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

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320 MALEKULA
Unlike the ritual practices of Neliwis, it is at this point in the
proceedings that the candidate gives a pig for the “ opening
of the door“, this opening being symbolized by the removal
of the coco-nut frond which is hanging from the cord of the
numbul. Then payment is made for the wumbul itself, for the
swinging coco-nut (namn ndinduel), for the mam‘ memis, and for
the carved yam. As in Mbat Ru, too, a couple more pigs are
killed ritually with a spear—one for the numlml and one for the
yam—and these are probably given likewise to the introducer's
assistant to share with his friends.
There now follows, i.n accordance with the proceedings of the
ceremonies of the two grades which we have just considered,
an interval of two or three days, at the end of which the introducer
and candidate fell and bring to the village the large pole of tree-
iern wood out of which the principal lemes is to be carved.‘ One
such pole is cut and carved for each candidate if there be more
than one. The number of faces represented on one of these big
temes is not mentioned.
Four days after bringing it to the village this big tzmas is
set up close to the gongs. Round its foot are planted leaves of
noulas, nm'm'1/w, and mbwingmbwingamb. For this temes the
candidate pays a pig to his introducer. Aisumpmiew is now
beaten and next day and night the rites proceed along the usual
lines and with the usual payments, which on this occasion are
made to the accompaniment of the rhythms naai wihoian, iqviar,
and mbat ru. For the investiture of the pig's tusk bracelet, this
and the nevamn newt are wrapped in noulas leaves, and with
them is the m'lal ornament which at entrance to this grade also
is placed by the introducer on the candidate's left arm. At the
close of the ceremonies the candidate takes up his position
beside his big tzmes, and the senior who performed the " hawk
dance" (not, on this occasion, the introducer) announces the
new title, Ulas.
N ahamdal
Between Noulas and Nahavndal there are four grades ; about
two of these, Tartar Mzrzmba and Tartar Nimew, nothing has
1 There is no mention in the account oi the rites of this grade, 0! the erection
oi lwfl 0! the small tame: in the dancing ground, nor 0! the mu/an mbalia such
as is set ll {or Naliwis. This latter is unnecesxry, for, as we have seen, unlike
the rite: oi,N.sh'w¢':, in H1059 of Naulmr the “ Ogining Of the door " is done innidl
the amal with the cOC0~n|t frond attached t0 I cord Oi the n14mImI‘—Ci H. W.
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