The Way of the Heartbeat, part 8: The Power of Sound
- zhaawano
- Apr 26, 2022
- 2 min read
Updated: Jul 31
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.
NISIDOTAM zhingaade, nisidawendan/nisidawesidoon.
Gegwa dibasaamdange e’piichii’iimgak MADWEWECHIGEWIN, 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've observed that more and more people are curious about why others seek assistance in pronouncing their spirit name in Anishinaabemowin, the Ojibwe language. Some find humor in it, some critique it, while others suggest writing down the name once it's received in a ceremony or given by an Elder, to ensure it isn't forgotten.
True, that certainly helps. Even more crucial than jotting down the name is requesting a fluent speaker to PRONOUNCE it. Do this frequently and with attention. This will enhance your memory and assist you in COMPREHENDING your spirit name. Echo the sounds in your mind, but most significantly, in your heart.
NISIDOTAM we call it, recognizing/comprehending by sound/hearing.
Do not underestimate the influence of MADWEWECHIGEWIN, the act of sound-making. SOUNDS form the foundation and essence of our language and ceremonial practices, and consequently, of izhinamowin, our worldview. This is why rattles and water drums hold such significance in our ceremonies.
Miigwech gibizindaw - Thank you for listening.
Pronunciation of Ojibwe words:
Anishinaabemowin - [ah-nih-shih-nah-BEH-mo-WIN]
Ojibwe - [o-jib-BWAY] or [o-jib-BWEH]
Nisidotam - [nih-sih-doht-TAM]
Madwewechigewin - [mad-way-wech-chih-gay-WIN] (the "a" in "mad" is a short, distinct, straightforward "a", as in English "blah.")
Izhinamowin - [ih-zhi-NAM-o-WIN] (the "a" in "nam" is a short, distinct, straightforward "a", as in English "blah.")
> Read more about the topic of madwewewin or sound: Sound of the Mide Drum.
Illustration: Healing the Spirit ©2022-2025 Zhaawano Giizhik.
Meqwetch, pitiful and humble grandma..
Toilet only say your annishinabe name in a.ceremonies, to introduce yourself to the mon nee doos, of that sweat lodge oe ceremonies, no one else can way or use your name, do to the fact, you take away the power of its purpose, why you thier, and only you can say it. As an introduction only. Alot of our ways of true meanings, are being taken away, because, we don't practice them in a proper way, or no one taught them nothing. The language is the key to our very soul, and only the mon nee doos can heal that in a good way. Our faith bases are very important, otherwise we walk around a broken soul, and confused in…