The Mescaleros' Prophecy, Mescalero Apache Text :: :: University of Virginia Library

The Mescaleros' Prophecy, Mescalero Apache Text

excerpted from Chiricahua Apache Texts, with Ethnological Notes

9. The Mescaleros' Prophecy as told by Fred Pelman

9.1.

When the earth had been made, Killer of Enemies put us down right here in the vicinity of White Mountain.

9.2.

Then there were only Indians scattered over the country.

9.3.

Long ago there were no white men.

9.4.

Then:

9.5.

These of the past did not speak incorrectly.

9.6.

In spite of that, [the Indians now] go the way of these white men.

9.7.

The Indians of long ago said that we would go the way of the white men.

Linguistic Notes by Harry Hoijer

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Then:

(9.4)[4]
'Ákoo:

Háálínndéná'idziií, 'ákoo 'indaa daahíͅlaa."

ch'indíná'a.
Dá'ákaa'ádzaa.

"'Ákoo ndii'énágodiͅí 'áháánédaał."

daandíná'a, Mashgaléneí hadaastiͅiͅńne.

Then:

"When there are only a few of Indians left, then they will become white men,"

they said.
It has become just like that.

"Then the end of the world will be at hand,"

said the Mescalero old men.

[_]

(9.4) Linguistic Notes

1. háálínndéná'idziií 'when there are only a few Indians left'. háálí 'only a few' [?]; ndé 'Indians'; ná'idzii 'there remains' [no analysis]; -í relative.

2. ndii'énágodiͅí 'áháánédaał 'the end of the world will be at hand'. ndii 'world, earth'; 'énágodiͅ 'it is destroyed' [place subj. of 'é-ná-...-diͅ 'to be gone, destroyed'. 'é- thematic; ná- ?]. 'áhááné 'it is near'; -daał fut. encl.