Nanabosho is fed Meat from the Back of a Woman
Aaniish, a’yiindaawag imaa anishinaabeg, Nenabosho oniijaanisa niizhiwa wiiwan gaye.
Now, abiding at the place were some people, the two children of Nenabosho and his wife.
Mii sa imaa babiboonishiwaad, aaniish inaa, nawaj igo gaawiin gegoo ona’enimosiin.
And so there, where they passed the winter, why, hardly any food had they in store.
Aaniish, mii sa zhigwa ji-biboonini, mii sa gaawiin wiikaa naa obiidoosiin gegoo.
Well, it was now far into the winter, and never a single thing did he fetch home.
Aaniish mii sa bakadewaad.
Naturally, therefore, they grew hungry.
Ningoding igo, babaamosed, anishinaabe ezhi-odisaad; niizhiwa abinoojiiya abiwan iiniw ininiwan.
And once, when walking about, to where some people were he came; there were two children, (and) at home was the man.
Aaniish, mii sa ekidonid: “Aaniin dash naa, giige-aasiwang a’aw gipiiwideminaan,” odinaan wiiwan.
So, therefore, said (the man): “Why, let us feed our visitor,” (thus) he said to his wife.
Aaniish, shkwaandeng naasamabiwan iiniw ikwewan.
Now, with her face towards the door was the woman seated.
Ezhi-oo-nagoodakikwenid.
Then she placed her kettle hanging from a hook.
Aaniish, ezhi-giiniboodoonid omookomaanini, mashkimodekewan iiniw wiiwini.
Now, while (the man) was sharpening his knife, his wife was weaving a bag.
Mii sa gaa-giizhiboodoonid i’iw omookomaanini.
And when he had finished sharpening his knife, he moved over to sit next to his wife.
Obiminanaadabiidawaanini iiniw wiiwini.
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Ezhi-gidashkaakonamawaad iiniw wiiwan odanikamaanini,1 ezhi-midawaganebinaad; ezhi-pezhishwaad* nawaawigan; mii sa ezhi-pakweninweshwaad; gaawiin ganage maadabisiiwan iiniw ikwewan.
Then, unfastening his wife’s shoulder-straps, he exposed her at the back; he then sliced her down the middle of the back with a knife; and he then sliced away a piece of fat from her; not a whit did his wife budge.
Mii sa gaa-izhi-pishagaawiganeshwaad iiniw wiiwini, ezhi-poodaakwewaanid i’imaa akikong.
And so, when he had sliced a piece from the back of his wife, she then put it into the kettle to boil.
Akakanzhe ezhi-oodaapinaminid, ezhi-sinigonnamawaanid i’imaa obikwanaaning.
Picking up some charcoal, he then rubbed it on her back.2
Ezhi-sagaakowaad miinawaa.
Then he fastened her garment on again.
Mii sa gaawiin ganage gii-maadabisiiwan iiniw ikwewan.
And not a whit had his wife moved.
Zhigwa giizhisekwewan, “Aaniish, mii sa iw ezhi-wiisiniiyamban,” inaa Nenabosho.
So when she had finished with the cooking, “Well, you may now as well eat,” was told Nenabosho.
Mii dash geget ezhi-wiisinid, pane go gaa-niishkininodenig mii sa ezhi-wiisinid.
Thereupon truly did Nenabosho eat, forthwith after the fat was boiled was when he ate.
Gomaa minik shkwanjige Nenabosho.
A certain part of it Nenabosho refrained from eating.
“Mii iw izhi-kiiwewida giniijaanisag naa minik eshkwanjigeyan.”
“That much which you saved do you take to your children.”
Mii sa zhigwa wii-giiwe.
Therefore now was he on the point of going back home.
“Awegwenigish?” gii-inendam.
“Who in the world (is it)?” he thought.
Mii nangwana omashkoosoon gaa-odisaad.
Now, it happened to be the elk whom he had visited.
Aaniish mii sa zhigwa gii-kikenimaad eyaawinid.
So then at last he found out who it was.
Zhigwa wii-giiwe, ezhi-aabawaad i’iw ogiizhoodebizona i’iw waaboozowayaana; ezhi-shengwaandaginaad i’iw ogiizhoodewona ezhi-saaga’ang.
As he was about setting out for home, he untied his mittens of rabbit-fur; then, putting his mittens in the balsam boughs (under the mat), he went out of doors.
Gomaapii eni-ayaad, ozaagijinisha’ogoo i’iw abinoojiinya.
When some distance away he was come, out of doors rushed the children after him.
Mii dash ezhi-piibaagid “Aay!” ikido; “gii-waniike gigiizhoode’onag!”
And then one called aloud (to him): “Hey!” he said, “you forgot your mittens!”
“Nindooshimag oga-biinaawa,” odinaa.
“My nephews will fetch them,” he said to them.
Mii sa geget waabamimaawaad abinid.
And then they saw where they were.
“Waasa go ojiwebinamawik.
“And from afar do you throw them to him.
Gaawiin giiga-pasemigosiiwa.”
He will not refrain from saying something to you.”
Mii dash geget waasa go waa-onji-webinamaago i’iw abinoojiiga (abinoojiinya?).
Thereupon truly from afar were the children intending to throw them to him, when,
“Ish!” odinaa; “gaawonaagonewebinaawaag,” odinaa.
“Stop!” he said to them; “do not throw them into the snow, (lest they be lost,)” he said to them.
“Bi-miishiyokiko!” odinaa.
“Come, hand them to me!” he said to them.
Aaniish mii sa geget ewishimiinigod, mii dash enishimaajiiba’idinid.
So accordingly he truly had them handed to him, whereupon back (the children) started racing as they went.
Aaniish, ogii-inaa aw awedi weniijaanisid: “Waasa go onji-webinamawik, gaawiin giiga-basemigosiiwaa.”
Now, yonder parent of the children had said to them: “From afar do you hand them to him, for he willl not refrain from saying something to you.”
Mii dash geget aanawi-doodaminid, aaniish ogii-onjii-aanidish.
Therefore they truly tried to do so, but (Nenabosho) prevented them.
Mii dash gaa-inaad apii gaa-miinigod: “Ambe sa noo, waabang koosiwaa dabiizhaa,” ogii-inaa.
And this was what he said to them when he was given (the mittens): “Now, tomorrow let yor father come,” he said to them.
Mii sa gaa-izhi-kiiweba’idiwaad iigiw gwiiwisensag, ezhi-wiindamawaawaad oniigi’igowaa ekidonid Nenaboshoowan: “Gebakademwaasa giinawaa!” odinaa i’iw oniigii’igowa iigiw gwiiwisensag.
When the boys had raced back home, they told their parents what Nenabosho had said, “you must be hungry!” the boys said to their parents.
Mii sa ekidod inini: “Aanishinaa, ninga-izhaa,” ikido.
Thereupon said the man: “Of course, I will go,” he said.
Zhigwa sa ani-dagwishin endaawaad.
In the mean while (Nenabosho) was arriving home.
Aaniish obiidawaa oniijaanisa i’iw gaa-ashaminid.
Now, he fetched home to his children what had been given him to eat.
Zhigwa oganoonaan iiniw wiiwan: “Gaawiin sa naa wiikaa ji-omashkimodekeyan?” odinaan iiniw wiiwan.
Then he spoke to his wife, saying: “Why do you never weave bags?” he said to his wife.
“Indashkaa miinawaa awiya gii-waabamaagwen i’iw ezhichigenid,” odigoon iiniw wiiwan.
“No doubt but that again he must have seen somebody doing that,” he was told by his wife.
“Awawa izhichigen!” odinaan.
Go ahead and do it!” he said to her.
Mii sa geget ezhi-mashkimodeked wayaabaninig a’aw ikwe.
Thereupon truly did the woman set to work weaving a bag on the morrow.
Aaniish abi a’aw Nenabosho, obii’aan.
So at home was Nenabosho, he was waiting for (his guest).
Zhigwa sa bi-giigidoowa oniijaanisa: “Nashke giniin, zhigwa biiwide!” odigoo.
At last came his children, saying: “Oh, see! Here is a visitor!” he was told.
Aaniish mii sa ezhi-piindigaagowaad iiniw biiwiden.
So thereupon in where they were came the visitor.
Mii sa namadabinid.
And then he sat down.
“Wegonena gegii-ge’ang a’aw biiwide?” odinaan iiniw wiiwan.
“What shall we feed the visitor?” he said to his wife.
“Wegonen dash i’iw eyaayan?” odigoon iiniw wiiwan.
“Now, what do you have?” he was told by his wife.
Aaniish maajiboodoon omookomaan.
So he began filing his knife.
Zhoozhamiingweniwan obiiwideman.
Then a smile was on the face of their visitor.
Mii zhigwa gii-oo-nagoodakikwed.
Then finally (Nenabosho) hung up the kettle.
Aaniish zhigwa ogiigidiz gaa-gonamawaan odanikamaanini iiniw wiiwan, ezhi-nitaawaganebinaad iiniw wiiwan; ezhi-pezhishwaad imaa bikwanaaning.
So when he had unfastened his wife’s shoulder-straps, he uncovered his wife at the back; then he sliced her down the back with a knife.
Aaniish inaa, “Igoo!” odigoon.
Naturally, “Ouch!” he was told.
Zhooshamiingweniwan iiniw obiiwideman.
There was a smile on the face of his visitor.
Daga shkomaa, Nenabosho,” odigoon.
“Pray, let me, Nenabosho!” he was told (by the visitor).
Aaniish, mii sa ezhi-ando-damaagod i’iw mookomaan, mii dash egod: “Daga, Nenabosho!” odigoon.
Now, therefore when (Nenabosho) was asked for the knife, this he was told: “Do, Nenabosho!” he was told.
“Agashkomaa, Nenabosho!” odigoon.
“Please let me, Nenabosho!” he was told.
Ezhi-miinaad i’iw mookomaan, ezhi-peshaawaganeshomind iiniw wiiwan, mii sa gaawiin ganage maadabisiiwan.
When (Nenabosho) gave him the knife, then was his wife sliced down the back, and so not a whit did she wince.
Bakwadishomind iiniw wiininoon.
What was cut from her was her fat.
Zhigwa ogii-pakwadishwaanini, “Aaw, Nenabosho, mii iw ezhi-jiibaakwen,” odigoon.
When the fat was cut from her, “Now, Nenabosho, therefore now do you cook,” he was told.
Ezhi-odaapinaminid i’iw akakanzhe ezhi-sinagwanaminid i’imaa bikwanaaning iiniw wiiwan.
Taking up some charcoal, he rubbed (Nenabosho’s) wife with it on the back.
Zhigwa sa basigwiiwan, “Mii iw, Nenabosho, da-izhi-wiisiniwag giniijaanisag,” odigoowaan.
Then rising to his feet, “Now, Nenabosho, your children will eat,” they were told.
Mii sa geget apane mii sa gaa-ani-maajaanid iiniw biiwidemiwaan.
Thereupon truly forthwith went the visitor upon his way.
Mii sa zhigwa wiisiniwaad.
Thereupon now did they eat.
Now, abiding at the place were some people, the two children of Nenabosho and his wife.
Mii sa imaa babiboonishiwaad, aaniish inaa, nawaj igo gaawiin gegoo ona’enimosiin.
And so there, where they passed the winter, why, hardly any food had they in store.
Aaniish, mii sa zhigwa ji-biboonini, mii sa gaawiin wiikaa naa obiidoosiin gegoo.
Well, it was now far into the winter, and never a single thing did he fetch home.
Aaniish mii sa bakadewaad.
Naturally, therefore, they grew hungry.
Ningoding igo, babaamosed, anishinaabe ezhi-odisaad; niizhiwa abinoojiiya abiwan iiniw ininiwan.
And once, when walking about, to where some people were he came; there were two children, (and) at home was the man.
Aaniish, mii sa ekidonid: “Aaniin dash naa, giige-aasiwang a’aw gipiiwideminaan,” odinaan wiiwan.
So, therefore, said (the man): “Why, let us feed our visitor,” (thus) he said to his wife.
Aaniish, shkwaandeng naasamabiwan iiniw ikwewan.
Now, with her face towards the door was the woman seated.
Ezhi-oo-nagoodakikwenid.
Then she placed her kettle hanging from a hook.
Aaniish, ezhi-giiniboodoonid omookomaanini, mashkimodekewan iiniw wiiwini.
Now, while (the man) was sharpening his knife, his wife was weaving a bag.
Mii sa gaa-giizhiboodoonid i’iw omookomaanini.
And when he had finished sharpening his knife, he moved over to sit next to his wife.
Obiminanaadabiidawaanini iiniw wiiwini.
---
Ezhi-gidashkaakonamawaad iiniw wiiwan odanikamaanini,1 ezhi-midawaganebinaad; ezhi-pezhishwaad* nawaawigan; mii sa ezhi-pakweninweshwaad; gaawiin ganage maadabisiiwan iiniw ikwewan.
Then, unfastening his wife’s shoulder-straps, he exposed her at the back; he then sliced her down the middle of the back with a knife; and he then sliced away a piece of fat from her; not a whit did his wife budge.
Mii sa gaa-izhi-pishagaawiganeshwaad iiniw wiiwini, ezhi-poodaakwewaanid i’imaa akikong.
And so, when he had sliced a piece from the back of his wife, she then put it into the kettle to boil.
Akakanzhe ezhi-oodaapinaminid, ezhi-sinigonnamawaanid i’imaa obikwanaaning.
Picking up some charcoal, he then rubbed it on her back.2
Ezhi-sagaakowaad miinawaa.
Then he fastened her garment on again.
Mii sa gaawiin ganage gii-maadabisiiwan iiniw ikwewan.
And not a whit had his wife moved.
Zhigwa giizhisekwewan, “Aaniish, mii sa iw ezhi-wiisiniiyamban,” inaa Nenabosho.
So when she had finished with the cooking, “Well, you may now as well eat,” was told Nenabosho.
Mii dash geget ezhi-wiisinid, pane go gaa-niishkininodenig mii sa ezhi-wiisinid.
Thereupon truly did Nenabosho eat, forthwith after the fat was boiled was when he ate.
Gomaa minik shkwanjige Nenabosho.
A certain part of it Nenabosho refrained from eating.
“Mii iw izhi-kiiwewida giniijaanisag naa minik eshkwanjigeyan.”
“That much which you saved do you take to your children.”
Mii sa zhigwa wii-giiwe.
Therefore now was he on the point of going back home.
“Awegwenigish?” gii-inendam.
“Who in the world (is it)?” he thought.
Mii nangwana omashkoosoon gaa-odisaad.
Now, it happened to be the elk whom he had visited.
Aaniish mii sa zhigwa gii-kikenimaad eyaawinid.
So then at last he found out who it was.
Zhigwa wii-giiwe, ezhi-aabawaad i’iw ogiizhoodebizona i’iw waaboozowayaana; ezhi-shengwaandaginaad i’iw ogiizhoodewona ezhi-saaga’ang.
As he was about setting out for home, he untied his mittens of rabbit-fur; then, putting his mittens in the balsam boughs (under the mat), he went out of doors.
Gomaapii eni-ayaad, ozaagijinisha’ogoo i’iw abinoojiinya.
When some distance away he was come, out of doors rushed the children after him.
Mii dash ezhi-piibaagid “Aay!” ikido; “gii-waniike gigiizhoode’onag!”
And then one called aloud (to him): “Hey!” he said, “you forgot your mittens!”
“Nindooshimag oga-biinaawa,” odinaa.
“My nephews will fetch them,” he said to them.
Mii sa geget waabamimaawaad abinid.
And then they saw where they were.
“Waasa go ojiwebinamawik.
“And from afar do you throw them to him.
Gaawiin giiga-pasemigosiiwa.”
He will not refrain from saying something to you.”
Mii dash geget waasa go waa-onji-webinamaago i’iw abinoojiiga (abinoojiinya?).
Thereupon truly from afar were the children intending to throw them to him, when,
“Ish!” odinaa; “gaawonaagonewebinaawaag,” odinaa.
“Stop!” he said to them; “do not throw them into the snow, (lest they be lost,)” he said to them.
“Bi-miishiyokiko!” odinaa.
“Come, hand them to me!” he said to them.
Aaniish mii sa geget ewishimiinigod, mii dash enishimaajiiba’idinid.
So accordingly he truly had them handed to him, whereupon back (the children) started racing as they went.
Aaniish, ogii-inaa aw awedi weniijaanisid: “Waasa go onji-webinamawik, gaawiin giiga-basemigosiiwaa.”
Now, yonder parent of the children had said to them: “From afar do you hand them to him, for he willl not refrain from saying something to you.”
Mii dash geget aanawi-doodaminid, aaniish ogii-onjii-aanidish.
Therefore they truly tried to do so, but (Nenabosho) prevented them.
Mii dash gaa-inaad apii gaa-miinigod: “Ambe sa noo, waabang koosiwaa dabiizhaa,” ogii-inaa.
And this was what he said to them when he was given (the mittens): “Now, tomorrow let yor father come,” he said to them.
Mii sa gaa-izhi-kiiweba’idiwaad iigiw gwiiwisensag, ezhi-wiindamawaawaad oniigi’igowaa ekidonid Nenaboshoowan: “Gebakademwaasa giinawaa!” odinaa i’iw oniigii’igowa iigiw gwiiwisensag.
When the boys had raced back home, they told their parents what Nenabosho had said, “you must be hungry!” the boys said to their parents.
Mii sa ekidod inini: “Aanishinaa, ninga-izhaa,” ikido.
Thereupon said the man: “Of course, I will go,” he said.
Zhigwa sa ani-dagwishin endaawaad.
In the mean while (Nenabosho) was arriving home.
Aaniish obiidawaa oniijaanisa i’iw gaa-ashaminid.
Now, he fetched home to his children what had been given him to eat.
Zhigwa oganoonaan iiniw wiiwan: “Gaawiin sa naa wiikaa ji-omashkimodekeyan?” odinaan iiniw wiiwan.
Then he spoke to his wife, saying: “Why do you never weave bags?” he said to his wife.
“Indashkaa miinawaa awiya gii-waabamaagwen i’iw ezhichigenid,” odigoon iiniw wiiwan.
“No doubt but that again he must have seen somebody doing that,” he was told by his wife.
“Awawa izhichigen!” odinaan.
Go ahead and do it!” he said to her.
Mii sa geget ezhi-mashkimodeked wayaabaninig a’aw ikwe.
Thereupon truly did the woman set to work weaving a bag on the morrow.
Aaniish abi a’aw Nenabosho, obii’aan.
So at home was Nenabosho, he was waiting for (his guest).
Zhigwa sa bi-giigidoowa oniijaanisa: “Nashke giniin, zhigwa biiwide!” odigoo.
At last came his children, saying: “Oh, see! Here is a visitor!” he was told.
Aaniish mii sa ezhi-piindigaagowaad iiniw biiwiden.
So thereupon in where they were came the visitor.
Mii sa namadabinid.
And then he sat down.
“Wegonena gegii-ge’ang a’aw biiwide?” odinaan iiniw wiiwan.
“What shall we feed the visitor?” he said to his wife.
“Wegonen dash i’iw eyaayan?” odigoon iiniw wiiwan.
“Now, what do you have?” he was told by his wife.
Aaniish maajiboodoon omookomaan.
So he began filing his knife.
Zhoozhamiingweniwan obiiwideman.
Then a smile was on the face of their visitor.
Mii zhigwa gii-oo-nagoodakikwed.
Then finally (Nenabosho) hung up the kettle.
Aaniish zhigwa ogiigidiz gaa-gonamawaan odanikamaanini iiniw wiiwan, ezhi-nitaawaganebinaad iiniw wiiwan; ezhi-pezhishwaad imaa bikwanaaning.
So when he had unfastened his wife’s shoulder-straps, he uncovered his wife at the back; then he sliced her down the back with a knife.
Aaniish inaa, “Igoo!” odigoon.
Naturally, “Ouch!” he was told.
Zhooshamiingweniwan iiniw obiiwideman.
There was a smile on the face of his visitor.
Daga shkomaa, Nenabosho,” odigoon.
“Pray, let me, Nenabosho!” he was told (by the visitor).
Aaniish, mii sa ezhi-ando-damaagod i’iw mookomaan, mii dash egod: “Daga, Nenabosho!” odigoon.
Now, therefore when (Nenabosho) was asked for the knife, this he was told: “Do, Nenabosho!” he was told.
“Agashkomaa, Nenabosho!” odigoon.
“Please let me, Nenabosho!” he was told.
Ezhi-miinaad i’iw mookomaan, ezhi-peshaawaganeshomind iiniw wiiwan, mii sa gaawiin ganage maadabisiiwan.
When (Nenabosho) gave him the knife, then was his wife sliced down the back, and so not a whit did she wince.
Bakwadishomind iiniw wiininoon.
What was cut from her was her fat.
Zhigwa ogii-pakwadishwaanini, “Aaw, Nenabosho, mii iw ezhi-jiibaakwen,” odigoon.
When the fat was cut from her, “Now, Nenabosho, therefore now do you cook,” he was told.
Ezhi-odaapinaminid i’iw akakanzhe ezhi-sinagwanaminid i’imaa bikwanaaning iiniw wiiwan.
Taking up some charcoal, he rubbed (Nenabosho’s) wife with it on the back.
Zhigwa sa basigwiiwan, “Mii iw, Nenabosho, da-izhi-wiisiniwag giniijaanisag,” odigoowaan.
Then rising to his feet, “Now, Nenabosho, your children will eat,” they were told.
Mii sa geget apane mii sa gaa-ani-maajaanid iiniw biiwidemiwaan.
Thereupon truly forthwith went the visitor upon his way.
Mii sa zhigwa wiisiniwaad.
Thereupon now did they eat.
