English

butterfly

Arapaho

níh'ootéibéíhii

Translation of Arapaho

‘??? one’

Related Words

caterpillar: neyoooxet

tent caterpillar: ???

chrysalis: : bííseenii3óóteeyoo = ‘insect weaving’

 

Buterflies and the Arapaho

The Gros Ventre believe that tent caterpillars dance if you sing to them. Perhaps the Arapaho had similar ideas, and an elder can provide more information on this topic.

The word for ‘caterpillar’ is the same as that for ‘whirlwind’ or ‘tornado.’ Perhaps the twisting of the caterpillar’s chysalis is connected to the twisting of the whirlwind - this idea has not been verified with elders. But it is certain that the caterpillar was associated with Whirlwind Woman - a powerful mythological being present at the creation of the world.

 

Tent caterpillars

 

A Mourning Cloak buttefly