When the Anishinaabeg speak about time, they refer to what is going on around them in nature. The words which we used to refer to the lunar cycles, refer to what is happening with the earth, what the animals are doing and what plannts are in season. The traditioanl Ojibwe calendar year follows a 13 moon lunar cycle, but when the whiteman colonized the area, a 12 month calender was adapted. The names of each full moon differ from place to place, but all are influenced heavily by natural phenomena, animal activity, and cultural practices and beliefs of that area.

Moons of the Anishinaabeg

Januaryish: Minado Giizis (Min-ah-doh Gee-zehss)
Variants: Maajii-bibooni-giizis, Manidoo-giizis, Oshki-bibooni-giizis, Gichi-giizis
Translations: Great Spirit Moon, Start of the Winter Moon, Spirit Moon, New Winter Moon, Big Moon

Februaryish: Makwa Giizis Bear Moon (Mah-kwah)
Variants: Namebini-giizis, Migizi-giizis, Makoonsag-gaa-nitaawaadi-giizis
Translations: Sucker Fish Moon, Eagle Moon, When the Bear Cubs are Born Moon

Marchish: Onaabidin Giizis Snow Crust Moon (Oh-nah-bid-in)
Variants: Onaabani-giizis, Bebookwedaagime-giizis, Aandego-giizis, Niki-giizis, Ziinsibaakwadooke-giizis
Translations: Hard Crust on the Snow Moon, Snowshoe Breaking Moon, Crow Moon, Goose Moon, Sugar Making Moon

Aprilish: Popogami Giizis Broken Snowshoe Moon (Poh-poh-gah-meh)
Variants: Iskigamizige-giizis, Omakakiiwi-giizis, Bebookwedaagime-giizis, Maango-giizis
Translations: Maple Sap Boiling Moon, Frog Moon, Snowshoe Breaking Moon, Loon Moon

Mayish: Nimebine Giizis Sucker Moon (Nimh-eh-bin-eh)
Variants: Waabigoni-giizis, Zaagibagaagime-giizis, Waswwgone-giizis
Translations: Flowering Moon, Budding Moon, Flowering Moon

Juneish: Waabigonii Giizis Blooming Moon (Wah-bi-gah-nee)
Variants: Ode-imini-giizis, Gitige-giizis, Waawano-giizis
Translations: Strawberry Moon, Gardening Moon, Egg Moon

Julyish: Miin Giizis Berry Moon (Meehn)
Variants: Aabita-Niibino-giizis, Miini-giizis, Miskomini-giizis, Baashkawe'o-giizis
Translations: Mid-Summer Moon, Blueberry Moon, Raspberry Moon, Flying Moon

Augustish: Minoomini Giizis Grain Moon (Min-oo-mihn-nee)
Variants: Manoominikie-giizis, Odatagaagomini-giizis, Basikwa'o-giizis
Translations: Ricing Moon, Blackberry Moon, Flying Moon

Septemberish: Wabaabagaa Giizis Changing Leaves Moon (Wa-bah-ba-gah)
Variants: Waatebagaa-giizis, Mandaamini-giizis, Moozo-giizis
Translations: Leaves Changing Color Moon, Corn Moon, Moose Moon

Octoberish:Binaakwe Giizis Falling Leaves Moon (Bi-nah-kway)
Variants: none known
Translations:

Novemberish: Baashkaakodin Giizis Freezing Moon (Bah-shkah-koh-din)
Variants: Gashkadino-giizis, Adikomemi-giizis
Translations: Freezing Moon, Whitefish Moon

Decemberish: Minado Giisoonhs* Little Spirit Moon (Min-ah-doh Gee-soonhs)
Variants: Manidoo-giizisoons, Gichi-bibooni-giizis
Translations: Little Spirit Moon, Big Winter Moon

Source: S.E.M.I. Southeast Michigan Indians Newsletter, 1992

CREDITS****