It’s been pouring rain for about a week, the skies clouded day and night. But when the sun reappears, we’ll see Southern California’s mountains all topped with snow, a beautiful sight. Here’s to that fresh beginning of blue skies and beautiful views. Happy New Year 2022!
Waxing crescent moon, courtesy of NASA
On January 2, 2022, the New Moon will appear. In older times, and by older calendar systems, the Moon’s arrival was a special time for Southern California’s First People. It was a time to rejoice, to celebrate renewal. To celebrate beginnings.
During the time of the Creation when the Moon Maiden first left the people and went up to the sky, Dorothy Ramon explained in Serrano,1
“Mita' qaym 'enan hye'cay'ka' miim.
They did not know which way she went.
Maqayeewp qay' kwan wi'wanvu' 'ateerhiktti' haynkwa' mya'qa'.
Because she did not want to tell them where she was going.
Mi'kwan tuuk xhayp mih. Maqayeewp remar'rremar'n 'api'a' 'ama.'
And so she left at night. This is because it was dark then.
'Ap txayp mih. 'Ama' ni' 'ayee' huurrk pa'pa'yu'.
And so she went off somewhere. And then she rose up.
'Ama' nim chaacu' 'ayee' 'amay', wichitam. Mu' chaacu'.
And so now they sing about that today, the bird singers. They would sing about this.
Pataym waha' mëaac 'acaay chaacu'. 'Ama' ni', 'amay' 'ivi' …
They would also sing the song of the Moon. But then nowadays …
Hawayt huurrkow tengk mëaac 'amayt 'ekow 'api'a', puuyum chaacu' wichitam tuhtu'i'am.
When the New Moon was still rising, those dancers would sing those bird songs.
Mëaachi' 'amayti' hiwnk kwan peehun hiti'hiti'nka', key kwenevu' waha'.
When they see the New Moon they should rejoice, it (the song) also said.
“Tamanuch hiiv pavay'pa' mëaac 'amayt qacew papya' 'eehun hiti'hiti'niv.”
”When you see the New Moon up there, then you will be happy.”
“Kwa'mc tuhtu', kwa'mc chaacu.” 'Ama' kwan 'ama' peenyihnya' waha'.
“You should dance and sing.” And that was what they did.
Pana' 'uviht kwana' nyihay taaqtam. Waqa'aym perna'.
That’s what the people did long ago. They would hold ceremonies.
Pana' puuyu'vu' teer. She (The Moon) told them all about that.
Tum hiit wuuwert pat peyika' qac. There is a lot to it.
Waarengk 'amay' qay' hami' 'enan patay.
But today no one knows about this anymore.
'Uviht puuyu' chewpchewpk 'ateerha' mëaac. Penewk ivi' kitin 'enan, 'anin teer.
Long ago the Moon’s teachings were lost. I am just telling what little I know.”
Thank you!
So watch for that tiny sliver to appear in the sky starting January 2, 2022.
News from Dorothy Ramon Learning Center thanks you for exploring the wonder of Southern California Native American cultures with us in 2021. We look forward to more stories, songs, and adventures in 2022. Please send your feedback and ideas: EMAIL. Subscribe; it’s free.
Thank you from Editor Pat Murkland, December 29, 2021.
The 501(c)3 nonprofit Dorothy Ramon Learning Center saves and shares Southern California’s Native American cultures, languages, history, and traditional arts. We welcome donations. ASK FOR MORE INFO.
Ramon, Dorothy, and Eric Elliott, 2000, Wayta’ Yawa’: Always Believe. Malki Museum Press, Banning, California, pp. 595-599, selection from “First People in Darkness,” Reading 503.