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.
MADCĪ‘KIWISẠG KĀPĀGA∙Ā∙DOWÄWĀD.
MAJIIKIWISAG GAA-BAAGA’ADOWEWAAD.
THE FIRST-BORN SONS PLAY BALL.
Narrated by Penesi — Series 2 (Nos. 4–43), Fort William (per Jones Part II Introduction p. ix; not credited on the story page itself).
from Ojibwa Texts collected by William Jones (1919).
(1) Ningudingsa kīⁿwäⁿ kīdāwạg mạdcī‘kiwisạg; udä‘tōwạg; ā‘pidci kistciōdäna ī∙i∙māⁿ ayāwāt.
Ningoding sa giiwenh gii-daawag majiikiwisag; oodetoowag; aapiji gichi-oodena i’imaa ayaawaad.
Once on a time, as the story goes, there lived some first-born sons; in a town they dwelt; exceedingly large was the town where they were.
Ningoding sa giiwenh (once on a time, they say) gii-daawag majiikiwisag (there lived some first-born sons); oodetoowag (they had a town); aapiji gichi-oodena (very large was the town) i’imaa ayaawaad (where they were).
(2) Ạnōdc ijitcigäwạg udạminōwāt; tạsing kājigadinigin udaminōwạg.
Anooj izhichigewag odaminoowaad; dasing gaazhigadinigin odaminowag.
All sorts of things they did in the way of games; as often as the days came round, they played at games.
Anooj izhichigewag odaminoowaad (all sorts of things they did in the way of play); dasing gaazhigadinigin (as often as the days came round) odaminowag (they played).
(3) Ningudingidạc unā‘kunigä ‘aᵉa´ᵘ mạdcī‘kiwis tci∙a∙‘tādiwād tcibāga∙ā∙dowäwād.
Ningoding idash onaakonige a’aw majiikiwis ji-ataadiwaad ji-baaga’adowewaad.
Now, once (one of) the first-born announced that there would be a ball-game.
Ningoding idash onaakonige (now once he made the arrangement) a’aw majiikiwis (that first-born) ji-ataadiwaad (that they would have a contest) ji-baaga’adowewaad (that they would play ball).
(4) Mīdạc käᵉgä‘t äjimādci‘tāwāt wī∙a∙‘tādiwād.
Mii dash geget ezhi-maajitaawaad wii-ataadiwaad.
Whereupon truly began they to get ready for the contest.
Mii dash geget ezhi-maajitaawaad (and truly so they began getting ready) wii-ataadiwaad (to have the contest).
(5) Kayä wīn ‘aᵉa´ᵘ päᵉjik mạdcī‘kiwis päpạngī pa‘kān aiyendiwạg.
Gaye wiin a’aw bezhig majiikiwis bebangii bakaan ayiyendiwag.
Now, another first-born (and his friends) did a little differently.
Gaye wiin a’aw bezhig majiikiwis (and another first-born too) bebangii bakaan (a little differently) ayiyendiwag (they were minded).
(6) Ābi‘ta ändạciwāt uwīwītcīwâwān wīpāga∙ā∙towäwāt.
Aabita endazhiwaad owii-wiijiiwaawaan wii-baaga’adowewaad.
Half of them were on one side to play ball (against the other half).
Aabita endazhiwaad (half of them on their side) owii-wiijiiwaawaan (would go along with them) wii-baaga’adowewaad (to play ball).
(7) ‘Aᵉaᵘ päjik mạdcī‘kiwis ugī∙u∙ndinān pigwā‘kwạt wā∙ā∙bạdci‘tōwād, ujāwackuminạgạt ī∙i∙´u pigwā‘kwạt.
A’aw bezhig majiikiwis ogii-ondinaan bikwaakwad waa-aabajitoowaad, ozhaawashkominagad i’iw bikwaakwad.
One of the first-born took out the ball which they were to use, blue was the color of the ball.
A’aw bezhig majiikiwis (one of the first-born) ogii-ondinaan bikwaakwad (took out the ball) waa-aabajitoowaad (which they were to use), ozhaawashkominagad i’iw bikwaakwad (blue in color was that ball).
(8) Mīdạc ä‘kidot ‘aᵉa´ᵘ mạdcī‘kiwis:
Mii dash ekidod a’aw majiikiwis:
Thereupon said the first-born:
Mii dash ekidod a’aw majiikiwis (thereupon said that first-born):
(9) “Wâbạnūng nīn nīngạtinạgatō,” i‘kido.
“Waabanoong niin ningad-inagadoo,” ikido,
“Towards the east will I play for goal.” he said.
“Waabanoong niin (“towards the east I) ningad-inagadoo,” (will play for goal,”) ikido (he said).
(10) “Kīnidạc,” udinān īni´u wā∙a∙‘tawāt, “nīngābī∙a∙nung ina‘kakäyā.”
“Giin idash,” odinaan iniw waa-atawaad, “ningaabii’anong inakakeyaa.”
“And you,” he said to them against whom he was to play, “toward the west.”
“Giin idash,” (“and you,”) odinaan iniw waa-atawaad (he said to those he was to play against), “ningaabii’anong inakakeyaa.” (“toward the west.”)
(11) Mī∙i∙dạc kī‘kagīgi∙i∙nāwāt kägicī‘kānit ininiwag.
Mii idash gii-gagiiginaawaad ge-gizhiikaanid ininiwag.
Accordingly they picked out the men that were fleet of foot.
Mii idash gii-gagiiginaawaad (accordingly they picked out) ge-gizhiikaanid ininiwag (the men that would be fleet of foot).
(12) Weyâbang kigijäb kīmādci‘tāwạg.
Weyaabang gigizheb gii-maajitaawag.
On the morning of the next day they began (playing).
Weyaabang gigizheb (on the morning of the next day, early) gii-maajitaawag (they began).
(13) Mēdạc cigwa nimbawāwāt, kāwīn nayāⁿj awiya mijạgạdōsī.
Mii dash zhigwa nimbawaawaad, gaawiin nayaanzh awiya mizhagadoosii.
And when they started the ball going, it was a long while before any one could make a goal.
Mii dash zhigwa nimbawaawaad (and so now they set the ball going), gaawiin nayaanzh awiya mizhagadoosii (for a long while no one could make a goal).
(14) Änī∙i∙c kwānā∙u∙‘kwäg mī cigwa cāgōdci∙i∙nt, ocāgōdci∙i∙gōn īni’u pipōnisän.
Eni-ishkwaanaa’okweg mii zhigwa zhaagooji’ind, ozhaagooji’igoon iniw biboonisen.
Along in the afternoon was when (one of the first-born) was being beaten, he was being beaten by Winter-Wind.
Eni-ishkwaanaa’okweg (along in the afternoon) mii zhigwa zhaagooji’ind (then was one being beaten), ozhaagooji’igoon iniw biboonisen (he was being beaten by Winter-Wind).
(15) Käga‘pī kī∙ạ∙nicāgōdciwinā ‘aᵉa’ᵘ mạdcī‘kiwis, wīn dạc pipōnisä kīmījạgadō ningābī∙a∙nunk ina‘kakä.
Gegapii gii-ani-zhaagoojiwinaa a’aw majiikiwis, wiin dash biboonise gii-mizhagadoo ningaabii’anong inagake.
At last was the first-born being beaten, for Winter-Wind had made a goal on the side toward the west.
Gegapii gii-ani-zhaagoojiwinaa a’aw majiikiwis (at last that first-born was being beaten), wiin dash biboonise (and Winter-Wind for his part) gii-mizhagadoo ningaabii’anong inagake (made a goal at the side toward the west).
(16) A‘pī∙i∙dạc kāpa‘kinawint ‘aᵉa´ᵘ mạdcī‘kiwis ugīkạnōnigōn pipōnisän:
Apii idash gaa-bakinawind a’aw majiikiwis ogii-ganoonigoon biboonisen:
And when the first-born was beaten, he was addressed by Winter-Wind saying:
Apii idash gaa-bakinawind a’aw majiikiwis (and when that first-born was beaten) ogii-ganoonigoon biboonisen (he was addressed by Winter-Wind):
(17) “Ānīc, mīsa kīpa‘kinōnān,” īnā ‘aᵉa´ᵘ mādcī‘kiwis.
“Aaniish, mii sa gii-bakinoonaan,” inaa a’aw majiikiwis.
“Well, therefore have I beaten you,” was the first-born told.
“Aaniish, mii sa gii-bakinoonaan,” (“well, therefore have I beaten you,”) inaa a’aw majiikiwis (that first-born was told).
(18) “Pîdcīnạgigu wâbạnunk pā∙ū∙ndānima‘kin mīgō∙i∙´u cigwa tcîbinīskādagōtäg ‘uᵉu kījig tcigîmiwunk.
“Bijiinag igo waabanong ba-ondaanimakin mii goo iw zhigwa ji-bi-niiskaadagoodeg o’o giizhig ji-gimiwang.
“As soon as ever the wind blows from the east, then will foul weather hang aloft in this sky for the rain to fall.
“Bijiinag igo waabanong ba-ondaanimakin (“as soon as ever the wind blows hither from the east) mii goo iw zhigwa (then it is that) ji-bi-niiskaadagoodeg o’o giizhig (foul weather will hang aloft in this sky) ji-gimiwang. (for the rain to fall.)
(19) Mīsa∙i∙ äjipa‘kinōnān,” ināⁿ.
Mii sa i ezhi-bakinoonaan,” inaan.
Therefore such is what I have won from you,” he was told.
Mii sa i ezhi-bakinoonaan,” (“therefore such is how I have won from you,”) inaan (he was told).
(20) Mīdạc ī∙i∙´u kā∙u∙ndci∙i∙jiwäba‘k.
Mii dash i’iw gaa-onji-izhiwebak.
And that is what happens.
Mii dash i’iw gaa-onji-izhiwebak (and that is why it happens so).
(21) Kīcpîn wâbạnunk wändānima‘kin mīgu∙i∙´u cigwa mạdcigījiga‘k.
Giishpin waabanong wendaanimakin mii go iw zhigwa maji-giizhigak.
When the wind blows from the east, then that is a sign for a bad day.
Giishpin waabanong wendaanimakin (when the wind blows from the east) mii go iw zhigwa maji-giizhigak (then it is that the day turns bad).
(22) Mī∙i∙´u kā∙i∙jipa‘kinawāⁿ-windibạnän ‘aᵉa´ᵘ mạdcī‘kiwis.
Mii iw gaa-izhi-bakinawaan windibanen a’aw majiikiwis.
It is because the first-born was once beaten in a contest.
Mii iw gaa-izhi-bakinawaan windibanen a’aw majiikiwis (it is because that first-born was once beaten in a contest — preterite participle).
(23) Kāwīn kiminwändazī pa‘kinawint.
Gaawiin giminwendazii bakinawind.
He was not pleased to be beaten.
Gaawiin giminwendazii bakinawind (he was not pleased to be beaten).
(24) Minawā wī∙ā∙ndcī∙ē∙ ‘aᵉa´ᵘ mạdcī‘kiwis.
Miinawaa wii-aanjii’e a’aw majiikiwis.
Over again did the first-born wish to play.
Miinawaa wii-aanjii’e a’aw majiikiwis (over again did that first-born wish to play).
(25) “Tạga, mīnawā a‘tādidāᵉ!” i‘kido ‘aᵉa´ᵘ mạdcī‘kiwis.
“Daga, miinawaa ataadidaa!” ikido a’aw majiikiwis.
“Come, let us have another game!” said the first-born.
“Daga, miinawaa ataadidaa!” (“come, let us have another game!”) ikido a’aw majiikiwis (said that first-born).
(26) “Āwâwisa´,” udigōn pipōnisän.
“Aawaawisa.” odigoon biboonisen.
“Very well,” he was told by Winter-Wind.
“Aawaawisa.” (“very well.”) odigoon biboonisen (he was told by Winter-Wind).
(27) Weyâbạninig mī∙i∙’u minawā ujigābawiwād wībāga∙ā∙dowäwād.
Weyaabaninig mii iw miinawaa ozhigaabawiwaad wii-baaga’adowewaad.
On the morrow they then took their places for another game of ball.
Weyaabaninig mii iw miinawaa (on the morrow then again) ozhigaabawiwaad (they took their places) wii-baaga’adowewaad (to play ball).
(28) “Kīwädinūnk nīn ningạtinạgatū,” i‘kidō ‘aᵉa´ᵘ mạdcī‘kiwis.
“Giiwedinong niin ningad-inagadoo,” ikido a’aw majiikiwis.
“Towards the north will I play for goal,” said the first-born.
“Giiwedinong niin ningad-inagadoo,” (“towards the north I will play for goal,”) ikido a’aw majiikiwis (said that first-born).
(29) “Gīn idạc, pipōnisä, câwanūnk ina‘kakä inagạdōn,” udinān pipōnisän.
“Giin idash, biboonise, zhaawanong inagake inagadoon.” odinaan biboonisen.
“And you, Winter-Wind, towards the south do you play for goal,” he said to Winter-Wind.
“Giin idash, biboonise, (“and you, Winter-Wind,) zhaawanong inagake inagadoon.” (toward the south do you play for goal.”) odinaan biboonisen (he said to Winter-Wind).
(30) Mī jigwa umbawâwāt, usāsā‘kwānigōwa känawâbamigowāt.
Mii zhigwa ombawaawaad, ozaasagwaanigoowa genawaabamigowaad.
So when they began playing, they were cheered on by the yells of them who were watching them.
Mii zhigwa ombawaawaad (so now they set the ball going), ozaasagwaanigoowa genawaabamigowaad (they were cheered on by the yells of those watching them).
(31) Kạbägījik menawā ubạbāmiwäpa∙ā∙nāwa pi‘kwā‘kwạt.
Gabe-giizhik miinawaa obabaami-webaanaawa bikwaakwad.
All day long again they carried the ball back and forth and all around.
Gabe-giizhik miinawaa (all day long again) obabaami-webaanaawa bikwaakwad (they threw the ball about back and forth).
(32) Mîskuminagạt dạc ī∙i∙´u pigwā‘kwāt.
Miskominagad dash i’iw bikwaakwaad.
Red was the color of the ball.
Miskominagad dash i’iw bikwaakwaad (red in color was that ball).
(33) Ā‘pī∙ä∙ni∙u∙nāgucininig mī∙i∙´u cigwa minawā câgōdci∙i∙nt ‘aᵉaᵘ mạdcī‘kiwis.
Apii eni-onaagoshininig mii iw zhigwa miinawaa zhaagooji’ind a’aw majiikiwis.
When it was getting well on towards the evening, then again was the first-born being beaten.
Apii eni-onaagoshininig (when it was getting on toward evening) mii i’iw zhigwa miinawaa zhaagooji’ind a’aw majiikiwis (then again was that first-born being beaten).
(34) Käga‘pī mīnawā kīmījagạdō pipōnisä cāwạnunk ina‘kakä.
Gegapii miinawaa gii-mizhagadoo biboonise zhaawanong inagake.
At length again did Winter-Wind make a goal at the end towards the south.
Gegapii miinawaa gii-mizhagadoo biboonise (at length again did Winter-Wind make a goal) zhaawanong inagake (at the side toward the south).
(35) Mīdạc mīnawā äjikạnōnint ‘aᵉa´ᵘ mạdcī‘kiwis:
Mii dash miinawaa ezhi-ganoonind a’aw majiikiwis:
Thereupon once more was the first-born addressed:
Mii dash miinawaa ezhi-ganoonind a’aw majiikiwis (thereupon once more was that first-born addressed):
(36) “Ānīc, mīsa iu mīnawā kīpa‘kinōnān,” ināⁿ.
“Aaniish, mii sa iw miinawaa gii-bakinoonaan,” inaan.
“Well, therefore again have I beaten you,” he was told.
“Aaniish, mii sa iw miinawaa gii-bakinoonaan,” (“well, therefore again have I beaten you,”) inaan (he was told).
(37) “Pîdcīnagigu kīwädonūnk pā∙u∙dānima‘kin mī∙i∙´u ka‘kina tcî∙u∙jimōwād kidockinīgīmạg, nīnidạc kāwīn ogaku‘tạnzīnāwa nindockinīgīmạg.”
“Bijiinaagigo giiwedinong ba-odaanimakin mii iw gakina ji-ozhimoowaad gidoshkiniigiimag, niin idash gaawiin oga-gotanziinaawa nindoshkiniigiimag.”
“As soon as ever the wind blows from the north, then will all your youths flee away, but of me will my youths not be afraid.”
“Bijiinaagigo giiwedinong ba-odaanimakin (“as soon as ever the wind blows hither from the north) mii i’iw gakina ji-ozhimoowaad gidoshkiniigiimag (then will all your youths flee away), niin idash gaawiin oga-gotanziinaawa nindoshkiniigiimag.” (but my youths will not be afraid.”)
(38) Mīsa īgiu ka‘kina päbāmisätcig pinäsiwạg, mīwag īgi´u kā∙a∙‘tadiwagobạnän.
Mii sa igiw gakina bebaamisejig binesiwag, miiwag igiw gaa-atadiwagobanen.
Now, they were all the birds that fly about in the air, it was they that were in the contest.
Mii sa igiw gakina bebaamisejig binesiwag (now, they were all the birds that fly about), miiwag igiw gaa-atadiwagobanen (it was they that were in the contest — preterite participle).
(39) Ka‘kina nībinisän mīwanini´u kawīdcīwāgubạnän ‘aᵉa´ᵘ mạdcī‘kiwis kāku‘tạmuwād pîbōn.
Gakina niibinisen miiwan iniw gaa-wiijiiwaagobanen a’aw majiikiwis gaa-gotamowaad biboon.
All the birds of summer with whom the first-born played were the ones that feared the winter.
Gakina niibinisen (all the summer birds) miiwan iniw gaa-wiijiiwaagobanen a’aw majiikiwis (were the ones the first-born played alongside — preterite participle) gaa-gotamowaad biboon (the ones that feared the winter).
(40) Mī∙i∙´u kā∙i∙nāwindibạnän ‘aᵉa´ᵘ mạdcī‘kiwis:
Mii iw gaa-inaawindibanen a’aw majiikiwis:
This, then, was the first-born told at the time:
Mii iw gaa-inaawindibanen a’aw majiikiwis (this, then, was that first-born told at the time — preterite participle):
(41) “Nīnidạc pipōnisä.
“Niin idash biboonise.
“I am Winter-Wind.
“Niin idash biboonise (“and I am Winter-Wind).
(42) Kāwīn nīn ta∙u∙jimisīwạg nindōckinīgīmạg.”
Gaawiin niin da-ozhimisiiwag nindooshkiniigiimag.”
Not from me would flee my youths.”
Gaawiin niin da-ozhimisiiwag nindooshkiniigiimag.” (my youths would not flee from me.”)
(43) Mīwag īgi’u pîbōnk äyāwāt pinäsiwạg; mīwạniniu kāwīdcīwāgubạnän ‘aᵉa´ᵘ pipōnisä.
Miiwag igiw biboong eyaawaad binesiwag; miiwan iniw gaa-wiijiiwaagobanen a’aw biboonise.
They are the birds that pass the winter here; it was on their side that Winter-Wind played.
Miiwag igiw biboong eyaawaad binesiwag (they are the birds that stay through the winter); miiwan iniw gaa-wiijiiwaagobanen a’aw biboonise (it was on their side that Winter-Wind played — preterite participle).
(44) Mīdạc iu wändci∙i∙jiwäba‘k ānind pinäsiwạg cāwạnunk kī∙i∙jāwād päpōngin; ānind tạc kāwin mādcāsīwạg, mīwạn īni’u pipōnisä udōckinīgīmaᵉ.
Mii dash iw wenji-izhiwebak aanind binesiwag zhaawanong gii-izhaawaad beboongin; aanind dash gaawiin maajaasiiwag, miiwan iniw biboonise odooshkiniigiimag.
And that is how it came to pass that some of the birds go south in the winter-time; and some do not go away, for they were the youths of Winter-Wind.
Mii dash iw wenji-izhiwebak (and that is how it came to pass) aanind binesiwag zhaawanong gii-izhaawaad beboongin (that some birds go south in the winter-time); aanind dash gaawiin maajaasiiwag (and some do not go away), miiwan iniw biboonise odooshkiniigiimag (for they are Winter-Wind’s youths).
(45) Mīdạc indawā kī∙ā∙nawändcigät ‘aᵉa´ᵘ mạdcī‘kiwis; mīdạc ānawi mīnawā māmawi pimādisiwāt.
Mii dash indawaa gii-aanawenjiged a’aw majiikiwis; mii dash aanawi miinawaa maamawi bimaadiziwaad.
So thereupon the first-born gave up (the contest), whereat they then lived together again.
Mii dash indawaa gii-aanawenjiged a’aw majiikiwis (so thereupon that first-born gave it up); mii dash aanawi miinawaa maamawi bimaadiziwaad (and so anyway they then lived together again).