Page:Journal of American Folklore vol. 12.djvu/619

Dictionaries of the languages of savage and barbarous peoples often contain many interesting and valuable items of folk-lore. The present writer, having had occasion to familiarize himself with the late Abbé Cuoq's^[1] dictionary of the Nipissing dialect of the Algonkian stock, has noted the following, which, with the Indian words relating to them, are worthy of attention:—

1. Agonakwens, "the little woman of the sacrifice" (p. 17), from agoj, "to suspend, to hang," and ikwens (diminutive of ikwe), "little woman." Concerning this word Cuoq observes: "Before the introduction of Christianity, these Indians used to place upon an elevated platform a young woman as a sacrifice to the god of war, in order to obtain his protection in a military expedition." See No. 46.

2. Agwateing potawe, "she kindles her fire outside" (p. 18). This expression is said by euphemism of menstruating women. With the heathen Indians, women in that condition were not allowed to associate with anybody, and had to cook for themselves apart from all the rest.

3. Aiabe opikwan, "the back of a male" (p. 20). Cuoq says of this expression: "C'est en réalité une longe de chevreuil (a loin of venison)." He cites Thavenet, one of his predecessors among the Algonkins, as remarking: "At the birth of boys a curious ceremony takes place, during which they sing continually: aiabe opikwan."

4. Ajawisikanendamawicin, "pour me out of your mouth into mine" (p. 25). This was formerly "a great mark of affection," but only "a vague remembrance of it now survives."

5. Akoskowewack, "herbe de Vénus" (p. 34). A plant which, "according to the superstition of the Indians, has the power of inspiring the passion of love."

6. Apanjinaman (p. 56). This word Cuoq defines as "a sort of blackish face-paint which the pagan Indians used in their fasts." The word is still in use among the Christian Indians in the sense of "stove-polish." See No. 21.

7. Atawaamok, "they navigate together" (p. 64). The name given to the three bright stars in the belt of Orion. They are looked upon, as the name signifies (from atawaam, "to travel on the water together,"—ata, "together," aam, "to travel on the water"), as three Indians who are canoeing along the waters of the sky.

8. Atcitatikwān, "a tree planted upside clown on the grave of a dead man," from atcitc, "upside down," and atik, "tree" (p. 66). According to Cuoq, this practice is still observed at the obsequies of pagan Indians.