Date: Wed, 13 Mar 1996 14:20:59 -0800

From: David Robertson net091[AT SYMBOL GOES HERE]RISCY.SFCC.CTC.EDU

Subject: Lakota word 'unhcegila'



Beg pardon if I'm absentmindedly sending this to the wrong list...



But, about 'unhcegila', I seem to recall Father Buechel defining it

as mastodon or woolly mammoth or some such. Explanation: "bones were

dug up to be used as medicine," I believe. I was always puzzled about

that, and don't know any Lakotas to ask. Regardless of the status of

'unhcegila' as a water demon or as Ice Age creature (--or both?

Interesting thesis--) does the word have some connection with terms for

peyote? And did Lakota peyote names originally mean something else?



Thanks to anyone who may be able to help on this;



Dave