It makes us wild; we do not know what we are doing.
We abuse one another; we throw one another into the fire ...
Through drinking, seven score of our people have been killed.
The cask must be sealed, it must be made fast;
it must not leak by day or night, in the light or in the dark."
-----Okanìkòn
The Lënape creation story is long and is usually told in three parts. The first part tells of the creation, the second of the the destruction of the world, and the third, of the re-creation or new world. In the third part, a great Spirit Being named Nanapush, with the aid of a few animals, created a new world on the back of a turtle. When he finished, he taught man how to live and survive in this new world, and gave man a set of teachings to live by. We call these teachings the "Tèlën òk nisha Lilenowòkànà"......the 12 Laws.
Tëlën òk nisha Lilenowakànà....The 12Laws
Takàxsuwakàn (Generosity)
Maxelemuksowakàn (Honor)
Nenostàmowakàn (Understanding)
Wùlelèndamòkàn (Respect)
Kùtitehewakàn (Harmony)
Pòxtowòkàn (Patience)
Wowòtamòkàn (Wisdom)
Chitanichewakàn (Courage)
Kenamakàn (Thanksgiving)
Nundajelènsowakàn (Humility)
Wùlestamowakàn òk Nakuxsowakàn (Faith & Trust)
Mauxsuwakàn (Oneness)
The 12 Laws are symbolized by pictographs. Below are the pictographs representing the 12 Laws.
Takàxsuwakàn
Maxelemuksowakàn
Nenostàmowakàn
Wùlelèndamòkàn
Kùtitehewakàn
Pòxtowòkàn
Wowòtamòkàn
Chitanichewakàn
Kenamakàn
Nundajelènsowakàn
Wùlestamowakàn òk Nakuxsowakàn
Mauxsuwakàn
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BACKGROUND MUSIC
xkweyok naxkuhemaok
Woman Dance
This is one of three variations of the women's dance. As the name implies, only women perform these dances. This dance is held early in the evening as the elders often take the lead in it.
In this dance the dancers move straight ahead with plain short steps.
