ŚW̱SELÁWE¸

Saanich

Etymology

From ŚW̱- (purposive prefix) +‎ SELÁWE¸ (“to be sad”), literally “the one [to be] sad for”, from traditional beliefs of feeling grief until sockeyes arrive, as well as being caught like they were one’s relatives.

Noun

ŚW̱SELÁWE¸ (Americanist spelling šxʷsəléwəʔ)

  1. sockeye salmon (ceremonial term)
    Synonym: ŦEḴI¸ (generally)

References

  • Timothy Montler (2018), SENĆOŦEN: A Dictionary of the Saanich Language‎[1], electronic edition, Victoria, BC: W̱SÁNEĆ School Board, page 644
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