Makadewaakikizi Giizis Nibo A Solar Eclipse

Makadewaakikizi Giizis Nibo A Solar Eclipse

In our Anishinaabmowin, we use the word Makadewaakikizi to describe a solar eclipse.

This refers to the sun becoming black, like a stone or something metal.

We appreciate this profound celestial event as a time when the Moon and the Sun come together. The sun is our grandfather. The moon is our grandmother. Their paths take them about their own existence but brings them back together from time to time to honour their relationship. That they come together reminds our men and women of their responsibility to each other even when me are busy with our other relationships and pursuits. We are reminded to make time for our partners and ensure we are focused on their sacredness too.

Some other Anishinaabe refer to an eclipse as Giizis Nibo , or The Sun Dies. During an eclipse’ roughly hour and a half duration, the sun gets progressively dimmer until most of its light is blocked from getting to our eyes on the earth’s surface before. It then becomes progressively brighter and returns to full daytime strength. At least for a few minutes, the sun managed to get some rest. We are reminded that all things we think of as constant are not always so and that we should take no part of Creation for granted.

‍