Mozokas: the Moose Hunter Moon Begins

The third month of the Western Abenaki lunar cycle – Mozokas – has begun. The new moon following Piaôdagos (second month) occurred early this morning on February 20, 2023 - by the Gregorian calendar - here in Sokwakik. In Western Abenaki, Mozokas means “moose hunter moon.” It is pronounced MOO-zoo-KAHS. The word is formed polysynthetically with the combination of  the morphemes moz (moose) + oka (hunt) + as (“one who makes”, personifying the moon). Mozokas will be full on March 7th.

The deep accumulation of an entire winter’s snowfall makes it easier for the snowshoed hunter to track and take the mighty eastern moose (Alces alces americana) in the uplands. The moose is tracked, with the assistance of dogs, working from winter hunting camps up in the hills. Initial processing is done onsite, then carried back to camp by sled for further treatment, and eventually to the settlements in the river valleys. As the end of the winter approaches and food supplies dwindle, the people are grateful for the many gifts of the moose: meat, hide, hair, sinew, bone.

Winter is changing these days, and moose are few. We have much to relearn from these traditional perspectives,

Illustration by Jean Lieppert Polfus. This post first appeared in Sokoki Sojourn in 2019 and has been edited appropriately for this sharing.