500 Words in Kogi language

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 Sé – one of the first six spiritual parents who originated spirit and thought, according to Ramon Gil’s exegesis. The other parents were Zaku Sé, Ade Sé, Kaku Sé, Jawa Sé and Jate Sé. ‘They created everything in spirit, in the non-material world. They were not people, not air, not anything, just idea.’

Ade Sé – see Abu Sé and Sé.

-ang – suffix found in feminine mythological names of ancient Tairona origin

abáxsë – black

ábuan – maternal?

abúci – white

abúci atéima – ‘white-big one’. Venus (Enduksáma), daughter of Sun and Moon

abúldo – thin

abúldu – small

Ahíkwa/Hirvöíxa – son of Enduksáma

Ahuímal-dúe – village in the Beyond where those who die of ‘haemorrhages’ go to

Akín-due – one of the first 9 Lords of the universe to be born

Alauhuíku – 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

Aldauhuíku – one of the first 9 Lords of the universe to be born, associated with the SE. ‘Lord of Trees’

Aldúna Háte – ‘spirit father’, mythical being associated with world level 9 in northern slopes version

Aldúna Múlyi – ‘spirit cotton’, mythical being associated with world level 7 in northern slopes version

Aldúna Sánkalda – ‘spirit head’, mythical being associated with world level 8 in northern slopes version

Aldúna Se-ne-nulang – ‘our spirit earth’, mythical being associated with world level 6 in northern slopes version

aldusányi – left

alnáua – zenith

alnáua/arhuínese – temple

Alúna – pure thought, memory, spirit, soul, mind, imagination

aluna zakwa – fabric of Life; clothes

Alúna-yumang – mythical being associated with world level 8 in western slopes version

alúnan géina – ‘ways of the soul’/pardonable emotions

alúnan kúxa – metaphysical reference to the ‘crossroads’ in a diagram based on solstice

alúnan kúxa-chi haba – ‘they are the mother of soul’s ears’

alusénka-chi – ‘good ways on the night side’; context: the loom model

aluxtatáne-yé – village in the Beyond where those who die from ‘cramps’ go to

arzékve – checkered

aséizi – right

atéima – big

atsësi – red

axalduka – hips or legs

aximunakalda agakué – ‘the part where one does the weaving’; lower bar of loom + sexual connotation

Bonga/Bunga – village (Bunkunagega) on the northern slopes being developed as a trading/health centre

Búnalyue – the first legendary Máma to teach a group of disciples. See Mukuánauiaishi

búndzi – daughter; related to munsá

Búnkua-neuldang – mythical being associated with soil colour ‘white’

Búnkua-se – ‘the shining one’, one of the sons of the Mother-Goddess (white/penis) – son of Háte Ktakéne-ne-nuláng and Hába Se-ne-nuláng. A Lord of the Universe – 18 in all according to the Western slopes version. He established the rules by which future mámas 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

Bunkuányu mang – mythical being associated with world level 10 in western slopes version

Bunkunagega – full name of the village Bonga; means ‘to awake’ in Kogi

ceraú – related to the cluster of roots which signify maleness, testicles and procreation

Cerua – ceremonial site on the Sevilla River

Chendúkua – ceremonial centre of the Sierra Nevada on the Guatapuri river

dáke – matriline

Dashíbia – wife of Malyíneka-máma

Doana-neuldang – mythical being associated with world of sand and soil colour ‘yellowish’

Doanankuívi – 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 ‘brownish’

dúe – older brother

Dúe Nugi – a mythical sinner tied to Orion’s rack, a rapist

Dúe Sángui – one of the first 9 Lords of the universe to be born

dúga – daughter

Duginávi – ‘older brother jaguar’, great carver of ritual masks. He fights his father, Thunder Lord, steals his drum, and is banished to the barren Guajira peninsula

Duginávi akánkuin gau – ‘Duginávi made the kankuí’

duláma-kéxa – a village in the Beyond

Dzibúndziza – mythical being associated with those who harmed trees and fruits

éibi-ci háte – ‘Father of Maize’, another name for Alauhuíku

Eisua aluna zakwa askuima gau tei – ‘Alone one weaves one’s Fabric of Life’

eldunhualda – shed-stick; part of loom

Elnau-yang – mythical being associated with world level 9 in western slopes version

Enduksáma – 1 of 4 daughters of Máma 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

Gaulkuché/Gaulkuchéxa – Lord of Death (whose realm lies in the snowfields)

Gauna-neuldang – mythical being associated with soil colour ‘green’

gáya – concubine

gélda – pubic hairs

géma – fire sticks

géma abáxsë – black fire sticks, as carried by Seokúkui

géma abúci – white fire sticks, as carried by Seizánkwa

géma atsësi – red fire sticks, as carried by Alauhuíku

géna/géina – way, direction

Guacanaoma – paramount chief of the Taironas, to whose autjority the naomas were subject.

guámelda – a green parrot

güidénku – a squirrel (Sciurus sp.)

Güimeláke – ceremonial centre of the Sierra Nevada

Gonawindua/güinavíndua – the peak area of the sierra, the snowfields

Guingala – helper and companion (in the centre) to Mulkuëxe

guisguina – small pointed stick, like a thick needle, used in weaving

güíshi – 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

guxtsé-ci nungá – ‘shadow of fire’, 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 Sé 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.

Hába prefix – mother (as in Hába Gaulcovang)

Hába Ahúnyika – ruler of 7th universal level in the Western slopes version

Hába Auine-nuláng – a mother of the 4th universal level in the Western slopes version

Hába Bunkuáne-ne-nuláng – ruler, with Háte Sai-cáka, of the 6th universal level in the Western slopes version

Hába Disi-se-yuntaná – a mother of the 4th universal level in the Western slopes version

Hába Enkuáne-ne-nulang – mistress of 5th universal level in the Western slopes version

Hába Guxánexan/Mukulú-dzúi – representative of Hába Gaulcovang who grants priests some of their powers

Hába Guxsénse – Hába Gaulcovang as the mother of fire, lit. ‘mother fire-less’

haba ha-ité – ‘Mother-sits-here’ (ref: a point on a loom diagram)

Hába Hakungéna – mythical being associated with world level 2 in northern slopes version

Hába Hangéina – an evil Mother

Hába Haxtoxé – ‘Mother Stone Lineage’

Hába Kané-nulang – mistress of 2nd layer in the netherworld ‘whither evil souls go’

Hába Kánexang – the ‘Mother of the Drum’, mistress of the 3rd layer in the netherworld

Hába Kaxsintána – ‘mother of the lineage of green trees’, mythical being associated with world level 4 in northern slopes version

Hába Kenyazé – ruler, with Háte Ahuíneka-taná, of 8th universal level in Western slopes version

Haba Mameyumáng – presides over ‘the end of the world’; ref. metaphysical model of the nuhue

Hába Mokéta – wife of Seizánkwa

Hába Múli – wife of Mulkwá-kukuí, the only benevolent couple of the netherworlds

Hába Mutsíua – wife of Seokúkui, mother of consecration

Hába Nábia – Mother-jaguar

Hába Nabobá – ‘mother jaguar-eye’. Evil. Represents female sexuality in its most uncontrolled form. Many children by Sintána, devouring some at birth. Taught women to weave bags

Hába Nínulang – the mother of Hába Gaulcovang according to some sources, see ni

Hába Nyëxan – wife of Máma Mususí in the highest of the upper worlds

Hába Saldán – mythical being associated with world level 3 in northern slopes version

Hába Sayagaueye-yumáng – a mother of the 4th universal level in the Western slopes version

Hába Se-kalalímue – another name for Hába Mutsíua

Hába Se-ne-nuláng – an aspect of the Great Mother here married to Háte Ktakéne-ne-nuláng

Hába Se-nyuí-yumang – ‘mother-penis-sun-woman’; original teacher of how to use the kankuí

Hába Se-yubang/Hába Se – (mother penis) – an aspect of the Great Mother when married to Nimatái-yubang

Hába Sívalidsínue – Hába Gaulcovang as the mother of the snowfields

Hába Sivuláng – mother of skin & broken bones i.e. dismemberment. Rules 4th layer in netherworld

Hába Sivulyuváng – another name for Gaulcovang

hag/haggi – stone

hana kuxa – one of the 4 main posts (nugikuí) of the nuhue with priestly significance

hánkua-kúkui – adult members of mámas household who supervise novices

hánkwa – chief/administrator

Hankwa-tuxe – one of the 4 original patrilines. Associated animal: puma. Lord: Seizánkwa

Harldùma-yang – mythical being associated with world of stones and level 5 in western slopes version

Háte (prefix) – father

Háte Ahuíneka-taná – ruler, with Hába Kenyazé, of 8th universal level in Western slopes version

Háte Ktakéne-ne-nuláng – husband of Gaulcovang in her aspect as Hába Se-ne-nuláng

Háte Mulkuá-kukui – a solar being

Háte Sai-cáka – ruler, with Hába Bunkuáne-ne-nuláng, of 6th level in Western slopes version

Háte Salálu & Hába Hárvalëxan – live in the 3rd layer of the netherworld under Hába Kánexang

Háte Sei – Father-night, ruler of the 4th upper world

Háte Sivaxáli & Mulkwakána – cannabalistic couple of 4th layer in netherworld with green skin and green clothes

hatúkula – circular mirror of black stone (as carried by Seokúkui)

heisán-dúe – one of the 9 villages of death through which the soul passes

Heiséi – death

heiséi-chi aluséshka – ‘Death-of-the-Left-Side’; context: the loom model

Heiséi-chi kuíbuldu – ‘Land of the Dead’, lit. ‘death’s little houses’

heiséi-chi nyí-zula – death’s white water – context: the loom model

hélyi – honeycombs

hélyis kaldauká – bench?

Hindukánni – 1 of 4 daughters of Máma Teiku

Hinduksáma – 1 of 4 daughters of Máma Teiku

hintúl-dúe – village in the Beyond where those who die from ‘pains in the joints’ go to

hisá-bá – one of the 9 villages of death through which the soul passes

hisá-meiyi – one of the 9 villages of death through which the soul passes

hisán-dúe – 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

hisáui kaizé – River of Death

hisei keihi – ‘delivering the dead’; a rite performed by the Mamas to ease a soul’s suffering ; ‘loosening of the dead’; a 9 day ritual undergone by a wandering soul

hotákin-dúe – a village in the Beyond where all ‘comisarios’ go to

huáldakema-dúe – village in the Beyond where those who die from ‘pain in the jaw’ go to

huangkuan-dúe – village in the Beyond where those who die from ‘vomiting’ go to

hubi – small enclosure in the ceremonial house where novices used to live

hugúkui – another reference to Mulkuëxe. Translates as ‘Comisario Mayor’

hukúkui – chiefs/owners

Hukúkui-tuxe – one of the 4 original patrilines. Associated animal: owl. Lord: Seokúkui

Hukuméizi – ceremonial centre of the Sierra Nevada

Hukuméizi-tuxe – one of the 4 original patrilines. Associated animal: jaguar. Lord: Sintána

Húl-dake – one of the 4 original matrilines. Associated animal: deer. Madre:Sivaldungáya

husáxa – one of the 9 villages of death through which the soul passes

huve/hubve – hut, probably the small ritual hut for male initiation

Húviexan – one of 2 younger brothers to Máma Teiku

huxkúkui – another reference to Mulkuëxe. Translates as ‘Comisario Mayor’

ishkuéldyi – reborn in the spiritual sense. See seiváke

Jate Sé – one of the first six spiritual parents who originated spirit and thought, according to Ramon Gil’s exegesis. The other parents were Abu Sé, Zaku Sé, Ade Sé, Kaku Sé and Jawa Sé.

Jawa Sé – another of the first six spiritual parents. See above and Sé.

kábalmal-dúe – village in the Beyond where those who die from ‘dizziness’ go to

kabási – to sleep

Kabúnma-yang – mythical being associated with world level 4 in western slopes version

kággaba – Primarily, the name the Kogi call themselves, i.e. ‘The People’. Also, in one cosmological account (Western slopes version) the soft-boned prehuman people born to Gaulcovang.

kággaba kuítsi – elongated necklace bead of reddish stone

kággi – earth

kákëlya – sexually experienced

Kaku Sé- one of the first six spiritual parents who originated spirit and thought, according to Ramon Gil’s exegesis. The other parents were Abu Sé, Zaku Sé, Ade Sé, Jate Sé and Jawa Sé. See Sé.

kalasuna – men’s wide trousers. From Spanish calzones

kalauká – small wooden bench fashioned by a mourner

kalditáma-dúe – village in the Beyond where those who die from ‘thinness’ go to

kaldsexáma-dúe – village in the Beyond where those who die from ‘itch’ go to

kalebitú – peccary

kalguashízan – digestive tract?

kalguasíza – images of everything that was to exist – created in alúna by Gaulcovang.

kalkuána – sword-shaped wooden club, as carried by Seizánkwa

kálta – book, from Spanish carta

kálta búci – white book

kalvasánkua – world axis i.e. the spindle thrust into the universe by the Mother (a phallic concept)

kalvasánkua-ci múzi – world axis-seat, another name for kankuí

kalvasankwa – central post; the post Gaulcovang put through the earth, after the creation

kályi – firewood

kama – a spiritual power achieved during fasting or meditation

káma – strength

kámuke-máma – one of three mamás who serve as counsel to the soul questioned by death

kan (root) – signifies ‘old,ancient’

Kan-zalyintána – a mythical priest

kangékua – beehive shaped?

Kangusina – mother vagina, personification of the Great Mother

Kankuána-neuldang – mythical being associated with world of trees and soil colour ‘brown’

kankuí – 2 crossed sticks used to tell time by the sun?

karakacú – antlers

kásan – feet?

Kasindúkua – 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 Seokúkui

Kassaúgi – a mythical Father

Kasúmma/Kasémma/Katsúma – occasional names for the Great Mother, Hába Gaulcovang

Kaxsáta/Kaxsháta – Seizánkwa as Lord of Earthquakes (northern slopes version)

Kaxtasínma-yang – mythical being associated with world of green trees and level 6 in western slopes version

Kaxyúno-mang – mythical being associated with world level 3 in western slopes version

kazé – shore, riverbank

Kimáku – one of the first 9 Lords of the universe to be born

Kogtóma-yang – mythical being associated with world level 11 in western slopes version

kuála tási – plantains

kuilínsa – a wasp that accompanies a recently deceased soul

Kuisbángui – Lord of Thunder

kuishgámake – one of the 9 villages of death through which the soul passes

kuísi – to dance

kuíska – dancer

kuívi zesi – priestly novices, abstinents; also moro

kuku/kukul – root word meaning ‘ancient stone

kukuba – ‘right shoulder’ of the loom (looking from the front)

Kukuméizu – son of Seizánkwa and Hába Mokéta – first man to wear a garment of woven cloth

kulca – seed

kulchalyía – one of the 4 main posts (nugikuí) of the nuhue with priestly significance

Kumígua – concubine (gáya) to the sun in the 3rd upper layer

Kuncá-ne-yumáng – one of 2 wives of Mulkuëxe; note kulca means seed

Kunca-vitauéya – ‘seed-half-span’, meaning penis

Kunca-vitauéya – 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-uéya – 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

Lasací – helper and companion ( in the centre) to Mulkuëxe

makasue alduna – ‘life’s fabric’; of a woman

mákto – a large opossum (Didelphis marsupialis)

makú – lords

Makú Kasindúkua – one of 3 Jaguar Lords in the 5th universal level in the Western slopes version

Makú Noána-se – another of 3 Jaguar Lords in the 5th universal level in the Western slopes version

Makú Peli – son of Máma Teiku

malda – thin transverse rod used in weaving

maldashízan – umbilical cord?

Malká-yubang – (spider woman); daughter of Nimatái-yubang and Gaulcovang as Hába Se

malkwa – ‘Spider Boy’

Málkwa-yang – Hába Gaulcovang as the mother of weaving

malyíneka-máma – one of three mamás who serve as counsel to the soul questioned by death

máma kaizé – River of the Sun

Máma Miguel (Migízi) – Nolavíta principal informant of Preuss (anthropologist)

Máma Mususí – the Wasp Priest, inhabits the highest of the upper worlds with wife Hába Nyëxan

Máma Nekán – elder brother to Máma Teiku

Máma Nukánna & Sálexang – cannabalistic couple of 4th layer in netherworld with green skin and green clothes

Máma Nyëxan – one of 2 younger brothers to Máma Teiku

Máma nyuà abáxsë – ‘priest-sun-black’, lord of the nadir and elder brother to Mulkuákukui

Máma nyuí – ‘priest-sun’; the sun, see Mulkuákukui

mama nyui abaxse – ‘the black sun’, i.e. after sunset

mama nyui zakwan gau – ‘the sun is weaving’

Máma Sálue – father of Salíma

Máma Teiku – important personage of the 3rd upper world

Máma-neuldang – mythical being associated with world of the sun and soil colour ‘dark red’

mama-róngo – refers to sun in religious and astronomical context

máman géina – ‘priestly ways’

Mamarongo – ceremonial site on the Tucurinca River

mámas – priests

mámas-káxa – sun’s mouth; great chasm in the west which swallows the sun (an infernal image)

mámashkáxa – ‘the end of the world’ presided over by Haba Mameyumáng

Mamasingula – sacred site on the Hukumeizi River

Manavi – one of the sun’s messengers (cabos) associated with the North, helper and companion ( in the centre) to Mulkuëxe

máni maldauxé? – ‘where have you been?’

Mankuáma-yumang – mythical being associated with world level 7 in western slopes version

máua kaizé – River of Tears

Maukuí – toad; Sun’s first celestial wife (Bufo marinus) soon rejected because of adultery

maukuí – slang for vagina

maukuí-kalda – horn shaped roof apex of the nuhue

meyízu – double sea shells; from Spanish mellizos/ twins

mihai paca – Coelogynis paca

mita-uéya – half-span

Mitamdú – one of the 4 original matrilines. Associated animal: snake. Madre: Mitamsáma, wife of Kunca-vitauéya

mixa-mixa – ‘hurry, hurry’

moro – young man trained in priestly ways

moxshínkala – bones?

muán – centre

mugaxa – ‘right hip’ of the loom (the cross at bottom left looking at it from the front)

mugí – agouti (Dasyprocta)

Muku-lú-dzi – Hába Gaulcovang in her image as Mother of Pottery

Mukuánauiaishi – valley where Búnalyue and disciples established the centre for training novices

mul (root) – signifies to light, brilliance, energy implying goodness/heavenly justice

mulatáui-yé – a village in the Beyond

Mulkuá-ne-yumáng – one of 2 wives of Mulkuëxe – note mul relates to light/heavenly justice

Mulkuákukui – ‘day-chief’ (see máma nyuí), lord of the zenith

mulkuákve – prayer-like formulas, containing the religious code, quoted and discussed in private

Mulkuëxe – ‘white-testicle’, 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 (kuívi zesi); first son of the Mother and solar Lord; has 2 wives; Kuncá-ne-yumáng & Mulkuá-ne-yumáng; has 4 testicles coloured white, black, red and translucent; in centre, between Alauhuíku/Kunca-vitauéya, Seokúkui/Seizánkwa ; sits at centre (of temple/universe/womb) accompanied by Teiku, another solar being; sometimes referred to as huxkúkui or hugúkui; the principal lord to promulgate the Law of the Mother

Mulkwá-kukuí – ‘whiteness chief’. Taught people how to spin. Wife Hába Múli.

multóma-yé – a village in the Beyond

multsáma-dúe – village in the Beyond where those who die of ‘swellings’ go to

multúbia and hisánna – wives to kámuke-máma

mulyigába matéle – ‘words confused’; refers to first attempts of humans to speak

mulyigába-kaxa – village of death where disputes and litigations are judged

mulyigába/muligéba – refers to origins of human speech

mulyigában géina – ‘ways of words’ /speech – connects Mulkuéxe with the Mother

múmu – messengers. Death’s representatives in the Beyond

múndzi – ‘woman’ in familiar conversation as opposed to sewá. Related to munsá

munsá – dawn, also true moment of creation, also vagina

munséisi – to dawn

munsi – light

musushí – huge yellow wasp that persecutes a recently deceased soul if recaltricant

na sewá – ‘my husband/wife/spouse’

nab/neb/nébbi – jaguar

Nábia – feline monster and wife of Námaku

Nabobá – jaguar eye

Nabsësi – red jaguar

nakuíza – ‘he who forgot’; a state of unlearning achieved by a seiváke person

nam (root) – refers to jaguar, hence Námaku, Namsàui etc.. See nab/neb/nébbi

Námaku – one of 3 feared Jaguar Lords in the 5th universal level in Western slopes version

námatu abáxsë – a black cap

Namsàui – jaguar-devourer

náni – ‘a younger brother’

naoma – local leaders of the Taironas. Their duties, and authority, were similar to those of the mámas today. The naomas of a region were subject to a paramount chief called the Guacanaoma.

néan biró – huge door in the Beyond encountered by the wandering soul

neb-síza one of the 3 felines of the dry season which represent Orion

neb-skiz – as above

neb-tási – as above

nëbbela – a plant that grows only on the páramo highlands (Espeletia sp.)

nébbi abáxsë – black jaguars, apparently quite common in Colombia

nébbikve – ‘Jaguar People’. Generally evil

ni – water

ni-dulúma – ‘water foam’; refers to part of a temple

ní-nulang/sei-nulang – sun-earth/night-earth. Our world – the 5th layer sit. between lower & upper worlds

Nimatái-yubang – husband to Gaulcovang in her aspect as Hába Se-yubang

nínulang shíza – ‘our earth thread’ (metaphysical ref.) – connects beings with Great Mother

nivan-kukui – snow peaks

noábi dúe – ‘Brother Snow’; the highest peaks in the Sierra Nevada

Noana-neuldang – mythical being associated with world of wet clay and soil colour ‘yellow’

Noána-se – ‘wet-penis’,younger brother to Kasindúkua, associated with incest, sodomy & ex-prisoners

nugaxalda – ‘left hip’ of the loom (the cross at bottom right looking at it from the front)

Nugé-nake – one of the 4 original matrilines. Associated animal: armadillo. Madre: Nurlayatakán

Nugi tuxe – a lineage whose members are known to be stocky

nugikuí – posts of the nuhue

nugikuíthe – 2 central posts of a nuhué

nuhué – world-house, ceremonial house , men’s house

nuhúna-dúe – one of the 9 villages of death through which the soul passes

nuhúnash-géxa – one of the 9 villages of death through which the soul passes

núlini – to rock, to weigh, to balance

nulu – knee (leading to concept of articulation?)

nulúka/yulúka – balance, agreement

númi – anus. Mámas-númi sometimes used for mámas-káxa

nundushí – a yellow-bellied dove

nungua si mulyihi seisin – ‘the shadow weaves at night’; hisei keihi

Nurldauzíva – wife of Háte Sei

nusábasu-kve – ‘bad people’

núsagëtse – ‘ugly’; first words of humans after mulyigába matéle

Nutsálue – mythical being. Meaning unknown

nuxa/nuka – sickle shaped visor associated with shamans

nuxsusua – marine bi-valves

nyëxka – to plant

nyuí-nulang – water-earth

nyuí – sun or gold

nyúi abáxse – ‘Black Sun’; lives in the west with Háte Séi and Sei-kukui

nyuí-nulang – sun/earth, the 3rd from the top of the upper worlds, each with its own sun

nyúian géina – ‘solar ways’

nyuikába-yé – a village in the Beyond

nyuín guáxe – ‘to measure the sun’ (by the shadow caused by a kankuí ?)

pánkatsa – (ancient Tairona); the foot end of the world spindle

púne – an incense

punkusa (and shishi) – books which contain the law. They are possessed by Seynekun.

sacíta – rabbit

sai – night

Sai-neuldang – mythical being associated with our earth and soil colour ‘black’

Sai-taná – (night lineage); the only supernatural figure who knew how humans would look

Sáka Sínsi – grandmother rat – another possible name for wife of Seizánkwa

Salíma – wife of Máma Teiku and daughter of Máma Sálue

Sámexan/Sámmeya – shadow woman, the moon. Wife to the unnamed sun in nyuí-nulang

sankalda – head

sáunan-gé – a village in the Beyond

Sáungëlda – a mythical priest

saxkalda – weaving implement; heavy sword that battens down the weft-pick

Sé – the core of everything. ‘The original laws, the fundamental principles, are in Sé. Sé has no beginning, it has always existed. It is spiritual existence, the spiritual principle of existence. Sé is not a person, not a thing. It is the sum of things. Sé is complex. Sé brought the material world into being, but it embraces far more than that. Sé organises everything so as to create harmony.’ Ramon Gil – see Spirituality and Materiality.

se-n-dúza – the white stone testicle of Seokúkui

Sé-ne-nulang – ‘our actual earth’, mythical being associated with world level 5 in northern slopes version

Se-nenúma-yang – mythical being associated with our earth and world level 2 in western slopes version

se-táme – ‘penis large’; the black stone testicle of Seokúkui

se-tame abåxsë – the black stone testicle of Alauhuíku

se-tame atsësi – the red stone testicle of Alauhuíku

Se-yubang/Hába Se – the original name of the Great Mother according to some mámas

séan géina – ‘nocturnal ways’

sëgí – deer (Odocoileus sp.)

seguika – ‘left shoulder’ of the loom (looking from the front)

Sei-baxe-degauká – (night-black-leading?)- Gaulcovang in a Western slopes version

Sei-kukui – Night Lord

Séi-nake – one of the 4 original matrilines. Associated animal: peccary. Madre: Nunkályiyuxa

sei-nulang – the 4th upper world i.e. immediately above our world, ruled by Háte Sei

Sei-yunmang – mythical being associated with netherworld and world level 1 in western slopes version

Seihukúkui – Lord of the Western Regions

séimake-máma – one of three mamás who serve as counsel to the soul questioned by death

séinulang – ‘night-worlds

seiváke – perfect, the utmost a soul can achieve in its lifetime

seivákein géina – ‘ways of perfection’/innocent rebirth

Séivaxe Hába – mythical being associated with world level 1 in northern slopes version

séiza – metal coloured, silvery. See Seizánkwa

séiza-záua – black knife, as carried by Kunca-vitauéya

séizaluxa atsësi – red sword-like club carried by Alauhuíku

Seizánkwa – ‘bright colour-chief’, son of the Mother and Earth Lord – associated with the NE.

Séizua – ceremonial centre of the Sierra Nevada

Sekalálimue – Mother of Tukua-shína – lives at nivan-kukui and at the rivers

sekuí atsësi – axe of red stone carried by Alauhuíku

sekuí báxsë/sedúntsi – axe of black stone as carried by Seokúkui

sekuí buci – axe of translucent stone as carried by Kunca-vitauéya

sekuí tási – axe of green stone as carried by Seizánkwa

Sekuizbúchi – a mythical Father, master of incest, homosexuality and promiscuity

sëlda – opposition

sëlda kuxa – one of the 4 main posts (nugikuí) of the nuhue with priestly significance

Sëlda-bauku – 1 of 4 daughters of Máma Teiku

sëlda-l-due – one of the 4 main posts (nugikuí) of the nuhue with priestly significance

sëldasu-kve – people who had ‘given a bad example’

Sentura Gwiawimundwa – the law, the knowledge of the law of Sé and its execution in spirit.

Seokúkui – ‘night chief’, 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 Sé.

sësa – arrow

sesakalda – heddle-rod in weaving

sësáke – euphemism for phallus. From sësa – arrow

sëssáxein géina – ‘the trails that lead downward’ (spiritually)

sewá – alliance or, in family, spouse. Thus na sewá – my spouse. Also, ‘permits’ 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.

sháxalda-dúe – village in the Beyond where those who die from ‘pains in the bones’ go to

shí – thread

shishi (and punkusa) – books which contain the law. They are possessed by Seynekun.

shíma-kaxa – village of death (one of nine) where the soul is tied up with ropes

Shimarúa – a mythical priest

shishíbia – wife of séimake-máma

shiválda – lit. ‘little veins’ – a point in the loom model with metaphysical connotation

shubuldúe – the great temple of Gaulkuché

sikuáxalda – long horizontal bar (Seizánkwa and Seokúkui carry the world on one)

singerlé – thank you

sínsi – a rat

Sintána – the first human being/black- faced jaguar (variously)

sivalda – skin, a garment

skóko – a yellowish hare?

ssái-dúe (?) – village in the Beyond where those who die ‘unconscious and suddenly’ go to

stáxalda-dúe – village in the Beyond where those who die from ‘pains in the back’ go to

subutuíla – the water opossum (Chironectes)

súgi – lime-stick

súgi-géina – ‘limestick ways’(taken from a ritualistic/philosophical context)

sui séishi – ‘to feel cold’, in sense of having mastered emotions. See seiváke

sukalda – spindle

súkindúe – another village or way station encountered by the soul in the Beyond

sumna-xalda – ‘at noon thing’, ancient Tairona for kankuí

Sunkána-neuldang – mythical being associated with soil colour ‘red’

Surldabéy – one of the sun’s messengers (cabos) associated with the South

suvéihi – to sing

suvéinka – singer

takbi – snake, also Scorpio

Takina – ceremonial site on the San Miguel River

tambos – ‘wayside stations’ 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

tána – lineage

tarbi – old, venomous but wise; rattlesnake; the constellation visited by the sun at winter solstice

Te-yubang – daughter of Nimatái-yubang and Gaulcovang as Hába Se-yubang

Teiku – related to Mulkuëxe, maybe the same being

téizua – the ancient Tairona language, still used in certain ritual contexts, stems from ceraú

túbi – type of beetle prescribed as food for novices during the first 9 years of education

tukua-shína singuláka – equates to alusénka-chi

tukuashíza – ‘creek-thread’ (metaphysical reference)

tukuashízan ábu – ‘grandmother of tukuashízan’; context: the loom model

tukuashízan géina – waterways, irrigation systems; arterial, urethral, digestive systems

tusúlu abáxsë – black cotton cap (as worn by Seokúkui)

túxe – patriline

úba séshi – the black seeds of Cardiosperma

Ubatáshi – (literally, ‘blue eye’), a mythical tribe

uka – ‘sweet-loving’, as in a young woman

uká – coati + the constellation (the Pleiades) visited by the sun at summer solstice

ulumsíza – another name for séiza-záua

úlyi guan – a type of bird (Penelope sp.)

véikve – cotton cap

vita/bita – half/half measure

yulúka – ‘to be in agreement/harmony with’, theprocess of establishing balance

Zaku Sé- one of the first six spiritual parents who originated spirit and thought, according to Ramon Gil’s exegesis. The other parents were Abu Sé, Ade Sé, Jate Sé, Kaku Sé and Jawa Sé. See Sé.

zákuan-géina – ‘cloth ways’ (taken from a ritualistic/philosophical context)

zakwa – men’s sacklike shirt – takes 5 skeins to make

zakwanci asigi – bobbin-rod or shuttle – carries the pick of weft back and forth, ‘male of the fabric’

zakwandalda – loom

Zalyin-tána – father of Sáka Sínsi

zálzi – foreigner

Zantána – one of the first 9 Lords of the universe to be born

zueldúxa – state of youthful perfection, purity, after ishkuéldyi