This page was developed because Dave and I both so enjoyed hearing our friends in Zuni speak their first language. It isn't meant to be a linguistic study. Rather, it is simply a way of sharing our fascination of the melodic sounds and words spoken in Shiwi. We hope you enjoy the experience! But since Zuni Spirits originated the idea of sharing audio Zuni language files on our site and solely funded the project, we kindly ask you not to link without our written permission.
- Darlene
The Puebloan peoples speak languages of at least two different families. Languages of the Tanoan branch of the Aztec-Tanoan linguistic stock are spoken at 11 pueblos, including Taos, Isleta, Jemez, San Juan, San Ildefonso, and the Hopi pueblo of Hano. Languages of the Keresan branch of the Hokan-Siouan linguistic stock also are limited to Pueblo people—Western Keresan, spoken at Acoma and Laguna, and Eastern Keresan, at San Felipe, Santa Ana, Sia, Cochiti, and Santo Domingo. The Hopi language, which belongs to the Uto-Aztecan branch of the Aztec-Tanoan linguistic stock, is spoken at all Hopi pueblos except Hano.
Only the Zuni language is unrelated to any of these familes and is spoken no where else on earth. It is a beautiful, melodic language. Today it is being taught in the schools and most Zuni families speak some Shiwi in their homes. Many of the elders speak Shiwi almost exclusively, though they are able to speak and understand English.
Click below to hear the words spoken in Shiwi.
THE SIX DIRECTIONS
Above |
North |
East |
South |
West |
Below
ANIMALS AND INSECTS
Ant |
Badger |
Bear |
Bird |
Bobcat |
Buffalo |
Butterfly |
Coyote |
Dragonfly |
Eagle |
Fish |
Frog |
Hawk/ |
Horse |
Hummingbird |
Lizard |
Macaw |
Magpie |
Mole |
Mouse |
Mountain Lion |
Mountain Sheep |
Owl |
Rabbit |
Serpent |
Sheep |
Snake |
Spider |
Stellar Jay |
Turtle |
Water Strider |
Wolf |
THE SACRED COLORS OF THE SIX DIRECTIONS
Multicolor (Above) |
Yellow (North) |
White (East) |
Red (South) |
Blue (West) |
Black (Below)
WEATHER, HOME, FAMILY & PLACES
Acoma |
Clan |
Fetishes (Wemawe) |
Grand Canyon |
Hopi |
Laguna |
Middle |
Navajo |
Rain |
Rain |
Rainbow |
Morning |
Noon |
Evening |
Sun |
Moon |
Mother |
Father |
Maternal Grandmother |
Paternal Grandmother |
Grandfather |
Hello |
Home
|
I love you (more correctly translates "I Cherish You"