How to Say “Smudge” in Cree

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ᒥᔭᑲᓯᑲᐣ
miyahkasikan
The English word 'smudge' can be translated into Cree as ᒥᔭᑲᓯᑲᐣ (miyahkasikan).
ᒥᔭᑲᓯᑲᐣ is used to refer to a blemish or a smear.
Meaning: a blemish, a smear (noun)

How do you pronounce it?

miyahkasikan

Did you know?

  • In many Cree communities, 'smudging' refers to a sacred ceremony where medicinal herbs like sage or sweetgrass are burned to purify the spirit and environment.
  • The syllabic character ᒥ in ᒥᔭᑲᓯᑲᐣ is a rotation of a base shape, where the orientation of the mark determines the vowel sound.
  • Cree culture often views the smoke from a smudge as a messenger that carries prayers up to the Creator.

Example conversation

Two people are looking at a painting.

  1. A

    ᒥᔭᑲᓯᑲᐣ ᐘᐩᐣ ᓂᐜᐩᐣ.
    miyakasikan win ninese.
    There is a smudge on this one.
  2. B

    ᐄ, ᓂᐘᐩᐣ ᐘᐩᐣ ᒫᐣ.
    ii, niwin win maan.
    Yes, it is very dark.
  3. A

    ᑲᐣᐩᐣ ᒫᐣ ᒥᔭᑲᓯᑲᐣ?
    kanin maan miyakasikan?
    What is this smudge?
  4. B

    ᐘᐩᐣ ᐘᐩᐣ ᐣᐩᐣ.
    win win nin.
    It is just paint.
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Will Levi
Will LeviHelp make this guide better. Spot a mistake, know another way to say it, or have an example from real life? Share it below.
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