Here’s to winter solstice, welcoming the return of the light.
Here’s to a Merry Christmas for all who celebrate. And a Happy New Year!
Native American Elder Ernest Siva (Cahuilla-Serrano), president of Dorothy Ramon Learning Center, shares these Christmas carols in Serrano:
Rudolf Sukutt Hemo Selnekish
Here’s the Cahuilla version of one song that Ernest Siva just shared in Serrano.
We’ve treasured this translation from some years ago by Raymond Huaute (Cahuilla-Chumash).
Rudolf Sukutt Hemo Selnekish
Hemo cha pahutinqal
Pen mepa'pe et patexwunuk
E' Exhalow tis
Umum supel sukutem
Tawyma pish hem coocoswen
Rudolf hemo selnekish
hesun soonema
Peng a pe suplish tukmiyat
Santa Claus peek Yaxh qa ley
Rudolf emo selnikish evah et namomiyo
Peng a pe umun sukutem
hem sunchiwen pen hem changenwen
Anga pah kela mepa pish him kookas
Rudolf sukutt hemo selnekish.
Encore!
Last year, Ernest Siva put on his Santa hat and shared his Serrano translation of
1. “God Rest Ye Merry, Gentlemen,” and,
2., “Angels We Have Heard on High.”
This became one of the Learning Center’s top videos on social media. The carols in Serrano inspired others to sing carols in their own beautiful Native American languages. Recently, the children at Morongo Reservation School sang these carols as a gift for Ernest Siva. So, here’s an encore for you:
Last-minute Gift Idea
Dorothy Ramon Learning Center is a 501(c)3 nonprofit and isn’t affiliated with any one tribe; instead we rely on donations to serve all of Southern California. Your donation is tax-deductible. Ask for more information.
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Thank you!
Thank you for exploring and discovering the wonder of Southern California’s First Nations every Wednesday with us in News from Dorothy Ramon Learning Center.
What would YOU like to read about? Please tell us! EMAIL. Thank you from Editor Pat Murkland, December 22, 2021.
P.S.
This week our Dorothy Ramon Learning Center leaders, Ernest and June Siva, celebrated their 52nd wedding anniversary. Please join us in wishing them a happy anniversary!