asemaa
/aseˈmaː/
asemaa is the Ojibwe word for tobacco.
This noun refers to the leaves of certain varieties of the tobacco plant.
Meaning: leaves of certain varieties of tobacco plant (noun)
How do you pronounce it?
The pronunciation is /aseˈmaː/.
Did you know?
- When asking an Elder or a knowledge keeper for information, it is customary to offer asemaa as a gesture of respect and gratitude.
- asemaa is one of the four sacred medicines used by many Anishinaabe people, alongside cedar, sage and sweetgrass.
- The word asemaa is part of a massive linguistic family, sharing roots with words for tobacco in languages as far-reaching as Cheyenne and Malecite-Passamaquoddy.
Examples in context
- Asemaa.It is tobacco.
- Giiwadenaa asemaa.He/she found tobacco.
Example conversation
Oma and Migizi are preparing for a traditional ceremony.
- OmaMigizi, asemaa gaa-izhi-aya?Migizi, where is the tobacco?
- MigiziAsemaa wiyaa aaniish own.The tobacco is over there.
- OmaMiigwech, nindaa asemaa.Thank you, I have the tobacco.
- MigiziAaa, gi-wiin i-izhi-aya.Yes, it is with you.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “tobacco” translations and entries asemaa, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries asemaa, CC BY-SA 4.0.
