makons
The Ojibwe phrase for "little bear" is makons.
makons is used to refer to a young bear.
Did you know?
- In some Anishinaabe traditions, people avoid saying the word for 'bear' directly to prevent disturbing the animal's spirit, often using alternative descriptions instead.
- The bear is one of the clan animals in the Ojibwe clan system, where members of the Bear Clan are traditionally regarded as the keepers of medicine and protectors of the community.
- Because Ojibwe is a polysynthetic language, one could theoretically add more descriptors to makons to create a single, very long word that means 'the very small, fluffy, brown little bear'.
Example conversation
Zhaawan and Oma are looking at a picture book.
- ZhaawanOma, waabamigoon makons!Oma, look at the little bear!
- OmaEe, makons gichi-zaagi'in.Yes, I love the little bear.
- ZhaawanMakons nindaan?Do I have a little bear?
- OmaEe, Zhaawan, makons nindaan.Yes, Zhaawan, you have a little bear.
