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For teaching purposes; Quote cited references when available Ancient Emigrations To America |
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THE
MAALAN AARUM =
"Engraved Years" Summary of The Greenland
Vikings (= Lenāpé )and Their Legends by Daniel G. Brinton. (1985) (Contact) |
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Introduction This controversial work is a translation
of a sequence of drawings, which relate a history of the Delaware tribe that
lived along the central Eastern seaboard of North America. This would be one of the few actual
written texts from native North America, including an account of an eastward
emigration over the 'Stone-hard Water'. The sources of the document, as well as
aspects of the Delaware text, and some of the historical episodes have been
controversial. Following are some
comments based on the content of the text: The
Emigration The emigration is thought to have
occurred between ten and fifteen thousand years before 2017. Instead of a mass emigration over a
frozen ocean, it was a gradual movement by small groups following their food
sources. Initially they moved over a
land bridge that connected Asia and America (Behringia), which was exposed at
the time by the greatly lowered Ice Age sea levels. When the glaciers contracted at the end of
the Ice
Age, the conventional theory is that a 'corridor' through
western Canada was created, which served as a migration route south into
North America. However, some
emigrants could have taken a sea route along the Canadian coast to bypass the
ice sheets. In any case, the
archeological record indicates that it took at least hundreds of years for
people to get from Siberia to the shores of the Atlantic. Not only is it unlikely that any
record of this migration would have been preserved to this day (let alone in
writing), but this account is at odds with most other Native American origin
theories. The typical Native American mythology assumes that 'the people' have always lived here, or
emerged from one or more worlds underneath the earth. For this reason, many traditionalist
Native Americans do not accept the Asian land bridge immigration (Bleeker 1953, Burland 1985, Curtis 1928, Hnai-Sturtevant 1978,
Hyde 1962, Thompson 1929,
Weilager 1972 ). Other aspects of the narrative mark
this as a contaminated text. The
origin myth involves an act of creation of all things by a 'Manitou', who subsequently battles an
evil 'Magician' who brings
death, disease and bad weather into the world. A genesis at the hands of a single masculine deity, and an
ensuing cosmic struggle between good and evil, so central to Old World
mythology, are, simply put, foreign concepts in Native American mythology. Also in many Native American
cultures, the world is created by an animal that dives to the bottom of the
ocean and brings up land bit by bit, or by a pantheon of fathers and mothers.
There is usually a figure in the Southwest, Coyote culture who is not
considered 'evil' in the Judeo-Christian sense, but comic or stupid. Death and disease are believed to be
brought into the world through an accident or misunderstanding, not as an
intentional punishment by some entity. Another aspect of Native American
mythology is the fluid boundary between the animal and human worlds, of which
there is no evidence in the Ice Age (Bleeker 1953, Burland 1985, Curtis 1928, Hnai-Sturtevant 1978,
Hyde 1962, Thompson 1929,
Weilager 1972 ). There may be some actual indigenous
content in this text, but it is either a unique outcropping of Old World
mythology in an improbable location, or a 19th Century forgery. There are some similar and better-documented
pictographic records from the Plains area, but these do not have the epic
scope of the Maalan
Aarum. However, we
have one of the lasting mysteries of Native American literature. |
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Drawings
with English Translations of the Greenlander Vikings (= Lenāpé) (Translations from the Lenāpé dialect of Old Norse) |
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1. After the rushing
waters subsided the Lenape of the turtle lived together in hollow houses. Pehella wtenk
lennapeva tulapewini psakwiken woliwikgun wittank talli.
2. It freezes and
snows where they lived, it also storms and is very cold. Topan-akpinep,
wineu-akpinep, kshakan-akpinep, thupin akpinep.
3. At this northern
place they speak well of mild, cool lands with many deer and bison. Lowankwaminkwulaton
wtakan tihill kelik meshautang sili ewak.
4. As they journeyed,
some being strong, some wealthy, they separated into house-builders and
hunters; Chintanes-sin
powalessin peyachik wikhichik pokwihil.
5. The strongest, the
most united, the purest, were the hunters. Eluwi-chitanesit
eluwi takauwesit, elowi chiksit, elowichik delsinewo.
6. The hunters showed
themselves at the north, at the east, at the south, at the west. Lowaniwi, wapaniwi,
shawaniwi, wunkeniwi, elowichik apakachik.
7. In that ancient
country, in that northern country, in that turtle country, the best of the
Lenape were the Turtle men. Lumowaki, lowanaki
tulpenaki elowaki tulapiwi linapiwi.
8. All the cabin fires
of that land were restless, and all said to their priest, "Let us
go." Wemiako yagawan
tendki lakkawelendam nakopowa wemi owenluen atam.
9. To the Snake land
to the east they journeyed, going away, sadly grieving. Akhokink wapaneu wemoltin palliaal kitelendam
aptelendam.
10. Split asunder,
weak, trembling, their land burned, they went, torn and broken, to the Snake
Island. Pechimuin shakowen
[Var. showoken] nungihillan lusasaki pikihil pokwihil akomenaki.
11. Those from the
north being free, without care, departed from the land of snow, in different
directions. Nihillapewin komelendam lowaniwi wemiten chihillen
maniaken.
12. The fathers of the
Bald Eagle and the White Wolf remain along the sea, rich in fish and muscles. Namesuagipek
pokhapockhapek guneunga waplanewa ouken waptumewi ouken.
13. Floating up the
streams in their canoes, our fathers were rich,
they were happy when they were by those islands. Amokolon nallahemen
agunouken pawasinep wapasinep akomenep.[Var. menakinep.]
14. Head Beaver and
Big Bird said, "Let us go to Snake Island," they said. Wihlamok kicholen luchundi, Wematam akomen luchundi.
15. All profess they
will go along to destroy all the land. Witehen wemiluen wemaken nihillen.
16. Those of the north
agreed, Those of the east agreed. Over the water, the frozen sea, They went
happily. Nguttichin lowaniwi,
Nguttichin wapaniwi, Agamunk topanpek Wulliton epannek.
17. On the wonderful
slippery water, On the stone-hard water all went, On the great Tidal Sea, the
muscle-bearing sea. They trek on foot, all of them. Wulelemil
w'shakuppek, Wemopannek hakhsinipek, Kitahikan pokhakhopek.
18. Ten thousand at
night, All in one night, To the Snake Island, to the east, at night, They
trek, all of them. Tellenchen
kittapakki nillawi, Wemoltin gutikuni nillawi, Akomen wapanawaki nillawi,
Ponskan, ponskan, wemiwi olini.
19. The men from the
north, the east, the south, The Eagle clan, the Beaver clan, the Wolf clan,
The best men, the rich men, the head men, Those with wives, those with
daughters, those with dogs, Lowanapi, wapanapi,
shawanapi, Lanewapi, tamakwapi, tumewapi, Elowapi, powatapi, wilawapi,
Okwisapi, danisapi, allumapil,
20. They all come,
they pause at the land of the spruce pines; Those from the west come with
hesitation, Esteeming highly their old home at the Turtle land. Wemipayat gune'unga
shinaking, Wunkenapi chanelendam payaking, Allowelendam kowiyey tulpaking.
21. Long ago the
fathers of the Lenape were at the land of spruce pines. Wulamo linapioken
manup shinaking.
22. Hitherto the Bald Eagle
band had been the pipe bearer, Wapallanewa
sittamaganat yukepechi wemima,
23. While they were
searching for the Snake Island, that great and fine land. Akhomenis michihaki wellaki kundokanup.
24. They having died,
the hunters, about to depart, met together. Angomelchik
elowichik elmusichik menalting.
25. All say to
Beautiful Head, "Be thou chief." Wemilo kolawil
sakima lissilma.
26. "Coming to
the Snakes, slaughter at that Snake hill, that they leave it." Akhopayat
kihillalend akhopokho aski'waal.
27. All of the Snake
tribe were weak, and concealed
themselves in the Swampy Vales. Showihilla akhowemi
gandhaton mashkipokhing.
28. After Beautiful
Head, White Owl was chief at Spruce Pine land. Wtenkolawil
shinaking sakimanep wapagokhos.
29. After him,
Keeping-Guard was chief of that people. Wtenk nekama
sakimanep janoto enolowin.
30. After him, Snow
Bird was chief; he spoke of the south, Wtenk nekama
sakimanep chilili shawaniluen.
31. That our fathers
should possess it by scattering abroad. Wokenapi nitaton
wullaton apakchikton.
32. Snow Bird went south,
White Beaver went east. Shawaniwaen chilili,
wapaniwaen tamakwi.
33. The Snake land was
at the south, the great Spruce Pine land was toward the shore; Akolaki shawanaki,
kitshinaki shabiyaki.
34. To the east was
the Fish land, toward the lakes was the bison
land. Wapanaki namesaki,
pemapaki sisilaki.
35. After Snow Bird,
the Seizer was chief, and all were killed, Wtenk chilili sakimanep
ayamek weminilluk.
36. The robbers, the
snakes, the evil men, the stone men. Chikonapi akhonapi
makatapi assinapi.
37. After the Seizer
there were ten chiefs, and there was much warfare all around. Wtenk ayamek tellen
sakimak machi tonanup shawapama.
38. After them, the
Peaceable was chief at Snake land. Wtenk nellamawa
sakimanep langundowi akolaking.
39. After him,
Not-Black was chief, who was a righteous man. Wtenk nekama
sakimanep tasukamend shakagapipi.
40. After him,
Much-Loved was chief, a good man. Wtenk nekama
sakimanep pemaholend wulitowin.
41. After him,
No-Blood was chief, who walked in cleanliness. Sagimawtenk matemik,
sagimawtenk pilsohalin.
42. After him,
Snow-Father was chief, he of the big teeth. Sagimawtenk
gunokeni, sagimawtenk mangipitak.
43. After him,
Tally-Maker was chief, who made records. Sagimawtenk olumapi,
leksahowen sohalawak.
44. After him,
Shiverer-with-Cold was chief, who went south to the maize land. Sagimawtenk taguachi
shawaniwaen minihaking.
45. After him,
Maize-Breaker was chief, who initiated the planting of maize. Sakimawtenk huminiend minigeman sohalgol.
46. After him, the
Strong-Man was leader, who was useful to the chieftains. Sakinawtenk
alkosohit sakimachik apendawi.
47. After him, the
Salt-Man was chief, after him the Little-One was chief Sawkimawtenk
shiwapi, sakimatenk penkwoni.
48. There was no rain,
and no maize, so they moved closer to the sea. Attasokelan
attaminin wapaniwaen italissipek.
49. At the place of
caves, in the bison land, they at last had food,
on a pleasant plain. Oligonunk sisilaking
nallimetzin kolakwaming.
50. After the
Little-One came the Fatigued; after him, the Stiff-One. Wtenk penkwonwi
wekwochella, wtenk nekama chingalsuwi.
51. After him, the
Reprover; disliking him, and unwilling to stay Wtenk nekama
kwitikwond, slangelendam attagatta.
52. Being angry, some
went off secretly to the east. Wundanuksin wapanickam [Var. wapanahan.] allendyachick
kimimikwi.
53. The wise ones who
remained made the Loving-One leader. Gunehunga wetatamova
wakaholend sakimalanop.
54. They settled again
on the Yellow river, and had much maize on soil free of stones. Wisawana lappi
wittank michi mini madawasim.
55. All being
friendly, the Genial was chief, the first of that name . Weminitis tamenend
sakimanep nekohatami.
56. He was very good, this
friendly man, and came as a friend to all the Lenape. Eluwiwulit
matemenend wemi linapi nitis payat.
57. After this good
one, Strong-Bison was chief and pipe-bearer. Wtenk wulitma
maskansisil sakimanep w'tamaganat.
58. Big-Owl and
White-Bird were chiefs. Machigokloos
sakimanep, wapkicholen sakimanep.
59. The Willing-One
was chief and priest; he organized festivals. Wingenund sakimanep
powatanep gentikalanep.
60. Rich-Again was
chief; the Painted-One was chief. Lapawin sakimanep, wallama sakimanep.
61. White-Fowl was chief;
again there was widespread war. Waptipatit
sakimanep, lappi mahuk lowashawa.
62. The Wolf-wise-in
Counsel was chief. Wewoattan menatting tumaokan
sakimanep.
63. He knew how to
make war on all; he slew Strong-Stone. Nitatonep wemi palliton maskansini nihillanep.
64. The
Always-Ready-One was chief; he fought against the Snakes. Messissuwi sakimanep
akowini pallitonep.
65. The
Strong-Good-One was chief, he battled the northerners. Chitanwulit
sakimanep lowanuski pallitonep.
66. The Lean-One was
chief; he clashed with the Tawa people. Alokuwi sakimanep
towakon pallitonep.
67. The Opossum-Like
was chief; he battled in sadness, Opekasit sakimanep
sakhelendam pallitonepit.
68. And said,
"They are many; let us go together to the east, to the sunrise." Wapagishik
yuknohokluen makeluhuk wapaneken.
69. They separated at
Fish river; the lazy ones stayed there. Tsebepieken
nemassipi [Var. mixtisipi.] nolandowak gunehunga.
70. Cabin-Man was
chief; the Talligewi possessed the east. Yagawanend sakimanep
talligewi wapawullaton. |
71. Strong-Friend was
chief; he desired the eastern land. Chitanitis sakimanep
wapawaki gotatamen.
72. Some passed on
east; the Talega ruler killed some of them. Wapallendi pomisinep
talegawil allendhilla.
73. All say, in
harmony, "War, war." Mayoksuwi wemilowi
palliton palliton.
74. The Talamatan,
friends from the north, come, and all go together. Talamatan nitilowan payatchik wemiten
75. The Sharp-One was chief;
he was the pipe-bearer beyond the river. Kinehepend sakimanep
tamaganat sipakgamen.
76. They rejoiced
greatly that they should fight and slay the Talega towns. Wulatonwi makelima pallihilla talegawik.
77. The Stirrer was
chief; the Talega towns were too strong. Pimokhasuwi
sakimanep wsamimaskan talegawik.
78. The Fire-Builder
was chief; they all offered him many towns. Tenchekentit
sakimanep wemilat makelinik.
79. The
Breaker-in-Pieces was chief, all the Talega go south. Pagan chichilla sakimanep shawanewak wemi talega.
80. He-has-Pleasure
was chief; all the people rejoice. Hattan wulaton
sakimanep, wingelendam wemi lennowak.
81. They stay south of
the lakes; the Talamatan friends north of the lakes. Shawanipekis
gunehungind lowanipekis talamatanitis.
82. When Long-and-Mild
was chief, there were some who conspired against him. Attabchinitis
gishelendam gunitakan sakimanep.
83. Truthful-Man was
chief, the Talamatans waged war. Linniwulamen sakimanep pallitonep talamatan.
84. Just-and-True was
chief; the Talamatans trembled. Shakagapewi
sakimanep nungiwi talamatan.
85. All were peaceful,
long ago, there in Talega land. Wemilangundo wulamo talli talegaking.
86. The Pipe-Bearer
was chief at the White river. Tamaganend sakimanep wapalaneng.
87. White-Lynx was
chief, much maize was planted. Wapushuwi sakimanep
kelitgeman.
88. Good-and-Strong
was chief; there were many people. Wulitshinik
sakimanep makdopannik.
89. The Recorder was
chief; he painted the records. Lekhihitin sakimanep
wallamolumin.
90. Pretty-Blue-Bird
was chief; there was much fruit. 90. Kolachuisen
sakimanep makeliming.
91. Always-There was
chief; there were many villages. Pematalli sakimanep
makelinik.
92. Paddler-up-Stream was chief; he spent a
lot of time on the rivers, Pepomahenem
sakimanep makelaning.
93. Little-Cloud was
chief; many departed, Tankawon sakimanep
makeleyachik,
94. The Nanticokes and
the Shawnees move to the south. Nentegowi shawanowi
shawanaking.
95. Big-Beaver was
chief, at the White Salt Lick. Kichitamak sakimanep
wapahoning.
96. The Seer, the
praised one, traveled to the west. Onowutok awolagan wunkenahep.
97. He traveled to the
west, to the southwest, to the western villages. Wtinpakitonis wunshawononis wunkiwikwotank.
98. The
Rich-Down-River-Man was chief, at Talega river. Pawanami sakimanep taleganah.
99. The Walker was
chief; there were many wars. Lokwelend sakimanep
makpalliton.
100. Again with the
Tawa people, again with the Stone people, again with the northern people. Lappi towako lappi
sinako lappi lowako.
101.
Grandfather-of-Boats was chief; he sailed to lands in boats. Mokolmokom sakimanep
mokolakolin.
102. Snow-Hunter was
chief; he went to the north land. Winelowich sakimanep
lowushkakiang.
103. Look-About was
chief, he journeyed to the Talega mountains. Linkwekinuk
sakimanep talegachukang.
104. East-Villager was
chief; he was east of Talega. Wapalawikwan
sakimanep waptalegawing.
105. A great land and
a wide land was the east land, Amangaki amigaki
wapakisinep.
106. A land that was
snake free, a rich land, a pleasant land. Mattakohaki mapawaki
mawulitenol.
107. Great Fighter was
chief, toward the north. Gikenopalat
sakimanep pekochilowan.
108. At the Straight
river, River-Loving was chief. Saskwihanang hanaholend sakimanep.
109. Becoming-Fat was
chief in Sassafras land. Gattawisi sakimanep
winakaking.
110. All the hunters
made wampum again at the great sea. Wemi lowichik
gishikshawipek lappi kichipek.
111. Red-Arrow was
chief at the stream again. Makhiawip sakimanep
lapihaneng.
112. The Painted-Man
was chief at the Mighty Water. Wolomenap sakimanep
maskekitong.
113. The Easterners
and the Wolves go northeast. Wapanand tumewand waplowaan.
114. Good-Fighter was
chief, and went to the north. Wulitpallat
sakimanep piskwilowan.
115. The Mengwe, the
Lynxes, all trembled. Mahongwi pungelika wemi nungwi.
116. Again a Friendly
chief made peace with all, Lappi tamenend sakimanepit wemi langundit.
117. All were friends,
all were United, under this great chief Wemi nitis wemi takwicken sakima kichwon.
118. Great-Beaver was
chief who remained in Sassafras land. Kichitamak sakimanep
winakununda.
119. White-Body was
chief on the sea shore. Wapahakey sakimanep
sheyabian.
120. Peace-Maker was
chief and friendly to all. Elangomel sakimanep
makeliwulit.
121. He-Makes-Mistakes
was chief, hurriedly coming. Pitenumen sakimanep
unchihillen.
122. At this time
whites came on the Eastern sea. Wonwihil wapekunchi
wapsipayat.
123. Much-Honored was
chief; he was prosperous. Makelomush sakimanep
wulatenamen.
124. Well-Praised was
chief; he battled in the south. Wulakeningus
sakimanep shawanipalat.
125. He battled in the land of the Talega and
Koweta. Otaliwako akowetako
ashkipalliton.
126. White-Otter was
chief; a friend of the Talamatans. Wapagamoshki sakimanep lamatanitis.
127. White-Horn was chief; he went to the
Talega, Wapashum sakimanep
talegawunkik.
128. To the Hilini, to
the Shawnees, to the Kanawhas. Mahiliniki
mashawoniki makonowiki.
129.
Coming-as-a-Friend was chief; he went to the Great Lakes, Nitispayat sakimanep
kipemapekan,
130. Visiting all his
children, all his friends. Wemiamik weminitik kiwikhotan.
131. Cranberry-Eater
was chief, friend of the Ottawas. Pakimitzin sakimanep
tawanitip.
132. North-Walker was
chief, he made festivals. Lowaponskan
sakimanep ganshowenik.
133. Slow-Gatherer was
chief at the shore. Tashawinso sakimanep
shayabing.
134. As three were
desired, three those were who grew forth, Nakhagattamen nakhalissin
wenchikit,
135. bis. The Unami,
the Minsi, the Chikini. bis. Unamini
minsimini chikimini.
136. Man-Who-Fails was
chief; he fought the Mengwe. Epallahchund
sakimanep mahongwipallat.
137. He-is-Friendly
was chief; he scared the Mengwe. Langomuwi sakimanep
mahongwichamen.
138. Saluted was
chief; thither, Wangomend sakimanep
ikalawit.
139. Over there, on
the Scioto, he had foes. Otaliwi wasiotowi
shingalusit.
140. White-Crab was
chief, a friend of the shore. Wapachikis sakimanep
sahyabinitis.
141. Watcher was chief,
he looked toward the sea. Nenachihat sakimanep peklinkwekin.
142. At this time,
from north and south, the whites came. Wonwihil lowashawa
wapayachik.
143. They are
peaceful; they have great things;
who are they? Langomuwak kitohatewa
ewenikiktit? |
