TRADITIONAL PRAYERS IN THE ABENAKI LANGUAGE

Abenaki prayers are offered by Jesse Bowman Bruchac, traditional storyteller, musician, and Abenaki language teacher. Abenaki was one of hundreds of languages spoken in North America before the arrival of settlers. In the words of Jesse’s father, Dr. Joseph Bruchac, Nulhegan elder, traditional storyteller, and author: “Our language is more than just a tool to communicate, it is also a repository of our history and our culture. It holds unique concepts and terms whose meanings deepen our relationship with and our understanding of the world around us, reminding us that everything is alive and imbued with spirit.”

Opening Prayer

Kd’almikolba! Wawaldamokw alosalegoakw sôgnawôzimek ta kinawakamigzimuk, pasanigek kazaldiakw, ketmôgaldiakw wji kdagik pmôwzowinnoak. Kwisilawaha nikônkôgoagik ta sôkhigwezijik kahalômawaldamakw mziwi awani wd’achwaldamen wlôwzin, waji kgizkomal kwennak ali ni niben pasottak askamiwi.

I congratulate you all! May your knowledge lead you to a peaceful and honest life filled with love and compassion for others. Honor those who have come before you and those yet to come, acknowledging that all desire a good life, so that your days will be long, and summer will always be near.