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Mi'kmaq Calendars [archive]

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Míkmawey Calendar

The Míkmawey Calendar begins on Spring Equinox, either March 20 or March 21 on the Gregorian Calendar. It follows the cycle of the 13 Moons, with each Moon having 28 days. There is a "intercalary day", an extra day that does not appear on the calendar, between Apunknajit 28 and Kjikús 1, known as the Year End Day, and is a day of rest and celebration. Every four years there is a Leap Day, which follows after Year End Day.

Mi'kmaq Name English Translation
Kjikús Great Moon
Siwkewikús Maple Sugar
Penamuikús Birds Lay Eggs
Etquljuikús Frogs Croaking
Nipnikús Leaves Full Blossom
Peskewikús Birds Shed Feathers
Kisikwekewikús Ripening Time
Wikumkewikús Moose Calling Time
Wikewikús Fat Tame Animals
Keptekewikús Rivers About To Freeze
Kiskewikús Chief Moon
Punamujuikús Spawn of Tom-Cod
Apunknajit Sun Is Very Strong

Gregorian Calendar

The Gregorian calendar is the one commonly used today. It was proposed by Aloysius Lilius, a physician from Naples, and adopted by Pope Gregory XIII in accordance with instructions from the Council of Trent (1545-1563) to correct for errors in the older Julian Calendar. It was decreed by Pope Gregory XIII in a papal bull in February 1582.

Mi'kmaq Name English Correspondence
Punamujuikús January
Apunknajit February
Siwkewikús March
Penamuikús April
Etquljuikús May
Nipnikús June
Peskewikús July
Kisikwekewikús August
Wikumkewikús September
Wikewikús October
Keptekewikús November
Kiskewikús December

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