“There were in fact only five,” replied the missionary; “for although the Tuscaroras joined the confederation, they did not originally belong to it. These five are known among white men by the following names:—The Mohawks, Oneidas, Cayugas, Onondagas, and Senecas; and it was a band of the latter that made the irruption into the valley of Wyoming. I dare say that Wingenund knows more of them than I do, for he often heard Tamenund speak of them, and he knew their history like the traditions of his own tribe.”
“Wingenund has not forgotten,” replied the youth, “what his grandfather taught him concerning the Five Nations. The names spoken by the Black Father are those commonly given them; but they call themselves otherwise.”
“Tell me, Wingenund,” said Ethelston, “the names by which they are known among themselves?”
“The Mohawks are called Coningionah. The Oneidas, Oni–eut–kah; or ‘The people of the standing–stone.’ The Cayugas, Senanda Wanandu–nah; ‘The people of the great pipe.’ The Onondagas, Nundagekah; ‘People of the small hill.’ The Senecas, Nundawâ–gah; ‘People of the big hill.’ But the council name of the last is different.”
“What do you mean by the council name?”
“Many of the nations have more than one name, and the council name is never spoken except by the chiefs and wise men in council; the women and boys seldom know it; and if they do, they must not speak it.”
“Did Tamenund tell you the council name of the Senecas?”
“Yes; it is Oni–hoout, ‘Those who shut the door;’ because the Senecas live the furthest to the south–west, and guard the others from the approach of their enemies.”[88]
“It always appeared to me,” said Ethelston, turning to the missionary, “that the variety and arbitrary alteration of Indian names present an insuperable barrier in the way of any inquiry into their national or local history.”