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Mdatso shech Nswé Gizek - 13 Moons |
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The Neshnabék used a lunar calendar to mark time. They had 13 moons instead of 12 months. As the pressures of removal divided the people and scattered them throughout the land, different groups began using different terms for the moons as a way to adapt to their new environment. Thus the many different terms listed here, and there are others as well that are more local. |
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| Approximate Month | Northern | Southern | Eastern | Other
(some of these words predate Columbus...) |
| January | Kchemkogizes Big Bear Moon |
Kchemkogizes Big Bear Moon |
Kchemkogizes
Big Bear Moon |
Bbongizes Snow Moon |
| February | Mkogizos Little Bear Moon |
Nmebnegizes Trout Moon |
Mkogizos Little Bear Moon |
Kchenodengizes Big Wind Moon |
| March | Nmebnegizes Trout Moon |
Jejaukgizes Crane Moon |
Nmebnegizes Trout Moon |
Zisbaktokégizes Maple Sugar Moon |
| March/April | Zisbaktokégizes Maple Sugar Moon |
Bkongizes Bark Peel Moon |
Zisbaktokégizes Maple Sugar Moon |
Gtegangizes Planting Moon |
| May | Bgongizes No Snow Moon |
Dé'mengizes Strawberry Moon |
Gtegangizes Planting Moon |
Waskonédogizes Flower Moon |
| June | Dé'mengizes Strawberry Moon |
Mskomnegizes Raspberry Moon |
Éte'mengizes Strawberry Moon |
Dé'mengizes Strawberry Moon |
| July | Aptenibnegizes Mid Summer Moon |
Aptenibnegizes Mid Summer Moon |
Aptenibnegizes Mid Summer Moon |
Nodnokigizes Gentle Breeze Moon |
| August | Minkégizes Blueberry Moon |
Nibnegizes Ripening Moon |
Minkégizes Blueberry Moon |
Kcheshatégizes Hot Weather Moon |
| September | Zawbogyagizes Yellow Leaf Moon |
Mshewégizes Rabbit Moon |
Zawbogyagizes Yellow Leaf Moon |
Mnomnekégizes Wild Rice Moon |
| October | Bnakwigizes Falling Leaves Moon |
Éshkekwakigizes Forest Moon |
Watebgyagizes Colored Leaves Moon |
Kishkashkijigégizes Harvest Moon |
| November | Tekwakigizes Forest Moon |
Pokmenésengizes Cranberry Moon |
Bnakwigizes Falling Leaves Moon |
Kwemigizes Frost Moon |
| November | Giwségizes Hunting Moon |
Bbongizes Snow Moon |
Bbongizes Snow Moon |
Ksenyamgizes Cold Weather Moon |
| December | Bbongizes Snow Moon |
Mkogizos Little Bear Moon |
Aptebbongizes Mid Winter Moon |
Agmosekgizes Snowshoe Moon |