Hemir (Until) - Kumeyaay/’Iipai

Photo: Author Mandy Curo, Mandycuro@hotmail.com

Synopsis: The “big thing” these days is land acknowledgements. Whatever event you may attend there usually is some representation reminding us of the first keepers of the land. On occasion, I will be asked to come and a say a few words pointing an audience to a better understanding of who the original people of this land were and continue to be. After a while, I decided to put it all down in the form of a song. Fitting, since music has always been a part of welcoming visitors. Hospitality was and is a big practice of the Kumeyaay. I begin the song in ‘Iipay and English follows as it did throughout history. The lyrics reflect my thoughts on how this land has endured so much and has so many stories. My people have relied on her for thousands and thousands of years, and she has cared for us well, and we made a point to do the same in return. In pre-contact times, we practiced controlled burnings, ask ‘Emaay E’haa for rain and never take more than was needed. There was gratitude and an understanding of any sacrifice made from the animal kingdom or the earth for our benefit. How we treat our Creator, our world and everything on it tells of who we are at our core. There is a connection and a responsibility. Today, we share ‘Emat Kumeyaay, and her resources and dwindling. Fires can be devastating, water grows scarce, and plants and animals become endangered as we constantly leave our mark on this land. We can all do better. Change begins with learning. Learning can lead to a new appreciation, and the realization of accountability. Once this is accomplished, she can be loved just as my people have loved her all this time.

As the chorus states: “You’ll never love her until you know her story.” You can come to our homeland, walk it, swim it, ans even rest beneath an old oak tree. Once you take the time to learn her story and know her struggles and marvel at her resilience she will become more valuable to you. As her story unfolds, you will see yourself as a part of it.

Nyip ‘emat peyii ‘Enyaach hekwan. Nya’taat nyip ‘emat peyii puu hekwanya. ‘Enepaaw nyip ‘emat peyii puu hekwanya tawaa tawaa tawaa… Puuyuuyes rrawches, ‘esalyemk. ‘Emat kwa’han peyaa ‘Emaay E’haa wechowvu ‘enyaawapch ‘eyeehuy ‘epecheshuuches. Haasilly kwaykullk ‘emat saaym, ‘emat peyaa ‘ewampch ‘ehechewaay ‘enesoom, ‘uuchuch nyaamat ‘enychewiichvu nyiny puknach. Pil kupilly ‘emat peyaa ‘uumiirp ‘esekaay. ‘Uuchuch rewii ‘asaaw, a’siich, chewuuw weman, ne’urr, kuphall, nyehatt, ‘ehwiiw, hanecha, ‘emally, ‘ehpaa, ‘emat kwakhwatt, ‘ehaa kwettap, nyawim mu’yuum aaapsiiw. ‘Uuchuch peyap nyaamat nyechuuwiich ‘Emaay E’haa ekwachmaayaay tep’allches. ‘Iipaych tarchach nyechuuwiich ‘ematm. ‘Enyaawapch eyuuw ‘uuch war ehini. Kupallvech ‘illk enyaawapch nyii shuuhuu umaaw, kenyay ‘ehanm munchewaych wesaawh. Haasilly kallwas ‘enyaawapch ‘arr. Nyamuuyaawkk memirrh. ‘Iiwalpm mewuuwh.

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Menyemat kwa’stik meneyiw mellya’am

‘Emat peyii mepehkwiih mellya’am

Mewamp pes nyii mucheyuuwp hemir

Haasillyvelly machepuull mellya’am

‘Ill kwerak ‘ukuwaay helltaa tetuupayp mellya’am

Pes ‘Emat peyaa nyii muumiirrp umaaw ‘Enyaa rewii hemir