A Key Into the Language of America, or an Help to the Language of the Natives in That Part of America Called New-England: Together with Briefe Observations of the Customes, Manners, and Worships, &c. of the Aforesaid Natives, etc.Williams, Roger
History
A Key Into the Language of America, or an Help to the Language of the Natives in That Part of America Called New-England: Together with Briefe Observations of the Customes, Manners, and Worships, &c. of the Aforesaid Natives, etc.
Williams, Roger
Narragansett Indians; Narragansett language
Obs: they put away (as in Israell) frequently for other occasions
besides adultery, yet I know many Couples that have lived twenty,
thirty, forty yeares together.
Npakétam, I will put her away.
Npakénaqnn, I am put away.
Aquiepakétash, Doe not put away.
Aquèipokesháttous Doe not break the knot
Awetawátuonck, of Marriage.
Tackquiúwock, Twins.
Towiû ûwock, Orphans.
Ntouwiû, I am an Orphane.
Wáuchaûnat, A Guardian.
Wauchaúamachick, Guardians.
Nullóquaso, My charge or Pupill, or Ward.
Peewaûqun, Looke well to him, &c.
_Generall Observation of their Marriage._
God hath planted in the Hearts of the Wildest of the sonnes of Men,
an High and Honourable esteeme of the Marriage bed, insomuch that
they universally submit unto it, and hold the Violation of that Bed,
Abominable, and accordingly reape the Fruit thereof in the abundance
of posterity.
More particular.
When Indians heare that some there are,
(That Men the Papists call)
Forbidding Marriage Bed and yet,
To thousand Whoredomes fall:
They aske if such doe goe in cloathes,
And whether God they know?
And when they heare they’re richly clad,
Know God, yet practice so,
No sure they’re Beasts not men (say they)
Men’s shame and joule disgrace,
Or men have mixt with Beasts and so,
Brought forth that monstrous Race.
CHAP. XXIV.
_Concerning their Coyne._
The Indians are ignorant of Europes Coyne; yet they have given a name
to ours, and call it Monèash from the English money.
Their owne is of two sorts; one white, which they make of the stem or
stocke of the Periwincle, which they call, Meteaûhock, when all the
shell is broken off: and of this sort six of their small Beads (which
they make with holes to string the bracelets) are currant with the
English for a Peny.
The second is black, inclining to blew, which is made of the shell of
a fish, which some English call Hens, Poquaûhock, and of this sort
three make an English peny.
They that live upon the Sea side generally make of it, and as many
make as will.
The Indians bring downe all their sorts of Furs, which they take
in the countrey, both to the Indians and to the English for this
Indian Money: this Money the English, French and Dutch, trade to the
Indians, six hundred miles in severall parts (North and South from
New-England) for their Furres, and whatsoever they stand in need of
from them: as Corne, Venison, &c.
Nquittómpscat, 1 peny.
Neesaúmscat, 2 pence.
Shwaúmscat, 3 pence.
Yowómscat, 4 pence.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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