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

300 MALEKULA
mbuas, and the bamboo nembru or temes, all bound together
with coco-nut sinnet (nimbuswun mam). Inside this enclosure
at the foot of the bundle of wild caries a yam is put, and beside
it a pole of tartar wood is erected. To the apex of this a coco-nut
is fastened, just as the mwanaim are fastened to the tartar poles
for Nimangki Mbalmbal. In front of this pole, and just outside
the fence, a small stone is planted on which a face has been
carved and painte_d.1 This is called navel, and it is from it that
the grade receives its name.
If we compare the ceremonial structures of these three
degrees, we notice that in all there is a bundle of wild canes
called nauwi in Neuet, and of nevunui sticks in the other two.
Further, in Newt there is a tartar pole from which hangs a coco-nut,
and in M balmbal there are two such poles with the objects called
nauanmm swinging from them; in Naai M bimbarap the place
of this pole seems to be taken by a carved temes with flowing hair.
Again, these objects are all enclosed in an elaborately made fence
of which certain of the elements—the bamboo, the coco-nut
sinnet, and the mat’ raw leaves—are constant. Nevet alone
possesses a unique object, the carved stone image. From this
comparison it is clear that these three grades are closely allied;
and, as will be seen, they differ markedly from the grades which
succeed them, those ranging from Nahaimdizl to Nevelvel.
‘ Layard".-1 account is more complete: " A bundle of wild canes is tied up
with a small plant of miiii 11:11‘: mbal mes, and a yam bound with a similar plant
is laid at its feet. Pigs are Eaid for the wild cane, mini lislis, yam. Two sacriï¬Åcial
pigs are killed with a pig- i1ler—one ior the cane and one for the yam. On a
subsequent daya pole of nalnr wood, about ten ieet high and uncarved, is planted
obliquely, leaning out towards the gangs, and a young coco-nut (mmduma)
suspended from the top by at rope of COC0~nut sinnet. Bound with sinnet to three
sides of the pole are bundles of bamboo (vmmlm or Lamas) and to the irout a
Shoot of flaflfi mbmzs (chmylim ievmimllis). Behind this is erected the diminutive
monolith (he-we!) which gives its name to the degree. It is about two feet high
and is called mi-usun “ phellus " ; it is oval in section and tapers to a blunt
point, with the representation of s. human face incised on one surface. Pigs are
paid for—the pig-killer, the young coco-nut, the pig’s tusk bracelet worn on the
wrist, the hawk’: feathers, nu-ai lislis. the phallic stone. The sacriï¬Åcial pig is
killed with the pig-killer." (1528, pp. l63—4 ; Plate XV, Fig. 3.)
.-0
‘Fl
.1l
. I
gi
ti
1
<
‘ .
,0
xv
ll
-I
_-ii,
ii
éi
ii‘
.37

'‘ 3
iv‘
Q