Friday, February 11, 2011

Neweneit Na Ahas

or "The Prophecy of the Fourth Crow"


As told by Robert Red Hawk Ruth and Translated by Shelley DePaul

"Lomewe, luwe na okwes xu laxakwihele xkwithakamika."
Long ago it was said that a fox will be loosened on the earth.

"Ok nen luwe newa ahasak xu peyok."
Also it was said four crows will come.

"Netami ahas kenthu li guttitehewagan wichi Kishelemukonk."
The first crow flew the way of harmony with Creator.

"Nisheneit ahas kwechi pilito entalelemukonk, shek palsu ok ankela."
The second crow tried to clean the world, but he became sick and he died.

"Nexeneit ahas weneyoo ankelek xansa ok koshiphuwe."
The third crow saw his dead brother and he hid.

"Neweneit ahas kenthu li guttitehewagan lapi wichi Kishelemukonk."
The fourth crow flew the way of harmony again with Creator.

"Kenahkihechik xu withatuwak xkwithakamika."
Caretakers they will live together on the earth...


We have chosen to tell the story of the Lenape in Pennsylvania through “The Prophecy of the Fourth Crow,” an ancient story passed down among the Lenape for generations. This story relates the ways in which Lenape people have struggled to survive and to keep their community and culture intact. Chief Red Hawk summarizes the current interpretation of the Prophecy in the following way: “We now know that the First Crow was the Lenape before the coming of the Europeans. The Second Crow symbolized the death and destruction of our culture. The Third Crow was our people going underground and hiding. The Fourth Crow was the Lenape becoming caretakers again and working with everybody to restore this land.”

 
Painted Lenape drum made of deer hide and wood. Music, particularly drumming and singing, remains an important part of Lenape ceremony and celebration. Photo: Lauren Hansen-Flaschen.
 
And I add: I'd never heard this story until yesterday when I found it, reading an old magazine in a doctor's office. As I looked for an image to add to this post, I found this one that looks to me to be a turtle with the wings of a crow...

2 comments:

  1. What old magazine was that?

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  2. Twas a sidebar in "Archeology" magazine, two or three years old.
    Didja see my comment re: cheapo floppy reader???

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