[Note: this transcription was produced by an automatic OCR engine] J 1 11 4 ,‘,i ll M ii 1 334 ' MALEKULA ~ It must, too, be noticed here that apart irom the “ Children's Nimangki " it is not possible to draw a sharp line of distinction between these different classes according to the rites and ritual objects connected with the grades which compose them. As we have seen, Layard was led to associate Nimew with Mbalmbal on the strength of what seemed to him the close similarity of the riimew cone and the nawznavu, and on the basis of body-painting Neten Mwelip is linked with Nahavmial, but on the basis of the stone-circle (nonggab) with Nevelvel. It may well be that many of these so-called indigenous grades have been introduced to Seniang at different times and from different places} but until we have more details about them and much more information about the Nimzmgki in other parts of Malekula and the adjoining islands it will probably not be possible to speculate with any proï¬Åt about their history. The information available concerning the grades above Nevelvel is very scanty and indeed the only ones of whose rites there is a clear, albeit brief, account are Naamel Ewan, and Namu. Naamel E14’/zm Naamel E won is the ï¬Årst of those grades whose members bear the title Mbalias. It seems that the characteristic structure which is set up at entrance to it is a single wooden post erected in the dancing ground, enclosed by a stone circle (nonggob) such as is set up for N evelvel, and inside which a malandr bush is also planted. The name of this post seems to be nimbinben. Balanced across the top of it or kept in position in some other way is a cross bar (naai tewlang). Four poles thrust diagonally into the ground behind the nimbinben rest on this cross-bar, two on one side of the supporting post and two on the other. (It may be that it is these poles which preserve the balance of the cross- bar ; the rough sketch from which this description of the structure is derived is not very clear on this point.) To one, or all, of these poles the name naai ngunggur is given and it is said that they are set up for the ï¬Årst time at entrance to this grade. The whole structure is called mamel ewzm (“ the sacred amel "). The time taken for these preparations and the manner of their performance X It will be remembered that there is reason to suppose that Nnnmb lob and Nam‘ Mbimba1aj> were introduced into Seniang trom Hurtes.-—C. H. W.
