The âpéderivation of the name WALAM OLUM has been largely anticipated on previous pages. I have shown that _wâlâm_ (in modern Minsi, _wâlumin_) means "painted," especially "painted _red_." This is a secondary meaning, as the root wuli conveys the idea of something pleasant, in this connection, pleasant to the eye, fine, pretty. (See ante p. 104.)
_Olum_ was the name of the scores, marks, or figures in use on the tally-sticks or record-boards. The native Delaware missionary, Mr. Albert Anthony says that the knowledge of these ancient signs has been lost, but that the word _olum_ is still preserved by the Delaware boys in their games when they keep the score by notches on a stick. These notches--not the sticks--are called to this day _olum_--an interesting example of the preservation of an archaic form in the language of children.
The name _Wâlâm Olum_ is therefore a highly appropriate one for the record, and may be translated "RED SCORE."
The MS. from which I have printed the WALAM OLUM is a small quarto of forty unnumbered leaves, in the handwriting of Rafinesque. It is in two parts with separate titles. The first reads:--
First Part of the painted-engraved ║ traditions of the Linni linapi,&c ║ containing ║ the 3 original traditional poems ║ 1 on the Creation and Ontogony, 24 verses ║ 2 on the Deluge, &c. 16 v ║ 3 on the passage to America, 20 v ║ Signs and Verses, 60 ║ with the original glyphs or signs ║ for each verse of the poems or songs ║ translated word for word ║ by C S Rafinesque ║ 1833
First and Second Parts of the ║ Painted and engraved traditions ║ of the Linni linapi
Historical Chronicles or Annals ║ in two Chronicles
1 From arrival in America to settlement in Ohio, &c 4 chapters each of 16 verses, each of 4 words, 64 signs
2d From Ohio to Atlantic States and back to Missouri, a mere succession of names in 3 chapters of 20 verses--60 signs
Translated word for word by means of Zeisberger and Linapi Dictionary. With explanations, &c.
When Rafinesque died, his MSS. were scattered and passed into various hands. Prof. Haldeman, in his notice above referred to (p. 150), stated that he and "Mr. Poulson of Philadelphia" had a large part of them.
This particular one, and also others descriptive of Rafinesque's archaeological explorations in the southwest, his surveys of the earthworks of Kentucky and the neighboring states, and the draft of a work on "The Ancient Monuments of North and South America," came into the possession of the Hon. Brantz Mayer, of Baltimore, distinguished as an able public man and writer on American subjects, from whose family I obtained them.