yanash
The Choctaw word for buffalo is yanash.
The term refers to a bovid belonging to the Bubalina subtribe.
Meaning: bovid of the Bubalina subtribe (noun)
Did you know?
- Choctaw tradition views the yanash not as a resource to be owned, but as a relative to be thanked for its sacrifice.
- In traditional Choctaw culture, every part of the yanash was used, including the bladder for water containers and the stomach for cooking pots.
- The word yanash can evoke a sense of mourning in older generations who witnessed the rapid decline of the herds during the 19th century.
Example conversation
David and Ashley are looking at a picture in a book.
- DavidYanash hachukli?Is that a buffalo?
- AshleyHiko, yanash hachukli.Yes, that is a buffalo.
- DavidYanash hacha lila hila.The buffalo is very big.
- AshleyHiko, yanash lila hila.Yes, the buffalo is very big.
