Read the entry note first. Not a fable — an Anishinaabe ontology carried as story. Come in to wonder.
⚠️ Draft — under many eyes. Converted and readable; not yet finally vetted, and it will wear the word draft for a good while, on purpose. Living, not final.
22. NÄNABUSHU AND THE DANCING BULLRUSHES.¹
Nanabushu and the Dancing Bullrushes (2)
Narrated by probably Midāsugaⁿj (Michelson’s own hedge, carried) — Series 2 (Nos. 19–32), Bois Fort (per Michelson’s roster, Part I Preface p. XX; not credited on the story page itself).
from Ojibwa Texts collected by William Jones (1917).
(1) Ningutingigu papimusät awiya ōnōntawā sāsā‘kwänit.
Ningoding igo babimosed awiya onoondawaa zaasaakwenid.
And once, while travelling about, he heard the sound of some one whooping.
Ningoding igo (and once) babimosed (as he was travelling about) awiya onoondawaa (he heard someone) zaasaakwenid (whooping).
(2) Wägunänīwinän unāsi‘tawa.
Wegoneniiwinen onaazitawaa.
Like a dunce he went to where he heard the sound.
Wegoneniiwinen (foolishly / like a dunce — flagged) onaazitawaa (he went toward the sound of him).
(3) Kuniginīn, sāga∙i∙gāns sāgitawānig ᵉii sībīns, mī∙i∙mā ayānit ᵉi∙i∙wä ininiwaᵉ, picicig ᵉi∙i∙ᵘ ininiwaᵉ.
Goniginiin, zaaga’igaans zaagidawaanig i’iw ziibiins, mii imaa ayaanid i’iwe ininiwan, bizhishig i’iw ininiwan.
Lo, where out into a pond flowed a brook was the place where those men were, a vast throng of men.
Goniginiin (lo!), zaaga’igaans (a little pond) zaagidawaanig i’iw ziibiins (where the brook flowed out into it), mii imaa ayaanid (that was where they were) i’iwe ininiwan (those men), bizhishig i’iw ininiwan (nothing but men, a throng of men).
(4) Ka‘kina pingwācāgitiwa, kayädạc äci∙u∙nit ka‘kina wâbigunīn ubạta‘kibinä∙u∙ni.
Gakina bingwaashaagidiwag, gaye dash ezhi’onid gakina waabigoniin obadakibine’oni.
They were all nude, and they all had flowers sticking upon (their heads).
Gakina bingwaashaagidiwag (they were all nude), gaye dash ezhi’onid (and they were so adorned) gakina waabigoniin obadakibine’oni (they all had flowers sticking up on their heads).
(5) Cigwa owâbạmigō.
Zhigwa owaabamigoo.
Presently he was seen.
Zhigwa owaabamigoo (presently he was seen).
(6) “Ä ēᵉēⁱ, Nänabucu, niwīnīmi∙i∙timin, nicwāsugun niwīnīmi∙i∙timin.
“E! e, e, Nenaboozhoo, niwii-niimi’idimin, nishwaasogon niwii-niimi’idimin.
“Halloo, Nänabushu! we expect to dance, for eight days we intend to dance.
“E! e, e, Nenaboozhoo (“halloo, Nanabushu!), niwii-niimi’idimin (we are going to dance), nishwaasogon niwii-niimi’idimin (for eight days we intend to dance).
(7) Kägä‘tigu niwīki‘tcinīmi∙i∙timin.”
Geget igo niwii-gichi-niimi’idimin.”
To be sure, we hope for a big dance.”
Geget igo niwii-gichi-niimi’idimin.” (truly, we mean to have a big dance.”)
(8) “Niˢtcīmiˢtcā,² mīsạgu ᵉi∙i∙ᵘ päbā∙i∙nạnō‘kīyān, pạbānạ ntanīmi∙i∙tīyān.
“Nijiimijaa, mii sa go i’iw bebaa-inanookiiyaan, babaa-nanda-niimi’idiiyaan.
“My little brothers, this is precisely what I am travelling about for, round about am I seeking for a place to dance.
“Nijiimijaa, (“my little brothers,) mii sa go i’iw bebaa-inanookiiyaan (this is just the very thing I go about working at), babaa-nanda-niimi’idiiyaan (going about seeking a place to dance).
(9) Kiˢtci∙ạ∙nigu‘k kīgawi‘tō‘kōninim.”
Gichi-enigok giga-wiidookooninim.”
With all (my) might will I help you.”
Gichi-enigok giga-wiidookooninim.” (with all my might I will help you.”)
(10) “Nänabucu, kägu, kạnabạtc kīga∙a∙yä‘kus.
“Nenaboozhoo, gego, ganabaj giga-ayekos.
“Nänabushu, don’t you do it, perhaps you might grow tired.
“Nenaboozhoo, gego (“Nanabushu, don’t), ganabaj giga-ayekos (perhaps you will grow tired).
(11) Nicwāsugun wīnīmitiyāng, mīgu kayäᵉ, i kägạbätibi‘k wīnīmi∙i∙tīyāng.”
Nishwaasogon wii-niimidiyaang, mii go gaye, i ge-gabe-dibik wii-niimi’idiyaang.”
For eight days we intend to dance, and also throughout the whole of every night do we expect to dance.”
Nishwaasogon wii-niimidiyaang (for eight days we intend to dance), mii go gaye, i ge-gabe-dibik wii-niimi’idiyaang.” (and also all night long we intend to dance.”)
(12) “Niˢtcimiˢtcā, mānō, kayä nīn nīnganīmi∙i∙ti.”
“Nijiimijaa, maanoo, gaye niin ninga-niimi’idi.”
“My little brothers, never you mind, I too will dance.”
“Nijiimijaa, maanoo (“my little brothers, never mind), gaye niin ninga-niimi’idi.” (I too will dance.”)
(13) “Nänabucu, ānīc mānō kayä kīn kītānim, kwaya‘kigu kīga∙a∙yä‘kus.”
“Nenaboozhoo, aaniish maanoo gaye giin gidaa-niim, gwayak igo giga-ayekos.”
“Nänabushu, naturally unconcerned about care, you too should dance, but certainly you will be tired.”
“Nenaboozhoo, aaniish maanoo (“Nanabushu, well, never mind then) gaye giin gidaa-niim (you too may dance), gwayak igo giga-ayekos.” (but surely you will grow tired.”)
(14) Ānīc, mīsạgu cigwa mādci‘tānit; ā‘tā, cigwa pạsigwīwaᵉ.
Aaniish, mii sa go zhigwa maajitaanid; aataa, zhigwa bazigwiiwan.
Well, so presently they began; ah, then they rose to their feet.
Aaniish, mii sa go zhigwa maajitaanid (well, so now they began); aataa, zhigwa bazigwiiwan (ah, then they rose to their feet).
(15) Ānīc Nänabucu kayä wīn kīpata‘kibinä∙ō∙nā īni’ᵘ misābigunīn.
Aaniish, Nenaboozhoo gaye wiin gii-badakibine’oonaa iniw misaabigoniin.
Now, Nänabushu also wore large blossoms standing upon his head (for feathers).
Aaniish, Nenaboozhoo gaye wiin (now, Nanabushu too) gii-badakibine’oonaa iniw misaabigoniin (had those big blossoms standing up on his head).
(16) Ā‘tāᵃ, ä∙i∙cīnit nāmi∙i∙ti∙i∙nit!
Aataa, e-izhiinid naami’idinid!
Oh how they who danced did carry on!
Aataa, e-izhiinid naami’idinid! (oh, the way those dancers carried on!)
(17) Nänabucu ketci∙ä∙ī∙jit nānīmit, mīsa’ kayä wīn tibickō ä∙ī∙ntōtạnk.
Nenaboozhoo geji-e-ii-zhid naaniimid, mii sa gaye wiin dibishkoo e-iindoodang.
Nänabushu was quite beside himself when he danced, for he did the same (as the others).
Nenaboozhoo geji-e-ii-zhid naaniimid (Nanabushu was quite beside himself as he danced — stem flagged), mii sa gaye wiin dibishkoo e-iindoodang (for he did just the same as the others).
(18) Iskwạtcī nī∙o∙gun nāmi∙i∙timint mīcigwa ki‘kändạnk ayä‘kusit.
Ishkwaaji niiyogon naami’idimind mii zhigwa gikendang ayekozid.
At the end of four days’ dancing, he then began to realize that he was tired.
Ishkwaaji niiyogon naami’idimind (at the end of four days’ dancing) mii zhigwa gikendang ayekozid (he then realized he was tired).
(19) Ạbā‘pic nījwāsugun nāmi∙i∙timint ạnicāgu nạmạdạbi; ā‘pidci aiyä‘kusi, kayä wīwīsini.
Abaapish niizhwaasogon naami’idimind anishaa go namadabi; aapiji ayekozi, gaye wii-wiisini.
By the time they (had) danced seven days, then it was all he could do to sit down; exceedingly tired was he, and he wanted to eat.
Abaapish niizhwaasogon naami’idimind (by the time seven days had been danced) anishaa go namadabi (it was all he could do to sit down); aapiji ayekozi (very tired was he), gaye wii-wiisini (and he wanted to eat).
(20) Abā‘pic änitibi‘kạtinik, ā‘pitci nānōntayagäntạm tcibwāwâbạninig.
Abaapish eni-dibikadinig, aapiji naanoondayagendam jibwaa-waabaninig.
By the time that night was coming on, he grew deeply worried (that he would not survive) before it was day.
Abaapish eni-dibikadinig (by the time the night was coming on), aapiji naanoondayagendam (he grew deeply worried — stem flagged) jibwaa-waabaninig (before it would be day).
(21) Mīcigwa Nänabucu cingicing ānunīmi∙i∙tit.
Mii zhigwa Nenaboozhoo zhingishing aano-niimi’idid.
So then Nänabushu lay down, trying in vain to dance.
Mii zhigwa Nenaboozhoo zhingishing (so then Nanabushu lay down) aano-niimi’idid (trying in vain to dance).
(22) Mindcimigo tcibītābạninig äjimawit Nänabucu.
Minjimigo ji-biidaabaninig ezhi-mawid Nenaboozhoo.
Just as the dawn was breaking, then began Nänabushu to cry.
Minjimigo ji-biidaabaninig (just as the dawn was breaking) ezhi-mawid Nenaboozhoo (Nanabushu began to cry).
(23) Äpipā‘pi∙i∙nt. Cigwasa’ pīwâbạnini, cigwa imā tibickōtcaya∙ī∙ pimi∙a∙‘kwābạnini.
E-bi-baapi’ind. Zhigwa sa bi-waabanini, zhigwa imaa dibishkoojaya’ii bimi-akwaabanini.
Then was he laughed at. Presently came the morning, soon straight overhead was how far the light of the morning had come.
E-bi-baapi’ind (then he was laughed at). Zhigwa sa bi-waabanini (presently the morning came), zhigwa imaa dibishkoojaya’ii bimi-akwaabanini (soon the light of morning reached straight overhead).
(24) Kuniginīn, kibi‘tānimạtini.
Goniginiin, gibidaanimadini.
Lo, the wind died down.
Goniginiin, gibidaanimadini (lo, the wind died down).
(25) Ä‘tawā, Nänabucu mägwä cācāgạnacku‘kānk, mīnạngwạna īni’ᵘ kā∙i∙cinạnk, ạnicinābänk ugī∙i∙cinānạn.
Etawaa, Nenaboozhoo megwaa zhaashaaganashkokaang, mii nangwana iniw gaa-izhinang, anishinaabeng ogii-izhinaanan.
Why, Nänabushu was in among the bullrushes, that was what he really had seen, like people they had seemed to him.
Etawaa, Nenaboozhoo megwaa zhaashaaganashkokaang (why, Nanabushu was in among the bulrushes), mii nangwana iniw gaa-izhinang (that was what he had really seen), anishinaabeng ogii-izhinaanan (he had taken them for people).
(26) Kägä‘t māma‘kādäntạm Nänabucu, mī∙i’∙ᵘ kī∙i∙nändạnk ạnicinābä kä‘tcinōtingin, ki∙i∙cinạng; mīnạngwạnạ iᵘ kā∙i∙jinīmi∙i∙tiwāt cācāgạnaskōn.
Geget maamakaadendam Nenaboozhoo, mii iw gii-inendang anishinaabe gechi-noodingin, gii-izhinang; mii nangwana iw gaa-izhi-niimi’idiwaad zhaashaaganashkoon.
Truly surprised was Nänabushu, for he thought that they were people when the wind was blowing hard, so it had seemed to him; as a matter of fact, he had been dancing with the bullrushes.
Geget maamakaadendam Nenaboozhoo (truly surprised was Nanabushu), mii iw gii-inendang anishinaabe (for he had thought they were people) gechi-noodingin (when the wind was blowing hard), gii-izhinang (so it had seemed to him); mii nangwana iw gaa-izhi-niimi’idiwaad zhaashaaganashkoon (as a matter of fact, he had been dancing with the bulrushes).
(27) Mīsa imā cäcingicing Nänabucu, kāwīn okacki∙u∙sī tcipimōtät wâwīcinawīn tcipasigwīt.
Mii sa imaa zheshingishing Nenaboozhoo, gaawiin ogashki’osii ji-bimooded waawiishinawiin ji-bazigwiid.
And so there lay Nänabushu for a long while, he was neither able to crawl nor even to get up on his feet.
Mii sa imaa zheshingishing Nenaboozhoo (and so there lay Nanabushu a long while), gaawiin ogashki’osii ji-bimooded (he was not able to crawl) waawiishinawiin ji-bazigwiid (nor even to get up on his feet — flagged).
(28) Intawā äjinibāt.
Indawaa ezhi-nibaad.
Accordingly he went to sleep.
Indawaa ezhi-nibaad (accordingly he went to sleep).
(29) A‘pī nīcugun kānibāt mīdạc ‘iᵉi’ᵘ pitcīnạg kạckitōt pimōtät, äjinātạgāmäyōtät.
Apii niizhogon gaa-nibaad mii dash i’iw bijiinag gashkitood bimooded, ezhi-naadagaameyooded.
After he had slept for two days, he then was able to crawl, he then crawled out to the edge of the (swamp).
Apii niizhogon gaa-nibaad (after he had slept two days) mii dash i’iw bijiinag gashkitood bimooded (then at last he was able to crawl), ezhi-naadagaameyooded (he crawled out to the edge of the water).
(22) Nanabushu and the Dancing Bullrushes
(1) Nitcimitca “my little brothers,” for nicimatug, a form used by Nanabushu in addressing the people
(1) For another version see No. 6.