Skamonkas: the Corn Maker Moon

Yesterday’s full moon (September 10, 2022) marks the current lunar month Skamonkas . The ninth month of the Abenaki lunar calendar is the Corn Maker Moon, following the preceding eighth month of Temezôwas, the Cutter (Harvest) Moon. The flint corn crop has ripened and is finally drying on the stalk, ready for harvesting. The dried ears will be gathered and stored for later use, often by grinding into flour or meal.

Skamonkas - which names this seasonal cyclic journey of Grandmother Moon - began in the current year’s sun cycle (2022) with the new moon on August 27, progresses through the full moon of September 10th, and travels until the next new moon on September 25th. The name itself derives from the coming together of “skamon” for “corn” with “-kas” for “maker.”

Wliwni, Nigawes Kizos – nd’alamizi.  Thank you Grandmother Moon – I am grateful.

This post is revised from a previous version at Sokoki Sojourn.