From its source in Lake Itasca in Minnesota, the Mississippi River meanders southward for over 2,000 miles, eventually emptying into the Gulf of Mexico. Its ebb and flow are legendary, but what did the original natives living near the river call it? To get answers to this question, this article will look at the etymology of the words related to “Mississippi” and talk to an expert on the subject.
The etymology of the word “Mississippi” has been a source of debate for centuries. The most commonly accepted origin of “Mississippi” was an Algonquin word, “misi-ziibi,” meaning “Great River.” This word seems to be derived from the Ojibwe word “misi-ziibi,” which is a version of the Proto-Algonquian word “mesi-ziibi,” meaning “Great River.” Over time, the pronunciation of these words changed, leading to the modern name of the Mississippi River. This theory is widely accepted by scholars, but other theories exist.
John W. Adams, professor of Native American Studies at the University of Mississippi and author of “The Native American History of the Mississippi River Valley,” believes that the original inhabitants of the river valley called it different names. “Some of them called it ‘the great river’ while others called it ‘the father of waters’ or simply ‘the river.’ Others had their own names for it—some of which are now lost to history.”
Professor Adams also notes that even today, the river is known by different names in different Native American languages. For example, the Ho-Chunk Nation in Wisconsin calls it the “Mhoñ-ami-sipi” which means “Our Mother River.” The Ojibwe call it “Gichi-ziibi” which means “Big River.” “It’s fascinating to see how different tribes and generations have interpreted the river in their own language and mythology,” says Professor Adams.
The river has also been a source of symbology in the region. “It’s believed that the Native Americans in the area viewed the river as having a spiritual significance. It was seen as a bridge between the physical and spiritual worlds and they used it as a source of sustenance and guidance,” explains Professor Adams. This suggests that, for the early inhabitants of the region, the Mississippi River was seen in many different ways.
River as a Trade Route
The river also played an important role in the region’s trade and commerce. It was used as a trade and transportation route between different Native American tribes as well as between European settlers and the indigenous people. This was especially true during the 1800s when the steam boat flourished. It enabled the region to experience an economic boom and commercial activity. Despite its significance, it is unclear what native Mississippies used to call the river during those years.
River on Maps
When Europeans began to explore and map the area, they gave the river various names, both in English and French. The first maps of the region date back to the 1700s and they refer to the river as the “Rio Grande” or the “River of the Innocents.” By the 1800s, the river had been called the “Mississippi River” on multiple maps. It is unclear whether this was an adaptation of native terms or simply a European creation.
River in Popular Culture
The river has had many cultural and literary depictions throughout the years. The most well-known example is Mark Twain’s “Adventures of Huckleberry Finn” (1884), which immortalized the river. The novel paints a vivid picture of the river and the characters’ journey along it. It is widely believed that Twain used a combination of real-life events and stories from the region to create his work.
River in Music
The Mississippi River is a frequent subject in American folk songs, blues and jazz. In particular, blues musician Robert Johnson famously sang about the river in his 1937 song “Traveling Riverside Blues,” in which he muses on the beauty and power of the river. Other iconic songs such as Elvis Presley’s “Blue Moon of Kentucky” also allude to the river.
River in Literature
The Mississippi River has also been the subject of much literature. In particular, the works of Ernest Hemingway, William Faulkner, and Toni Morrison all deal with the river in some way. Faulkner’s novel “As I Lay Dying” (1930) follows the Bundrens family’s journey along the river. In recent decades, writers such as Cormac McCarthy and Alice Walker have used the river as a symbolic backdrop in their works.
River in Art
The beauty of the Mississippi River has attracted many artists over the years. Jackson Pollock is perhaps the most famous artist to have painted the river. His abstract works such as “Mural” (1943) and “Blue Poles” (1952) both feature references to the river. Other artists have depicted the river in more traditional renderings, including Thomas Hart Benton and Grant Wood, who both painted detailed scenes of the river valley.
River in the Present
Today, the Mississippi River is an important source of water for the region and is used for shipping and agriculture. Numerous cities, towns and villages line the river, from Minneapolis to New Orleans. The river is also a popular tourist destination, with people from all over the world drawn to its beauty and historical significance. People who live in the region still consider the river as a part of their culture and as an integral part of their identity.
