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

CHAPTER VIII
WARFARE
Until the white man intervened to check it, the making of
war (nivaal) was an integral part of Malekulan life, and the
reputation of a great warrior was one much sought after by the
men. It was said indeed that if a man had two sons, it would
be his ambition for the ï¬Årst to attain high Nimangki rank, and
tor the second to acquire military fame, to be a mur mull in the
dialect of Lambumbu, a nimburei or mar vaal in that of Seniang.
The method of prosecuting war varied according to the
nature of the enemy. For the inhabitant of South Malekulai
there were, to all intents and purposes, three groups of people
with whom he might come into contact: members of his own
clan, whether living in his own or another village; members of
his own district but of other clans ; and ï¬Ånally people of other
districts. Theoretically-—though it must be noticed that theory
and practice are not always c0nsistent—members of the same
clan were always friendly. Between different clans within a
single district hostilities not infrequently did arise owing to
some act of depredation—such as theft, trespass, stealing of
women, or insults offered pub1icly—and such hostilities might
last for perhaps a generation or somewhat longer, according as
events tended to preserve or obliterate the memory of the original
casus belli. Needless to say, ï¬Åghting would not he continuous
throughout this time, but there would always be danger for
members of one party at the hands of the other. Usually,
moreover, there are some men on both sides who remain friends.
It may be that they are closely related, and unless they are
directly involved in the trouble they are ready to meet on an
amimble footing, though each will be giving assistance to his
own clansfolk. Such men are important in that they can act as
go-betweens when either side wishes to make peace overtures
or to propose a truce.
Between people of different districts there is a_ permanent
attitude of suspicion and antagonism to which expression may at