ᐸᐦᑭᐧᓭᑲᓂᐢ
pahkwesikanis
The Cree word for cigarette is ᐸᐦᑭᐧᓭᑲᓂᐢ (pahkwesikanis).
The term refers to a thin roll of tobacco made for smoking.
Meaning: thin roll of tobacco made for smoking (noun)
How do you pronounce it?
pahkwesikanis
Did you know?
- In some cultural contexts, smoking tobacco is used as a way to seal an agreement or a pact, turning the act of smoking into a legal or social contract.
- The word ᐸᐦᑭᐧᓭᑲᓂᐢ uses the Cree syllabic writing system, which was developed in the 19th century to allow for rapid literacy among Indigenous populations.
- In Cree culture, tobacco holds a sacred status, so the word for a commercial cigarette might carry different social connotations than the English word.
Example conversation
Two friends are standing outside a building.
- Aᒫᑲᐣ ᐸᐦᑭᐧᓭᑲᓂᐢ ᐃᐣᐣᐣᐣ?maan pahkiskani innin?Do you have a cigarette?
- Bᐁᐣ, ᒫᑲᐣ ᐸᐦᑭᐧᓭᑲᓂᐢ.en, maan pahkiskani.Yes, I have a cigarette.
- Aᐪᐣᐣᐣ ᓂᐣᐪᐣ ᐸᐦᑭᐧᓭᑲᓂᐢ ᓂᐣᐪᐣ?ninnin ninon pahkiskani ninon?Can I have a cigarette?
- Bᐁᐣ, ᒫᑲᐣ ᒫᑲᐣ.en, maan maan.Yes, here you go.
