Howah

Howah Or Ho Wa.

Used in upper Wisconsin not just as a exclamation but also to call to others from afar and/or signal their identity as an Indigenous person to other Indigenous peoples to get specifically their attention.

Often used as an icebreaker to strangers suspected by an Indigenous person to be another Indigenous person.

The roots stem from the Ojibwe but are also used by Oneida, Menominee, Potawatomi, and other local tribes. Not to be used by non-Indigenous persons under any reason.

Person 1 to person 2 while indicating to a third: "I can't get that person over there's attention. Ya know, the one in the red."

Person 2: "Why would you want their attention?"

Person 1: "They look Native, I wana ask if their Indigenous."

Person 2: "Oh well then, Ho wa ya know."

Person 2 turns towards the third: "HO WA!"

Person 3 turns to them: "Ho Wa!"

Person 1 and 2: "HOWAH!"

3👍 2👎