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

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THE NIMANGKI SOCIETY 289
complex and elaborate as we ascend higher in the series, and
this is especially true of the ceremonies of preparation. Other
objects besides the temas and the amel are set up and must be
paid for, so that several weeks may be occupied in this way;
the actual rites of admission themselves, however, though they
do increase in number, are always carried through in the pre-
scribed time—a day, a night, and part of the following morning.
The chief interest in the rites of the Nimangki centres around
the giving and receiving of pigs. As we have seen, the male pigs
are graded according to the degree of their tusk curvature. For
every object which the candidate acquires one of these pigs
must be paid, and others are also given by him to recompense
certain participants in the ceremonies who perform special
roles. Further, male pigs of lesser worth are killed to provide
refreshment for the guests. As a man ascends higher in the
Nimangki the pigs which he gives must be of increasing value,
and, since the number of objects which he buys also increases,
the expense involved is often very considerable. In presenting
a pig a deï¬Ånite ritual is perforrnedu The animal is brought on
to the dancing ground and the rope by which it is led is handed
to one oi the onlookers, often a close relative of the donor. This
last then takes a conch in his hand and begins to dance round
the gongs. The person who is to receive the pig, or more usually
some one elsc whom he has delegated to act for him, then dances
‘rand the gangs also, in the opposite direction from that taken
i§'$i;the‘donor. Presently both men converge opposite the recipient.
iI‘h‘svan'in1al is led up and the leading cord handed to the latter.
"I’iiv1_sv'iiériormance is a constant feature of all pig-presentations
riot only’ in the Nimangki but also in the Nalau/rm, and probably
on‘ other ceremonial occasions as wcll, and it may be referred to
by the term, ï¬Årst suggested by Layard, " circling for pigs."
Yet although all pigs which change hands during Nimangki
ceremonies are “ circled " for in this way, the people of Seniang
distinguish between two types of pig»pfeS8l'1i3flti0Il : iomp and ihu.
The former may be translated " he throws â€ù, and is used when
referring to the pig which tho introducer gives to the candidate ;
the latter signiï¬Åes " he pays â€ù or “ he presents â€ù and is used in
speaking of the pigs which the candidate gives for the various
objects, regalia, and privileges which he uses or acquires during
the performance oi the ceremonies.
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