#i hadn't realized there was this much continuity of tradition among the nipmuc

[guillemelgat]

[ OTHER INDIGENOUS LANGUAGE AWARENESS CHALLENGE POSTS]

Here is another IYIL post, this week on Nipmuc (I couldn’t find a word for the language in Nipmuc).

Basic Information

The Nipmuc language is very closely related to all the languages that I’ve looked over before for this challenge. While there is no confirmed historical attestion of it, a language called “Loup A” from a French priest’s 18th century manuscript is generally agreed to likely be Nipmuc. However, listening to people involved in revitalization efforts, it seems like there is a fairly continuous tradition of the language up to the modern day (so it’s never been dormant). It is spoken in Central Massachusetts down into northern parts of Connecticut and Rhode Island, but the main locations where it’s spoken are around Grafton/Natick/Worcester.

Modern History

By the end of the 19th century, much of the Nipmuc land that had continued in their possession was sold or broken up by the Massachusetts government, with the only exception being the Hassanamisco Reservation (fun fact: this is the only reservation in Massachusetts to never have been owned or occupied by non-Native people, which says a lot about how bad colonization was here). Many Nipmuc intermarried with Black people, and the two communities had close ties, with Nipmuc enclaves in Worcester often being within Black neighborhoods. Nipmuc traditions were maintained and people continued to meet at the Hassanamisco Reservation, which was a center for cultural and social life. The Cisco family of Hassanamisco became tribal leaders, and in the 1920s they began getting involved, along with members other New England nations, in advocacy and attempts at recognition and reparations. In the 1930s, leader Sarah Cisco asked the Massachusetts legislature for pensions for Nipmuc people and to maintain the Hassanamisco Reservation, as well as the return of Lake Ripple to Hassanamisco possession, something which was only gained later on under the leadership of Zara Cisco Bough. In 1976 the Hassanamisco Nipmucs were recognized by the Commonwealth of Massachusetts. The Chaubunagungamaug Band, descendants of the inhabitants of the Dudley Praying Town (modern-day Dudley, MA and Webster, MA), reacquired lands that had been sold off in the 19th century, creating a 10-acre reservation, and were incoporated in 1981. They are also recognized by Massachusetts. A third group, the Natick Massachusett, also have state recognition, although members are of mixed Massachusett and Nipmuc descent. None of the groups have federal recognition.

Linguistic Revitalization

Linguistic revitalization has been taking place, although I'm not sure to what extent it’s being taught and how many people are taking part in the revitalization. I did find an article about the teaching of the language, which gives some idea, and there is a website with lessons and classes, so there are definitely things happening. The language was also used in a PBS documentary (?), and here is a video talking about the language consulting for the film.

Support the project!

You can donate to the Nipmuc Nation here (scroll down to the blue “Donate” button).

I’ll be back next week with Narragansett!