Latest news with #EdmondJohnson
Time of India
3 days ago
- General
- Time of India
Caddo language faces cultural extinction: Last voice of this ancient language falls silent
Image credits: Facebook/Caddo Nation of Oklahoma Language binds a person to their identity; it makes them a part of a community and a carrier of a culture. Since the dawn of humanity, languages have come and gone. The way ancient humans spoke remains a mystery, and many other languages around the world are endangered, with their speakers declining due to globalisation. No matter how strongly you hold on to your language, the world requires you to follow the norm and become more fluent in a commercial and universal tongue, rather than a unique and personal tongue. We meet so many people daily who speak more of their mother tongue away from home than they did there. Not only is it a matter of belonging but also of identity and persistence. Why is it important? Find out below! The Caddo Nation of Oklahoma recently announced the death of Edmond Johnson,95, on July 14 on Facebook. Johnson, who was a part of the native American tribe, was a beloved member and a "vital knowledge bearer" of the ancient language. Additionally, he was the last fluent speaker of the Caddo language. "Mr. Johnson was not only a vital knowledge bearer of our language and a treasured elder. His passing marks an irreplaceable loss to our heritage, and we extend our deepest condolences to his family and all who mourn with us," said the post, alongside a photo of Johnson. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like 11 Foods That Help In Healing Knee Pain Naturally Undo Bobby Gonzalez, chairman of the Caddo Nation, told the local ABC station KOCO News 5 that the ancient language is "what makes us Caddo", as he explained its deep ties to the tribe's identity. A fight for the life of a language Image credits: X/@HawkkRico Caddo is a part of the Caddoan language group, which includes other languages such as Wichita, Pawnee and Arikara. It is spoken by the Caddo Nation, which is an indigenous tribe from the Southern United States. Like the other languages of the tribe, Caddo is an endangered language whose speakers are critically low and mostly elderly. The tribe has been actively working to preserve and revitalise the language through educational programs and community initiatives. Over the past few years, Johnson had been working with the tribe's language preservation director to keep the language alive. 'He was really good at explaining things, [an] awesome storyteller,' Alaina Tahlate, the tribe's language preservation director, told KOCO News 5. 'The language connects every part of our culture together. Use your language however much, or however little, that you know.' According to their website, the language is known as Hasinai to the native speakers. The tribe itself is the descendant of agriculturalists whose ancient homelands are in present-day Louisiana, Texas, Arkansas and Oklahoma. According to archaeological evidence, the tribe existed as early as 900 AD. The phonological structure of the Caddoan languages has a limited vowel system utilising three vowels and a range of consonants. To honour Johnson's efforts and their cultural heritage, the tribe plans to continue preserving their language through a fund they plan to establish. 'We're doing everything we can to preserve what we can with the people that we know that can still understand it,' said Gonzalez.
Yahoo
4 days ago
- General
- Yahoo
Last Fluent Speaker of Ancient Native American Language Dies at 95: ‘Irreplaceable Loss to Our Heritage'
NEED TO KNOW Edmond Johnson, the last fluent speaker of an ancient Native American language, has died at age 95 The Caddo Nation of Oklahoma announced his death on July 14, describing Johnson as a "vital knowledge bearer of our language" and "treasured elder" The tribe plans to continue their work to preserve the Caddo language following Johnson's deathA Native American tribe is mourning the loss of one of their beloved members — and a "vital knowledge bearer" of their ancient language. On Monday, July 14, the Caddo Nation of Oklahoma announced the death of Edmond Johnson, 95, on Facebook. The tribe described Johnson as being the last fluent speaker of the Caddo language. "Mr. Johnson was not only a vital knowledge bearer of our language and a treasured elder. His passing marks an irreplaceable loss to our heritage, and we extend our deepest condolences to his family and all who mourn with us," they wrote, alongside a photo of Johnson. In the post, the Caddo Nation shared that they would be closing their Tribal Administration Office on Tuesday, July 15, in observance of funeral proceedings for Johnson. "This closure is a moment for reflection, mourning and gratitude for the knowledge and spirit he carried on behalf of our ancestors and future generations," they wrote. "We ask that each of you take this time to honor him in your own way — through prayer, remembrance, or by simply speaking his name." Bobby Gonzalez, chairman of the Caddo Nation, told local ABC station KOCO News 5 that the ancient language is "what makes us Caddo" as he spoke about how it's deeply tied to the tribe's identity. Over the past few years, Johnson — whom Gonzalez said "meant a lot to our people" — had been working with the tribe's language preservation director, Alaina Tahlate, to keep the Caddo language alive. 'He was really good at explaining things, [an] awesome storyteller,' Tahlate told KOCO News 5. 'The language connects every part of our culture together. Use your language however much, or however little, that you know.' To honor Johnson and their rich heritage, the tribe plans to continue working to preserve the language, with the help of a fund they plan to establish. 'We're doing everything we can to preserve what we can with the people that we know that can still understand it,' Gonzalez told the outlet. According to their website, the Caddo people are descendants of agriculturalists whose ancient homelands are what is today Louisiana, Texas, Arkansas and Oklahoma. Archeologists recovered ancient items that suggest the tribe existed as early as 900 AD. When Spanish explorer Hernando de Soto's expedition entered the region in 1542, the Caddo's thriving communities dispersed along the Brazos, Trinity, Neches, Sabine, Red and Ouachita rivers. Never miss a story — sign up for to stay up-to-date on the best of what PEOPLE has to offer, from celebrity news to compelling human interest stories. After "multiple forced removals," the Caddo eventually relocated to what is now Caddo County in Oklahoma. "Twentieth-century efforts to revitalize economic, social, political and religious institutions have enabled Caddo people to maintain a distinctive identity today and continue building toward a hopeful and prosperous future," the tribe said on its website. Read the original article on People
Daily Mail
17-07-2025
- General
- Daily Mail
Ancient American language dies after last fluent speaker passes away aged 95
An ancient Native American language has now officially died out after its final fluent speaker died at the age of 95. The Caddo Nation of Oklahoma announced on Monday that Edmond Johnson, the tribe's last fluent speaker of the Caddo language, had died. 'Mr. Johnson was not only a vital knowledge bearer of our language and a treasured elder,' the tribe said. 'His passing marks an irreplaceable loss to our heritage, and we extend our deepest condolences to his family and all who mourn with us.' In honor of Johnson, the tribe's administration offices closed on Tuesday to mourn and reflect on their elder's impact. 'We ask that each of you take this time to honor him in your own way—through prayer, remembrance, or by simply speaking his name,' the Caddo Nation added. The Caddo tribe's ancient homelands are what is known today as the states of Louisiana, Texas, Arkansas, and Oklahoma. Ancient items recovered by archaeologists suggest that the tribe has existed as early as AD 900. The tribe's homeland was disturbed when Spanish explorer Hernando de Soto led an expedition to the area. After several forced removals, the Caddo Nation relocated to what is now known as Caddo County, Oklahoma. 'We are an ancient tribe. We've been here since time immemorial. And we will continue to be here,' the tribe's website reads. Bobby Gonzalez, the chairman of the Caddo Nation, told local ABC affiliate, KOCO News, that losing the tribe's last fluent speaker was a devastating blow. He said that their language is 'what makes us Caddo,' adding that 'Edmond Johnson meant a lot to our people.' Now, the tribe is tasked with preserving their language in the wake of Johnson's death. He had been working with Alaina Tahlate, the tribe's language preservation director, to ensure the language endures. But it is feared Johnson's ancestors will never be able to speak Caddo with the same vocabulary as he did and that words as well as phrases are now lost forever. She told KOCO that Johnson had a gift for storytelling and was great at explaining things. 'The language connects every part of our culture together,' Tahlate said. 'We're doing everything we can to preserve what we can with the people that we know that can still understand it,' Gonzalez added. Tributes have already begun to pour in on social media for Johnson, with one comment on the Caddo Nation's post reading, 'As another indigenous person whose language is still here, but we are losing speakers fast, this breaks my heart for his nation and family on the loss of him and your language. 'I hope there are a lot of recordings of him and lessons he taught so you can persevere what you can so its not all lost.' 'As a linguist this crushes my heart, both for his family and for the loss to the tribe. My thoughts and prayers to you all,' another added. 'Condolences to all who mourn. I hope the language perseveres through all who speak it,' a third commented.
Irish Independent
25-04-2025
- Business
- Irish Independent
Prototype Liam MacCarthy Cup and more GAA collectables go under the hammer
The committee chose the other one, which became the Liam MacCarthy Cup. The second version, catalogued as a 'Prototype of the Liam MacCarthy Cup' (Lot 709: est. €5,000 to €7,000), is going under the hammer at Fonsie Mealy's Rare Books and Collectors' Sale, which takes place in The Avalon House Hotel, Castlecomer, Co Kilkenny, on April 30 and May 1. The story of the cup goes back to 1922, when Liam MacCarthy offered to commission a perpetual trophy to be presented to the winners of the All-Ireland Senior Hurling Championship. MacCarthy was an Irish nationalist and successful businessman, born in the UK to Irish parents. He was also a keen hurler who became heavily involved in the GAA in London. The Liam MacCarthy Cup, a silver cup modelled on a medieval drinking vessel known as a mether, was made to commission by Edmond Johnson, of Dublin, and cost £50. Ironically, the maker of this Irish cultural icon had once made jewellery for the British Crown. Johnson's replica of the 10th-century Ballyspellan brooch was purchased by Prince Albert for Queen Victoria in 1849. In 1890, Johnson also made a coronet made for the Countess of Granard. The trophy was first presented to Limerick in 1923 for the 1921 championship, which was delayed due to Civil War. The original silver cup was retired in 1992 and is now in the GAA Museum in Croke Park. Since then, a replica of the Liam MacCarthy Cup has been presented to annually to the All-Ireland hurling champions. It too is a Celtic Revival silver cup, modelled as a mether, with four carrying handles. It was made by Edmond Johnson of Dublin and is dated 1923 The prototype currently at Fonsie Mealy Auctioneers is similar to the original, but not identical. It too is a Celtic Revival silver cup, modelled as a mether, with four carrying handles. It was made by Edmond Johnson of Dublin and is dated 1923. Around 29cm high, the prototype is slightly smaller than the Liam MacCarthy Cup and the design is different. Both versions have embellishments based on Celtic knot work but the decoration of the prototype, based on the Book of Kells, is much more intricate. It's not known why one version was chosen over the other. The prototype would have been trickier to make and consequently more expensive but it's more likely that the committee preferred the simpler design. This variant was presumably retained by the jeweller for sale, purchases, and passed down to the vendor by descent. 'I'd be absolutely thrilled if it went to the GAA Museum,' George Fonsie Mealy says. 'It would be lovely to see the pair of them back together.' ADVERTISEMENT Learn more In 2021, an exact full-size replica of the Liam MacCarthy Cup in silver plate sold for €9,000 at Fonsie Mealy Auctioneers. The replica was an exact facsimile of the original in all respects except in the use of silver plate (the original is solid silver). The piece had been commissioned by a private collector in the 1980s. In the same sale, a 1903 All-Ireland Football Championship gold medal (Lot 702: est. €5,000 to €7,000) represents the first of Kerry's 38 All-Ireland Senior Football titles. The familiar 9ct gold Celtic Cross design has the words 'Eire' and 'Cumann Luith Cleas Gaedhail' on the front and '1903 - All Ireland Football Championship, won by Kerry' on the back. 'The first of anything is always the most desirable,' George Fonsie Mealy says. Kerry won the All-Ireland Football Championship again in 1904 and a gold medal from this match is also in the sale (Lot 703: est. €3,500 to €5,000). Both lots come from the same family, passed down from one of the players on the team. A rare gold medal awarded to the winners of the 1916-18 Kilkenny Senior Hurling Championship (Lot 707: est. €800 to €1,200) represents the historic win of Mooncoin against Tullaroan. Ireland, at the time, was in turmoil. The 1916 championship game was postponed because of political unrest and final played in Knocktopher in August 1919. More than 5,000 people attended the game, which ended in a draw. The replay also drew large crowds. The medal was classed as incorporating the years 1917 and 1918, when the sport was disrupted and games could not be played. The medal is being sold by a family member of one of the players. 'These are emotive pieces,' George Fonsie Mealy says. 'The families are passing them on before their significance gets lost.' See
