I’m Ojibwe from the Turtle Mountains and we have different story as to why we greet other with boozhoo. It was said that the trickster Nanaboozhoo would shape-shift into other people or animals to play tricks on others. The only way to make him reveal himself was to call out his name. It became habit to call everyone Nanaboozhoo for they never knew if the trickster was around. Eventually “Nana” was dropped because it was faster to catch Nanaboozhoo, for “Boozhoo” is still his name. The people got used to greeting others with Boozhoo and that’s apparently why we still use it to this day. The comparison of Boozhoo and Bonjour is very interesting though!
Currently using this to learn my native tongue thank you.. I never knew my grandmother was saying hello to me in it.. boozhoo I thought it was a nickname..
I’m part Ojibwa and my dad encouraged me to take an Ojibwa history class this semester. I’m so glad I’m looking this up early, and this guy is a great teacher.
gotta say, "boozhoo" is right :D, from a native speaker still living in the woods by reserve, we say "Boozhoo! ani deh-yen?" like "hello, how are you?" but there's different ways you can say it. 3-4 different ways more or less. I'm just 16 and I hope to be a teacher for my language/culture.
@@cobakacytylaya7574 i actually took class of objibwe language in middle school but the only two words that stuck with me as boozhoo and miigwetch (megwetch) so would’ve been cool if I remembered most of it but because of the time, i just couldn’t memorize it
@@Jackometal It's a pity you didn't remember that, but it's not your fault. Besides, sometimes I don't have enough time to learn the Ojibwe language either. And I don't remember it very well. It's hard for me to learn another language
Excellent teaching!! Aanii and chi miigwetch! I'm 100% non-native, descended from 100% Europeans who fled after ww2. I've wanted to find the Ojibwe and learn the language ever since I learned about native existence as a small child. My parents often said that no matter how sad or bitter they were about leaving Holland, it was disrespectful not to learn the language of their host country, even though some people did not. When I first began to really comprehend how my white government had tried to assassinate indigenous languages while pulling the wool over my eyes, I'd fantasize about disguising myself and sneaking into a reserve and going to school there. I was obviously more than a little clueless, lol. These videos are a rich opportunity to finally realize a tiny fraction of my lifelong dream, without taking up space and resources that rightfully belongs to someone else. Why do I want to learn a language of a culture so far removed from my own? If I moved to the Netherlands I'd learn Dutch, even though most people can speak English. If I moved to Sweden I'd learn Swedish even though most can speak English. Learning Ojibwe is a way of paying homage to my host country, of respecting someone else's home, of perpetuating the existence, of doing right.
I just moved from Arizona to Michigan I am learning my own language and I thought it would be important to learn some of the original language here. Thank you for posting this, I only say that because when I lived Phoenix I spoke a little Spanish and I was told to learn Spanish better
I’m 13% Chippewa, on my dads side and we’ve never met only talked. My whole life I have felt a hole in my being, and I know it is the lack of ancestral connection/knowledge/understanding All I’ve ever wanted was to understand and feel like I am a part of my own heritage.
when French people say bonjour the r is either not pronounced or pronounced so lightly it might as well not be pronounced. so boozhoo and bonjour sound even more alike than is stated in the video.
Aanii ! Boozhoo Tatjana N'dizhnakaas. Iron Bridge N'doonjibaa. You are a very good teacher. Excellent insights and easily understood teaching. Thank you. I had a freind who taught me a little. You bring back what I was taught and explain things I did not understand. I am enjoying this course.
Nanaboozhoo is a legend we call him two ways “nanabush” or nanaboozho. He’s the one who got animals to help him during a flood, most of them died except for the muskrat.
The muskrat brought the mud/earth back up to Nanaboizhoo. He was the only animal who could dive deep enough in the flood. The others tried and died, making the ultimate sacrifice.
Iam not native but I am traced back to Native American heritage and i am taking your RU-vid classes to keep this language alive...someday I wish to teach my kids and be a translater for the ojibwe language... Nanaboozhoo
Thanks for the video. I’m likely all European but my daughter and soon to be born son, are half Ojibway from their dads side. I lived on the reserve with him for a while and he’s brought me into the culture. I’ve been taught beading and moccasin making and other things, a very small bit of the language as well. I made my daughters regalia for the powwows this past summer and want to raise my children to know their culture and someday be able to pass it onto their own children. I would love to learn some of the language to help teach them as well. We often go to powwows, my question is, since I am not native myself, how would I state a ceremonial greeting? Or would I just stick with Aanii in that case? Chi miigwech!
4:58 The elders told us long ago..that DoDem come also from "Do"-Dosh..The breast of our mother (matriarch = the female head/leader of our people/family) "De" is the Heart of the family/community/Ojibway nation (Oday=heart ). Do-Day'm.. or as it is said today..dodem = Totem Meegwetch
The way I was told why we say boozhoo was because they said one day Nanaboozhoo was going to come back and he would hide as one of us and every time you meet someone you didn't know you would say Nanaboozhoo? to make sure it wasn't him. I am a ojibwe from Minnesota.
I landed here randomly from some Facebook link and found it SUPER interesting! Well done! Interestingly (perhaps) the "So-and-so I am called" form is pretty close to how it's done in Hungarian, where you say "they call me as Joe" but due to grammar it's more like "Joe-as call-they." And a bunch of European languages also do some form of "until we see each other again" as the standard form of Goodbye. Great video, thanks!
Aaniin! Waabanangkwe ndizhnikaas, waawaashkesh dodem niinda'aw, Gete'oodena n'dooniibaa! Miigwiich! (Hello! I am called Morning Star, I am from the Deer Clan, and I am from the Old Town/Superior. Thank you!)
Chi Miigwetch I’m trying to get back in touch with the creator and this ceremonial greeting helps with a introduction as I know the first and last part of the greeting. I’m looking into what clan I’m from so I can greet myself with a full introduction. Everything you said is spot on. Boozhoo from Wiiwkwedong ( kettle point) First Nation
Nanaboozhoo described as Gahdi, Jesus, Homer Simpson, and "all those guys" is scarily accurate in the best kind of ways. miigwech for that big laugh out of me. Wiikwemkoong loves you
Awesome.I am from Poland,and I would like to learn about Ojibwe and Ottawa culture.Your lessons giving me fantastic opportunity to learn about Anishinabek. Thank you Michael
Wow didn't know this was on RU-vid and the ceremonial greeting that includes name, clan, and community or maybe I did I just wasn't paying attention back in language class... thank you.
Good afternoon, Leo from Moose Clan, Pikangikum, Ontario. Still speaking original Ojibway and he sounds like he's using short forms of words. Maybe it's a different dialect but I can understand what he's saying, anyway, good for him to teach people how to speak "ahneesh sheenah paymoo ween"
Hello I feel much the same as Lo Tigers does. I do hold a Metis card from Ontario as my family branches are Metis.. but I am a direct descendent of The People of Allumette Island, the Kichesipirini people... , of course a long time ago. My mothers mother;s mother's mother etc.. Anishinabeg .. I also, of course have tons of Irish and French in me !!! But I feel most connected to my very ancient grandmother and grandfather from Allumette Island on the Ottawa River. I promised that when I found out what "dodem" my ancestors came from i would learn the language and teach it to my daughter. So we could honuor our ancestors and keep their knowledge alive. I have found this group of teachings here and I am very excited. The way Daren teaches is just perfect. He explains everything so well. i wish there were 50 more lessons !! Just a question though. Would the Anishinabek that Daren is teaching .. do you know if it would have been understood by the people of where I speak of from so long ago. ( 1700's?) Thank you so very much for these online courses. Chi Megwich. Jada
isn't it kind of offensive to act like your a native person or that your nonexistent little drop of native blood is somehow relevant when there are literally millions of us who are actually native. You aren't a direct descendant becky. Metis cards don't mean you're native
Caleb, I read what you wrote and I do agree with you. I stand corrected in that I do not pretend to be native. So I am sorry I gave that impression. I feel a bit silly now and I do apologize. I am a direct descendent though.. through my mother's mother's directly all the way back and yes.. it is a very very long time ago. I feel though that I my ancestor grandmother would not shun me just because some french guy came in and spoiled the blood of her descendants.. I know she would welcome me just as much as yours would. Time does not make us any more less of a relation . I am quietly going about learning the language so that I can pass it on to my daughter. I really just wanted to thank Darren here and the college for this excellent class that is helping me to connect with my ancestors.
Paul Frommer the linguist who created the "constructed" Na'vi language for the film Avatar ,, worked to embedded layers of reflective recognition into internal expression layers that language in the humble recognition of the deep importance of the roots of there internal expression layers. The layers not internalised within the Noun based English language. How people internaly reacted to them has been quite a subject of converstion in the films fan commuity over the past 13 years , "in recognition of" the vital importance of the internal layers of languge and how it impacts ones personhood and how we "see" the world around us (Or why we fail to to recognise relationships that other cultures hold as being sacred. The refelctive feedback loop allways comes back around to the recognition of deep importance of these expresion roots within first nations peoples languages. Thank you
Im learning & reconnecting to my roots. Im Chippewa from michigan & it will be amazing to be able to speak our ojibwe language & understand it , 1 question is community your tribe or where you are from ?
@ 7:24 Other of my favorite ways to express a "see you again' ....are 1. Abchi Kza*gan (Love you very much) 2.Mino*won Gozin (Have a relaxing time) 3.Mina Zhi*Webzi (Behave well) Jim*ne*Ma Queen.(Hang in there) 4.Gi*mina*dan (It was nice Ga*gi*gid*non Shi*wan Talking to you) 5.Bi*waba Miishinam (Come see us Meenwah Again) 6.Mino See (Go well) 7.Gego Minikwe*kan. (Don't Drink Ahh*Weena*go*mik. (dirty Biish (Water...aka whitemans poison) 8. On Gwom sing (Be careful) 9.Biska Beak!! (Keep coming back!! ) 10. K mino Bimadizii (Live well , Have good health)
How can I find my name? Like you have White Bear, I was never told mine. I grew up in a white family but my Father is Ojibwe. He was adopted though so we both know nothing about our culture but that's why I'm searching to learn & spread it so our language never dies. I'm 22 right now & create music. I would love to learn all I can about this. Feel like I could be a great help to our people.
It's going to be weird hearing it from a white lady. But I listen avidly to my Anishinaabe friends. I'll pass on quickly the bit I know, but I strongly encourage you to seek out an actual elder in where ever your current community is. Note, elder doesn't translate to old person. It's specifically someone who is recognized as such and has extensive traditional knowledge. It's special. Names are typically given by an elder who knows you. Your name may change at different points of your life. So your name as a child, may be different than your name now, or when you're older. If you don't happen to have this name handed to you, you may request it of an elder BUT you should be aware of protocol. It's customary to offer the elder ceremonial tobacco, held in your left hand. Usually it's tied in a cotton cloth with a natural fabric cordage of some sort (cotton wool, jute, hemp.. something like that). You can look up tobacco ties on youtube and find walk-throughs on how to do it right. Upon presenting the tobacco you may make the request. Now don't expect an immediate answer. Sometimes they'll need a few days, or a few weeks before they'll get back to you. Make the offer in good faith, with respect, and have patience. The answer may come to them in a dream. When it does, they will let you know. Traditions probably vary area to area as much as the dialect and spelling does. But I'm pretty certain if you explain your situation and follow the general procedure, they would be inclined to help. If you're living in a city or suburban area, far from reserves, check the Yellowpages to see if there are any indigenous community centers. They might have a list of elders who handle urban-borne requests.
Keep it up my man, I study as of the 1996 Census of Canada , Only 3 (Cree,Ojibway,Inuktitut )of the 50 Aboriginal languages still spoken can be considered secure of the rest,at least 12 are in danger of extinction 😞
Two questions if I may be permitted to ask, the first one is how do I know my clan, and second one is how do I get my Ojibwa name. I was raised knowing that my great grandfather and my grandfather and my mon have Ojibwa in their blood but wasn’t raised with any other knowledge about my tribe nor was I raised with an Ojibwa name
I am first Nation's native American.... There is NO SUCH THING as "goodbye".. Whoever taught you that was wrong... Unless!!! Unless, this ain't really Ojibway... Cos odawa, pottawadami and Ojibway do NOT EVER say goodbye... It's a "no no" Boozhoo is only used when you meet someone for the very first time. After that, Boozhoo is not to be used again.
I notice with Nanaboozhoo it almost sounds French when he says the boozhoo part. I remember my mom telling me about Nana Bijou. Then there was the funny time my son said Nana bozo
Eastern Ojibwe (manitoulin) lacks true morphology because it is so syncopated. It is truly Indoodem. Every Ojibwe but you’d say whacky things and elders would chuckle underneath their breath if we talked like that over here.
Ace You have to get clan from parents, especially your moms clan. If your mom isn’t Ojibwa you don’t have a maternal clan and I’m sure that means you’re an abandoned Indian.
I’m from alderville First Nation and this is what we say boozho nindinawemaganidok bungee eta go ninita anishenebem there’s more but I spelt them wrong
Any feedback is appreciated: I am curious about proper rules of etiquette. My question is whether the you say hello in the language of the territory you are currently in or in the language of the people you are speaking to?...or both? If I am located in Kahnawá:ke then I say hello in the Kanien'keha language, but what if I am in Kahnawa:ke speaking to an Ojibwe speaker who has greeted me with Aanii? I would assume it is correct to say Aanii back? As a non Indigenous person what rules should I follow?
If using the traditional greeting out of respect for your audience… what if you are not recognized (blood line too far removed) so you do not have a clan? If no clan, should you not use the traditional,greeting?
Hello, thank you for your video. I am a settler and I am preparing a letter to send to an Anishinaabe professor who I would like to have as a PhD thesis supervisor, and I am wondering what greeting would be most suitable for the context. Would it be out of place for me to base my greeting on the traditional greeting considering that I historically do not have a culturally similar community structure? Would it make sense for me to use the traditional greeting, and introduce myself based on my name, and family lineage outside of the nation-state narrative? Miigwech
Chris Ndizhnikaas ningagiibiingwe aandeg dodem niinda'aw shuniah My name is Chris of the Blind Crow clan (polish coat of arms) from Shuniah (Thunder Bay) Is this ok? My ancestors came from Poland and were nobleman and had a coat of arms. Does it count as a clan. Miigwiich :)
Baanimaa apii Giga-waabamin. If there hadn’t been such syncopation there wouldn’t be so many speakers of the west that get confused when Manitoulin speakers speak, not all, but most. The language is important and truly this is not Ojibwe but a language that developed from Ojibwe. Ojibwe can be broken down and there are rules to speech cognate amongst each of our tribes which seem to not be disrupted until this niindaaw stuff occurs. Understandable, but is it appropriate? I think not.
