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


286 MALEKULA
reason to question, it is stated that a namba is given to a boy
whenhe enters the grade Naamb Loh. It is, of course, possible
that this low-grade namba is of a different type from the mzmba
of the high ranks. Yet another variety of armband or bracelet
is referred to in the entrance rites to the grades Neliu/is, Noulas,
and Nahavmial. It is called nilal, but we do not know anything
about it. The candidate is invested with it at the same time
and in the same way as he is invested with the pig's tusk bracelet.‘
There are no masks connected with the Nimangki Society-
they are characteristic of the Nalawan only—but a head-band
or ï¬Ållet is purchased at entrance to Newt and all higher ranks.
There are two varieties of head-band ; in the earlier grades, from
Newt up to and including Nimweil, it is made of a plant called
naai hislis; but in Nzuclvel this is replaced by a more sacred
cord, natal muluwun, which is only made by the women of Lam-
bumbu and Bangasa in the north. This netzl muluwcm is ï¬Årst
purchased when entering Nimweil, but on this occasion it is
thrust into the waist-band of the candidate, not fastened round
his head. Only when he becomes a member of Nevzlvel does he
wear it as a ï¬Ållet. In the ranks above this it is used for keeping
steady the spider's-wcb head-dress which, together with a pig's
tusk nose-stick, is characteristic of the "high Nimungki ".
Yet another of these signs of Nimangki rank is a certain form
of leg-band or garter called mliu/is. An imitation of this will
be seen on the rambaramp ï¬Ågure on Pl. XX, Fig. 2. This is only
acquired when a man has risen to Nimangki N eliwis ; and unlike
the other ornaments described it is not purchased anew with
every subsequent rise.
In everyday life, as well as in their style of personal adornment,
members of different grades are marked off from one another.
As we have said, inside the amel each man keeps to the compart-
ment oi the rank to which he belongs, and he and his peers will
always eat together at their own grade-ï¬Åre. Sometimes the
young sons of men of high Némangki position are enabled, through
their fathers’ influence, to enter grades to which normally only
those of more advanced years could attain, and thus they are
very much junior to their grade fellows. When this is so, the
1 Laynrd in his account of the Nimanglli rites refers to an arm badge called
nimwilaw mama! which is bought when entering Nulmmllhlif (1925, p. 162)‘
This is purhap! but 1 spacial variety 0: nimbiflbm which is not mentioned by
Deacon.