Indianz.Com > News > Doug George-Kanentiio: Mohawk numbers and creation story
Mohawk Numbers One to Ten and the Creation Story
Friday, November 6, 2020
Creation stories are essential to understanding all human societies since these narratives define place, origin, spirituality, psychology, social-gender relations and in some instances politics. It summarizes what a people value and how they perceive the universe which in turn determines their fate and subsequent actions. Creation myths form the core of a national identity.
Among the Rotinosionni (Haudenosaunee) the Skywoman epic is universal not only in terms of a story but has a pervasive influence in art, design, literature, music, dance and our social-political lives. Women dance as the Skywoman did, the women’s social songs are the same as when she came to this earth, the central role of women in Iroquois society is a direct consequence of her role as a prime creator. The plants she brought with her — strawberries, tobacco, corn — are vital elements in Iroquois life. Skywoman (Iotsitsisohn or Mature Flower) is the core of all things Iroquois.

One: Enska (ehn-sgah): which is eh n-sga-lohn-yia: One Story
Two: Tekini (de-gi-nee): De-ni-gah: Twins
Three: Ah:sen: the center (middle of the sky world)
Four: Kaieri (gah-yeh-li): What I say is true
Five: Wisk: short for sohn-wisk-gah-la: He causes trouble
Six: Ia:iak (yah-yahk): to cross over
Seven: Tsia:ta (ji-yah-dah): one female descendent
Eight: Sa;te:kon (Saw-deh-gohn): the same: equal in power
Nine: Kioh;ten (go-yoh-dehn): they fight forever
Ten: Oh:ie:ri (Oh-yeh-li): This is true (real)

Doug George-Kanentiio, Akwesasne Mohawk, is the
vice-president of the Hiawatha Institute for Indigenous Knowledge. He has served
as a Trustee for the National Museum of the American Indian, is a former land
claims negotiator for the Mohawk Nation and is the author of numerous books and
articles about the Mohawk people. He may be reached via e-mail at:
Kanentiio@aol.com or by calling 315-415-7288.
Note: Content copyright © Doug George-Kanentiio

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