Praying

I speak about culture
“Appi maako su liile-tto”, (Our father staying in heaven)
Because culture is me..
“Ma neenas mi ‘awes!” (We honor thy name)

‘Hesuus (Jesus), Popoyis (Grandfather), appi (father)
“Ma neenas mi ‘awes!”
I honor your name.
“‘Ow, ‘ununni Michcha” (Oh, great one)
Hear my prayer.

“‘Appi, ‘ooni ‘aa maakono mi tawku. “ (Let thy will come to us)
I speak about tradition
“chake nitto ‘ope weyya-tto” (like here on earth)
Because tradition is me
“chake nitto ‘opu liile-tto”(Like here in heaven)
They are the spirits that shape my heart
“Maako ‘eyya-n hiya ‘uume’omu-tto” (Don’t let us fall into evil)
Hear my prayer, ‘appi.

“Eyya manay kanni?” (Don’t forget me?)
Ancestor, ‘Unu (mother) I have not forgotten you or your teachings.
“kammachaw!” (listen)
Mother, I am listening,
I can hear you.
I hear your voice all around me
And it comforts me to know that you
Are continuing to teach me, and are with me.

“Our Creator’s will has asked me
To unite our traditions with his teachings,
I dance, sing, praise, In his great name.”

‘Unu, I hope that you can understand that.
Unu, I ask that you can do that too.

I speak about culture
“Tuu maako muyye henum hii waya.” (Give us all our food each day)
Because culture is me
“Suli ‘aa maakono ma sokte.” (Forgive us our debts)
Culture is in my spirit
“Chake mat ma suli ma eyayko.” (Just as we forgive our children)

I speak about tradition
“Maako ‘eyya-n hiya ‘uume ‘omu-tto.” (Don’t let us fall into evil)
Because tradition is me
“’Ulemmi maakono ‘omu hinkappo.” (Free us from doing evil)
Tradition is in my spirit.

“Nette ‘essa Hesuus.” (So be it, Jesus)
Creator, Ancestors, so let it be. “

August 17, 2004