Iroquois Indians; Mohawk language -- Texts; Onondaga language -- Texts
41. _Yeshohawak_, "then his next son,"--or rather, perhaps, "then, next,
his son." The Cayuga nation was politically the son of the Onondaga
nation. _Tekahenyonk_ (Onon., _Hakaenyonk_), "he looks both ways," or,
"he examines warily." In section 28 (_ante_ p. 126) this name is spelt
_Akahenyonh_. The prefixed _te_ is the duplicative particle, and gives
the meaning of "spying on both sides." This and the following chief
belong, in Canada, to the Deer clan, and constitute the first Cayuga
class. _Jinontaweraon_ (Onon., _Jinontaweyon_), "coming on its knees."
42. _Katakwarasonh_ (Onon., _Ketagwajik_), "it was bruised." This name,
it will be seen, is very similar to that of an Onondaga chief,--_ante_,
Note to Section 39. The chief now named and the one who follows are of
the Bear clan. _Shoyonwese_ (Onon., _Soyonwes_), "he has a long
wampumbelt." The root-word of this name is _oyonwa_, wampum-belt, the
same that appears in _Hayonwatha_. _Atyaseronne_ (Onon., _Halyasenne_),
"he puts one on another," or "he piles on." This chief is of the
Tortoise clan, and completes, with the two preceding councillors, the
second Cayuga class.
43. _Yeshonadadekenah_, "then they who are brothers." The three chiefs
who follow are all of the Wolf clan, and make the third class of the
Cayuga councillors. _Teyoronghyonkeh_ (Onon., _Thowenyongo_), "it
touches the sky." _Teyodhoreghkonh_ (Onon., _Tyotowegwi_), "doubly
cold." _Wathyawenhehetken_ (Onon., _Thaowethon_), "mossy place."
44. The two following chiefs are of the Snipe clan, and constitute the
fourth and last Cayuga class. _Atontaraheha_ (Onon., _Hatontaheha_)
"crowding himself in." _Teskahe_ (Onon., _Heskahe_) "resting on it."
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
Reviews
Reviews
No reviews yet
Be the first to share your thoughts on this work.
Elsewhere in the archive
Join the Discussion
Join the discussion
Sign in to leave a comment or review.
Sign InorCreate an account