Dgwaget (Autumn)
Translated as “the time when plants stop growing,” dgwaget was traditionally a time of harvest and final preparation for winter. Food and supplies collected during the warmer months were readied for storage and travel. Still today, Bodéwadmi honor the season and Creator for what was provided, hosting feasts and ceremonies during the Moons of autumn.
Within the expansive Great Lakes Region, communities experience seasonal change at different intervals, meaning autumn holds more moons than any other season, all with varied names and observances. For many, the transition from summer to fall is known as Nibnegises (Ripening Moon). Historically, crops planted in spring yielded a bounty of vegetables and a variety of wild berries and nuts were gathered from village orchards. This was also the time when women of the Human Clan harvested nakneshk (bulrushes) to make lodge mats, bags and clothing. Others observed Zawbogyagises (Leaves Turn Yellow Moon) and still others recognized Bnakwigizes (Falling Leaf Moon). Despite the activity, our ancestors and present communities have played important roles in preserving our dgwaget traditions.
Citations
Citizen Potawatomi Nation Cultural Heritage Center