Woodland Indians Forum

Thank you Sschkaak! Looks like I really misunderstood Mr. Heckewelder when I noted that down, lol.....
On the identification of white pine, I would guess he's talking about Pinus strobus. It seems that two species of pines are most commonly distinguished by the Moravians (and others in the 18th century). It makes sense, since the two most common pine species in the old Lenape country are and seem to have been White Pine and Pitch Pine (although Pinus resinosa, the Red Pine, and perhaps even Pinus virginiana may have been grouped with either, most likely Pitch Pine, Pinus rigida.)

I have noticed Pitch pine frequently distinguished in period sources by its being used for torches because of its very resinous wood. Heckewelder distinguishes "cuwe" from the "pindalanac" entry as being "the Yellow kind of pine". Other 18th century authors distinguish Pitch pine from White pine by calling it Black Pine. And in the Brinton dictionary, Rev. Albert Seqaqkind Anthony notes in the entry on the word "Cuwe" that it is "properly p’koweu, it is sticky, alluding to the resin."
In describing the city of New York in late 1748, Peter Kalm writes that:
"The roofs are commonly covered with tiles or shingles; the latter of which are made of the white firtree, or Pinus Strobus (Linn. sp. plant, page 1419.) which grows higher up in the country. The inhabitants are of opinion that a roof made of these shingles is as durable as one made in Pensylvania of the White Cedar, or Cupressus thyoides (Linn. spec. plant, page 1422.)"
from Peter Kalm's Travels in North America, vol. 1, 249-250.

I think I have seen other references from the period to Pinus strobus being called White Pine, so I would think it most likely that Heckewelder was talking about this species. I had never made the connection between quiver and "pindalanac" before! I can imagine the bark making good quivers though...   Although perhaps the connection between the tree and quivers is for an entirely different reason? Who knows.... It's very interesting though... I want to look into it.

Anischi,

Justin

Last edited by Pepaxkang (Dec-27-2009 09:35:pm)

Pepaxkang wrote:

Thank you Sschkaak! Looks like I really misunderstood Mr. Heckewelder when I noted that down, lol.....
On the identification of white pine, I would guess he's talking about Pinus strobus. It seems that two species of pines are most commonly distinguished by the Moravians (and others in the 18th century). It makes sense, since the two most common pine species in the old Lenape country are and seem to have been White Pine and Pitch Pine (although Pinus resinosa, the Red Pine, and perhaps even Pinus virginiana may have been grouped with either, most likely Pitch Pine, Pinus rigida.)

I have noticed Pitch pine frequently distinguished in period sources by its being used for torches because of its very resinous wood. Heckewelder distinguishes "cuwe" from the "pindalanac" entry as being "the Yellow kind of pine". Other 18th century authors distinguish Pitch pine from White pine by calling it Black Pine. And in the Brinton dictionary, Rev. Albert Seqaqkind Anthony notes in the entry on the word "Cuwe" that it is "properly p’koweu, it is sticky, alluding to the resin."
In describing the city of New York in late 1748, Peter Kalm writes that:
"The roofs are commonly covered with tiles or shingles; the latter of which are made of the white firtree, or Pinus Strobus (Linn. sp. plant, page 1419.) which grows higher up in the country. The inhabitants are of opinion that a roof made of these shingles is as durable as one made in Pensylvania of the White Cedar, or Cupressus thyoides (Linn. spec. plant, page 1422.)"
from Peter Kalm's Travels in North America, vol. 1, 249-250.

White pine, pitch pine and Virginia pine (bull pine-yellow pine) are all common trees here. White pine grows  upland though, with the Virginia pine and pitch pine mixed together in both lowland and upland areas. Those two (pitch and yellow) are hard to tell apart unless you know trees.

sschkaak wrote:

"Those two (pitch and yellow) are hard to tell apart unless you know trees."

Lenape (Mission Delaware) actually has two words for 'yellow pine':  cuwe and wisachk.  These could be two words for the same species (the latter, possibly Munsee), or they may designate two distinct species.

I would think "cuwe" would be pitch pine because people here consider it nasty, sticky and a pain in the butt.

It may just as likely be more closely related to gawi ('porcupine') and gawunsch ('briar')--with a stem meaning "spiny" or "thorny" (with reference to the pine needles).

That makes sense. Where did you find the word wisachk? I've never seen it before. Do you think it means "yellow wood"?

Thank you!

I'd like to see this!  This might be the proper construction of a pindalan. 

While we're at it, throw this word into the mix:

ochqui  =  "resinous pine wood"  [from John Ettwein's Delaware vocabulary]

14. ngiechkami,  my leg is fallen asleep (literally, "I have a leg which is numb")

Every time I see a halo around the moon I say that, lol.

Thank you so much for posting these!! I like the one about the halo around the moon too:cool:

Cool!

I'm stumped.  Can't make anything of it, in Lenape.  It may be from another language, or so badly spelled as to mask its meaning.  Are there any old variant spellings?

No older spellings, or even any historical articles that I can find on it, unfortunately. And that's with some serious searching; it is somewhat of a power spot for me and my brothers. It is right near the aforementioned Painted Rocks and across the river from Brandt's Falls.