CHANTS ANCIENS DES INDIENS DES ÉTATS-UNIS

(Extrait de l'ouvrage intitulé : THE AMERICAN NATIOxNS^ or outlines of their gênerai history, ancient and modern\ etc. by C. S. Rafinesque, Philadelphia, 1836, first volume, pag. 122 et suiv,)

Having oblainecI,tlirough the lateD^ Ward of Indiana, some ofthe original Wallam-Olum (painted records) of IheLinapi Iribe of Wapaham or White River, the Iranslalion w ill be givcn of the songs annexed to each : which form a kind of connected annals of the nation. In the illustrations of Ihis history, will be figured Ihe original glyphs or symbols (1), and the original songs, with aliterai translation word for word. This will furnish a great addition to our knowledge of American graphies and philology; but hère the annals are chiefly interesting historically. I hâve translated, however, ail the historical and geographical names, so as to affordbetter due to the whole.

\Ve knew by ail the wTiters who bave had friendly intercourse with the tribes of North America, that they did possess, and perhaps keep yet, historical and traditional records of e vents, by hieroglyphs or symbols, on wood, bark, skins, in stringed wampuns, etc.; but none had been published in the original form. This shall be the first attempt. Lederer saw 200 years ago in Carolina, wheels of 60 rays,recording events of 600 ycars. Humboldt has mentioned the glyphical symbols of the Hurons on wood, seen by the Jesuits. Heckewelder saw the Olumapi or painted sticks of the Linapis, but didnot describe Ihem; be merely translated some of their traditional taies : which agrée, in the main, with thèse historical songs; yet the songs appear mère

(1) The glvplis or symbols, liere alluded lo, are allogclher wantiiig in tlie original book of M' Raffinesque, from which this was borrowed.

abridgmcnts of more ccpious annals,on Ihe bases oî Ihe traditions. The Ninniwas or Chipiwas, the Oltowas, the Sakis and Shawanis, etc., ail Linapi tribes, bave such painlcd taies and annals, callcd Neobagun (maie tool) by the former. Tanner bas flgured some of thèse pictured songs or Neobagun, in bis inlercsting Narrative. Loskiel bas stated thatthe Linapis had complète généalogies, with symbols expressing the deeds of each king. Boalty in 176G saw records 370 years old.

Out of Iheso materials and olhers kept by the Ozages, Cowelas, Tzulukis, Panis, etc., might be formed or restored a pcculiar graphie System of North America, différent from the Mexican System; and probably once imported from Asia : \shere it may be compared with the graphie symbols of the Kuriles, Yakuts, Roriaks, etc., indicated by Humboldt, but which are unknown to me. Meanlime I shall give materials for such researches in my illustrations. The symbols, w-hen met alone, were inexp'icable ; but by obtaining the words or verses (since Ihey must commonly be sung), we may acquire enough to lead on furlher enquiries. The most obvions peculiarity of this System, is that each symbol applies to a verse or many words; as if the ideas were amalgamated in the compound syslem : yet they may oflen beanalyzed, and the éléments ascertained or conjectured,by their répétition.

Thèse historical songs of the Linapi, are known to but few individuals, and must be learned with much labor. Those oblained, consist of 3 ancient songs relaling their traditions previous to their arrivai in America (2), written in 25, 16 and 20 symbols, altogether 60. They are very curious, but destitute of chronology. The second séries relates to America; itiscomprised in 7 songs, 4 of 16 verses of 4 words, and 3 of 20 verses of 3 words. It begins at the arrivai in America; and is conlinued without hardly any interruption till the arrivai of the European colonists, towards 1600. As 96 successive kings or chiefs are mentioned except ten that are nameless, it is susceptible of being reduced to a chronology of 96 générations, forming32 centuries, and reaching back to 1600 years before our era. But the whole is very

(1) I do not agrce wiih the autbor as to those Indians ever coming^ from Asia; ihc original siock muslbe merely american.

(3) I suppose that nianv of iliose tiibcs did not conie to Ammca, but left one part of ihc coniineut for auoihcr, viz. the souih for the north.

meagre, a simple catalogue of rulers, willi a few {lecds : yet il is equal lo llie Mexican annals of llie same kind. A last song, which lias neilher symbols nor words, consisting in a mère translation, ends tlie whole, and includes some few original détails on the period from 1600 to 1820.

The ortliography of Ihe Linapi names is reduccd lo tlie Spanish and French pronunciation^ except sh as in English, u as in French, îv as hou.

If any one is inclined to doubt this historical account, tiie concurrent testimonies of Loskiel and Heckewelder are my corroborant proofs. The words of Loskiel are thèse :

« The Delaware keep genea'ogies, wilh the character of eacli » man, if wise, rich, renowned, or a mighty warrior. They use » hiei'oglijpks on wood, trees and stones, to give caution, infor- » mation,communicateevents,achieveraenls, keep records. Some » time the hero has at bis feet, men, beads or weapons. They » bave also paintings onskins of deeds, bunts, feats, etc.