[Note: this transcription was produced by an automatic OCR engine]

194 MALEKULA ,
of boar, a very great number of different terms are used, and
for the more important grades, where the tusk is well developed,
there are special gong-signals, which are sounded when, at a
feast, one of these animals is about to be presented or killed.
The Pig Grades of Senizmg
(1) Nikin mm. A young pig in which the testicles have not begun
to develop. V V _ _ V
(2) Lohtmkoogan. A young pig in wl-uch the testicles have ]ust
appeare .
(3) Neliseu/, A pig with big testicles.
(4) Mbuas ares. A castrated pig (oros = “ to slice").
(5) M buns Mos timbw. A large castrated pig.
(I3) Nisangon. A large castrated pig whose upper teeth are not
quite ready to be knocked out.
(7) Nitavu. An animal whose upper teeth have been knocked out.
Nitmm is strictly speaking the word tor a conch, and is used
for this grade of pig because conehes are blown during the
operation of removing the teeth, to celebrate it. The gong-
signal called mzai lamup is also beaten to inform people of
distant villages of what is taking place. It is given forth
once for every pig operated on. Prospective purchasers of
nitavu pigs in surrounding districts are thus informed oi the
number of animals available and may come on the following
day to negotiate for the purchase of one or more of thorn.
By an extension this gong-rhythm is used on other occasions
as the signal for a nitaim pig, though that railed mielmielmas
is also employed. _ _ _ _
(8) Iholhol. An animal in which the tusk projects a very little
through the skin.
(9) Alingohon jnhvngk. An animal in which the tusk projects
rather more than in the preceding grade.
(10) Netew temi. This means literally “ the iowl pecks ". It refers
to a condition in which the tusks project sufficiently for the
{owls to mistake it for a morsel of fond, and peck at it. The
gong-signal for an animal oi this status is called nambar
kavarai/ar ran nimbivilei, which is beaten once only on the
largest of the gongs.
(11) Mbong This means literally “ mouth white and
refers to the pig’s mouth which is said to be white inasmuch
as the lower tusks are projecting for about one inrh. For
this grade of pig also, nambar hat/aravar is beaten, once on the
largest gong, and once on the gong next in size.
(12) Mbzmg mamls timbarap. An animal in which the tusk projects
for about two inches.
(13) M buds N elitvis. An animal of this grade is used for the principal
sacriï¬Åcial‘ pig at entrance to the Nimangki Neliu/is. The
tusk is suï¬Åiciently curved tn be almost touching the cheek.
(14) M buns iariar lm nisivdl. This means literally " he dangles at