Cheyenne months

      There is no standard list of Cheyenne names for the twelve months. Elders have remembered various names for months which are listed on this page.

      Most month names end with the word éše'he which is broad in meaning, referring to 'sun,' 'moon', 'month', 'clock', and 'compass.')

      Here is one list of month names used on a calendar which was distributed for many years. Click on a link to hear the word pronounced.


      Hohtseeše'he, Hoop Moon, January
      Ma'xėhohtseeše'he, Big Hoop Moon, February
      Ponoma'ėhaseneeše'he, Drying Up Moon, March
      Vehpotseeše'he, Leaf Moon, April
      Matse'omeeše'he, Spring Moon, May
      Enano'eeše'he, Planting Moon, June
      Meaneeše'he, Summer Moon, July
      Oeneneeše'he, Harvest Moon, August
      Tonoeveeše'he, Fall Moon, September
      Se'enehe, Facing Into, October (this word refers to when thin ice begins to form on ponds and rivers)
      He'koneneeše'he, Hard Face Moon, November
      Ma'xėhe'koneneeše'he, Big Hard Face Moon, December

      Some alternative names are:

      He'koneneeše'he, Hard Face Moon, January (instead of November)
      Tšėške'he'konenehe, Little Hard Face (Moon), February
      Tšėške'hohtseeše'he, Little Hoop Moon, February
      Ponoma'ėhasenehe, Drying Up, March (or April)
      Heše'kevenehe, Dusty Face, March (also, variant Heše'evenehe)
      Heše'eveneheeše'he, Dusty Face Moon, March (or April)
      E'omeeše'he, Fattening Up Moon, latter June and first part of July
      Setovemeaneeše'he, Midsummer Moon, July
      Hemotseeše'he, Breeding Moon, latter August and first part of September
      Tonoeše'he, Cool Moon, September
      Se'eneeše'he, Facing Into Moon, October
      Se'ma'omeveeše'he, Starting To Freeze Moon, October
      Setoveaeneeše'he, Midwinter Moon, December


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