zhaawano
The Way of the Heartbeat, part 8: The Power of Sound
Updated: Jan 17
Iskigamizige-giizis (Sugarbushing Moon)/Pokwaagami-giizis (Broken Snowshoe Moon); April 26, 2022

WHAT'S IN A SPIRIT NAME? THE POWER OF SOUND
~~ OWI EZHI'MASHKOSEK NAWEWIN NANAAMIWIN ~~
Nindoo maamnanaamdaan eshkam niibina bemaadizijig, maamkaadendimaa’aan aanin e’kwedejig wii naadimaagaazowat wii gidiwaad doo Anishinaabe noozinwaa owi ojibwemowin. Baabaapinajigewok aanin, aanin aaniwaabdaanaa’aa. Geget aanin gaanzigewok wii zhibiimowat owi nooziwin pii wiindimaagaazowat maage pii miingoowat E’gitizinjin, gaayii dash danenjigaadesinoo.
Debwewinimagad, geget gwa naadamaagemaagad owi. Owi geget gechi'bii'idendaagwag pii dash zhiibiiman owi nooziwin, giwejim netaa anishinaabemad weweni wii noo’oomad owi nooziwin. Gikidayin owi gidenendimowining da-shpendaagwad.
Weweni niibininching zhichigen maanda. Ga-naadimaagwan wii mjimendiman miinawaa wii NISIDOTAMAN owi gichichaag nooziwin.
NISIDOTAN zhingaade, nisidawendan/nisidawesidoon.
Gegwa dibasaamdange e’piichii’iimgak MADWEWE, nanawechigeng. E'NANAWEG mii maanda weweni enanaamtamiing gidanawewinaa miinawaa jiiskii zhiyaawin mii dash owi zhinoomaagewin, ezhi ginowaabdamiing gaataakimik, mii owi enji gichipiitendaagwag, zheshegan miinawaa wiizenhs dewe'igan pii jiiskiiying.
Miigwech.
~~ THE POWER OF SOUND-MAKING ~~
I can't help but notice that a growing number of people express their wonderment about others asking help in saying their spirit name in Anishinaabemowin, the Ojibwe language. Some joke about it, others criticize it. Still others advise to write down the name once received in ceremony, or given to them by an Elder Person, so it won't be forgotten.
True, that definitely helps. More important than writing the name down, is ask a fluent speaker to PRONOUNCE it. Do this often and do it with care. This will aid your memory and help you to UNDERSTAND your spirit name. Repeat the sounds in your head, but most importantly, in your heart.
NISIDOTAN we call it, recognizing/comprehending by sound/hearing.
Never underestimate the power of MADWEWE, sound-making. SOUNDS are the core and essence of our language and our ceremonial practice, and therefore, of izhinamowin, our worldview. This is why the rattles and water drums are so important in our ceremonies.
Thank you.
> Read more about the topic of madwewe, or sound: Sound of the Mide Drum.
Illustration: Healing the Spirit, wall art print ©2022 Zhaawano Giizhik. Click here to view details.
> Visit the New Fisher Star Creations website to see my art prints.