́ra | c’ekéca | wokús | te’é. |
And | the parents | in the beginning | created | it. |
Wašcįkéka | hik’orók’era | hic’ak’órowahirá | caną́ka | waxop’íni |
Rabbit | his friends | his grandmother | all of them | spirits |
warácire | Wažakúzra | wakųskí. | Wošką | te’é |
whatever | the Creator | they were the creation. | Ceremony | this |
p. 54 —
kų́zireki | Wokų́zocira | wioiréc’a | hą́posųeca | hap’ahí |
when it was created, | the council house | east | to west | [direction] |
mikšé, | ’aíreną. | Waxop’į́nį | warácirera | mąxí |
[it lay,] | [it is said.] | The spirits | [the various ones] | sky |
p. 55 —
wąkrékererá, | mąį | hakerékirera, | mą | k’ų́hąrekererà, |
up, | on the earth | [who were placed], | earth | [who were placed] below, |
nįk’ų́hąicererà, | te’é | haną́c | hic’ok’ížuiréki,* | c’irá |
who were under water, | these | all | they came higher, and | the house |
hixcį́ | mįną́kirežè, | ’ąíreną. | ’Éki | waxop’ini |
full | they sat around, | they said. | And | the spirits |
warácire | siók’ereírerá | šaną | c’ą́pirak’ére | hímįną́ki’uže, |
[various] | the place where they put their feet | only | they kept my eyes | [pointed to,] |
p. 56 —
’ąíreną. | Hoką́cą́k’še, | ’ąíreną. | Hąpra | c’ira |
they said. | They were holy, | they said. | The light | the lodge |
cakųi | hatažairéskų | mįkše, | ’ąíreną. | ’Éki |
what | [they shone] | [it lay,] | they said. | And |
p. 57 —
c’įokisákec’a | mąp’á | cíną́kše, | ’ąíreną. | Wasp’a’iníske |
in the center of the lodge | mound | [there was,] | they said. | [Like a nipple] |
wąkšíko’į | ’éca | hikią́na (?) | wažą́ | ki’anéra |
life | there | [?] | something | [?] |
hiperés | ciną́kireže, | ’ąíreną. | ’Éki | ’éc’a |
to know | it would come, | they said. | And | there |
mąrá | waxaną́hižé. | Wažą | ’ap | ’éc’a |
the earth | it broke through. | Some kind | leaf | there |
p. 58 —
haǧephizé, | ’ąíreną. | Haǧepkáca, | wažą | c’óxc’įžerè, |
it grew up, | they said. | After it grew up, | [thing] | it looked very green, |
’ap. | K?ác-hará | ’éreže. | Hąprok’ic’óra* | cežé, |
[leaf.] | [Sunlight-skin] | [it was.] | The color of the day | it stood, |
’ąíreną. | Haną́c | horuǧúc’ | mįną́kireže, | ’ąíreną. |
they said. | All | to have their eyes on it | [they laid,] | [it is said.] |
p. 59 —
Wažį́žą | wa’ų́ceki | Wakusra | wiwéwį | hanįná |
Something | that was | the Creator | the thought | [he had] |
wa’ų́ceki, | hip’erésireže, | ’ąíreną. | P’ąnąrá | hiǧoǧóže,* |
[that was it,] | they knew, | [it is said.] | The smell | it diffused, |
’ąíreną. | P’įžé, | ’ąíreną. | Waxop’ini | warácirerà |
they said. | It was good, | they said. | The Spirits | [the various] |
haną́c | kizíc’ | mįnąkireže, | ’ąíreną. | ’Éki |
all of them | to lift the head | they sat up, | [it is said.] | And |
p. 60 —
žiké | ’ąprá | hinuprá | haǧéphužè, | ’ąíreną. |
[again] | leaf | another | it grew up, | [it is said.] |
Žiké | hitanį́ra | haǧéphužé, | ’ąíreną. | Žiké |
And | a third | [it grew up,] | [it is said.] | And |
hicoprá | haǧéphuže, | ’ąíreną. | ’Éki | caskékcane |
a fourth | [it grew up,] | they said. | And | how it would be |
p. 61 —
wa’ų́ceki, | hanąc’´ | žeskéki, | hacarą́ | k’arap’įéské, |
[that was it,] | [all] | [it was this way,] | it looked | beautiful, |
’ąíreną. | P’ąnąp’į́že, | ’ąíreną. | C’axíwira | skaxcį́že, |
[it is said.] | It smelled good, | they said. | The blossoms | they were very white, |
’ąíreną. | ’Éki | waxop’íni | warácire | ną́kre, |
[it is said.] | And | spirits | [the various] | [who were sitting,] |
"Hac’ąkaixcį* | hi? | ’É | hitak’ánakcawira," | hirámįną́kireže, |
"Which one of us | [is it to be?] | [It] | maybe it is going to be mine," | they thought, |
p. 62 —
’ąíreną. | Žiké | hotašké, | "Né | xeté |
[it is said.] | And | some, | "I | great |
hi’ųk´ca, | né | ’écaxcį́ | hitak’ą́nąkcanékacą," | hik’irá |
he made me, | I | maybe | I am going to manage it," | to think |
mįną́kireže, | ’ąíreną. | ’Éki | wanįkinį́kiža | c’axíni |
[they did,] | [it is said.] | And | a little bird* | blossoms |
p. 63 —
’éca | ciceké, | ’ąíreną. | Ğįk’´ | ceže, |
there | it came, | [it is said.] | Humming | it came. |
’ąíreną. | Wanįkį́kcegá | hacará | k’arap’įéskeže. | Wanikį́kceną́ |
[it is said.] | That little bird | it looked | it was pretty. | That little bird |
’aprá | hąprá | hok’ic’óra | cežè.* | C’axiwira |
the leaves | the day | [the descendant] | [he came.] | The blossoms |
p. 64 —
wap’į’ų́ | nąžį́že, | ’ąíreną. | Hokįkįx´ | nąžį́že. |
to be fixed | he stood, | [it is said.] | Around | he stood. |
’Éki | Wašcįkéka | ’excį́ | t’ą́pcireže, | ’ąíreną. |
And | Rabbit | himself | he got up, | [it is said.] |
Hik’orokéra | wa’ųžé. | Nąksíkįą | ’įnį́ | šuc’ |
[His friends] | [did it.] | A stem | stone | red |
taní | húižą | sųk’eį́ca | rúzanąka | hok’ųžé, |
tobacco | a stem | back | he took, and | he gave it to him, |
p. 65 —
’ąíreną. | ’Éki | p’ecrá | hokįkį́xak’erįanąka | ’aprá |
[it is said.] | And | the fire | he went around, and | the leaves |
warusócanaka | ną́porehíciréki | waxcukšé, | ’ąíreną. |
he pulled off the husks, and | he started to handle them, and | he crushed them, | [it is said.] |
p. 66 —
Wús-hįánąka | taníhųéca | hožužé, | ’ąíreną. | ’Éki |
He dried them, and | in the pipe | he put it, | [it is said.] | Then |
p’ec’ówec’a | hą́pokura | hap’ahí | k’irižéže, | ’ąíreną. |
to the fire | the east | facing | [he returned,] | [it is said.] |
’Éki | "C’įóžušánąkre, | hicak’óró, | nįwįre | waxopíni |
And | "You sit in the lodge, | my dear friends, | you | spirits |
waracire | nįc’ápwira. | ’Éki | te’é | Mą’ų́ra |
[various] | my own relatives. | And | this | Earthmaker |
wiwéwįhaniéca | howácíną. | ’Éki | hitekį́kwahara, | hi’ųnįnįkwahará, |
from his thought | it came. | [And] | my dear uncles, | [my aunts,]* |
wakšíkoį́ra | waną́cųcąįskaíreke, | wąkšíko’į | mą | kik’i-šerekce. |
life | because it is poor, | life | earth | he sent me. |
p. 68 —
Wąkréki | hi’ác’hará | huįkikíną. | ’Éki | c’įóžušánąkre, |
Up there | my father | he sent me. | And | who are in the lodge, |
haną́c, | wiwéwį | hikí | horakšúwire. | ’Éki |
all, | thought | here | put in. | But |
me’é | hąk’é | nežą́ | hǫnį́nįkcanahawiną. | ’Éki |
this | not | one of us | we are not going to have it. | And |
p. 69 —
hitékwahára | hi’unį́nįkwahára | ’é | hanį́, | wąkšík’ |
my uncles | my aunts | this | to have, | [people] |
’į́rekcanéną.* | Hąk’é | hižą́ | waną’ók’ewe | wažą́ |
[it will be.] | Not | one | asking freely | [thing] |
hirok’ų | hiruxúruknikcanį́hiną. | ’É | wąkšík’oį | tá |
to use | we shall not attain. | They | life | asking |
p. 70 —
hi’ųįrekcanéną. | Hižą́ | ražrá | wą́karácirawįąnąka | te’é |
they are going to use. | One | name | they call us, and | [this] |
hožuį́žą | waxųį́reki, | cakú | taį́reki | žeské |
[a full one] | if he places for us, | what | they ask, and | [that] |
hįwikírusikcanaháwiną. | Mą’ų́ra | ’excį́ | ’ų, | nų́nįke |
we will take it. | Earthmaker | himself | he made, | but |
hišké | žeskékcaniną. | Cacą́ | razrá | ráciránąka |
even | he is the same as the rest of us. | [Father] | name | they call him, and |
p. 71 —
hiskéki, | wahų́įreki, | cakú | hitaį́reki, | wonį́kihánąka, |
[if correctly,] | if they offer it to him, | what | if he asks for it, | he will answer, and |
ruzíkcaneną. | ’Éki | hąpwioiré* | hap’ahí | k’iriciónąka |
he will take it. | And | the west | toward | he turned, and |
honiká, | hat’ų́panąka | hanąc’´ | hį’įkérekcanį́heną. |
[as he asked,] | I am going to put it, and | [all] | [they will have life by means of it.] |
p. 72 —
Že’é | wošką́ | te’é | hiskexcį́ | hanąšcą́ra. |
That | ceremony | this | truly | he will put our power. |
’Éki | hokšúwi, | hį’eya’ų́kcąnáwiną. | Wihóhirà | c’įók’isákreki |
And | it is put in, | we mean that. | The witness | [in the middle of the lodge] |
Mą’ų́ra | hokiraki, | hįwa’ųkcanahániną. | Hunúpmąnį, | wąkšík’, |
Earthmaker | if he tells him, | we will do this. | [Two-legged walkers,] | human beings, |
p. 73 —
waną́cocąį́ske, | te’é | c’akú | warųákikų́ra* | honį́hawí |
because they are poor, | this | what | I wish for them | in answer |
hiya’ų́kcanaháwi. | ’Éki | nąwą́že, | Wašjįkéka. | Wežé |
we will answer. | And | he sang, | Rabbit. | He said, |
’aį́reną, | "Té | heréną. | Hąp | ta’ųną. |
they said, | "This | it is the one. | Light | [it makes a wish for.] |
Wąkšíko’į-itará,* | wąkšík | š’įkcánąháwiną́. | ’Éki | wak’uruhįcrehíže, |
The life-asking, | [humans] | you will live. | And | he saluted them, |
p. 74 —
c’irirókžú. | Hanąc’´ | honįhą́ireže. | ’Éki | ną’ų́stéžą* |
the whole lodge. | All | they answered. | And | firebrand |
rúzanąkà | tanį́hurá | ta’éhikí | rap’orehíkiži, | hą́pokuréki |
he took, and | the pipe | he lit, and | after he puffed on it, | the east |
hap’ahí | hąprá | skaxjį́ | c’at’į́hižé, |
towards | the day | very clear | it showed |
p. 75 —
’aį́reną. | ’Éki | žiké | sanįk’´ | siníwakúreki |
they said. | And | [again] | direction | north |
hap’ahí | k’iricįánąka | ’éca | horap’órehíki, | hąprá |
towards | he faced, and | there | he puffed, and | the day |
skaxjį́ | c’at’į́hižé, | ’aį́reną. | ’Éki | žiké |
very clear | it showed, | [it is said.] | And | [again] |
wioiréreki | horap’órehíki, | hižé. | Žeskéže, | ’aį́reną. |
west | when he puffed, | [it was.] | [Thus it was,] | [it is said.] |
p. 76 —
’Éki | žiké | rek’úhuhireki | horap’óke, | žiké |
And | [again] | towards the south | he puffed, | and |
žeskéže, | ’aį́reną. | Žeskų́ki | hąprá | k’arap’įéska |
[thus it was, | [it is said.] | And then | the day | very beautiful |
cežé, | ’aį́reną. | ’Éki | howáhįéca | c’irópsanįkecá |
it was, | [it is said.] | And | near | to the door |
hižaną́k’i | c’orį́xcį | ’ik’érekikižé, | ’aį́reną. | Copą́hą |
[the one sitting] | [the first one ?]* | he put in his mouth, | [it is said.] | Four times |
p. 77 —
rap’ožé, | ’aį́reną. | C’irókįkįx | hižąk’íšąną | žeské |
he puffed, | [it is said.] | All around the lodge | one by one, each one | that |
wakikíže, | ’aį́reną. | Wak’uruhį́crehíranąka | hanąc’´ | honįhaį́reka, |
they did it, | [it is said.] | They saluted them, and | everyone | they received it, |
’éki | copą́hą | rap’oį́res’áže, | ’aį́reną. | Žeskų́ |
and | four times | they puffed, | [it is said.] | And |
p. 78 —
hikí, | tanį́hųrà | hižą́ | c’ekcį́ra, | wąkšíkižą́ |
when he got through, | the pipe | one | the new one, | a human |
’ų́kikínąk’í, | tanį́hu | že’é | hįánįže, | ’aį́reną. |
who was made to do this, | pipe | that | it came to him, | [it is said.] |
"Š’áknįwíra | nįk’úrųhįcwíną. | ’Éki | hą́pitaį́’ųrá | wo’éhira |
"Dear parents | I salute you. | And | [the doing of the life-asking] | the saying, duty, rule |
p. 79 —
méžeské | ną́xkurá, | wáheną. | Wąkšik’ | wacekią |
[in this wise] | I heard, | [it is why I say it.] | [Man] | a new one |
hą́pirok’arakųį́rerak’é | worak | te’é | hoxeterá | heréną. |
[because he is coming back in charge of life,] | [story] | this | the biggest | it is. |
’É | hakitác’ | wahéną, | wąkšiki’įkcaneną." | ’Éki |
Him | [?] | I say this, | he will get life." | And |
p. 80 —
méžegųį́ce | hánąka | waxop’íni | warácire | wicáca |
[thus he did,] | [and] | spirits | [the various] | crier |
c’ápirerà | hikícąré | caské | hiánąka | ’inį́kihi, |
their own | [he was side by side] | [how] | he did, and | without speaking, |
hanįáciték’ce. | ’Éki | ha’ehánąka | nápak’érekcánahawiną. | ’Éki |
he took it. | And | he talked about it, and | [he would hand it on.] | And |
p. 81 —
mąxíwakréki | c’įwį́huže, | ’aíreną. | Copą́hą | mąrá |
up in the sky | [a great noise came,] | [it is said.] | Four | earths |
hikiską́ | cihužé, | ’aíreną. | ’Éki | Mą’ų́ra |
through | it came, | [it is said.] | And | Earthmaker |
wowéwį | hanįrá | wa’ųąk’i | hipérézireže, | ’aíreną. |
thought | [he had] | [he did it] | they knew, | [it is said.] |
p. 82 —
’Éki | k’ųhą́reki | hihįanąka | himąšcą́ra | hanąc’´ |
And | under the earth | it came, and | power | all |
kuhą́reki | p’á | c’įók’isákreki | k’iriceže, | ’aíreną. |
under the earth | up | to the center of the lodge | it came, | [it is said.] |
Wąžį́žą | wa’ų́cekí | [k?ąprá] | hįšca, | ’ųžé, |
Something | it was | it showed | its face, | [it did,] |
’aíreną. | ’Éki | nį́ | ’eki | mąrá |
[it is said.] | And | water | and | earth |
p. 83 —
’eki | ną́ | ’eki | nąną́ži | mąįhąkréki |
and | wood | and | standing trees | [on top of the earth] |
caku´ak’i | hanąc’´ | hik’ik’ų́ | wa’ų́cezé, | ’aíreną. |
[how] | all | to be used on himself | [they were it,] | [it is said.] |
’Éki | te’é | Wašcįkéka | ’eki | rucį́žą* |
And | this | Rabbit | [here] | something to hit him with |
p. 84 —
hanįanąka | hópokura | hap’ahí | ciną́kąnaka | hocįžé, |
he had, and | the east | toward | he faced, and | he hit it, |
’aíreną. | Kiží | c’íwį́cik’ereki, | mąną́kre | hikirúkše. |
[it is said.] | [Then] | when the sound rose, | the earth | it shook. |
Hik’iskéže, | ’aíreną. | Žekų́kíži | mąną́kre | cakú |
[So it seemed,] | [it is said.] | Then | in the earth | whatever |
hokuák’i | haną́cakúirežè,* | ’aíreną. | Hinupahara | hoc’įkíži, |
he started to grow, | all started to rise, | [it is said.] | [A second time] | he hit it, and |
p. 85 —
žiké | žeskéže, | ’aíreną. | Mąną́kre | cakú |
[again] | [he did that way,] | [it is said.] | In the earth | what |
hokųák’i | c’ąt’į́ | ciną́kirežè, | ’aíreną. | Mąxínira |
he grew, | to show | it had come out. | [it is said.] | The clouds |
sanį́k’i | hokoxrá | círežé, | ’aíreną. | Hitanįhąrá |
to one side | to move | they started, | [it is said.] | A third time |
p. 86 —
hocįka | žiké | žeskéže, | ’aíreną. | Wažąra |
when he hit it, | again | it was the same, | [it is said.] | [Things] |
hanąc’´ | mąxrá, | ną’ápra | xąwį́ra, | caną́ka, |
[all] | the fields, | the leaves | the sprouts, | all whatever, |
hą́pinažįra | c’axíwira | haųíreže, | ’aíreną. |
what stands with life (medicines) | grass | they came up, | [it is said.] |
Hicópą́hąra | hocikíži, | mąxíakreki* | Wažakų́zra | žecąį́xci |
The fourth time | when it came up, | [to the sky] | Earthmaker | [as far as] |
p. 87 —
hip’á | nąxkúireže. | Mąk’úharéki | cacąįxcį | recreki |
[up to] | it was heard. | [Under the earth] | [as far as] | to the bottom |
žecąį́xci | hip’á | nąxkúireže, | ’aíreną. | ’Éki |
[as far as] | [up to] | it was heard, | [it is said.] | And |
hą́pokuréki | móžecąį́ca | hip’á | nąxkúireže, | ’aíreną. |
in the east | of the world | [up to] | it was heard, | [it is said.] |
p. 88 —
’Éki | žiké | wioiréreki | móžecąį́ca | hip’á |
And | [again] | [to the west] | [of the world] | [up to] |
nąxkúireže, | ’aíreną. | Žekų́ki | mąną́kre | hanąc’´ |
it was heard, | [it is said.] | And then | in the world | [all] |
cakúra | haǧiže, | ’aíreną. | Mąį́xkąxką́ra | cak´ra |
[how] | it was ripe, | [it is said.] | [That move on the earth,] | [outside] |
hanąc’´ | k’arap’įeskaireže, | ’aíreną. | ’Ahuį́rasára | hanąc’´ |
everything | it was good, | [it is said.] | Winged ones | everything |
horá | c’ąt’į́ | hacįaníreki, | hanąxkų́ra | p’įže, |
voices | to sound | when they began, | [to listen] | it was good, |
’aíreną. | Hąprá | k’erác’orà | hąk’é | mąxíwira |
[it is said.] | The day | the sky | not | clouds |
nįké | mįną́kniže,* | ’aíreną. | Hąprá | ruk’irik’íri |
anywhere | it had, | [it is said.] | The day | shimmering |
p. 90 —
nąžį́že, | ’aíreną. | Wak’irihók’erera | cákųiroį́k’araireske* | nąžį́že, |
it stood, | [it is said.] | The spider | it was suspended | it stood, |
’aíreną. | Žéžekų́ki | wąkšíko’ira | wokúzra | hoixcį |
[it is said.] | Then | life | the creation | full |
p’į́ | k’inį́pše, | ’aíreną. | ’Éki | wicácąréca |
good | it showed, it got to be, | [it is said.] | And | [the crier] |
p. 91 —
horá | c’ąt’į́cirekì, | mąnąkre | hą́pinąžįra | p’įhí |
the voice | when he kept sounding, | this earth | what stands with life (herbs) | a little |
ksųksų́že, | ’aíreną. |
it swayed, | [it is said.] |
Source:
Sam Blowsnake, Unititled account of the Medicine Rite, in Amelia Susman, Notebooks (Philadelphia, American Philosophical Society, January 13-17, 1939) Notebook 8, 52-91.