Dictionary of 500 Kogi words and mythological characters
Culled from various academic pieces by Geraldo Reichel-Dolmatoff.
z is pronounced generally like the j in jardin (French) and x as the ch in ach (German).
Reference is made as to which version ( Northern or Western slopes) the mythological character comes from. Reichel-Dolmatoff worked with the Mamas in constructing various diagrammatical models (i.e. the Loom model) which are also referred to in the meanings.
Abu SĂ© – one of the first six spiritual parents who originated spirit and thought, according to Ramon Gilâs exegesis. The other parents were Zaku SĂ©, Ade SĂ©, Kaku SĂ©, Jawa SĂ© and Jate SĂ©. âThey created everything in spirit, in the non-material world. They were not people, not air, not anything, just idea.â
Ade SĂ© – see Abu SĂ© and SĂ©.
-ang – suffix found in feminine mythological names of ancient Tairona origin
abĂĄxsĂ« – black
ĂĄbuan – maternal?
abĂșci – white
abĂșci atĂ©ima – âwhite-big oneâ. Venus (EnduksĂĄma), daughter of Sun and Moon
abĂșldo – thin
abĂșldu – small
AhĂkwa/HirvöĂxa – son of EnduksĂĄma
AhuĂmal-dĂșe – village in the Beyond where those who die of âhaemorrhagesâ go to
AkĂn-due – one of the first 9 Lords of the universe to be born
AlauhuĂku – in charge of all rituals connected with cultivated fields and wild-growing fruits. Lord of SSW, lord of animals, fire and dry season. Red body, tall & thin, large head. One of the sons of the Mother associated with the cardinal points. Youngest of all the lords but the wisest. Wears a garment of white cotton cloth
AldauhuĂku – one of the first 9 Lords of the universe to be born, associated with the SE. âLord of Treesâ
AldĂșna HĂĄte – âspirit fatherâ, mythical being associated with world level 9 in northern slopes version
AldĂșna MĂșlyi – âspirit cottonâ, mythical being associated with world level 7 in northern slopes version
AldĂșna SĂĄnkalda – âspirit headâ, mythical being associated with world level 8 in northern slopes version
AldĂșna Se-ne-nulang – âour spirit earthâ, mythical being associated with world level 6 in northern slopes version
aldusĂĄnyi – left
alnĂĄua – zenith
alnĂĄua/arhuĂnese – temple
AlĂșna – pure thought, memory, spirit, soul, mind, imagination
aluna zakwa – fabric of Life; clothes
AlĂșna-yumang – mythical being associated with world level 8 in western slopes version
alĂșnan gĂ©ina – âways of the soulâ/pardonable emotions
alĂșnan kĂșxa – metaphysical reference to the âcrossroadsâ in a diagram based on solstice
alĂșnan kĂșxa-chi haba – âthey are the mother of soulâs earsâ
alusĂ©nka-chi – âgood ways on the night sideâ; context: the loom model
aluxtatĂĄne-yĂ© – village in the Beyond where those who die from âcrampsâ go to
arzĂ©kve – checkered
asĂ©izi – right
atĂ©ima – big
atsĂ«si – red
axalduka – hips or legs
aximunakalda agakuĂ© – âthe part where one does the weavingâ; lower bar of loom + sexual connotation
Bonga/Bunga – village (Bunkunagega) on the northern slopes being developed as a trading/health centre
BĂșnalyue – the first legendary MĂĄma to teach a group of disciples. See MukuĂĄnauiaishi
bĂșndzi – daughter; related to munsĂĄ
BĂșnkua-neuldang – mythical being associated with soil colour âwhiteâ
BĂșnkua-se – âthe shining oneâ, one of the sons of the Mother-Goddess (white/penis) – son of HĂĄte KtakĂ©ne-ne-nulĂĄng and HĂĄba Se-ne-nulĂĄng. A Lord of the Universe – 18 in all according to the Western slopes version. He established the rules by which future mĂĄmas were chosen and educated, and is the personification of highest moral principles in Kogi ethics, thus the patron and spiritual guardian of the priesthood. One of the mythological figures who embody principals of light and justice
BunkuĂĄnyu mang – mythical being associated with world level 10 in western slopes version
Bunkunagega – full name of the village Bonga; means âto awakeâ in Kogi
ceraĂș – related to the cluster of roots which signify maleness, testicles and procreation
Cerua – ceremonial site on the Sevilla River
ChendĂșkua – ceremonial centre of the Sierra Nevada on the Guatapuri river
dĂĄke – matriline
DashĂbia – wife of MalyĂneka-mĂĄma
Doana-neuldang – mythical being associated with world of sand and soil colour âyellowishâ
DoanankuĂvi – a mountain created by the 4 sons of the Mother-Goddess at the head of the Tucurinca river, inside which was the first ceremonial house where novices trained for priesthood
Dondzi-neuldang – mythical being associated with soil colour âbrownishâ
dĂșe – older brother
DĂșe Nugi – a mythical sinner tied to Orionâs rack, a rapist
DĂșe SĂĄngui – one of the first 9 Lords of the universe to be born
dĂșga – daughter
DuginĂĄvi – âolder brother jaguarâ, great carver of ritual masks. He fights his father, Thunder Lord, steals his drum, and is banished to the barren Guajira peninsula
DuginĂĄvi akĂĄnkuin gau – âDuginĂĄvi made the kankuĂâ
dulĂĄma-kĂ©xa – a village in the Beyond
DzibĂșndziza – mythical being associated with those who harmed trees and fruits
Ă©ibi-ci hĂĄte – âFather of Maizeâ, another name for AlauhuĂku
Eisua aluna zakwa askuima gau tei – âAlone one weaves oneâs Fabric of Lifeâ
eldunhualda – shed-stick; part of loom
Elnau-yang – mythical being associated with world level 9 in western slopes version
EnduksĂĄma – 1 of 4 daughters of MĂĄma Teiku; the planet Venus
gau/gaul – to make, create, initiate, consecrate
Gaulcovang/ Gaulchovang – the Great Mother, origin of all things, occ. referred to as Spider Woman
GaulkuchĂ©/GaulkuchĂ©xa – Lord of Death (whose realm lies in the snowfields)
Gauna-neuldang – mythical being associated with soil colour âgreenâ
gĂĄya – concubine
gĂ©lda – pubic hairs
gĂ©ma – fire sticks
gĂ©ma abĂĄxsĂ« – black fire sticks, as carried by SeokĂșkui
gĂ©ma abĂșci – white fire sticks, as carried by SeizĂĄnkwa
gĂ©ma atsĂ«si – red fire sticks, as carried by AlauhuĂku
gĂ©na/gĂ©ina – way, direction
Guacanaoma – paramount chief of the Taironas, to whose autjority the naomas were subject.
guĂĄmelda – a green parrot
gĂŒidĂ©nku – a squirrel (Sciurus sp.)
GĂŒimelĂĄke – ceremonial centre of the Sierra Nevada
Gonawindua/gĂŒinavĂndua – the peak area of the sierra, the snowfields
Guingala – helper and companion (in the centre) to MulkuĂ«xe
guisguina – small pointed stick, like a thick needle, used in weaving
gĂŒĂshi – basketry tray used by a novice to cover his head when leaving the house at night
gula – arms; also of garments
gux (root) – signifies fire and/or sexual energy
guxtsĂ©-ci nungĂĄ – âshadow of fireâ, cold black fire of the netherworld, realm of Black Sun( Father Night)
Gwi – rock, structure, support, column. Gwi had to be fashioned by Serankwa according to the law of SĂ© as part of the organisation of the material world. Gonawindua, the peak area of the Sierra Nevada de Santa Marta, was one result of this organisation.
HĂĄba prefix – mother (as in HĂĄba Gaulcovang)
HĂĄba AhĂșnyika – ruler of 7th universal level in the Western slopes version
HĂĄba Auine-nulĂĄng – a mother of the 4th universal level in the Western slopes version
HĂĄba BunkuĂĄne-ne-nulĂĄng – ruler, with HĂĄte Sai-cĂĄka, of the 6th universal level in the Western slopes version
HĂĄba Disi-se-yuntanĂĄ – a mother of the 4th universal level in the Western slopes version
HĂĄba EnkuĂĄne-ne-nulang – mistress of 5th universal level in the Western slopes version
HĂĄba GuxĂĄnexan/MukulĂș-dzĂși – representative of HĂĄba Gaulcovang who grants priests some of their powers
HĂĄba GuxsĂ©nse – HĂĄba Gaulcovang as the mother of fire, lit. âmother fire-lessâ
haba ha-itĂ© – âMother-sits-hereâ (ref: a point on a loom diagram)
HĂĄba HakungĂ©na – mythical being associated with world level 2 in northern slopes version
HĂĄba HangĂ©ina – an evil Mother
HĂĄba HaxtoxĂ© – âMother Stone Lineageâ
HĂĄba KanĂ©-nulang – mistress of 2nd layer in the netherworld âwhither evil souls goâ
HĂĄba KĂĄnexang – the âMother of the Drumâ, mistress of the 3rd layer in the netherworld
HĂĄba KaxsintĂĄna – âmother of the lineage of green treesâ, mythical being associated with world level 4 in northern slopes version
HĂĄba KenyazĂ© – ruler, with HĂĄte AhuĂneka-tanĂĄ, of 8th universal level in Western slopes version
Haba MameyumĂĄng – presides over âthe end of the worldâ; ref. metaphysical model of the nuhue
HĂĄba MokĂ©ta – wife of SeizĂĄnkwa
HĂĄba MĂșli – wife of MulkwĂĄ-kukuĂ, the only benevolent couple of the netherworlds
HĂĄba MutsĂua – wife of SeokĂșkui, mother of consecration
HĂĄba NĂĄbia – Mother-jaguar
HĂĄba NabobĂĄ – âmother jaguar-eyeâ. Evil. Represents female sexuality in its most uncontrolled form. Many children by SintĂĄna, devouring some at birth. Taught women to weave bags
HĂĄba NĂnulang – the mother of HĂĄba Gaulcovang according to some sources, see ni
HĂĄba NyĂ«xan – wife of MĂĄma MususĂ in the highest of the upper worlds
HĂĄba SaldĂĄn – mythical being associated with world level 3 in northern slopes version
HĂĄba Sayagaueye-yumĂĄng – a mother of the 4th universal level in the Western slopes version
HĂĄba Se-kalalĂmue – another name for HĂĄba MutsĂua
HĂĄba Se-ne-nulĂĄng – an aspect of the Great Mother here married to HĂĄte KtakĂ©ne-ne-nulĂĄng
HĂĄba Se-nyuĂ-yumang – âmother-penis-sun-womanâ; original teacher of how to use the kankuĂ
HĂĄba Se-yubang/HĂĄba Se – (mother penis) – an aspect of the Great Mother when married to NimatĂĄi-yubang
HĂĄba SĂvalidsĂnue – HĂĄba Gaulcovang as the mother of the snowfields
HĂĄba SivulĂĄng – mother of skin & broken bones i.e. dismemberment. Rules 4th layer in netherworld
HĂĄba SivulyuvĂĄng – another name for Gaulcovang
hag/haggi – stone
hana kuxa – one of the 4 main posts (nugikuĂ) of the nuhue with priestly significance
hĂĄnkua-kĂșkui – adult members of mĂĄmas household who supervise novices
hĂĄnkwa – chief/administrator
Hankwa-tuxe – one of the 4 original patrilines. Associated animal: puma. Lord: SeizĂĄnkwa
HarldĂčma-yang – mythical being associated with world of stones and level 5 in western slopes version
HĂĄte (prefix) – father
HĂĄte AhuĂneka-tanĂĄ – ruler, with HĂĄba KenyazĂ©, of 8th universal level in Western slopes version
HĂĄte KtakĂ©ne-ne-nulĂĄng – husband of Gaulcovang in her aspect as HĂĄba Se-ne-nulĂĄng
HĂĄte MulkuĂĄ-kukui – a solar being
HĂĄte Sai-cĂĄka – ruler, with HĂĄba BunkuĂĄne-ne-nulĂĄng, of 6th level in Western slopes version
HĂĄte SalĂĄlu & HĂĄba HĂĄrvalĂ«xan – live in the 3rd layer of the netherworld under HĂĄba KĂĄnexang
HĂĄte Sei – Father-night, ruler of the 4th upper world
HĂĄte SivaxĂĄli & MulkwakĂĄna – cannabalistic couple of 4th layer in netherworld with green skin and green clothes
hatĂșkula – circular mirror of black stone (as carried by SeokĂșkui)
heisĂĄn-dĂșe – one of the 9 villages of death through which the soul passes
HeisĂ©i – death
heisĂ©i-chi alusĂ©shka – âDeath-of-the-Left-Sideâ; context: the loom model
HeisĂ©i-chi kuĂbuldu – âLand of the Deadâ, lit. âdeathâs little housesâ
heisĂ©i-chi nyĂ-zula – deathâs white water – context: the loom model
hĂ©lyi – honeycombs
hĂ©lyis kaldaukĂĄ – bench?
HindukĂĄnni – 1 of 4 daughters of MĂĄma Teiku
HinduksĂĄma – 1 of 4 daughters of MĂĄma Teiku
hintĂșl-dĂșe – village in the Beyond where those who die from âpains in the jointsâ go to
hisĂĄ-bĂĄ – one of the 9 villages of death through which the soul passes
hisĂĄ-meiyi – one of the 9 villages of death through which the soul passes
hisĂĄn-dĂșe – another village or way station encountered by the soul in the Beyond
hisan-kaxa – one of the 9 villages of death through which the soul passes
hisĂĄui kaizĂ© – River of Death
hisei keihi – âdelivering the deadâ; a rite performed by the Mamas to ease a soulâs suffering ; âloosening of the deadâ; a 9 day ritual undergone by a wandering soul
hotĂĄkin-dĂșe – a village in the Beyond where all âcomisariosâ go to
huĂĄldakema-dĂșe – village in the Beyond where those who die from âpain in the jawâ go to
huangkuan-dĂșe – village in the Beyond where those who die from âvomitingâ go to
hubi – small enclosure in the ceremonial house where novices used to live
hugĂșkui – another reference to MulkuĂ«xe. Translates as âComisario Mayorâ
hukĂșkui – chiefs/owners
HukĂșkui-tuxe – one of the 4 original patrilines. Associated animal: owl. Lord: SeokĂșkui
HukumĂ©izi – ceremonial centre of the Sierra Nevada
HukumĂ©izi-tuxe – one of the 4 original patrilines. Associated animal: jaguar. Lord: SintĂĄna
HĂșl-dake – one of the 4 original matrilines. Associated animal: deer. Madre:SivaldungĂĄya
husĂĄxa – one of the 9 villages of death through which the soul passes
huve/hubve – hut, probably the small ritual hut for male initiation
HĂșviexan – one of 2 younger brothers to MĂĄma Teiku
huxkĂșkui – another reference to MulkuĂ«xe. Translates as âComisario Mayorâ
ishkuĂ©ldyi – reborn in the spiritual sense. See seivĂĄke
Jate SĂ© – one of the first six spiritual parents who originated spirit and thought, according to Ramon Gilâs exegesis. The other parents were Abu SĂ©, Zaku SĂ©, Ade SĂ©, Kaku SĂ© and Jawa SĂ©.
Jawa SĂ© – another of the first six spiritual parents. See above and SĂ©.
kĂĄbalmal-dĂșe – village in the Beyond where those who die from âdizzinessâ go to
kabĂĄsi – to sleep
KabĂșnma-yang – mythical being associated with world level 4 in western slopes version
kĂĄggaba – Primarily, the name the Kogi call themselves, i.e. âThe Peopleâ. Also, in one cosmological account (Western slopes version) the soft-boned prehuman people born to Gaulcovang.
kĂĄggaba kuĂtsi – elongated necklace bead of reddish stone
kĂĄggi – earth
kĂĄkĂ«lya – sexually experienced
Kaku SĂ©- one of the first six spiritual parents who originated spirit and thought, according to Ramon Gilâs exegesis. The other parents were Abu SĂ©, Zaku SĂ©, Ade SĂ©, Jate SĂ© and Jawa SĂ©. See SĂ©.
kalasuna – menâs wide trousers. From Spanish calzones
kalaukĂĄ – small wooden bench fashioned by a mourner
kalditĂĄma-dĂșe – village in the Beyond where those who die from âthinnessâ go to
kaldsexĂĄma-dĂșe – village in the Beyond where those who die from âitchâ go to
kalebitĂș – peccary
kalguashĂzan – digestive tract?
kalguasĂza – images of everything that was to exist – created in alĂșna by Gaulcovang.
kalkuĂĄna – sword-shaped wooden club, as carried by SeizĂĄnkwa
kĂĄlta – book, from Spanish carta
kĂĄlta bĂșci – white book
kalvasĂĄnkua – world axis i.e. the spindle thrust into the universe by the Mother (a phallic concept)
kalvasĂĄnkua-ci mĂșzi – world axis-seat, another name for kankuĂ
kalvasankwa – central post; the post Gaulcovang put through the earth, after the creation
kĂĄlyi – firewood
kama – a spiritual power achieved during fasting or meditation
kĂĄma – strength
kĂĄmuke-mĂĄma – one of three mamĂĄs who serve as counsel to the soul questioned by death
kan (root) – signifies âold,ancientâ
Kan-zalyintĂĄna – a mythical priest
kangĂ©kua – beehive shaped?
Kangusina – mother vagina, personification of the Great Mother
KankuĂĄna-neuldang – mythical being associated with world of trees and soil colour âbrownâ
kankuĂ – 2 crossed sticks used to tell time by the sun?
karakacĂș – antlers
kĂĄsan – feet?
KasindĂșkua – principal mythical jaguar priest; a son of the Mother, a shaman and healer but abuses powers by turning to rape. Stands in sewa relationship with SeokĂșkui
KassaĂșgi – a mythical Father
KasĂșmma/KasĂ©mma/KatsĂșma – occasional names for the Great Mother, HĂĄba Gaulcovang
KaxsĂĄta/KaxshĂĄta – SeizĂĄnkwa as Lord of Earthquakes (northern slopes version)
KaxtasĂnma-yang – mythical being associated with world of green trees and level 6 in western slopes version
KaxyĂșno-mang – mythical being associated with world level 3 in western slopes version
kazĂ© – shore, riverbank
KimĂĄku – one of the first 9 Lords of the universe to be born
KogtĂłma-yang – mythical being associated with world level 11 in western slopes version
kuĂĄla tĂĄsi – plantains
kuilĂnsa – a wasp that accompanies a recently deceased soul
KuisbĂĄngui – Lord of Thunder
kuishgĂĄmake – one of the 9 villages of death through which the soul passes
kuĂsi – to dance
kuĂska – dancer
kuĂvi zesi – priestly novices, abstinents; also moro
kuku/kukul – root word meaning âancient stone
kukuba – âright shoulderâ of the loom (looking from the front)
KukumĂ©izu – son of SeizĂĄnkwa and HĂĄba MokĂ©ta – first man to wear a garment of woven cloth
kulca – seed
kulchalyĂa – one of the 4 main posts (nugikuĂ) of the nuhue with priestly significance
KumĂgua – concubine (gĂĄya) to the sun in the 3rd upper layer
KuncĂĄ-ne-yumĂĄng – one of 2 wives of MulkuĂ«xe; note kulca means seed
Kunca-vitauĂ©ya – âseed-half-spanâ, meaning penis
Kunca-vitauĂ©ya – Lord of the NE, of water, rainy seasons, rock crystal and owner of seminal energy
kunca/kurca seed, semen, stock, origin
kuncama – heart (and the intersecting central poles of a loom)
Kunchavita-uĂ©ya – one of the first 9 Lords of the universe to be born; associated with the SW
Kurc-tuxe – one of the 4 original patrilines. Associated animal: opossum. Lord: Kuncavita
LasacĂ – helper and companion ( in the centre) to MulkuĂ«xe
makasue alduna – âlifeâs fabricâ; of a woman
mĂĄkto – a large opossum (Didelphis marsupialis)
makĂș – lords
MakĂș KasindĂșkua – one of 3 Jaguar Lords in the 5th universal level in the Western slopes version
MakĂș NoĂĄna-se – another of 3 Jaguar Lords in the 5th universal level in the Western slopes version
MakĂș Peli – son of MĂĄma Teiku
malda – thin transverse rod used in weaving
maldashĂzan – umbilical cord?
MalkĂĄ-yubang – (spider woman); daughter of NimatĂĄi-yubang and Gaulcovang as HĂĄba Se
malkwa – âSpider Boyâ
MĂĄlkwa-yang – HĂĄba Gaulcovang as the mother of weaving
malyĂneka-mĂĄma – one of three mamĂĄs who serve as counsel to the soul questioned by death
mĂĄma kaizĂ© – River of the Sun
MĂĄma Miguel (MigĂzi) – NolavĂta principal informant of Preuss (anthropologist)
MĂĄma MususĂ – the Wasp Priest, inhabits the highest of the upper worlds with wife HĂĄba NyĂ«xan
MĂĄma NekĂĄn – elder brother to MĂĄma Teiku
MĂĄma NukĂĄnna & SĂĄlexang – cannabalistic couple of 4th layer in netherworld with green skin and green clothes
MĂĄma NyĂ«xan – one of 2 younger brothers to MĂĄma Teiku
MĂĄma nyuĂ abĂĄxsĂ« – âpriest-sun-blackâ, lord of the nadir and elder brother to MulkuĂĄkukui
MĂĄma nyuĂ – âpriest-sunâ; the sun, see MulkuĂĄkukui
mama nyui abaxse – âthe black sunâ, i.e. after sunset
mama nyui zakwan gau – âthe sun is weavingâ
MĂĄma SĂĄlue – father of SalĂma
MĂĄma Teiku – important personage of the 3rd upper world
MĂĄma-neuldang – mythical being associated with world of the sun and soil colour âdark redâ
mama-rĂłngo – refers to sun in religious and astronomical context
mĂĄman gĂ©ina – âpriestly waysâ
Mamarongo – ceremonial site on the Tucurinca River
mĂĄmas – priests
mĂĄmas-kĂĄxa – sunâs mouth; great chasm in the west which swallows the sun (an infernal image)
mĂĄmashkĂĄxa – âthe end of the worldâ presided over by Haba MameyumĂĄng
Mamasingula – sacred site on the Hukumeizi River
Manavi – one of the sunâs messengers (cabos) associated with the North, helper and companion ( in the centre) to MulkuĂ«xe
mĂĄni maldauxĂ©? – âwhere have you been?â
MankuĂĄma-yumang – mythical being associated with world level 7 in western slopes version
mĂĄua kaizĂ© – River of Tears
MaukuĂ – toad; Sunâs first celestial wife (Bufo marinus) soon rejected because of adultery
maukuĂ – slang for vagina
maukuĂ-kalda – horn shaped roof apex of the nuhue
meyĂzu – double sea shells; from Spanish mellizos/ twins
mihai paca – Coelogynis paca
mita-uĂ©ya – half-span
MitamdĂș – one of the 4 original matrilines. Associated animal: snake. Madre: MitamsĂĄma, wife of Kunca-vitauĂ©ya
mixa-mixa – âhurry, hurryâ
moro – young man trained in priestly ways
moxshĂnkala – bones?
muĂĄn – centre
mugaxa – âright hipâ of the loom (the cross at bottom left looking at it from the front)
mugĂ – agouti (Dasyprocta)
Muku-lĂș-dzi – HĂĄba Gaulcovang in her image as Mother of Pottery
MukuĂĄnauiaishi – valley where BĂșnalyue and disciples established the centre for training novices
mul (root) – signifies to light, brilliance, energy implying goodness/heavenly justice
mulatĂĄui-yĂ© – a village in the Beyond
MulkuĂĄ-ne-yumĂĄng – one of 2 wives of MulkuĂ«xe – note mul relates to light/heavenly justice
MulkuĂĄkukui – âday-chiefâ (see mĂĄma nyuĂ), lord of the zenith
mulkuĂĄkve – prayer-like formulas, containing the religious code, quoted and discussed in private
MulkuĂ«xe – âwhite-testicleâ, one of the mythological figures who embody principals of light and justice; a solar being (see mul), personifies the sun, said to look like a red horse; associated with rituals referring to training of priestly novices (kuĂvi zesi); first son of the Mother and solar Lord; has 2 wives; KuncĂĄ-ne-yumĂĄng & MulkuĂĄ-ne-yumĂĄng; has 4 testicles coloured white, black, red and translucent; in centre, between AlauhuĂku/Kunca-vitauĂ©ya, SeokĂșkui/SeizĂĄnkwa ; sits at centre (of temple/universe/womb) accompanied by Teiku, another solar being; sometimes referred to as huxkĂșkui or hugĂșkui; the principal lord to promulgate the Law of the Mother
MulkwĂĄ-kukuĂ – âwhiteness chiefâ. Taught people how to spin. Wife HĂĄba MĂșli.
multĂłma-yĂ© – a village in the Beyond
multsĂĄma-dĂșe – village in the Beyond where those who die of âswellingsâ go to
multĂșbia and hisĂĄnna – wives to kĂĄmuke-mĂĄma
mulyigĂĄba matĂ©le – âwords confusedâ; refers to first attempts of humans to speak
mulyigĂĄba-kaxa – village of death where disputes and litigations are judged
mulyigĂĄba/muligĂ©ba – refers to origins of human speech
mulyigĂĄban gĂ©ina – âways of wordsâ /speech – connects MulkuĂ©xe with the Mother
mĂșmu – messengers. Deathâs representatives in the Beyond
mĂșndzi – âwomanâ in familiar conversation as opposed to sewĂĄ. Related to munsĂĄ
munsĂĄ – dawn, also true moment of creation, also vagina
munsĂ©isi – to dawn
munsi – light
musushĂ – huge yellow wasp that persecutes a recently deceased soul if recaltricant
na sewĂĄ – âmy husband/wife/spouseâ
nab/neb/nĂ©bbi – jaguar
NĂĄbia – feline monster and wife of NĂĄmaku
NabobĂĄ – jaguar eye
NabsĂ«si – red jaguar
nakuĂza – âhe who forgotâ; a state of unlearning achieved by a seivĂĄke person
nam (root) – refers to jaguar, hence NĂĄmaku, NamsĂ ui etc.. See nab/neb/nĂ©bbi
NĂĄmaku – one of 3 feared Jaguar Lords in the 5th universal level in Western slopes version
nĂĄmatu abĂĄxsĂ« – a black cap
NamsĂ ui – jaguar-devourer
nĂĄni – âa younger brotherâ
naoma – local leaders of the Taironas. Their duties, and authority, were similar to those of the mĂĄmas today. The naomas of a region were subject to a paramount chief called the Guacanaoma.
nĂ©an birĂł – huge door in the Beyond encountered by the wandering soul
neb-sĂza one of the 3 felines of the dry season which represent Orion
neb-skiz – as above
neb-tĂĄsi – as above
nĂ«bbela – a plant that grows only on the pĂĄramo highlands (Espeletia sp.)
nĂ©bbi abĂĄxsĂ« – black jaguars, apparently quite common in Colombia
nĂ©bbikve – âJaguar Peopleâ. Generally evil
ni – water
ni-dulĂșma – âwater foamâ; refers to part of a temple
nĂ-nulang/sei-nulang – sun-earth/night-earth. Our world – the 5th layer sit. between lower & upper worlds
NimatĂĄi-yubang – husband to Gaulcovang in her aspect as HĂĄba Se-yubang
nĂnulang shĂza – âour earth threadâ (metaphysical ref.) – connects beings with Great Mother
nivan-kukui – snow peaks
noĂĄbi dĂșe – âBrother Snowâ; the highest peaks in the Sierra Nevada
Noana-neuldang – mythical being associated with world of wet clay and soil colour âyellowâ
NoĂĄna-se – âwet-penisâ,younger brother to KasindĂșkua, associated with incest, sodomy & ex-prisoners
nugaxalda – âleft hipâ of the loom (the cross at bottom right looking at it from the front)
NugĂ©-nake – one of the 4 original matrilines. Associated animal: armadillo. Madre: NurlayatakĂĄn
Nugi tuxe – a lineage whose members are known to be stocky
nugikuĂ – posts of the nuhue
nugikuĂthe – 2 central posts of a nuhuĂ©
nuhuĂ© – world-house, ceremonial house , menâs house
nuhĂșna-dĂșe – one of the 9 villages of death through which the soul passes
nuhĂșnash-gĂ©xa – one of the 9 villages of death through which the soul passes
nĂșlini – to rock, to weigh, to balance
nulu – knee (leading to concept of articulation?)
nulĂșka/yulĂșka – balance, agreement
nĂșmi – anus. MĂĄmas-nĂșmi sometimes used for mĂĄmas-kĂĄxa
nundushĂ – a yellow-bellied dove
nungua si mulyihi seisin – âthe shadow weaves at nightâ; hisei keihi
NurldauzĂva – wife of HĂĄte Sei
nusĂĄbasu-kve – âbad peopleâ
nĂșsagĂ«tse – âuglyâ; first words of humans after mulyigĂĄba matĂ©le
NutsĂĄlue – mythical being. Meaning unknown
nuxa/nuka – sickle shaped visor associated with shamans
nuxsusua – marine bi-valves
nyĂ«xka – to plant
nyuĂ-nulang – water-earth
nyuĂ – sun or gold
nyĂși abĂĄxse – âBlack Sunâ; lives in the west with HĂĄte SĂ©i and Sei-kukui
nyuĂ-nulang – sun/earth, the 3rd from the top of the upper worlds, each with its own sun
nyĂșian gĂ©ina – âsolar waysâ
nyuikĂĄba-yĂ© – a village in the Beyond
nyuĂn guĂĄxe – âto measure the sunâ (by the shadow caused by a kankuĂ ?)
pĂĄnkatsa – (ancient Tairona); the foot end of the world spindle
pĂșne – an incense
punkusa (and shishi) – books which contain the law. They are possessed by Seynekun.
sacĂta – rabbit
sai – night
Sai-neuldang – mythical being associated with our earth and soil colour âblackâ
Sai-tanĂĄ – (night lineage); the only supernatural figure who knew how humans would look
SĂĄka SĂnsi – grandmother rat – another possible name for wife of SeizĂĄnkwa
SalĂma – wife of MĂĄma Teiku and daughter of MĂĄma SĂĄlue
SĂĄmexan/SĂĄmmeya – shadow woman, the moon. Wife to the unnamed sun in nyuĂ-nulang
sankalda – head
sĂĄunan-gĂ© – a village in the Beyond
SĂĄungĂ«lda – a mythical priest
saxkalda – weaving implement; heavy sword that battens down the weft-pick
SĂ© – the core of everything. âThe original laws, the fundamental principles, are in SĂ©. SĂ© has no beginning, it has always existed. It is spiritual existence, the spiritual principle of existence. SĂ© is not a person, not a thing. It is the sum of things. SĂ© is complex. SĂ© brought the material world into being, but it embraces far more than that. SĂ© organises everything so as to create harmony.â Ramon Gil – see Spirituality and Materiality.
se-n-dĂșza – the white stone testicle of SeokĂșkui
SĂ©-ne-nulang – âour actual earthâ, mythical being associated with world level 5 in northern slopes version
Se-nenĂșma-yang – mythical being associated with our earth and world level 2 in western slopes version
se-tĂĄme – âpenis largeâ; the black stone testicle of SeokĂșkui
se-tame abĂ„xsĂ« – the black stone testicle of AlauhuĂku
se-tame atsĂ«si – the red stone testicle of AlauhuĂku
Se-yubang/HĂĄba Se – the original name of the Great Mother according to some mĂĄmas
sĂ©an gĂ©ina – ânocturnal waysâ
sĂ«gĂ – deer (Odocoileus sp.)
seguika – âleft shoulderâ of the loom (looking from the front)
Sei-baxe-degaukĂĄ – (night-black-leading?)- Gaulcovang in a Western slopes version
Sei-kukui – Night Lord
SĂ©i-nake – one of the 4 original matrilines. Associated animal: peccary. Madre: NunkĂĄlyiyuxa
sei-nulang – the 4th upper world i.e. immediately above our world, ruled by HĂĄte Sei
Sei-yunmang – mythical being associated with netherworld and world level 1 in western slopes version
SeihukĂșkui – Lord of the Western Regions
sĂ©imake-mĂĄma – one of three mamĂĄs who serve as counsel to the soul questioned by death
sĂ©inulang – ânight-worlds
seivĂĄke – perfect, the utmost a soul can achieve in its lifetime
seivĂĄkein gĂ©ina – âways of perfectionâ/innocent rebirth
SĂ©ivaxe HĂĄba – mythical being associated with world level 1 in northern slopes version
sĂ©iza – metal coloured, silvery. See SeizĂĄnkwa
sĂ©iza-zĂĄua – black knife, as carried by Kunca-vitauĂ©ya
sĂ©izaluxa atsĂ«si – red sword-like club carried by AlauhuĂku
SeizĂĄnkwa – âbright colour-chiefâ, son of the Mother and Earth Lord – associated with the NE.
SĂ©izua – ceremonial centre of the Sierra Nevada
SekalĂĄlimue – Mother of Tukua-shĂna – lives at nivan-kukui and at the rivers
sekuĂ atsĂ«si – axe of red stone carried by AlauhuĂku
sekuĂ bĂĄxsĂ«/sedĂșntsi – axe of black stone as carried by SeokĂșkui
sekuĂ buci – axe of translucent stone as carried by Kunca-vitauĂ©ya
sekuĂ tĂĄsi – axe of green stone as carried by SeizĂĄnkwa
SekuizbĂșchi – a mythical Father, master of incest, homosexuality and promiscuity
sĂ«lda – opposition
sĂ«lda kuxa – one of the 4 main posts (nugikuĂ) of the nuhue with priestly significance
SĂ«lda-bauku – 1 of 4 daughters of MĂĄma Teiku
sĂ«lda-l-due – one of the 4 main posts (nugikuĂ) of the nuhue with priestly significance
sĂ«ldasu-kve – people who had âgiven a bad exampleâ
Sentura Gwiawimundwa – the law, the knowledge of the law of SĂ© and its execution in spirit.
SeokĂșkui – ânight chiefâ, Lord of the West, Lord of the trees and all things black
Serankwa – the masculine principle which combines with Seynekun, the feminine principle. Serankwa was the principle of authority, charged with organising things according to the principles of SĂ©.
sĂ«sa – arrow
sesakalda – heddle-rod in weaving
sĂ«sĂĄke – euphemism for phallus. From sĂ«sa – arrow
sĂ«ssĂĄxein gĂ©ina – âthe trails that lead downwardâ (spiritually)
sewĂĄ – alliance or, in family, spouse. Thus na sewĂĄ – my spouse. Also, âpermitsâ given as power objects (stones, beads, minerals) by spirit-owners of Nature to novices etc.
Seynekun – the feminine principle which combines with Serankwa, the masculine principle. Seynekun is fertility. It is Seynekun who possesses the books, shishi and punkusa, which contain the law.
shĂĄxalda-dĂșe – village in the Beyond where those who die from âpains in the bonesâ go to
shĂ – thread
shishi (and punkusa) – books which contain the law. They are possessed by Seynekun.
shĂma-kaxa – village of death (one of nine) where the soul is tied up with ropes
ShimarĂșa – a mythical priest
shishĂbia – wife of sĂ©imake-mĂĄma
shivĂĄlda – lit. âlittle veinsâ – a point in the loom model with metaphysical connotation
shubuldĂșe – the great temple of GaulkuchĂ©
sikuĂĄxalda – long horizontal bar (SeizĂĄnkwa and SeokĂșkui carry the world on one)
singerlĂ© – thank you
sĂnsi – a rat
SintĂĄna – the first human being/black- faced jaguar (variously)
sivalda – skin, a garment
skĂłko – a yellowish hare?
ssĂĄi-dĂșe (?) – village in the Beyond where those who die âunconscious and suddenlyâ go to
stĂĄxalda-dĂșe – village in the Beyond where those who die from âpains in the backâ go to
subutuĂla – the water opossum (Chironectes)
sĂșgi – lime-stick
sĂșgi-gĂ©ina – âlimestick waysâ(taken from a ritualistic/philosophical context)
sui sĂ©ishi – âto feel coldâ, in sense of having mastered emotions. See seivĂĄke
sukalda – spindle
sĂșkindĂșe – another village or way station encountered by the soul in the Beyond
sumna-xalda – âat noon thingâ, ancient Tairona for kankuĂ
SunkĂĄna-neuldang – mythical being associated with soil colour âredâ
SurldabĂ©y – one of the sunâs messengers (cabos) associated with the South
suvĂ©ihi – to sing
suvĂ©inka – singer
takbi – snake, also Scorpio
Takina – ceremonial site on the San Miguel River
tambos – âwayside stationsâ that provide shelter to travellers along the longer stretches of road between villages. Each tambo has cooking jars and firewood stored in it, as well as a small adjacent field from which a traveller can harvest the food needed to prepare a meal.
Taminaka – mythological landscape near Mamasingula
tĂĄna – lineage
tarbi – old, venomous but wise; rattlesnake; the constellation visited by the sun at winter solstice
Te-yubang – daughter of NimatĂĄi-yubang and Gaulcovang as HĂĄba Se-yubang
Teiku – related to MulkuĂ«xe, maybe the same being
tĂ©izua – the ancient Tairona language, still used in certain ritual contexts, stems from ceraĂș
tĂșbi – type of beetle prescribed as food for novices during the first 9 years of education
tukua-shĂna singulĂĄka – equates to alusĂ©nka-chi
tukuashĂza – âcreek-threadâ (metaphysical reference)
tukuashĂzan ĂĄbu – âgrandmother of tukuashĂzanâ; context: the loom model
tukuashĂzan gĂ©ina – waterways, irrigation systems; arterial, urethral, digestive systems
tusĂșlu abĂĄxsĂ« – black cotton cap (as worn by SeokĂșkui)
tĂșxe – patriline
Ășba sĂ©shi – the black seeds of Cardiosperma
UbatĂĄshi – (literally, âblue eyeâ), a mythical tribe
uka – âsweet-lovingâ, as in a young woman
ukĂĄ – coati + the constellation (the Pleiades) visited by the sun at summer solstice
ulumsĂza – another name for sĂ©iza-zĂĄua
Ășlyi guan – a type of bird (Penelope sp.)
vĂ©ikve – cotton cap
vita/bita – half/half measure
yulĂșka – âto be in agreement/harmony withâ, theprocess of establishing balance
Zaku SĂ©- one of the first six spiritual parents who originated spirit and thought, according to Ramon Gilâs exegesis. The other parents were Abu SĂ©, Ade SĂ©, Jate SĂ©, Kaku SĂ© and Jawa SĂ©. See SĂ©.
zĂĄkuan-gĂ©ina – âcloth waysâ (taken from a ritualistic/philosophical context)
zakwa – menâs sacklike shirt – takes 5 skeins to make
zakwanci asigi – bobbin-rod or shuttle – carries the pick of weft back and forth, âmale of the fabricâ
zakwandalda – loom
Zalyin-tĂĄna – father of SĂĄka SĂnsi
zĂĄlzi – foreigner
ZantĂĄna – one of the first 9 Lords of the universe to be born
zueldĂșxa – state of youthful perfection, purity, after ishkuĂ©ldyi
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