Northern Pomo Stories and Texts: On Customs

In this brief passage, Mrs. Edna Guerrero describes several cultural norms surrounding interactions amongst family members.

Speaker:

On customs

miʔ kanemaʔ

Your relatives,

Your relatives,

ba:nameʔ k'o ʔuymo mamanhayan

the men, were not to be looked at in the face,

the men, were not to be looked at in the face,

mits'u nakan

because it is shameful.

because it is shameful.

mi-t̪'al kay k'o ma jano lowmoʔadinhan

Your father-in-law, you also do not talk with;

Your father-in-law, you also do not talk with;

mu:l kay halaʔ mits'u na

that, too, is also shameful.

that, too, is also shameful.

mi-cheya kay k'o mit̪o jano lowmoʔanhan

Your son-in-law also does not talk with you.

Your son-in-law also does not talk with you.

jaʔ yemay ma-kaʔ pʰownameʔnamu:l

Elders, your maternal grandmother's people—

Elders, your maternal grandmother's people—

miʔ t̪a:wal mu:l pʰowal pʰidixale nan

that is your work, you should take care of them.

that is your work, you should take care of them.

miʔ jaʔ yem nakan

Because your elders

Because your elders

meʔ k'o k'a:nhayadon

are not to be left behind, they say.

are not to be left behind, they say.