paskwâwi-mostos
The Cree word for American bison (Bison bison) is paskwâwi-mostos.
Meaning: American bison, Bison bison (noun)
Did you know?
- Because of the spiritual significance of the animal, many Cree speakers avoid using its direct name in certain traditional contexts. Instead, they might use a polite euphemism or a descriptive phrase to show respect to the animal's spirit.
- When speaking of the bison in a formal or storytelling context, the language may shift to treat the animal as a person. This can involve using verbs or grammatical structures that imply the bison is a relative rather than a mere object of nature.
- The word paskwâwi-mostos literally combines the term for 'plain' with mostos, which is the general Cree word for 'buffalo' or 'bison'.
