The Pima Indians/Linguistics/Songs/Archaic songs

by Frank Russell

LINGUISTICS

Songs

ARCHAIC SONGS

[Told by Kâʼmâl tkâk, Thin Leather]

Creation Songs by Earth Doctor

THE CREATION OF THE EARTH

I

Tcuwutu
Earth Makai
Magician. tcuwutu
earth natâ
make miakukâ
come. nyuĭta
see hasĭtco-onyĭ!
what you intend! (Repeat)

*
Sikâlamû
Round natâ
make miakukâ
come, nyuĭuta
see (D.C. to *)

†
Tcuwutu
Earth Makai
Magician tâʌakû
mountain natâ
make miakukâ,
come, nyuĭta
see hasiyaña!
what you tell!

Tapĭnyĭmû
Smooth natâ
make miakukâ,
come, nyuĭta
see hasiyaña!
what you tell! (D.C. to †)

II

Tcuwutu
Earth Makai
Doctor tcuwutu
earth natâ;
make; Tcuwutu
Earth Makai
Magician tcuwutu
earth natâ,
make, himlo,
going, himlo,
going, himlo,
going, himutco-o.
going (causal). (Repeat)

*
Tcuwutu
Earth Makai
Doctor tâvʼa
mountain ku
kind of natâ;
make; Tcuwutu
Earth Makai
Doctor tâvakû
mountain natâ,
make, himlo,
going, himlo,
going, himlo,
going, himutco-o.
going. (D.C. to *)

III

Tcuwutu
Earth tapa
open sihaitconyoka-ana:
magician

Tâvañgû
Mountain tapa
open sitco
magic mamatcu-u.
powers knows.

Translation

Earth Magician shapes this world.
 Behold what he can do!
Round and smooth he molds it.
 Behold what he can do!
Earth Magician makes the mountains.
 Heed what he has to say.
He it is that makes the mesas.
 Heed what he has to say.
Earth Magician shapes this world.
 Earth Magician makes its mountains;
Makes all larger, larger, larger.
 Into the earth the Magician glances;
Into its mountains he may see.

IV

THE CREATION OF THE SUN

Vanyĭñgi
I am Tarsaiwu
Sun natâkahĭ;
made; vanyĭñgi
I am Tarsai
Sun natâkahĭ,
made, hiyanyi
here me tamai
above ya-ahai
both punanaitco-o.
directions throw. (Repeat)

*
Si-ĭyaldĭ
East takĭo
direction wopahimû
throw kahowu
there taitcunyukû
rise running sapâva mununa-a.
right running back. (D.C. to *)

Translation

I have made the Sun!
 I have made the Sun!
Hurling it high
 in the four directions.
To the East I threw it
 To run its appointed course.

V

THE CREATION OF THE MOON

Vanyĭñgi
I am Marsatû
Moon natâkahĭ;
make; vanyĭñgi
I am Marsatû
Moon natâkahĭ;
make; hiyanyi
here me tamai
above ya-ahai
both punanaitco-o.
directions throw (Repeat)

*
Si-ĭyaldĭ
East takĭŏ
direction wopahimu
throw kahowa
there tcursanyuku
came up sapâva
correct himuna-a.
come. (D.C. to *)

Translation

I have made the Moon!
 I have made the Moon!
Hurling it high
 in the four directions.
To the East I threw it
 To run its appointed course.

VI

THE CREATION OF THE STARS

Vanyĭñgi
I am Yo-ohowu
Stars natâ;
make; vanyĭñgi
I am Yo-ohowu
Stars natâ,
make, tamaiwu
above nañgĭta
throw tcuwutu
earth mamasi-i.
light. (Repeat)

*
Vanyĭñgi
I am wus
all aitco
things natâ
make tamaiwu
above nañgĭta
throw tcufhutu
hand tânâli-i.
shines. (D.C. to *)

Translation

I have made the Stars!
 I have made the Stars!
Above the earth I threw them.
 All things above I've made
And placed them to illumine.

Flood Songs by Earth Doctor

THE WARNING OF THE FLOOD

Haya,
Weep rsâ-âhĭñgu
pitiable nyhu-umatcita
me people tcomuñgâ
you will wu-uwusi
wll nyuĭnahi-imu;
see happen; haya,
weep, rsâ-âhĭñgu
pitiable nyhu-umatcita
me people tcomuñgâ
you will wu-uwusi
all nyuĭnahi-imu.
see happen. Kosiʽna
That rso-otaki
water kosina
that tcutcuwuʇu
land vamohai-i.
dissolve. (Repeat)

*
Haya,
Weep, rsâ-âhiñgu
pitiable nyha-atconyi
my relatives tcomuñgâ
you will wu-uwusi
all mamatcu-u;
learning; haya,
weep, rsâ-âhiñgu
pitiable nyha-atconyi
my relatives tcomuñgâ
you will wu-uwusi
all mamatcu-u.
learning. Kosina
That rso-otaki
water kosina
that tâtâvaku
mountain vamohai-i.
dissolve. (Repeat to *)

Translation

Weep my unfortunate people!
 All this you will see take place.
Weep my unfortunate people!
 For the waters will cover the land.
Weep my unhappy relatives!
 You will learn all.
Weep my unhappy relatives!
 You will learn all.
The waters will cover the mountains

THE PEOPLE CLIMBING SUPERSTITION MOUNTAIN

Haiya!
Aha! haiya!
Aha! vina,
Flood, vina,
flood, hai-iya!
Aha! Punha
Remember rsâhika
pitiable tconyihi-i,
making. haiya!
Aha! haiya!
Aha! vina,
Flood, vina,
flood, hai-iya!
Aha! Punha
Remember rsâhika
pitiable tconyihi-i.
making. Hamai
Here pa-apaitcomhi
before me nyhu-umatcita
me people rsâhika
pitiable himuna-a.
going. (Repeat)

Translation

Haiya! Haiya! Flood! Flood! Hai-iya!
 See the doom awaiting them!
Haiya! Haiya! Flood! Flood! Hai-iya!
 Here are my doomed people before me.

Flood Songs by South Doctor

ON SUPERSTITION MOUNTAIN BEFORE THE FLOOD

Rsonañgi
Water tcuwuʇu
land vamohai-i;
dissolve; rsonañgi
water nyuwutu
land vamohai-i,
dissolve, kundañgu
in makaiva
magician sihaitco-o
powerful rsonañgi
water nanakâ
experimenting tconyihi-imu.
making.

Rsonañgi
Water tâvaku
mountain vamohai-i;
dissolve; rsonañgi
water tâvaku
mountain vamohai-i,
dissolve, kundañgu
in Nasiavâ
Nasi sitco-omai-i
understand rsonañgi
water nanakâ
experimenting wowoi-hi-mu.
toward-going (Repeat)

Kakânda
Crooked ku
kind tâtâvañgu
of mountain ta-atama
top nanyolĭnaka
I stay rso-otaki
water yomahi-imu.
disperse. (Repeat)

Ta-atama
Top nayolĭnaka
I stay rso-otaki
water yomahi-imu.
disperse. (Repeat)

Translation

The waters dissolve the land!
 The waters dissolve the land!
The mighty magician tests his strength.
 The waters dissolve the mountains!
The waters dissolve the mountains!
 Nasi foresees what is coming.

On Crooked mountain I am standing,
 Trying to disperse the water.
On Crooked mountain I am standing,
 Trying to disperse the water.

BEFORE THE PEOPLE TURNED TO STONE ON SUPERSTITION MOUNTAIN

Sihaitcohâ!
Powerless! Sihaitcohâ!
Powerless! Nyhânaka
My magic wuwuma
crystal with sihaitcohâ!
powerless! Wuwuma
With siamhu
right nyhâtaitco.
petrify. (Repeat)

And again he sang before they became petrified:

Translation

Powerless! Powerless!
 Powerless is my magic crystal.
Powerless! Powerless!
 I shall become as stone.

Flood Songs by Elder Brother

IN HIS OLLA BEFORE THE FLOOD

I

Tcokoi
Black vavahaki!
house! tcokoi
black vavahaki!
house! Ku-unʇa
In nyi
I yolina.
hold. Kuʇa
In nyi
I yolĭnha-a
stay wu-umatci
with yahai
to and fro nyimitco-o.
I go (Repeat)

Translation

Black house! Black house! Hold me safely in;
 Black house! Black house! Hold me safely in,
As I journey to and fro, to and fro.

II

THE FLOOD

Rsotaki
Water mutu-u!
running! rsotaki
water mutuka!
running! Muʇava
In putanyû,
sounding, tamaiʌukatcima
top laying tcuvaki
cloud parsa
near by pa-anyhimitco.
on there I borne.

Rsotaki
Water mutu-u!
running! rsotaki
water mutuka!
running! Muʇava
In rsarsavai,
roaring, tamaiʌukatcima
top laying hononyi
evening parsa
near by pa-anyhimitco.
on there I borne. (Repeat)

Translation

Running water! Running water! Herein resounding,
 As on the clouds I am carried to the sky.
Running water! Running water! Herein roaring,
 As on the clouds I am carried to the sky.

III

COMING FROM HIS OLLA AFTER THE FLOOD

Hianyai
Here I worsunyu;
came out; hianyai
here I worsunyu-u,
came out, sihai nyoka
magician hiayai
here I worsunyu
came out sihai tcoka-a.
magician. Hianyai
Here I worsunyu;
came out; Hianyai
Here I worsunyu-u,
came out, sitco matcu
magical powers hianyai
here I worsunyu
came out sitco matcu-u.
magical powers

Hianyai
Here I worsunyu-u
came out sihai nyoka;
magician; hianyai
here I worsunyu
came out sihai tcoka-a.
magician.

Hianyai
Here I worsunyu-u
came out sitco matcû
magical know hianyai
here I worsunyu
came out sitco matcu-u.
magical know. (Repeat)

Tânyo
Who I wumû;
with; tanyo
who I wuma
with kukiʌa.
stand. Sundai
Who wumû,
with, sundai
who wumû
with tahiwa.
sit.

Itañgu nyo-osihaka
This my cane wuma
with kukiwa.
stand. Itañgu
This nyâ-âtahaka
my crystal wumû
with tahiwa.
sit. (Repeat)

Translation

Here I come forth! Here I come forth!
 With magic powers I emerge.
Here I come forth! Here I come forth!
 With magic powers I emerge.

I stand alone! Alone!
 Who will accompany me?
My staff and my crystal
 They shall bide with me.

Post-Flood Songs by Elder Brother

AT THE CENTRAL PART OF THE EARTH

Kaʇu
There nyutva
I worsa
came hikû
navel nyuwundû
land vanyuina;
I see; katu
there nyutva
I worsa
came hikû
navel nyuwundû
land vanyuina.
I see (Repeat)

*
Kaʇu
There nyutva
I worsa
came hikû
navel navañgû
mountain vanyuina;
I see; katu
there nyutva
I worsa
came hikû
navel navañgu
mountain vanyuina.
I see. (Repeat to *)

Translation

Here I have come to the center of the earth;
 Here I have come to the center of the earth.
I see the central mountain;
 I see the central mountain.

CLIMBING THE CLIFFS TO ATTACK EAGLE

Kand
Up vavai
steep bank tapĭnymû,
smooth, kand
up vavai
steep bank tapĭnymû.
smooth. Kand
Up vavai
steep bank tapĭnymû,
smooth kand
up vavai
steep bank tapĭnymû.
smooth. Vâpăt
Points tcotcoa
stick kâĭnatca
after himuna.
going. (Repeat)

Kand
Up vavai
stone napĭnymû,
smooth; kand
up vavai
stone napĭnymû,
smooth, vâpăt
points tcotcoa
stick kâĭnatca
after himuna.
going. (Repeat)

Tanyĭ
I am tâhai
white I-itâĭ,
Elder
Brother, tanyĭ
I am tâhai
white I-itâĭ,
Elder
Brother.

Tanyĭ
I am tâhai
white Litâĭ,
Elder
Brother, tanyĭ
I am tâhai
white Litâĭ.
Elder
Brother.

Va-asĭf
Leafless tcotcoa
stick kâĭnaka
after himuna.
walking. (Repeat)
(Repeat both lines twice)

Translation

Up the cliff, steep and smooth,
 Up the cliff, steep and smooth,
Up the cliff, steep and smooth,
 Climbs Elder Brother
With his shining power.
 Up the cliff, steep and smooth,
Up the cliff, steep and smooth,
 He climbs step by step.

ELDER BROTHER AS A FLY

Song sung by Elder Brother as he concealed himself in the form of a fly

Himovali
(?) movali
fly moko,
die, himovali
(?) movali
fly moko.
die. Hivanytâ
I will sikâsiimo,
sleep, hivanytâ
I will sikâsiimo.
sleep. (Repeat)

Himovali
(?) moko,
die, hivanytâ
I will sikâsiimo,
sleep, hivanytâ
I will sikâsiimo.
sleep. (Repeat)
Tcinyny.
Buzz-z

Translation

Himovali! Die fly! Himovali! Die fly!
 I shall sleep! I shall sleep!
Himovali! Let die! I am drowsy.
 I will sleep! Buzz-z.

Song sung by the Eagle's wife to put him to sleep

Haya
(?) yakahai
(?) yahai
(?) mo,
(?) haya
(?) yakahai
(?) mo,
(?) hovanytâ
I sikâsiimo,
sleep, hovanytâ
I sikâsiimo.
sleep. Haya
(?) yakahai
(?) mo,
(?) hovanytâ
I sikâsiimmo,
sleep, hovanytâ
I sikâsiimo.
sleep. (Repeat)

Translation

Haya yakahai yahai mo! Haya yakahai mo!
 I am sleepy, I am sleepy.
Haya yakahai yahai mo! I am sleepy.

Destruction of Hâ-âk

As they prepare to destroy the female monster, Hâ-âk, Elder Brother and the people sing together

I

Tâ-ânunâma
Dazzling power Lᴉtâĭ
Elder Brother hՈwuli
sinds voponak
tie nyuhûna.
singing. Amunyutâ
Then sing mulivak
came swiftly wu-umany
together voponak
tie, nyu-uhûnaʼ.
singing.

II

Kovakovɐ,
(?) kovakovɐ,
(?) kovakovɐ,
(?) kovakovɐ.
(?) Iyali
Great Moahanañ
Moʼhatûk^[1] inamnyu-una.
top singing. Kovakovɐ,
(?) kovakovɐ.
(?)

Translation

Dazzling power has Elder Brother,
 Mastering the winds with song.
Swiftly now we come together,
 Singing to secure control.

Kovakovɐ, kovakovɐ,
 Kovakovɐ, kovakovɐ.
Singing on the summit
 Of great Moʼhatûk mountain.

III

Anayokûna,
(?) anayokûna,
(?) hayokûna.
(?) Tcu-unarsatʽ,^[2]
(?) yâvatcukĭ;
cigarette; kâsinakon
sleep-inducing yâvatcuki.
cigarette. Anayokûna,
(?) anayokûna,
(?) hayokûna.
(?)

IV

Ala
This wus
all moʼ-omok
sharps tâtâvaka
mountains tciʼpia
moving miʼak
near âvaɟiaña
their well miʼak
near âtʼcupaña.
having mortar

V

Vaɟ
Steep bank wutama
on vopahimû.
throw. Vaɟ wutama
(Repeat) vopahimû.
Vaɟ
wutama
vopahimû.

Tcutcunoñi
Blue (or green) koʼkovoli
owl sisʼvûnûka-a.
having brightest. Vaɟ wutama
Steep bank vopahimû.
under throw. Vaɟ wutama
(Repeat) vopahimû.

Translation

Anayokûna, anayokûna, hayokûna.
 Sacred pipe of Tcu-unarsatʽ,
Sleep-inducing sacred pipe.
 Anayokûna, anayokûna, hayokûna.

Hâ-âk flees from her pursuers.
 But her spring and mortar stay.
Throw a great stone!
 Throw a great stone!

The blue owl is brightest,
 Throw a great stone!
The blue owl is brightest.
 Throw a great stone.

Songs sung by Elder Brother and his followers in the Nether World

In the Nether World

I

Vatcikĭa
We himu;
go; vatcikia
we himu;
go; vatcikia
we himu;
go; vatcikia
we himu.
go. Huk
That âsinyu
me apu
pleases kaʼna.
(?). Hita
This tuvavakĭ
home ahiya
here wunañitâ.
we leave. Vatcikĭa
We himu;
go; vatcikĭa
we himu;
go; huk
that âsinyu
me apu
pleases kaʼna.
(?)

Translation

We go, we go, we go, we go,
 Happy we leave our homes,
We go happily we go.

II

Vatciʼki
We mutdu;
run; vatciki
we mutdu.
run. Vatciki
We mutdu;
run; vatciki
we mutdu.
run. Vatciki
We munu;
run; vatciki
we munu.
run. Hukâsinyâmu
That me pleases kana.
(?). Hita
This tuyâitaka
our country hiya.
here. Vavoyŏk
To leave vatciki
we munu.
hasten. Hukâsinyâmu
That me pleases kana.
(?).

Translation

 We run, we run, we run, we run.
Happy we leave our land;
 With pleasure hence we hasten.

On Emergence from the Nether World

On their emergence upon the surface of the earth the Nether-world people danced together and with Elder Brother sang the following:

Itâvany
We thing nyi
our rsavikŭt
rattle dawuwum
with aworsanyu.
together. (D.C.)

Inu
This yatdâ
parrot mɐmai
tails gĭñgĭñ
waving vâikŭ.
(?).

Itâvany
We thing nyi
our nyñnyĭrsa
(?) awuwum
with anyopinyu.
we went down. (D.C.)

Ĭn
This a yoku
(?) mamai
tails iyĭñyĭñ
waving vâikû.
(?).

Kusi
Kind tâhai
of white tcUutcuwuta(r)
countries tamai
on tcitciviaka
come nyuhunatci.
singing.

Vâpânama
Head-dresses huwutda-a.
moving. Kotca
We wus
all tcitciviaka.
come. (D.C.)

Nyuhunatci
Singing tconanyuka
dancing tcutcuwutda
lands tcunâ
shakes nyu-u-u.
(?)

Kusi
Kind tcokwe
of black tâtâvaku
mountains tamaitʽ
on a-ahuka
all come nyuhunatci
singing sisivâta
head-dresses moñuva-a.
waving.

Kotca
We wus
all sita-ahuka;
cherished; kotca
we wus
all sita-ahuta.
cherished.

Nyuhunatci,
Singing, tconayuka,
dancing, tâtâvaku
mountains kâvânyu-u.
rumbling.

Translation

Together we emerge with our rattles;
 Together we emerge with our rattles,
Bright-hued feathers in our head-dresses.
 With our nyñnyĭrsa we went down;
With our nyñnyĭrsa we went down,
 Wearing Yoku feathers in our head-dresses.
This is the white land; we arrive singing,
 Head-dresses waving in the breeze.
We have come! We have come!
 The land trembles with our dancing and singing.
On these black mountains all are singing,
 Head-dresses waving, head-dresses waving.
We all rejoice! We all rejoice!
 Singing, dancing, the mountains trembling.

Songs of Elder Brother and his underworld supporters as they approached Casa Grande

I

Kan(d)ukai
Yonder moki
dead va-aki
habitation ku-uka
standing. amâ
There va-aki
habitation ta-amai
at that place sivany
he runs mumuda-aʼ,
about, Sâ-âhamu
Yellow maopanû
hands kama
having iko-osi-i-i.^[3]
fabric.

Translation

Yonder stands the doomed habitation.
 About the pueblo runs its frightened chieftain
In yellow garment with hand print decoration.

On Approaching Pueblos

As the underworld people approached Santan

Pipinû
Mud havavahaki
their house kutda
in hamo-olina,
they stay, pipinû
mud havavahaki.
their house.

Kutda
In maka
one having
power hitcu,
see, kotdena
he was sinyu-
meupuitâka
afraid kutda
in ahamo-olina.
they stay.

Pipinu
Mud havavahaki
their house kutda
in maka
one having
power hitcu.
see.

Translation

In their house of adobe they are staying;
 Their chief with magic power fears me.
In their house of adobe we see their chief.

As they approached the village below Santan

Amukâ
Some will vu-uhânyui-ita;
truly see; amukâ
some will vu-uhânyuita-a;
truly see; hamânyui-i-iʼ.
some will see.

Kuhiyu
That hukiva
old mu-ulihâku
okatilla rsâ-ânuka
fence puva-aki
their house nyui-iʼ.
see.

Translation

Some will truly see,
 Some will truly see,
Will see their house
 Behind the okatilla stockade.

As they approached Sweetwater

Katdu
There kanyuvu-untdai
land sikâmumâli;
plenty beads; katdu
there katcuvu-utdai
earth sikâmumâli.
plenty beads. Ku-u
The
place nanyutâ-â
somebody wo-orsai-iʼ.
come out (Repeat from beginning)

Hamiva
There yuna-a
place nutâ-â-iʽ
somebody wo-orsai-iʼ
came out ku
his nyi-inuita-a
soul Kutânâli-i.
shines. (Repeat)

Translation

There is the land of many beads,
 There is the land of many beads.
Some one comes forth;
 He knows what will befall him.

As they approached Casa Blanca

Kuisi
Very kavuhuka;
difficult; kuisi
very kawuhuku,
difficult, vavahaki
house kutda
there makahi
magic
power tcu-uʼ.
see.

Translation

It will be difficult,
 It will be difficult,
To capture this pueblo
 With its magic power.

As they approached Vulture's home

Havaʼnyĭ
Raven yali
child nyanga,
saying, Havaʼnyĭ
Raven yali
child nya-aka,
me call. tânâlikû
brightness nanavai-i.
glitter. (D.C.)

*
Hiyanyi
Here me yamukâ
there nyuita
see tânâlikû
brightness konyonyoĭ.
mirage. (D.C. to *)

Above Gila Crossing

Nanyiki
I am va-aho
? mɐkai
magician hiyanyĭ
here me worsanyuk
arose himuna
went Tcunarsan
Tcunarsat yâvatcukĭ
cigarette yoahana
holding hukatcĭ
with nâmaiina
my enemy siamu
correct kokomaiʌoaki-i.
incantation. Nanyiki
I am vi-ikiho
soft feather mɐkai
magician hiyanyi
here me worsanyuk
arose himuna
went kâsikun
sedative yâvatcukĭ
cigarette yoahana
holding hukatcĭ
with nâmaiina
my enemy siâmû
right kâkanasi-i.
make sleep.

Hiyanyi
Here me worsanyuk
arose himuna
went Tcunarsan
Tcunarsat vâvatcukĭ
cigarette yoahana
holding hukatcĭ
with nâmaiina
my enemy siâmu
correct kokomaiʌoaki-i.
incantation. Hiyanyi
Here me worsanyuk
arose himuna
went kasikŭn
sedative âvwatcukĭ
cigarette yoahana
holding hukatcĭ
with namaiina
my enemy siâmu
correct kâkâ-âsi-i.
make sleep.

At Mesa

Halisi
Small tcu-unâki
blue pahaka
eagle pahivwoa.
puts tail on Halisi
Small tcu-unâki
blue pahañgu
eagle pagivwoa
put tail on tcuvwuna
land s-utpava
middle worsanu-u.
came out. (D.C.)

Hiyanyi
Here me paiitcomi
before me yahaiiʌa
to and fro kukivwa
stand tâvanyi
it was yosiañga
my cane hukio
already simamatcu-u.
know.

Between Tempe and Phoenix

Hamukâ
Some will vanyuitahimu
you look for hamanyu
there me tâtahivwoaka
sit nyuitahimu
you look for hamuka
you will nyuinahi.
you look for. (D.C.)

Rsâhiku
Pitiable nâpahɐi
enemy tunâtaku-u
crazy hamuka
you will pumuihi-i.
take

Rsâhiku
Pitiable nâpahɐi
enemy tunavamo-o
drunken hamuka
you will pumuihi-i.
take.

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1. Moʼhatûk, Greasy mountain, between the Gila and Salt rivers near their confluence. It is supposed to be the home of Elder Brother.
2. Tcu-unarsatʽ is the name of a former Pueblo chief who lived near Moʼhatûk mountain.
3. Iko-osi-i-iʼ is for iks, meaning almost any textile fabric.