Tomahittan?

Rankin, Robert L rankin at ku.edu
Wed Nov 9 15:13:58 UTC 2005


Tom makes a good point.  The /ttaNwaN/ part that generally gets translated 'town' is really most likely a term for an older ethnic division of a people, whether "band" or "clan" or some other . . . .   This earlier meaning is bolstered by the use of the term (spelled -ton) in the Dakota /thuNwaN/ in the names of the Teton, Yankton, Sisseton, etc.  It only takes on the meaning 'town' as groups became sedentary and moved to villages/towns.
 
> ttaN'waNgdhaN is the modern day Ponca word for "clan"

	Tom Leonard



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