Sequoyah (Talking Leaves, Literacy, the Gist of it) (thanks Mark B)

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Midnitesun

Member Empyrean

since 2001-05-18

Posts 28647
Gaia

0 posted 2004-10-02 06:27 PM

*thanking Mark Bohannan for the inspiration*

Sequoyah  (on Literacy, the Gist of it)

"Born on a mountain top in Tennessee...."

I played the autoharp for the class
and sang that Davy Crockett song
when I was in grade school.
Little did I know then those words
would come back to visit me
as I searched the topic of literacy,
a necessary key to communicating
between generations,
the ancestry, the history,
the fabric of a common humanity
passed along through song
and the written word.
This story fits so perfectly
the passage of one's ancestry,
the heritage, the beauty,
the essences of you and me.

And here is,
   the Gist of it.

In 1776, a fateful year,
a Cherokee was born
named Sequoyah.
Apparently in Cherokee
that means "pig’s foot"
so it is to be assumed
Sequoyah may have been
born with a physical handicap.
But this did not stop him from
being a hero.
Finding that other Cherokee, like he,
could not write letters home from the battlefield
(Battle of Horseshoe Bend)
he devised an alphabet,
created symbols,
phonetically represented
the native language they did speak.

And Sequoyah’s name,
by white man’s records,
was George Gist.

So that is the story
of how the Cherokee Nations
came to possess a written alphabet,

or the Gist of it.

Thanking http://ngeorgia.com/history/alphabet.html
  for the information
The Cherokee language is sometimes referred to as  "Talking Leaves"

and thanking Mark Bohannan for a reply on a previous poem that gave me the initial idea for this write.

[This message has been edited by Midnitesun (10-02-2004 07:56 PM).]

littlewing
Member Rara Avis

since 2003-03-02

Posts 9655
New York

1 posted 2004-10-02 06:42 PM

I love this, Kacy.
Being from a predominantly Native American area, I adore studying the culture.

(seeing as most of this land was theirs once, don't get me started)

Midnitesun

Member Empyrean

since 2001-05-18

Posts 28647
Gaia

2 posted 2004-10-02 06:45 PM

It still IS theirs.

Thanks for reading Sus

littlewing
Member Rara Avis

since 2003-03-02

Posts 9655
New York

3 posted 2004-10-02 06:57 PM

you got that right *smile*

(ok I'm goin away LOL)

Margherita
Member Seraphic

since 2003-02-08

Posts 22236
Eternity

4 posted 2004-10-02 07:22 PM

"Talking Leaves" how beautiful!

And I greatly enjoyed your write, Kacy. Such treasures of the spirit came through "talking leaves".

Love, Margherita

Midnitesun

Member Empyrean

since 2001-05-18

Posts 28647
Gaia

5 posted 2004-10-02 07:32 PM

Thanks for that reply, Margherita.

Mark Bohannan
Member Rara Avis

since 2000-06-21

Posts 7269
In the winds of Cherokee song

6 posted 2004-10-03 03:05 AM

Osiyo,
didanilvhisdi aya hnadvga nunadavnv hia tsalagi,
hiano vivsvi vhnai nvwadohiyada

AHO
Maga

Gentle Spirit
Member Patricius

since 2000-10-09

Posts 13989

7 posted 2004-10-03 10:06 AM

Kacy, this is wonderful. Native American history has always intriqued me. Thanks much for that link also, I appreciate that as I have always wanted to delve deeper into the language. Hugs for this.

The greatest beauty on earth, is
found in the hearts of those
who love....

Midnitesun

Member Empyrean

since 2001-05-18

Posts 28647
Gaia

8 posted 2004-10-03 11:10 AM

Donna, you are welcome, and thank you for reading.

Mark? osiyo
tla-i-go-li-ga, I don't understand
wa-do, thanks
?a translation? LOL, I tried to figure it out, but only recognize osiyo, aya, and tsalagi.

Mark Bohannan
Member Rara Avis

since 2000-06-21

Posts 7269
In the winds of Cherokee song

9 posted 2004-10-03 11:44 AM

Came back to say that this was quite a wonderful poem and anyone that knows even just a little of me, knows my bond and passion for the Native Americans (especially the Cherokee). You found some serious inspire from such a simple reply, but glad you did. Life is about inspiration in all forms and sometimes the simplest of things for one gives another the world. Enjoyed the read very much. As for the traslation, well, I will let you try abit longer than one day to translate ( LOL ) but I will give you the gist. Basically, it is my promise and path to the Cherokee to continue my quest and honor the tradition and HERITAGE as much as possible. Now that don't mean I am going to live off the land, it only means, their spirit and honor will always hold high in my home. Thanks again for the wonderful read.

Midnitesun

Member Empyrean

since 2001-05-18

Posts 28647
Gaia

10 posted 2004-10-03 12:01 PM

LOL, you're gonna make me go to school???
Thank you for what you did say, as it points me in the right direction. I always enjoy reading and listening to the sounds, the 'taste and flavor' of other languages, and find that doing so leaves me feeling closer to the heartbeat of the people.
Thank you, again, for the inspiration.

And "Talking Leaves" is beautiful, a poetic way to describe the oral and written passage of heritage from generation to generation.

Marge Tindal

Member Empyrean

since 1999-11-06

Posts 42384
Florida's Foreverly Shores

11 posted 2004-10-03 01:09 PM

Kacy~
How lovely that you would write of our talking leaves~
*Huglets*
~*Marge*~

~*When the heart grieves over what it has lost,
the spirit rejoices over what it has left.
- Sufi epigram <))><

Email noles1@totcon.com

Midnitesun

Member Empyrean

since 2001-05-18

Posts 28647
Gaia

12 posted 2004-10-03 01:20 PM

Thanks for taking a moment for this Marge, as I know it's a tough day for you and Bill.
Hugs back atcha.

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