Wawenock Myth Texts from Maine / Forty-third Annual Report of the Bureau of American Ethnology to the Secretary of the Smithsonian Institution, 1925-26, Government Printing Office, Washington, 1928, pages 165-198

by Frank G. Speck

1. 1. Negawa´ida
   2. So well then
2. 1. pemi·zo·bek`ᵂke´t
   2. as he wandered by the ocean
3. 1. Gluskα̨be´
   2. Gluskabe
4. 1. ni·uni·´łαn
   2. then he killed
5. 1. podeba´l`
   2. a whale;
6. 1. ni·ugizi·nłα´n
   2. then when he had killed
7. 1. podeba´l`
   2. the whale
8. 1. ni·unα̨dji·´
   2. then he went
9. 1. wa´wαndokewα`n
   2. to inform
10. 1. wusa´si·za`l`
    2. his uncle
11. 1. toləba´
    2. turtle,
12. 1. ni·udi·´łαnα
    2. then he told him
13. 1. “naba´tci·eli·`
    2. “Great fortune! killed
14. 1. podebε´”
    2. a whale.”
15. 1. ni·wusasi·za´l`
    2. Then his uncle
16. 1. udi·´łəgun
    2. he was told
17. 1. “negateci´
    2. “and now
18. 1. gα̨djip`tonenα̨´
    2. we will go and get it
19. 1. podebaiya´.”
    2. whale meat.”
20. 1. negeła´
    2. So then
21. 1. ni·unα̨dji·na´
    2. they went;
22. 1. ni·wədlosenα´
    2. then they came
23. 1. sobegu´k`
    2. to the ocean;
24. 1. ni·bayα̨hα̨di·´t
    2. when they arrived
25. 1. wabodebe´ls·ik
    2. where the whale lay
26. 1. ni·wədnαmna´
    2. then they took
27. 1. kesi´tcweldamohodi·`t
    2. as much as they wished;
28. 1. ni·gizi·´wikwu`nəmohodi·`t
    2. then when they took it
29. 1. ni·bla´
    2. for a while
30. 1. pali·wi·´
    2. to one side
31. 1. obunəmona´
    2. they put it
32. 1. ni·wadoləba´
    2. then that turtle
33. 1. edudji·´wehemα̨`t
    2. called them together
34. 1. si·psa`
    2. the birds
35. 1. ges·i·k·i·gi·´t
    2. various kinds
36. 1. msi·´wi·
    2. all
37. 1. wski·tkami´k`ᵂ
    2. in the world;
38. 1. negan·i·´
    2. then
39. 1. sα̨khedəwoldihi·di·´t
    2. they came flying
40. 1. ne´bəgwatci´
    2. then on account of it
41. 1. nαn·e´mkami·gi·pode·`
    2. the ground shook
42. 1. si·bi·wi·´
    2. and
43. 1. wəda´s·ot·ekawα̨wα`l`
    2. fairly covering up by flocking
44. 1. ki·sosa´l`
    2. the sun
45. 1. ni·ubedji·´dəwuldenα̨
    2. then they all came flying
46. 1. msi·wi·´
    2. all
47. 1. ni·umi·tsoldi´n
    2. they all ate
48. 1. taneba`
    2. since
49. 1. wik`ᵂhαbαlαŋk
    2. they were invited to the feast
50. 1. ni·wa´
    2. then that
51. 1. gəl·u´[51]
    2. eagle
52. 1. sαŋgəma´
    2. chief
53. 1. ni·yu´
    2. and here
54. 1. wawi·wuni·wi·´
    2. near around
55. 1. i·yu´
    2. here
56. 1. ebita´ida
    2. where he sat then
57. 1. toləbε·´
    2. turtle
58. 1. ni·´wa
    2. that
59. 1. toləbε·´
    2. turtle
60. 1. wikwu´nəmən
    2. took
61. 1. unəs·ekwa´k`ᵂ
    2. his knife
62. 1. ni·wətəmi·´ktci·es·α`n
    2. then cut off his rear
63. 1. kəl·uwa´l`
    2. the eagle
64. 1. yu´lil
    2. this
65. 1. sαŋgəma´l`.
    2. chief.
66. 1. ni·wa´
    2. Then
67. 1. sαŋgəma´
    2. chief
68. 1. ndawawαma´ls·wi·`
    2. did not feel it
69. 1. gizi·təmi·´kətci·azamα`k
    2. when his rear was cut off
70. 1. ni·yuli´l
    2. then this
71. 1. et·ak·αŋgotci·´l`
    2. his second chief
72. 1. kepti´n[52]
    2. captain
73. 1. ni·udi·łα´n
    2. then said
74. 1. sαŋgəma´l`
    2. to the chief,
75. 1. “ni·aweni´
    2. “And who
76. 1. eli·hogowα´n
    2. has done so to you
77. 1. kəmaməs·ani´
    2. belittling you
78. 1. pəna´lgebəna`”
    2. we are all insulted.”
79. 1. ni·
    2. Then
80. 1. umoskwe´ldamənα̨`
    2. they all became angry
81. 1. ni·ugi´zəlomana`
    2. then they planned what to do
82. 1. toləba´l`
    2. to turtle
83. 1. wedjinłαhα̨di·´t
    2. so as to kill him
84. 1. ni·gistε·´
    2. and then
85. 1. tα̨ ławe·´
    2. accordingly
86. 1. unaskasi·nα̨´
    2. they attacked him
87. 1. negawα´
    2. and that
88. 1. toləbε·´
    2. turtle
89. 1. ni·wikwunα´n
    2. then he took
90. 1. yuhi·´
    2. these
91. 1. awi·p`hona´
    2. feathers
92. 1. ni·udα̨ba´sahozi´n
    2. and fanned himself
93. 1. ebəgwa´tc
    2. on account of it
94. 1. i·da´k
    2. said
95. 1. “nαləgwa´
    2. “wing
96. 1. wədα̨´bas·ehwana`l`,[53]
    2. his fan
97. 1. nαləgwa´
    2. wing
98. 1. wədα̨´basehwa`nal‛”
    2. his fan!”
99. 1. ni·yu´
    2. Then
100. 1. nαləgwa´
     2. (with) wing
101. 1. wədα̨ba´s·ehwa´nak
     2. he fanned himself
102. 1. ni·wa´
     2. then that
103. 1. Gluskα̨bε´
     2. Gluskabe
104. 1. udi·łα´n
     2. said
105. 1. wuza´si·zal`
     2. to his uncle
106. 1. “kəba´lalokε·`
     2. “you have done wrongly
107. 1. eli·tα̨ławei·´
     2. so doing
108. 1. a´ida
     2. well,
109. 1. təmi´k·ətci·as·a´t
     2. cutting his rear off
110. 1. sαŋgəma´
     2. the chief
111. 1. nide´bəne`
     2. and soon
112. 1. kənαskα´ŋgen·enα̨`”
     2. they will attack us.”
113. 1. ni·udi·´łαn
     2. Then he said,
114. 1. “ni·dji·na´wa dani·`
     2. “On account of it what
115. 1. kədlada´kanena`?”
     2. shall we do?”
116. 1. ni·udi·´łαn
     2. Then he said
117. 1. pla wa´ses·enolitu`n
     2. “In the meantime I will build a nest
118. 1. yu abaz·i´k.”
     2. here in the tree.”
119. 1. ni·geła´
     2. Accordingly
120. 1. uwəli·tu´n
     2. he built
121. 1. wazəs·e´
     2. a nest.
122. 1. ni·udi·łα´n
     2. Then he said
123. 1. yuli´l
     2. to this
124. 1. wuza´si·zal`
     2. his uncle
125. 1. “tcespi·gwᴐ̹·dawε·´”
     2. “You shin up.”
126. 1. ni·geła´
     2. Forthwith
127. 1. toləbε·´
     2. turtle
128. 1. ogwa´gwedji·spi·gwᴐ̹dawε·`
     2. tried to shin up
129. 1. ni·ndate´gəne`
     2. and he was not
130. 1. ugizi·spi·gwᴐ̹´dawα`n
     2. able to shin up,
131. 1. ni·udi·´damən
     2. then he said,
132. 1. “madji·łε·´
     2. “Dull
133. 1. gwagwα´nhekasi·α`n´.”
     2. are my heel claws.”
134. 1. ni·wa´
     2. Then
135. 1. Gluakα̨bε´
     2. Gluskabe
136. 1. ni·wəni·malwenα´n
     2. took hold of him
137. 1. toləba´l`
     2. turtle
138. 1. ni·wədebake´n
     2. and tossed him
139. 1. wa´zəs·ə´k
     2. into the nest
140. 1. ni·gi·zi·waz·əs·e´k
     2. and when he was in the nest
141. 1. ebi·hi·di´t
     2. they sat down,
142. 1. ni·ubedji·´dα̨ławe`i·
     2. then he felt like
143. 1. bagi·damə´n
     2. to void
144. 1. nəbi·´
     2. water,
145. 1. ni·do´ləbε
     2. that turtle
146. 1. udi·`damən
     2. he said,
147. 1. “a´ida!
     2. “Lo!
148. 1. eli·gadawi·´bagi·da`k
     2. how am I going to void
149. 1. nəbi·´?”
     2. water?”
150. 1. ni·udi·´łəgul`
     2. Then he was told
151. 1. Gluskα̨ba´l`
     2. Gluskabe
152. 1. “pα̨´·zi·djikətci·ewi·`
     2. “Lean your rear
153. 1. waz·əs·e´k.”
     2. from the nest.”
154. 1. ni·geła´
     2. Accordingly
155. 1. ali·mi·tcəwα´n
     2. he urinated
156. 1. nəbi·´
     2. water
157. 1. amək·ai·wi.
     2. running down below.
158. 1. ni·we´wᴐ̹la`n
     2. Then they discovered it
159. 1. yugi´k
     2. these
160. 1. nope`´sawe`n·owa`k
     2. warriors.
161. 1. ni·
     2. Then
162. 1. ke´ptin
     2. the captain
163. 1. elα̨bi·´t
     2. looking
164. 1. spəmə´k
     2. up
165. 1. ni·una´mi·hα`·n
     2. also saw
166. 1. toləba´l`
     2. the turtle
167. 1. wazəs·e´k
     2. in the nest,
168. 1. ni·wedji·´
     2. so then
169. 1. pi·´bmamα`·k
     2. he shot an arrow
170. 1. ni·wəzα´·ŋkhelədji·ni·łα`n
     2. then he made him fall down and out.
171. 1. ni·yu´
     2. Then here
172. 1. udi·damə´n
     2. he said,
173. 1. “madji·djᴐ·´s
     2. “Bad
174. 1. wələ´·mk·i·`tc”
     2. stooping coward.”
175. 1. madjidjᴐ̹´s
     2. Bad
176. 1. wələ´mk·i·`tc"
     2. stooping coward.”
177. 1. ni·ye´nəma
     2. Then there
178. 1. to´ləbε
     2. turtle
179. 1. pa´gəs·i`k
     2. falling
180. 1. ki·k
     2. on the ground
181. 1. nit·e
     2. right away
182. 1. udeli·wα̨ni·ła´n
     2. disappeared.
183. 1. ni·gwi´·lawasoldi`n
     2. Then they all searched for him
184. 1. ni·nda
     2. but not
185. 1. mskaᴐ̹wi·´
     2. could find him.
186. 1. ni·wa´
     2. Then the
187. 1. gepti´n
     2. captain
188. 1. pabmi·gwi·lawαs·i´t
     2. went about hunting him still
189. 1. ni·una´mi·tun
     2. and saw
190. 1. se´ski·dju´
     2. a bark basket
191. 1. we´lαmkat·e`k
     2. upside down
192. 1. ni·uda´kskamən
     2. and he kicked it over
193. 1. ni·uməskawαna´
     2. and found
194. 1. toləba´l`
     2. turtle.
195. 1. ni·´ga
     2. Then
196. 1. təpəloma´n
     2. he held a trial(over turtle)
197. 1. nit·a´tci·
     2. and at once
198. 1. eləmi·gi·zloma´n
     2. it was decided
199. 1. wedji·´
     2. that
200. 1. metci·ne´t`.
     2. he should die.
201. 1. ni·gepti´n
     2. Then the captain
202. 1. udi·damə´n
     2. said,
203. 1. “tanedji·nawa´
     2. “How then
204. 1. kdli·hα̨´nenα̨`?”
     2. shall we do with you?”
205. 1. ni·wa´
     2. Then
206. 1. eta´k·ozi·t
     2. second chief
207. 1. ni·udi·damə´n
     2. said,
208. 1. “kzəgu´sktahα̨`n·α̨dji·`”
     2. “We will cut him to pieces.”
209. 1. ni·wa
     2. Then
210. 1. toləbε·´
     2. turtle
211. 1. wədi·damə´n
     2. said,
212. 1. “nda´
     2. “Not
213. 1. ni·a
     2. me
214. 1. ni·łəgowα´n.”
     2. it will kill.”
215. 1. ni·udi·damənα´
     2. Then they said
216. 1. “negatci·´
     2. “Then will
217. 1. kəme´t`kasesαn·enα̨`.”
     2. we burn him.”
218. 1. ni·udi·damə´n
     2. Then he said
219. 1. mi·´na
     2. again
220. 1. toləbε·´
     2. turtle,
221. 1. “nda
     2. “Not
222. 1. ni·n
     2. me
223. 1. ni·łəgowα´n”
     2. it will kill.”
224. 1. ni·udi·daməna´
     2. Then they said
225. 1. “nəgatci·´
     2. “Then will
226. 1. ba´skədji·balα`n”
     2. drown him.”
227. 1. ni·wa´
     2. Then that
228. 1. toləbε·´
     2. turtle
229. 1. udi·damə´n
     2. said
230. 1. mi·´na
     2. again,
231. 1. “ni·n
     2. “Me
232. 1. ni·łəgu´n”
     2. will be killed.”
233. 1. nega´t·e
     2. Immediately
234. 1. we´dji·ni·mi`p`hamα`k`
     2. they grabbed him
235. 1. ni·´l·αnasi´n
     2. to kill him.
236. 1. aida´
     2. Well!
237. 1. nəbə´s·i·zak
     2. in a little lake
238. 1. ni·wedji·´
     2. that is why
239. 1. α̨bodji·gelkε·´t·ek
     2. it is torn and furrowed
240. 1. yuki·´
     2. this earth
241. 1. edudna´s·imα`k[54]
     2. where they dragged him
242. 1. wa
     2. that
243. 1. toləbε·´
     2. turtle
244. 1. malα´mit·e
     2. at last
245. 1. yu
     2. here
246. 1. nəbəs·ə´k
     2. in the pond.
247. 1. ni·wədjau´paken·α̨`
     2. Then they threw him into the water.
248. 1. ni·wədali·mi·´
     2. Then he sank
249. 1. ele·dji·ni·gədałα´n
     2. back down and belly up.
250. 1. ni·yu´
     2. Then here
251. 1. onəs·ε·bε·nəmə´n
     2. he riled it up with his paws
252. 1. nəbi·´
     2. the water;
253. 1. ni·gizi·´
     2. then after
254. 1. pα̨´gowi·az·əs·ko`
     2. it became real muddy
255. 1. ni·wədji·´
     2. so
256. 1. nodα̨´dəbewi`n
     2. he poked his head out
257. 1. nəbi´k·
     2. of the water.
258. 1. ni·ugα̨´galowe`n
     2. Then he cried out
259. 1. “oho< >u·
     2. “Oho< >u
260. 1. ki·ləwᴐ̹,wα´n
     2. you all
261. 1. kəda´k·i·wα̨`
     2. your land
262. 1. kəni·łəgonα̨´
     2. kills you
263. 1. ni·´ni·a`
     2. but I
264. 1. ndak·i·´
     2. my land
265. 1. ndαn·i·łəgowα´n”
     2. does not kill me!”
266. 1. ni·si·´psak
     2. Then the ducks
267. 1. nnoda´wαnα̨`
     2. heard him
268. 1. kedwi·tci·ba´gətces·i·`t
     2. his noise of screeching
269. 1. toləbε´·
     2. turtle.
270. 1. nega´t·e
     2. Then at once
271. 1. ugwi·ldasoldi·nα̨´
     2. they rushed for him
272. 1. yu´gik
     2. these
273. 1. nope´usewi·`n·owak
     2. warriors
274. 1. ni·
     2. Then
275. 1. məgəna´n
     2. they chose
276. 1. owa´
     2. that
277. 1. aweni·´
     2. one who
278. 1. netα̨wikα̨mogwi`t`
     2. was expert diver
279. 1. nimskawa´n
     2. they found.
280. 1. məde´wełê`
     2. The loon
281. 1. ni·uga´mkolitawα`n
     2. dove down for him
282. 1. yulil`
     2. this one
283. 1. ni·´səda
     2. second time
284. 1. eli·gamogwi´t
     2. as he dove
285. 1. nsəde´waiyε·´
     2. the third time
286. 1. ni·uməskawα´n
     2. then he found
287. 1. toləba´l`
     2. the turtle.
288. 1. ni·wədji·´kpana`sehi·di`t
     2. Thereupon they threw him ashore
289. 1. malami·´
     2. at last
290. 1. ki·k
     2. upon the ground
291. 1. nega´
     2. then
292. 1. wa´
     2. that one
293. 1. səgwαsk`taha´n
     2. they knocked him dead
294. 1. toləbε´
     2. turtle.
295. 1. ni·ume´tα̨begəs·i`n
     2. Then here ends
296. 1. ndatlo´kα̨ga`n.
     2. my story.

[51] Given as “eagle” by Neptune, but, in Penobscot, Newell Lyon identified this with the extinct “auk.”

[52] A secondary chief, from English “captain.”

[53] In a monotonous singsong tone.

[54] This accounts for the mountain ridges and valleys of to-day.

C

1. 1. ni·gawa
   2. And then that
2. 1. Gluskα̨bε´
   2. Gluskabe
3. 1. wedji·mαdjełα´nt
   2. went away
4. 1. sobegu´k
   2. to the ocean
5. 1. ni·wuno´sotəg-
   2. then he followed
6. 1. wetekamə´n
   2. a river up
7. 1. malαmi·´
   2. at last
8. 1. ktci·dαba´kwαni·ganα´k[55]
   2. to the great divide.
9. 1. ni·wedji·´
   2. Thence
10. 1. kalapα̨´welα`nt
    2. he started up
11. 1. mozu´l`
    2. a moose
12. 1. ni·wa´
    2. and that
13. 1. mu·s
    2. moose
14. 1. mα̨djełα´nt
    2. started off
15. 1. man·´i·wi·
    2. among
16. 1. si´·bui·ku`k
    2. the rivers
17. 1. teka´
    2. in direction
18. 1. Pan·awᴐ̹·´mp`skao`k
    2. of Penobscot River Valley
19. 1. lagwewi·´
    2. toward.
20. 1. ni·wewᴐ̹la´n
    2. Then she knew
21. 1. Pukədji´nskwes´u`[56]
    2. Pukedjinskwessu
22. 1. ni·gi·zi·we´dolamα`k[57]
    2. and she could sense it.
23. 1. owa´
    2. That one
24. 1. a´ida
    2. well
25. 1. məde´olənuskwe´
    2. sorceress.
26. 1. ni·ugadawi·´gak`hi·`ki·hα`n
    2. Then she wanted to tease
27. 1. Gluskα̨ba´l`
    2. Gluskabe.
28. 1. ni·
    2. Then
29. 1. ugadawi·´kəlapα̨´wəla`n
    2. she wanted to start up
30. 1. mozu´l`
    2. the moose
31. 1. wadji·´ndagi·zi·nlα`ŋk`ᵂ˙
    2. so that not he could kill it.
32. 1. ni·wa´
    2. That
33. 1. Gluskα̨bε´
    2. Gluskabe
34. 1. wε·wedəhamα´n
    2. knew her
35. 1. yuli´l
    2. this
36. 1. Pukədji´nskwes·uwal`
    2. Pudedjisdwessu
37. 1. e´li·gak`hi·ki·hogo`t
    2. how she was teasing him,
38. 1. ni·udli·´dəhamα`n
    2. then he thought
39. 1. “e´begwatcinatci.`
    2. “on account of it not also
40. 1. kəna´mi·hi·`
    2. you will see me
41. 1. yu
    2. here
42. 1. pemi·łα´”
    2. passing by.”
43. 1. ni·geła´
    2. Accordingly
44. 1. ni·wa´
    2. that
45. 1. uba´bmi·gwil-
    2. searched all
46. 1. awᴐ̹bi`n
    2. about to see him
47. 1. Pukədji´nskwes·u´
    2. Pudedjinskessu
48. 1. tani·ba´weni·`
    2. how if anybody
49. 1. udli·nami·hα´n
    2. she could see.
50. 1. ni·ge´nəwαnda`
    2. But not
51. 1. wi·´bi·wi·
    2. except
52. 1. unami·tu´n
    2. she saw
53. 1. eli·´dji·lakwəs·inli·`t
    2. how the tracks
54. 1. udαŋəma´
    2. of his snowshoes
55. 1. pemsege´k
    2. on the ledge.
56. 1. niα̨lawi·´
    2. For a long time
57. 1. uno´sawα̨p`tasi`n
    2. she followed the tracks
58. 1. neganowa´
    2. then that
59. 1. Gluskα̨ba´l`
    2. Gluskabe
60. 1. wəsε·´smi·wαni·halα̨·l`
    2. she lost his tracks
61. 1. wzami·´wi·tc
    2. because
62. 1. wudli·´dəhamgun
    2. it was willed
63. 1. ni·´
    2. that
64. 1. wedjinda´
    2. not
65. 1. p`skαŋgo´k
    2. she could find him.
66. 1. ni·wa´
    2. Then that
67. 1. Gluskα̨bε´
    2. Gluskabe
68. 1. madα̨bełα´nt
    2. went down
69. 1. si·bu´k
    2. to the river.
70. 1. ni·wanami·hα´n
    2. Then he saw
71. 1. mozu´l`
    2. the moose
72. 1. yu´lil
    2. this
73. 1. noso´kawα`nt
    2. he was following.
74. 1. ni·ubi·bmα´n
    2. Then he shot it
75. 1. ni·a´ida
    2. well then
76. 1. ni·ugi·bi·łα´n
    2. it fell
77. 1. mozu´l`
    2. moose
78. 1. ni·gi·zi·´
    2. then after
79. 1. eləmi·giptes·i´k
    2. he fell and lay down
80. 1. ni·udlo´s·α`n
    2. and
81. 1. ubəs·i·halα´n
    2. he skinned it
82. 1. ni·gi·zi·´p`si·halα´nt
    2. and after he had skinned it
83. 1. gi·zi·´p`kwedji·łα´nt
    2. when he had taken out
84. 1. ni·u-
    2. then
85. 1. la´gəzi·α`l`.
    2. his intestines
86. 1. uge´dnəmə`n
    2. he took
87. 1. ni·udla´kewαn
    2. then he threw them
88. 1. ude´miza`l`
    2. to his dog
89. 1. ni·´yu
    2. and here
90. 1. edeli·`nłamα`k
    2. where he was killed
91. 1. mu·s
    2. moose
92. 1. ni·
    2. that
93. 1. muzi·´kətci·`
    2. moose buttocks
94. 1. lewi·tα̨zu´
    2. is called
95. 1. si·bi·wi·´
    2. and
96. 1. yu el`ta´gi·hazi`k
    2. here as it stretched out
97. 1. wula´gəzi·a`l`
    2. his intestines
98. 1. wa
    2. that
99. 1. mu·s
    2. moose
100. 1. nit·e
     2. right away
101. 1. li·wᴐ̹·bi·gα`k
     2. became white
102. 1. tet·atci·dji·´
     2. and now
103. 1. eska´mi·
     2. forever
104. 1. wᴐ̹·bi·gα´n
     2. white
105. 1. tagagi·wi`·
     2. until
106. 1. metka´mi·gegε`.
     2. at the end.
107. 1. ndatlokαŋga´n
     2. My story
108. 1. tagα´gα̨begəsi`·t
     2. all.

[55] Said by the informant to have been the ridge dividing the waters flowing into the St. Lawrence from those flowing southward into the Atlantic.

[56] A mythical character common to the Malecite, Passamaquoddy, Penobscot, and Wawenock. She is described as having a figure like a “jug,” who lives alone in the remote forests.

[57] A common concept among the Wabanaki, “to know a thing by intuition.”