Sunday, March 27, 2011

On Respect........

Good day folks....
Some information on an old familiar word among our people.....
The gift of respect and its responsibilities among our people, the Neshnabeg.
It wasn't something we merely spoke of, it was a lifestyle and something we put on, like an article of clothing......

Nin se Neaseno.




Respect

respect [rɪˈspɛkt]
n
1. an attitude of deference, admiration, or esteem; regard
2. the state of being honoured or esteemed
3. a detail, point, or characteristic; particular he differs in some respects from his son
4. reference or relation (esp in the phrases in respect of, with respect to)
5. polite or kind regard; consideration respect for people's feelings
6. (often plural) an expression of esteem or regard (esp in the phrase pay one's respects)

vb (tr)
1. to have an attitude of esteem towards; show or have respect for, to respect one's elders
2. to pay proper attention to; not violate, to respect Swiss neutrality
3. to show consideration for; treat courteously or kindly
4. Archaic to concern or refer to
[from Latin rēspicere to look back, pay attention to, from RE- + specere to look]


Mnadenmowen respect

Mnadendek to respect s.o.

Mdodadenwa speak with respect

Nchiwenmowen I hold in high regard

Nchiwendan hold in high regard (inan.)

Nchiwenma hold in high regard (anim.)

Wdetanmowen to have respect

Mnadendemwenen to have respect for s.o. or s.t.

Kejitwawenindowen to have great respect for s.o. or s.t.


Some questions to be considered.

Will a student of the Neshnabek persuasion ever surpass his/her teacher?

Should they ever cease respecting their teachers?

When will they stop following their teachers?

Will they know or will they be told?

Who will tell them?

Mnadendowen to have mutual respect for each other


The order of roles and their various duties.

Oshkabéwés
Little servitor….
Like a little janitor….
Spitoons, emptying of….
Cleaning of arbor area….

Oshkabéwes
Servitor
Fire assistant


Ceremonialist
Drummer/Singer
Altar assistant

Translator/Interpreter

*Physical
**Spiritual


*In this role, one was expected to serve the people by helping the elders and the spiritual leaders among them. In this way, the songs and the ceremonies were learned and often, a young person could become the apprentice of a recognized spiritual leader.


**In this role, one became a translator/interpreter of all the spiritual stuff he/she saw and was taught. Only your Teacher could advise you when you were ready for this responsibility though. Once you gained the trust of your Teachers, they commissioned you to go out and seek fresh vision for oneself. This is what draws the spiritual person close to the ways of the people, and causes him/her to serve so closely and faithfully.

No comments:

Post a Comment