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.
55. THE ORIGIN OF LIKENESSES OF NÄNABUSHU.
The Origin of Likeness of Nenabosho
Narrated by Penessi — Series 7 (Nos. 44–56), Fort William (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) Mīdạc imāⁿ mōⁿjạg kī∙a∙yāt ‘a‘a’ᵘ Nänabucū.
Mii dash imaa moonzhag gii-yaad wa Nenabosho.
And so there for a long while continued Nänabushu.
Mii dash imaa (and so there) moonzhag (all the while) gii-yaad (he stayed) wa Nenabosho (that Nenabosho).
(2) Ningudingidạc kī‘kusiwạg Nänabucū wīwạn, ō‘kumisạndạc ogīwīdciwigōwān. Mōjạg
Ngoding dash gii-aanjiiwag Nenaboozhoo wiiwan, gookmisan dash ogii-wiijii’aagoowaan.
Now, once on a time to another place moved Nänabushu and his wife, and by his grandmother were they accompanied.
Ngoding dash (now once) gii-aanjiiwag (they moved camp) Nenaboozhoo wiiwan (Nenabosho and his wife), gookmisan dash (and his grandmother) ogii-wiijii’aagoowaan (went along with them).
(3) kī∙ạ∙ndawändcigä.
Moozhag gii-ndawenjige.
Ever was Nänabushu in quest of game,
Moozhag gii-ndawenjige (he was always out hunting for food).
(4) Nänabucō, ami‘kwạn kayä ogīnōdci∙ā∙n; ạni‘t ogī∙u∙ji‘tōn Nänabucō mī∙i’∙ᵘ kā∙ā∙batci‘tōt ami‘kwạn kīpacipawāt; mistcigi’ᵘ ijini‘kātä ‘iᵉi’ᵘ u‘kạn kā∙u∙ji‘tōt.
Nenaboozhoo, amikwan gaye gii-nooj’aan; anit gii-zhitoon Nenaboozhoo mii wi gaa-aabajtood mikwan gii-bzhibwaad; michigiw zhinkaade wi okan gaa-zhitood.
for beavers too he hunted; a harpoon Nänabushu made, and that was what he used when he speared the beaver; spine-of-a-pickerel-fin is the name of the bone (point) which he made.
Nenaboozhoo, amikwan gaye gii-nooj’aan (Nenabosho hunted beavers too); anit gii-zhitoon Nenaboozhoo (Nenabosho made a harpoon) mii wi gaa-aabajtood (that was what he used) mikwan gii-bzhibwaad (when he speared the beaver); michigiw zhinkaade (michigiw it is called) wi okan gaa-zhitood (that bone point he made).
(5) Ningudingidạc ugīmi‘kawān kiˢtci∙ā∙mikwaᵉ tānit mī∙o∙wä gi‘tcikạming, ā‘pidci mamānditōwạn.
*Ngoding dash gii-mkawaan gchi-amikwan daanid mii owe gchi-gaming, aapji mamaandidoowan.**
Now, once he found a place over here in the sea where the great beavers dwelt, they were very huge.
Ngoding dash gii-mkawaan (now once he found) gchi-amikwan daanid (where the great beavers lived) mii owe gchi-gaming (over here in the great water), aapji mamaandidoowan* (they were very huge).
(6) Mīdạc änāt wīwan: “Ninganōdci∙ā∙g īgi’ᵘ ami‘kwạg.”
Mii dash e-naad wiiwan: “Nga-nooj’aag giwi amikwag.”
Thereupon he said to his wife: “I am going after these beavers.”
Mii dash e-naad wiiwan (and so he said to his wife): “Nga-nooj’aag giwi amikwag.” (“I am going after those beavers.”)
(7) Nījinōn īni’ᵘ ami‘kwạg ändāwāt, mī∙i∙we päjik Minung minawādec Micibigwadōminising.
Niizhinoon niwi amikwag endaawaad, mii iwe bezhig Minong miinwaa dash Mishibiigwadoo-mnising.
Two were the places where those beavers dwelt: one was over here at Isle Royal, and the other was at Michipicoten Island.
Niizhinoon niwi amikwag endaawaad (two were the places where those beavers lived), mii iwe bezhig Minong (one was over there, Minong) miinwaa dash Mishibiigwadoo-mnising (and the other at Mishibiigwadoo Island).
(8) Mī∙i∙we kayä ami‘kwạg kā‘tāwâgubạnän.
Mii iwe gaye amikwag gaa-daawagbanen.
Now, those were the places where the beavers dwelt.
Mii iwe gaye amikwag gaa-daawagbanen (those too were where the beavers used to live).
(9) Ugīpīgwa∙ā∙nạn īni’ᵘ ami‘kuwīcạn.
*Ogii-biig’aanan niwi amiko-wiishan.**
He destroyed the beaver dwellings.
Ogii-biig’aanan niwi amiko-wiishan* (he broke apart those beaver lodges).
(10) Mī∙i∙dạc kībabāmājagāmät uwä giˢtcigạmi; ānint ugīnisān ami‘kōnsaᵉ, päjik kayä ki‘tci ami‘kwạn; päjikidạc kiˢtci ami‘kwạn kāwīn umi‘kawāsīn.
Mii dash gii-bbaamaazhgaamed owe gchi-gami; aanind gii-nsaan amikoonsan bezhig gaye gchi-amikwan; bezhig dash gchi-amikwan gaawiin mkawaasiin.
Thereupon he wandered away, following the shore of this sea; some of the small beavers he killed, one large beaver too; but one other large beaver he did not find.
Mii dash gii-bbaamaazhgaamed (and so he went along the shore) owe gchi-gami (of this great water); aanind gii-nsaan amikoonsan (some of the little beavers he killed) bezhig gaye gchi-amikwan (and one big beaver too); bezhig dash gchi-amikwan (but one other big beaver) gaawiin mkawaasiin (he did not find).
(11) Käga‘pī∙i∙dac kī∙i∙nändạm: “Intawā ningapīgwa∙ā∙n ‘iᵉi’ᵘ u‘kunim, mānōdac ta∙i∙ska‘tä ō∙ō∙ kiˢtcigạmi, mī∙i’∙ᵘ tcimi‘kawạg ‘aᵉa’ᵘ ami‘k.”
*Gegpii dash gii-nendam: “Indawaa nga-biig’aan wi okonim, maanoo dash da-skate maanda gchi-gami, mii wi ji-mkawag wa amik.”**
So at last he thought: “Therefore I will destroy the (beaver) dam, no matter if this sea should go dry, for then I shall find the beaver.”
Gegpii dash gii-nendam (so at last he thought): “Indawaa nga-biig’aan wi okonim* (“so then I will break the dam), maanoo dash da-skate maanda gchi-gami (let this great water go dry), mii wi ji-mkawag wa amik.” (for then I shall find that beaver.”)
(12) Mīdạc kā∙i∙jiwījāmāt o‘kumisạn iwiti u‘kunimīng.
Mii dash gaa-zhi-wiijiiwaad gookmisan widi okonimiing.
Thereupon he had his grandmother go with him to yonder (beaver) dam.
Mii dash gaa-zhi-wiijiiwaad gookmisan (and so he had his grandmother go with him) widi okonimiing (over there to the dam).
(13) A‘pī∙i∙dạc kā‘pīgwa∙ạ∙nk ‘iᵉi’ᵘ u‘kunim, “Mīomāⁿ ayān, kanawändạn tcipimābōnusik ‘aᵉa’ᵘ ạmi‘k,” udinān. Ā!
Pii dash gaa-biig’ang wi okonim, “Mii maa yaan, ganawendan ji-bimaaboonosig* wa amik,” dinaan.**
And when he had demolished the dam, “In this place do you remain, do you watch that the beaver does not float by with the current,” he said to her.
Pii dash gaa-biig’ang wi okonim* (and when he broke the dam), “Mii maa yaan (“you stay right here), ganawendan* (do you watch) ji-bimaaboonosig* wa amik,” (that the beaver does not float by with the current,”) dinaan (he said to her).
(14) mīdạc kīsīgidciwạnk i∙i∙ᵘ nibi.
Aa! Mii dash gii-zaagjiwang wi nbi.
Ah! and then out the water flowed.
Aa! Mii dash gii-zaagjiwang wi nbi (ah! and then the water poured out).
(15) Minawādạc Nänabucō kīmādcīyācagāmä owä kiˢtcigạmi.
Miinwaa dash Nenaboozhoo gii-maajiiyaazhgaame owe gchi-gami.
So once more Nänabushu set out, following the shore of this sea.
Miinwaa dash Nenaboozhoo gii-maajiiyaazhgaame (and once more Nenabosho set out, following the shore) owe gchi-gami (of this sea).
(16) Mīdạc imā Micibigwadōminising kīājawikwāskunit; mägwādạc imā nībawit owâbạmān nīgigwạn äniniska‘tänik.
Mii dash maa Mishibigwadoo-mnising gaa-aazhigwaashkonid; megwaa dash imaa niibawid waabmaan ngigwan eni-skatenig.
And then across to Michipicoten Island he leaped; and while he was standing over there, he saw an otter where the water was running low.
Mii dash maa Mishibigwadoo-mnising gaa-aazhigwaashkonid (and so he leaped across to Mishibiigwadoo Island); megwaa dash imaa niibawid (and while he stood there) waabmaan ngigwan (he saw an otter) eni-skatenig (where the water was going dry).
(17) Mīdac kā∙i∙jiminawā∙ā∙jawigwāskunit, mīdạc imā ugī∙u∙jācicing ajajkīkāng.
Mii dash gaa-zhi-miinwaa-aazhawigwaashkonid, mii dash imaa gii-zhaazhishing zhashkiikaang.**
Accordingly back across he leaped, whereat he slipped and fell in the mud.
Mii dash gaa-zhi-miinwaa-aazhawigwaashkonid* (and so once more across he leaped), mii dash imaa gii-zhaazhishing* zhashkiikaang (whereat he slipped and fell in the mud).
(18) Mīdạc kāpạsigwīt, ugīpā‘pi‘tōn i∙i∙māⁿ kī∙ä∙nā‘kwitiyäcing; uwīngägu äjināgusit ijināgwạtini.
*Mii dash gaa-bzigwiid, gii-baaptoon imaa gii-enaakwidiyeshing; myaa go e-zhinaagzid zhinaagwadni.**
And so, when he rose to his feet, he laughed at the spot where he had left an imprint of his bottom; precisely like the form on him was the way it looked.
Mii dash gaa-bzigwiid (and so when he stood up), gii-baaptoon imaa gii-enaakwidiyeshing* (he laughed at the spot where his backside left its imprint); myaa go e-zhinaagzid zhinaagwadni (just as he himself looks was how it appeared).
(19) “Mānū, nōcicäⁿyạg pitcīnạg kädạnipimādisiwāt ugabā‘pi‘tōnāwa.”
“Maanoo, noozhshenyag bjiinag ge-ni-bmaadziwaad oga-baaptoonaawaa.”
“No matter, let my grandchildren that shall live hereafter have it to laugh at.”
“Maanoo, noozhshenyag (“no matter, my grandchildren) bjiinag ge-ni-bmaadziwaad (who will live by and by) oga-baaptoonaawaa.” (will have it to laugh at.”)
(20) Mīdạc kā∙i∙jinō‘pinạnāt īni’ᵘ nīgigwạn ugīpajipa‘wān ‘iᵉi’ᵘ mistcigiwani‘t.
Mii dash gaa-zhi-noopnanaad niwi ngigwan gii-bzhibwaan wi mchigiwanit.
And when he pursued the otter, he pierced it with the fin spine of his harpoon.
Mii dash gaa-zhi-noopnanaad niwi ngigwan (and so when he chased that otter) gii-bzhibwaan wi mchigiwanit (he speared it with that fin-spine point).
(21) Wīwīsini kīwäⁿ.
Wii-wiisni giiwenh.
He was eager to eat, they say.
Wii-wiisni giiwenh (he wanted to eat, they say).
(22) “Intawā a‘kawä nîngatạmwā ‘aᵉa’ᵘ nigîg,” kī∙i∙nändạm.
“Indawaa kawe nga-mwaa wa ngig,” gii-nendam.
“Accordingly before (proceeding further) I will eat the otter,” he thought.
“Indawaa kawe nga-mwaa wa ngig,” (“so then first I will eat that otter,”) gii-nendam (he thought).
(23) Mīdạc kā∙i∙jipa‘kunāt, kīpōdawä; mīdạc äji∙a∙pwäd.
Mii dash gaa-zhi-bkonaad, gii-boodwe; mii dash ezhi-bwed.
And so, when he had flayed it, he built a fire; thereupon he roasted it on the spit.
Mii dash gaa-zhi-bkonaad (and so when he had skinned it), gii-boodwe (he made a fire); mii dash ezhi-bwed (and then he roasted it on a spit).
(24) A‘pī∙i∙dạc kā‘kījiswāt mī∙i’∙ᵘ äjiwawänạbit.
Pii dash gaa-giizhizwaad, mii wi ezhi-wawenabid.
And when he had finished cooking it, he then sat down.
Pii dash gaa-giizhizwaad (and when he had finished cooking it), mii wi ezhi-wawenabid (then he sat down comfortably).
(25) Ugīpada‘kinān.
Gii-bdakinaan.
He stuck (the spit into the ground) with (the otter still) on it.
Gii-bdakinaan (he stuck it upright in the ground).
(26) Cigwadạc kāmanicạnk päjik ‘iᵉi’ᵘ nigikutawạg, mī∙i’∙ᵘ nōndawāt ō‘kumisạn mạdwäkwīckucinit iwiti Bāwi‘ting.
Zhigwa dash gaa-giizhkizhang bezhig wi ngig-otawag, mii wi noondwaad gookmisan mdwe-gwiishkzhinid widi Baawting.
And when with a knife he sliced off one of the otter’s ears, he then heard the sound of his grandmother whistling off yonder at the Sault.
Zhigwa dash gaa-giizhkizhang (and when he sliced off) bezhig wi ngig-otawag (one of the otter’s ears), mii wi noondwaad gookmisan (he then heard his grandmother) mdwe-gwiishkzhinid (whistling) widi Baawting (off yonder at the Sault).
(27) Mīdạc kā∙i∙jipasingutcisät, kīmādcība‘tōd.
Mii dash gaa-zhi-bzingonjised, gii-maajiibtood.
Thereupon leaping to his feet, he started off a-running.
Mii dash gaa-zhi-bzingonjised (and so springing up), gii-maajiibtood (he started running).
(28) A‘pī∙i∙dạc pägạmiba‘tōd iwiti Bāwi‘ting, “Ānīn?” udinān ō‘kumisạn.
Pii dash begmabtood widi Baawting, “Aaniin?” dinaan gookmisan.
And when he came running up to yonder Sault, “What (is it)?” he said to his grandmother.
Pii dash begmabtood widi Baawting (and when he came running up to the Sault), “Aaniin?” (“what is it?”) dinaan gookmisan (he said to his grandmother).
(29) Mīdạc ä‘kitut ‘aᵉa’ᵘ ma‘ka‘kīmindimōyä: “Āja a‘panä, kīpimābōnu aᵘ ạmi‘k.”
Mii dash ekidod wa magkii-mdimooye; “Aazha pane gii-bmaaboozo wa amik.”
Thereupon said the old Toad-Woman: “It is gone, floating with the current went the beaver.”
Mii dash ekidod wa magkii-mdimooye (and so said the old toad-woman): “Aazha pane gii-bmaaboozo wa amik.” (“already, for good, that beaver floated off with the current.”)
(30) Ä‘pī‘tci nîskādisit dạc ‘aᵉa’ᵘ Nänabucū mī∙i’∙ᵘ kā∙i∙jinīwana‘wāt ō‘kumisạn.
Epiichi-nshkaadzid dash wa Nenaboozhoo mii wi gaa-zhi-naaniimadwaad niwi gookmisan.
And so angry was Nänabushu, that he then smote his grandmother (till she was dead).
Epiichi-nshkaadzid dash wa Nenaboozhoo (and so angry was Nenabosho) mii wi gaa-zhi-naaniimadwaad niwi gookmisan (that he struck his grandmother again and again).
(31) Miziwädạc kīmîskwīwâbi‘kā iᵘ wạdciᵘ.
Mziwe dash gii-mskwiiwaabkaa wi wajiw.
And everywhere was the mountain reddened with blood.
Mziwe dash gii-mskwiiwaabkaa wi wajiw (and everywhere the mountain was reddened with blood).
(32) “Oma‘ka‘kīwâbi‘kunk ta∙i∙cini‘kātä,” kī∙i∙‘kitu Nänabucu.
“Magkiiwaabkong da-zhinkaade,” gii-kido Nenaboozhoo.
“Toad Mountain shall it be called,” said Nänabushu.
“Magkiiwaabkong da-zhinkaade,” (“Frog-Rock it shall be called,”) gii-kido Nenaboozhoo (said Nenabosho).
(33) Mīdạc i∙i∙witi ānugīpabā∙ạ∙ndawâbạmāt īni’ᵘ ạmi‘kwạn, kāwīndạc ugīmi‘kawāsīn.
Mii dash widi aano-gii-bbaa-ndawaabmaad niwi amikwan, gaawiin dash ogii-mkawaasiin.
Thereupon off yonder he wandered, looking in vain for the beaver, but he did not find it.
Mii dash widi aano-gii-bbaa-ndawaabmaad niwi amikwan (and so off yonder he went searching in vain for that beaver), gaawiin dash ogii-mkawaasiin (but he did not find it).
(34) Mīnawādạc kī‘pikīwä, käyābi kī‘pạbānạndawābandcigät käyābi tci∙ạ∙yānit ami‘kwạn; kāwīndạc awiya ogīmi‘kawāsīn.
Miinwaa dash gii-bi-giiwe, geyaabi gii-bbaa-ndawaabanjiged geyaabi ji-yaanid amikwan; gaawiin dash wiya gii-mkawaasiin.
So again he turned his way homeward, still yet was he roaming from place to place to find if yet there were any beavers; but he found none.
Miinwaa dash gii-bi-giiwe (and so again he came homeward), geyaabi gii-bbaa-ndawaabanjiged (still searching about) geyaabi ji-yaanid amikwan (whether there were yet any beavers); gaawiin dash wiya gii-mkawaasiin (but he found none).
(35) Miziwä ānugīpabā∙i∙jā; imā wīcạn kā∙u∙ndcīpīgu∙ạnk, mīyä‘ta mi‘tigōn pīwandạmowāt ami‘kwạg kâwâbandạngin.
Mziwe aano-gii-bbaa-zhaa; imaa wiishan gaa-nji-biig’ang, mii eta mtigoon biiwandamowaad amikwag gaa-waabandangin.**
Everywhere he went wandering, but without success; there where he had broken up the beaver dwellings, all that he saw were the logs which the beavers had gnawed to pieces.
Mziwe aano-gii-bbaa-zhaa (everywhere he wandered in vain); imaa wiishan* gaa-nji-biig’ang (there where he had broken up the beaver dwellings), mii eta mtigoon biiwandamowaad* amikwag (only the logs the beavers had gnawed to pieces) gaa-waabandangin (were what he saw).
(36) Minawādạc kī∙ạ∙nikīwä∙a∙yācagāmä.
Miinwaa dash gii-ni-giiwe’aazhgaame.
So again he turned back home, going by way of the shore.
Miinwaa dash gii-ni-giiwe’aazhgaame (and so again he headed back home along the shore).
(37) Tasing äniwâbandạngin i∙i∙mā kī∙u∙cācicingibạn, ugi‘tcibā‘pitōn.
*Dasing eni-waabandangin imaa gii-zhaazhshingban, gchi-baaptoon.**
As often as he beheld the places on the way where he had slipped and fell, heartily he laughed at them.
Dasing eni-waabandangin (as often as he beheld them) imaa gii-zhaazhshingban* (there where he had slipped and fallen), gchi-baaptoon (heartily he laughed at them).
(38) Mīdạc imā Micibīgwatō wī‘kwädunk mī∙i∙mā kā∙i∙ji∙u∙nạbit.
Mii dash imaa Mishibiigwadoo-wiikwedong mii maa gaa-zhi-wenabid.
And so yonder at Michipicoten Bay was where he sat down.
Mii dash imaa Mishibiigwadoo-wiikwedong (and so there at Mishibiigwadoo Bay) mii maa gaa-zhi-wenabid (was where he sat down).
(39) “Kicpin anicinābäᵉg käbimiwâbạmiwāt kīcpîn pạngī asämān mīciwāt nändawändạmowāt tcināma∙ạ∙mowāt, mī∙i’∙ᵘ pạngī tcibōdādcigäyān.”
“Giishpin anishnaabeg ge-bmi-waabmiwaad giishpin bangii semaan miizhwaad nendawendmowaad ji-naam’amwaad, mii wi bangii ji-boodaajgeyaan.”
“If people behold me when passing by, if they should give me a little tobacco in their wish for a fair wind, then gently would I blow (with my breath).”
“Giishpin anishnaabeg ge-bmi-waabmiwaad (“if the people see me as they pass by) giishpin bangii semaan miizhwaad (if they give a little tobacco) nendawendmowaad ji-naam’amwaad (when they wish for a fair wind), mii wi bangii ji-boodaajgeyaan.” (then a little would I blow.”)
(40) Mīdacigu imā a‘panä nạmạdạbit, anicinābä kīnạmạdabit mī∙i’∙ᵘ äjināgwa‘k i∙i∙ᵘ asin.
Mii dash go imaa pane nmadbid, anishnaabe gii-nmadbid, mii wi ezhinaagwag wi asin.
And so there he still sits, like a person sitting is the way the rock looks.
Mii dash go imaa pane nmadbid (and so there he sits forever), anishnaabe gii-nmadbid (like a person sitting), mii wi ezhinaagwag wi asin (that is how the rock looks).
(41) Mīdạc igu kägä‘t äjiwäba‘k; kīcpîn awīya pạngī a‘pạgināt asämān, “Nänabujū! kibīndā‘kōnin ningawīnāmaāmin,” mīgu kägä‘t äjināmaānigwa‘k.
Mii dash go geget e-zhwebak; giishpin wiya bngii abaginaad semaan, “Nenaboozhoo! G-biindaakoonin ninga-wii-naamaamin,” mii go geget ezhi-naamaanigwak.**
And that, sure enough, is what happens; if any one offers a little tobacco (with) “O Nänabushu! I come with an offering to you, we wish for a fair wind,” then verily there comes up a fair wind.
Mii dash go geget e-zhwebak (and that, sure enough, is what happens); giishpin wiya bngii abaginaad semaan (if anyone offers a little tobacco), “Nenaboozhoo! G-biindaakoonin (“Nenabosho! I come with an offering to you) ninga-wii-naamaamin*,” (we wish for a fair wind,”) mii go geget ezhi-naamaanigwak* (then verily there comes up a fair wind).
(42) Mīsaⁱ a‘kōsit, pinäwidis kī∙ạ∙gōdä.
Mii sa ekoozid, binewidis gii-agoode.
That is as far as the story goes, the gizzard of the ruffed grouse now hangs aloft.
Mii sa ekoozid (that is as far as it goes), binewidis gii-agoode (and so the gizzard of the ruffed grouse hangs aloft) (the closing that leaves the story to the listener’s wondering).
(1) Pointed with a single barb. The shaft is longer than the barb, and has a hole at one end through which to fasten the cord.
(2) West and not far from Fort William.
(3) North of Sault Ste. Marie.
(4) At the head of Sault Ste. Marie. By destroying it, the rapids were made.
(5) The usual expression is “my nephews,” which implied also “my aunts,” meaning the people.
(7) The otter on the spit can be seen, so it is said, as a shaft of rock on the Wisconsin shore of Lake Superior.
(8) Another name for Mother Earth, or the grandmother of Nenabosho.
(9) In various places in the Ojibwa country may be observed a rock, island, or high land looking like a human being either reclining or seated, when seen from the distance, and it is generally called Nenabosho.