ᒥᔪ ᒪᓂᑐᐏ ᑮᓯᑲᓂᓯ
miyo-manitowi-kîsikanisi
ᒥᔪ ᒪᓂᑐᐏ ᑮᓯᑲᓂᓯ (miyo-manitowi-kîsikanisi) is the Cree way to say merry christmas.
This phrase is used to offer good wishes during the Christmas season.
Meaning: good wishes at Christmas time (phrase)
How do you pronounce it?
miyo-manitowi-kîsikanisi
Did you know?
- Cree is a polysynthetic language, meaning a single word like ᑮᓯᑲᓂᓯ can contain as much information as a whole English sentence.
- The word ᒪᓂᑐᐏ (manitowi) in this phrase relates to the concept of 'spirit' or 'sacred power', meaning the greeting wishes for a 'good spirit' during the season.
- The Cree syllabary used to write this phrase was developed in the 19th century to allow for rapid literacy among Indigenous people.
Example conversation
Two friends meet on the street during the holidays.
- Aᑮᐣᐅᐣ, ᒥᔪ ᒪᓂᑐᐏ ᑮᓯᑲᓂᓯ!Kīnan, miju Manitūwī kīsekanisi!Hello, merry Christmas!
- Bᒥᔪ ᒪᓂᑐᐏ ᑮᓯᑲᓂ sisi ᓂᐅᐣ!Miju Manitūwī kīsekanisi nūn!Merry Christmas to you too!
- Aᐣᐅᐣ ᐅᐣᐏᓯᐣ ᐅᐣᐏᓯᐣ?Nūn ēnisin ēnisin?Are you doing well?
- Bᐣᐅ, ᒥᔪ ᐣᐅᐣ.Nū, miju nūn.Yes, I am good.
