Star Stories, part 42: A Lullaby

zhaawano
Sep 4, 2024
3 min read

Updated: Aug 21

Updated: Miskomini-giizis (Raspberry Moon)/Manoominike-giizis (Ricing Moon) (August 14, 2025)

This blog post contains audio recordings of Ojibwe words.

Nenawi'aawaso "She sings a cradle song" Zhaawano Giizhik art

NENAWI'AAWASOWIN (SINGING A CRADLE SONG)

nenawi'aawaso: /nenawi'-/ stem of nenawi' (sing a lullaby to h/) ; /-aawaso (caring for the young, a child or children); /win/ [noun forming final]

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Nenawi'aawaso - "s/he sings a cradle song"

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Ninenawi'aawas - "I sing a cradle song" Ginenawi'aawas - "You (singular) sing a cradle song"

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Nenawi'aawasowag - "They sing a cradle song"

Anangoons anangoons

Aandi iidog ayaayan?

Ishpaya'ii ninisawa'igan ishpagoojin

Waasaabikizod giizhigong

Anangoons anangoons

Aandi dibi ayaayan?

_________________

Little star little star

Where could you possibly be?

Above my tipi hanging high

Like a twinkling light in the sky

Little star little star

How I wonder where you are? *

PRONUNCIATION OF THE OJIBWE TEXT: *

NAYN-a-wih-AH-wass-so-win

a-nung-GOOHSS a-nung-GOOHSS (uh nung goonss uh nung goonss)

ahn-DIH-ee-DUG a-yah-YAN (ah nawn dee ee took ee yiy yun)

ish-pa-yah-EE nih-nih-sa-wa-IH-gun ish-pa-KOOH-jin (ish pah yuh'eeh nee nee suh guy'ee gun ish pah kootch chin)

wah-sah-bih-kih-ZUD kee-zhih-GON-k (wah saw pee kah zut kee zhe goong)

a-nung-GOOHSS a-nung-GOOHSS (uh nung goonss uh nung goonss

ahn-DIH tih-pih-a-yah-YAN (ah nawn DEE ti pee ee yiy YUN)

*The above nursery rhyme is inspired by a 19th-century Zhaaganaashiinh (English) poem named "Twinkle Twinkle Little Star," written by Jane Taylor.

The pronunciations provided by the author, both in written form and audio, are complemented by alternative pronunciations from Ojibwe Elder Jessie Cree from Mikinaakwajiwing (Turtle Mountains, North Dakota). (Keep in mind that the Ojibwe words in the song might belong to a dialect that is not familiar to someone from Mikinaakwajiwing.) Visit the website to view both spelling charts.

Anangoons anangoons

Aandi iidog ayaayan?

Little star little star Where could you possibly be?

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