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Activities

In the Classroom: Indian language activity

Our present-day language is constantly shifting and changing. Some words we use everyday are derived from the languages of Virginia's early tribes. These words can give us clues about Indian culture and lifestyles. Use this list of coastal Virginia Indian words to stimulate discussion. Do you know other local words of Indian origins that are not on the list?

Anah . . . . . . . . . farewell

Attawp . . . . . . . . . a bow

Mockasins . . . . . . . . . shoes

Netoppew . . . . . . . . . friends

Pokosack . . . . . . . . . a gun

Wingpo . . . . . . . . . welcome

Arrahacounes . . . . . . . . . raccoons

Monacan . . . . . . . . . digging, diggers

Apooke . . . . . . . . . Tobacco

Attomois . . . . . . . . . a dog

Muskins . . . . . . . . . eyes

Nemarough . . . . . . . . . a man

Suckquohana . . . . . . . . . water

Yehakin . . . . . . . . . house

Chickahominy . . . . . . . . . cleared place

Oppossum . . . . . . . . . oppossum

Appomattoc . . . . . . . . . trap, fishing river

Crenepo . . . . . . . . . a woman

Nechan . . . . . . . . . a child

Noughmass . . . . . . . . . fish

Tsenahcommacah . . . . . . . . . Virginia

Nisep . . . . . . . . . axe

Kecoughtan . . . . . . . . . great town

Patawomeck . . . . . . . . . trading place