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.
25. NÄNABUSHU AND THE GREAT FISHER.
Nenabosho and the Great Fisher
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) Ningutinggigu pạpimusät awīya ōnōntawān mạdwänạgamunit.
Ningoding igo babimosed awiiya oonoondawaan madwe-nagamonid.
And once, while walking about, he heard the voice of some one singing.
Ningoding igo (and once) babimosed (while walking about) awiiya oonoondawaan (he heard someone) madwe-nagamonid (singing — the sound of singing carrying to him).
(2) Ā‘pidcisa uminu‘tawān.
Aapiji sa ominotawaan.
Much was he pleased with the tune (of the singer).
Aapiji sa ominotawaan (very pleasing to his ear was he — the sound of him).
(3) “Ä‘tiwä, ạmbägicsạ wâbạmạg awägwänīwigwän ‘aᵉa’ᵘ nägạmut. Ạmbäsa, ningawīkagwäwâbạmā,” inändạm.
“Etiwe, ambegish sa waabamag awegweniiwigwen a’aw negamod. Ambe sa, ninga-wiikagwewaabamaa,” inendam.
“Ah, would that I might see who the singer is! I say, I am going to try to see (who it is),” he thought.
“Etiwe, ambegish sa (“ah, would that) waabamag awegweniiwigwen (I might see whoever it is) a’aw negamod (the one singing). Ambe sa (come now), ninga-wiikagwewaabamaa,” (I will try to get a look at him,”) inendam (he thought).
(4) Äjimādcāt Nänabucu.
Ezhi-maajaad Nenabosho.
Then off went Nänabushu.
Ezhi-maajaad Nenabosho (then off went Nenabosho).
(5) Ạbā‘pic payäcu‘tawāt, undcitasawīn kāwīn pācigwạnung ayāsītug äni‘tawāt.
*Abaapish bayeshotawaad, onjida sa wiin gaawiin baashigwanong ayaasiidog enitawaad.**
By the time he was in close hearing distance of him, it seemed by the way he heard him that the being was not in any one place.
Abaapish bayeshotawaad* (by the time he was within close hearing of him), onjida sa wiin (it really seemed) gaawiin baashigwanong ayaasiidog (that he was not in any one place) enitawaad (by the way he heard him — stem flagged).
(6) Cigwasa päcu’ owâbạndān ki‘tcigạmi, kuniginīn miciwutcīgạn ayācawikwāskwạniwạn ‘iᵉiᵘ kiˢtcigạmi.
Zhigwa sa besho owaabandaan gichigami, goniginiin mishiwojiigan ayaazhawikwaashkwaniwan i’iw gichi-gami.
When he had a near view of the sea, lo, (he saw) a great fisher(1) leaping back and forth across the sea.
Zhigwa sa besho owaabandaan gichigami (then he had a near view of the sea), goniginiin mishiwojiigan (lo, a great Fisher) ayaazhawikwaashkwaniwan (was leaping back and forth across) i’iw gichi-gami (that sea).
(7) Mīdạc ‘iᵉi’ᵘ sasīpuckānik ‘iᵉi’ᵘ kiˢtcigạmi mīdạc imā ayācawikwāskuninit, pä‘kicidạc nạgạmōwạn:
Mii dash i’iw zasiiboshkaanig i’iw gichi-gami mii dash imaa ayaazhawikwaashkoninid, bekish idash nagamowan:
It was at the coming-together of the shores of the sea where to and fro he leaped, at the same time he sang:
Mii dash i’iw zasiiboshkaanig i’iw gichi-gami (it was where the shores of the sea came together — stem flagged) mii dash imaa ayaazhawikwaashkoninid (that there he leaped to and fro), bekish idash nagamowan (and at the same time he sang):
(8) “Kiˢtcigạni säsi‘pu‘kāg,
Kiˢtcigạmi säsi‘pu‘kāg,”
“Gichigami zesipokaag.
Gichi-gami zesipokaag,”
“The shores of the sea meet together,
The shores of the sea meet together,”
“Gichigami zesipokaag (the shores of the sea meet together — song line carried; meeting-stem flagged),
Gichi-gami zesipokaag,” (the shores of the sea meet together,” — song line carried)
(9) ina∙ạ∙mōn.
ina’amoon.
(such) was the song he sang.
ina’amoon (so was the song he sang).
(10) Kägä‘t uminwänimān.
Geget ominwenimaan.
Truly was he pleased with him.
Geget ominwenimaan (truly he was pleased with him).
(11) “Ạmbägicsa kayä nīn kacki‘tōyān tci∙i∙cictcigäyān. Kāwīn nīn nintayānicī‘tạⁿzī. Kāwīnina, Miciwutcig, nindākacki‘tōsīn ‘iᵉi’ᵘ tci∙i∙cictcigäyämbān?”
“Ambegish sa gaye niin gashkitooyaan ji-izhichigeyaan. Gaawiin niin nindayaanizhiitanzii*. Gaawiin ina, Mishiwojiig, nindaa-gashkitoosiin i’iw ji-izhichigeyembaan?”
“Would that I might be able to do that too! I would not cease. Might I not be able, O Fisher! to do that?”
“Ambegish sa gaye niin (“would that I too) gashkitooyaan ji-izhichigeyaan (might be able to do it). Gaawiin niin nindayaanizhiitanzii* (I would not cease — stem flagged). Gaawiin ina, Mishiwojiig (might I not, O Great Fisher), nindaa-gashkitoosiin i’iw ji-izhichigeyembaan?” (be able to do that?”)
(12) “Nänabucu, mäwica nimādci‘tānābạn i∙i∙wä untaminoyān.
“Nenabosho, mewizha nimaajitaanaaban i’iwe ondaminoyaan.
“Nänabushu, long ago I began this that I am playing.
“Nenabosho, mewizha nimaajitaanaaban (Nenabosho, long ago I began) i’iwe ondaminoyaan (this that I am playing — stem flagged).
(13) ‘Āᵘ, kīni‘tạm ijictcigän.
Aaw, giinitam izhichigen.
Very well, take your turn at doing it.
Aaw, giinitam izhichigen (very well, you take your turn at doing it).
(14) Ā‘pidci nimpa‘kadä.
Aapiji nimbakade.
Very hungry am I.
Aapiji nimbakade (very hungry am I).
(15) A‘kawä nīwi∙ạ∙ntawäntān ‘iᵉi’ᵘ wâmītciyān.
Akawe niiwi-andawendaan i’iw waa-miijiyaan.
In the mean while I want to look for something to eat.
Akawe niiwi-andawendaan (in the meanwhile I want to look for) i’iw waa-miijiyaan (what I am going to eat).
(16) Kīni‘tạmidạc kayāyācawikwāskwạn.
Giinitam idash gayaayaazhawigwaashkwan.
So take your turn at leaping across back and forth.
Giinitam idash gayaayaazhawigwaashkwan (so you take your turn at leaping across back and forth).
(17) Mīsai∙i∙ᵘ cigwa tcimādci‘tāyạn, Nänabucu.
Mii sa i’iw zhigwa ji-maajitaayan, Nenabosho.
Therefore now you may begin, Nänabushu.
Mii sa i’iw zhigwa ji-maajitaayan, Nenabosho (and so now you may begin, Nenabosho).
(18) kägu’ wīn bạbīni‘tạgän wâ∙ī∙ninān.
Gego wiin babiinitagen waa-iininaan.
Do not do otherwise than what I have told you.
Gego wiin babiinitagen (do not disregard) waa-iininaan (what I am telling you — stem flagged).
(19) Mīgu’∙i∙ᵘ mōⁿjạg tcinạgạmuyạn:
Mii go iw moozhag ji-nagamoyan:
Therefore always should you sing:
Mii go iw moozhag ji-nagamoyan (and so always should you sing):
(20) “‘Kiˢtcigạmi säsi‘pu‘kāg,
Kiˢtcigạmi säsi‘pu‘kāg,’
“Gichigami zesipokaag.
Gichi-gami zesipokaag,”
“ ‘The shores of the sea meet together,
The shores of the sea meet together,’
“Gichigami zesipokaag (the shores of the sea meet together — song line carried),
Gichi-gami zesipokaag,” (the shores of the sea meet together,” — song line carried)
(21) tcīna∙ạ∙mạn.
ji-ina’aman.
(thus) you should sing.
ji-ina’aman (thus you should sing).
(22) Kīcpin,
Giishpin,
If
Giishpin (if),
(23) “‘Kiˢtcigạmi täskī‘kāg,
Kiˢtcigạmi täskī‘kāg,’
“Gichi-gami deshkiikaag,
Gichi-gami deshkiikaag,”
“ ‘The shores of the sea draw apart,
The shores of the sea draw apart,’
“Gichi-gami deshkiikaag (the shores of the sea draw apart — song line carried; parting-stem flagged),
Gichi-gami deshkiikaag,” (the shores of the sea draw apart,”)
(24) ina∙ạ∙man, mīdạc iᵘ kanạbạtc kīganisābāwä.”
ina’aman, mii dash iw ganabaj gii-ganisaabaawe.”
you should sing, then perhaps you might drown.”
ina’aman (you should sing), mii dash iw ganabaj gii-ganisaabaawe.” (then perhaps you would drown.” — drown-stem flagged)
(25) Misa’ iᵘ cigwa ạnimādcānit.
Mii sa iw zhigwa ani-maajaanid.
And then he departed on his way.
Mii sa iw zhigwa ani-maajaanid (and so then he departed on his way).
(26) Nänabucu äjimādcī∙ạ∙nk:
Nenabosho ezhi-maajii’ang:
Nänabushu then began singing:
Nenabosho ezhi-maajii’ang (Nenabosho then began singing):
(27) “Ki‘tcigạmi säsipu‘kāg,
Ki‘tcigạmi säsipu‘kāg.”
“Gichi-gami zesipokaag,
Gichi-gami zesipokaag.”
“The shores of the sea meet together,
The shores of the sea meet together.”
“Gichi-gami zesipokaag (the shores of the sea meet together — song line carried),
Gichi-gami zesipokaag.” (the shores of the sea meet together.” — song line carried)
(28) Mīgu iᵘ gägä‘t äjisipuskānik.
Mii go iw geget ezhi-siposhkaanig.
Whereupon truly the shores came together.
Mii go iw geget ezhi-siposhkaanig (and so truly the shores came together — stem flagged).
(29) Ā‘tā, kägä‘tsa minwäntạm.
Aataa, geget sa minwendam.
Oh, truly happy was he!
Aataa, geget sa minwendam (oh, truly happy was he)!
(30) Mīsa’ kạbägīcig kāwīn ānicī‘tạⁿzī ācawigwāskwạnit.
*Mii sa gabe-giizhig gaawiin aanizhiitanzii aazhawigwaashkwanid.**
And so throughout the day he did not cease leaping back and forth across.
Mii sa gabe-giizhig (and so all day long) gaawiin aanizhiitanzii* (he did not stop — stem flagged) aazhawigwaashkwanid (leaping back and forth across).
(31) Ạbā‘pic täbi‘kạtinig, mīsa’ gu kayä kạbätibi‘k; wayābạninig kāwīn kạnạgä wī∙ā∙nacī‘tạⁿzī.
*Abaapish debikadinig, mii sa go gaye gabe-dibik; wayaabaninig gaawiin ganage wii-aanazhiitanzii.**
And when night came on, it was the same the whole night long; when the morning came, not a whit was he anxious to stop.
Abaapish debikadinig (and when night came on), mii sa go gaye gabe-dibik (it was the same the whole night long); wayaabaninig (when morning came) gaawiin ganage wii-aanazhiitanzii* (not a whit did he want to stop — stem flagged).
(32) Awạndcis bā‘pinäntạm.
Awanjis baapinendam.
Increasing joy he got from it.
Awanjis baapinendam (the more, the more joy he got from it).
(33) Cigwa unāgucinini, mīcigwa ayä‘kusit Nänabucu.
Zhigwa onaagoshinini, mii zhigwa ayekozid Nenabosho.
When it was growing evening, then was Nänabushu becoming weary.
Zhigwa onaagoshinini (when it was growing evening), mii zhigwa ayekozid Nenabosho (then Nenabosho was becoming weary).
(34) Ningutingigu ogīmi‘kwändān: “Amạntcigic ‘iᵉi’ᵘ kāwundcī∙i∙‘kitut, ‘Kägu’ wīn ina∙ạ∙ngän.’”
Ningoding igo ogii-mikwendaan: “Amanjigish i’iw gaa-wonjii’ikidod, ‘Gego wiin ina’angen.”
Then he happened on a sudden thought: “Wonder why it is he said, ‘Don’t you sing (the other way)’!”
Ningoding igo ogii-mikwendaan (then all at once he remembered): “Amanjigish i’iw gaa-wonjii’ikidod (“I wonder why it was he said), ‘Gego wiin ina’angen.” (‘do not sing it (that way).’ ”)
(35) Wägunänīwinän. Nänabucu ājawikwāskwạnit,
Wegoneniiwinen Nenabosho aazhawigwaashkwanid,
But foolishly, as Nänabushu leaped across,
Wegoneniiwinen Nenabosho (but, foolishly, Nenabosho) aazhawigwaashkwanid (as he leaped across),
(36) “Kiˢtcigạmi täskī‘kāg,
Kiˢtcigạmi täskī‘kāg,”
“Gichi-gami deshkiikaag,
Gichi-gami deshkiikaag,”
“The shores of the sea draw apart,
The shores of the sea draw apart,”
“Gichi-gami deshkiikaag (the shores of the sea draw apart — song line carried),
Gichi-gami deshkiikaag,” (the shores of the sea draw apart,” — song line carried)
(37) ina∙ạ∙m.
ina’am.
he thus sang.
ina’am (he thus sang).
(38) Wäntạgu nāwạgām pạngicin.
Wendago naawagaam bangishin.
And in the very centre of the sea he fell.
Wendago naawagaam bangishin (and right in the very middle of the sea he fell).
(39) Ānīc ācisikwäsät.
Aaniish aazhisigwesed.
So down (out of sight) he fell.
Aaniish aazhisigwesed (so down out of sight he sank — stem flagged).
(40) Ānumōckamut inābit, kāwīn kạnagä pima‘kạmigāⁿsininik.
*Aano-mooshkamod inaabid, gaawiin ganage bimakamigaansininig.**
When on coming up to the surface he tried to look about, there was not a single bit of shore-line to be seen.
Aano-mooshkamod inaabid (when, coming up to the surface, he tried to look about), gaawiin ganage bimakamigaansininig* (there was not a single bit of shoreline).
(41) Mīnawā ānugwä‘kagumu, mīsa’ undcita kāwīn owâbạndạⁿzīn ‘iᵉiᵘ tcipima‘kạmigānik.
Miinawaa aano-gwekagomo, mii sa onjida gaawiin owaabandanziin i’iw ji-bimakamigaanig.
Again he vainly tried turning the other way, but, just as before, he did not see the shore-line.
Miinawaa aano-gwekagomo (again he vainly turned the other way — stem flagged), mii sa onjida (but, just as before) gaawiin owaabandanziin i’iw ji-bimakamigaanig (he did not see any shoreline).
(42) “Pabā‘pinisiwāgạn, mīsa gägä‘t nibuyān!”
“Babaapiniziwaagan, mii sa geget niboyaan!”
“Woe is me, for now surely I shall die!”
“Babaapiniziwaagan (“woe is me — stem flagged), mii sa geget niboyaan!” (now surely I shall die!”)
(43) Wägunäniwinän äjikaski‘tōt tcipīpāgi: “Mici∙u∙tcīg!”
Wegoneniwinen ezhi-gashkitood ji-biibaagi: “Mishi-ojiig!”,
In distress he called out as loud as he could: “O Great Fisher!”
Wegoneniwinen ezhi-gashkitood ji-biibaagi (in distress, as loud as he could, he called out): “Mishi-ojiig!”, (“O Great Fisher!”)
(44) Änigu‘k pīpāgi.
enigok biibaagi.
with a loud voice he called.
enigok biibaagi (with a loud voice he called).
(45) Mägwāgu babā‘tana‘kạmigisit awiya onōntawān mạdwäbīpāginit.
Megwaa go babaadanakamigizid awiya onoondawaan madwe-biibaaginid.
Now, while (the Fisher) was roaming about, he heard the voice of some one calling aloud.
Megwaa go babaadanakamigizid awiya (now, while he was roaming about, someone) onoondawaan madwe-biibaaginid (he heard calling aloud).
(46) “Mīmāwīna∙a∙ᵘ Nänabucu,” inändạm.
“Mii maawiin a’aw Nenabosho,” inendam.
“That must be Nänabushu,” he thought.
“Mii maawiin a’aw Nenabosho,” (“that must be Nenabosho,”) inendam (he thought).
(47) Pīnicigu mạdwämawiwạn īni’ᵘ Nänabucōwạn.
Biinish igo madwemawiwan iiniw Nenaboshoowan.
Then presently (he heard) the voice of Nänabushu crying.
Biinish igo madwemawiwan iiniw Nenaboshoowan (then presently the sound of Nenabosho crying carried to him).
(48) Ā‘tā, intawāsa mādcība‘tō ki‘tci∙ä∙nigu‘k.
Aataa, indawaa sa maajiibatoo gichi-enigok.
Ah, accordingly then he started running at full speed.
Aataa, indawaa sa maajiibatoo gichi-enigok (ah, so then he started running at full speed).
(49) Cigwa mạdābība‘tō Mici∙u∙dcīg, ä‘tawā, Nänabucōwạn nānāwikiˢtcigạmi mạdwämawiwạn.
Zhigwa madaabiibatoo Mishi-ojiig, etawaa, Nenaboshoowan naanaawi-gichigami madwemawiwan.
When the Great Fisher came running out upon (the sea), why, there was Nänabushu to be heard crying exceedingly far out on the water.
Zhigwa madaabiibatoo Mishi-ojiig (when the Great Fisher came running out to the water), etawaa (why), Nenaboshoowan naanaawi-gichigami madwemawiwan (there was Nenabosho heard crying far out in the middle of the sea).
(50) “Cicī, indackā mī∙i∙ᵘ ānugī∙u∙ndcibwāmit ‘aᵉa’ᵘ Nänabucu.”
“Zhizhii, indashkaa mii iw aano-gii-onjibwaamid a’aw Nenabosho.”
“There, that is on account of Nänabushu’s failing to heed (my words).”
“Zhizhii, indashkaa (“there now) mii iw aano-gii-onjibwaamid a’aw Nenabosho.” (that is on account of Nenabosho’s failing to heed — stem flagged.)
(51) Ānīc pisānigu mādcī∙ạ∙m Mīci∙u∙dcīg.
Aaniish bizaan igo maajii’am Mishi-ojiig.
So then softly began the Great Fisher to sing.
Aaniish bizaan igo maajii’am Mishi-ojiig (so then softly the Great Fisher began to sing).
(52) Äjikwäskwạnit mīsa’ undcita äci∙a∙yānik sipuskānik.
Ezhi-kweshkwanid mii sa onjida ezhi-ayaanig ziposhkaanig.
When over he leaped, then back, as it did before, came (the shores of the sea) together.
Ezhi-kweshkwanid (when he leaped over — stem flagged) mii sa onjida ezhi-ayaanig ziposhkaanig (then back, just as before, the shores came together).
(53) Mīsa cigwa Nänabucu kī∙ạ∙gwā‘tāt.
Mii sa zhigwa Nenabosho gii-agwaadaad.
Thereupon then Nänabushu came out of the water.
Mii sa zhigwa Nenabosho gii-agwaadaad (and so then Nenabosho came out of the water).
(54) Kägä‘t minwäntạm Nänabucu.
Geget minwendam Nenabosho.
Truly pleased was Nänabushu.
Geget minwendam Nenabosho (truly pleased was Nenabosho).
(55) “Āᵃ, Mīci∙u∙dcīg, kägä‘t inạngwạna kimạnidōʷⁱ.
“Aa, Mishi-ojiig, geget inangwana gimanidoowi.
“Ah, Great Fisher! really indeed you are a manitou.
“Aa, Mishi-ojiig (“ah, Great Fisher), geget inangwana gimanidoowi (truly indeed you are a manidoo).
(56) Māgicā nīnä‘ta nimạnidōʷⁱ nintinäntānābạn.
Maagizhaa niin eta nimanidoowi nindinendaanaaban.
That perhaps I was the only manitou, was the thought I entertained heretofore.
Maagizhaa niin eta nimanidoowi (that perhaps I alone was a manidoo) nindinendaanaaban (was what I had thought).
(57) Intawāsa’ kīn kīgazazī‘kis.
Indawaa sa giin giigazaziikis.
Accordingly you are to be older (than I).(2)
Indawaa sa giin giigazaziikis (accordingly you are the older — stem flagged).
(58) Mīsa’ ‘iᵉi’ᵘ kä∙i∙cinạgạninān,”
Mii sa i’iw ge-izhi-naganinaan.”
Therefore shall I now leave you.”
Mii sa i’iw ge-izhi-naganinaan.” (and so now I shall leave you.”)
(59) Nänabucu äjimādci∙ā∙cạgāmät ‘iᵉi’ᵘ ki‘tcigạmi.
Nenabosho ezhi-maaji’aazhagaamed i’iw gichi-gami.
Nänabushu then went his way along the shore of the sea.
Nenabosho ezhi-maaji’aazhagaamed i’iw gichi-gami (Nenabosho then went off along the shore of the sea).
(1) The constellation of the Great Dipper is called the “Fisher star” and this is the Great Fisher referred to here.
(2) The passage is given literally. The sense is “being older, you are a greater manitou than I”, (Jones vol. 1, p. 197).