Nekʼeltaeni

Ahtna

Etymology

Literally 'that which lies over us,' from nekʼe (“on us”) +‎ l- (classifier) +‎ taen (stem of the verbal root tae (“a singular animate noun lies”)) +‎ -i (nominalizer). The meaning 'God' is the latest of the listed meanings; the original meaning describes the same whole-sky constellation as Gwich'in Yahdii.

Proper noun

Nekʼeltaeni

  1. A massive constellation composed of numerous asterisms and stars, including the Big Dipper, forming or representing the therianthrope or human-animal culture hero Yabaaghe Tezyaann wearing a pack and carrying a staff.
  2. the Big Dipper
    Synonym: cʼeceʼ
  3. (Christianity) God

References

  • Kari, James (1990), Ahtna Athabaskan Dictionary, Fairbanks, Alaska: Alaska Native Language Center, →ISBN, page 330
  • Chris M. Cannon (2021), Northern Dene Astronomical and Sky-related Knowledge: A Comparative Anthropological Study, Fairbanks, Alaska: University of Alaska Fairbanks, pages 47, 66-85
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