[Note: this transcription was produced by an automatic OCR engine]
454 MALEKULA This seems to be the end of the initiation rites into Nam’ Mdrdh. In the oeremonies of the Nimangki Misi, it appears that after the performance of the big dance the members and candidates remain for another three days in the luglwr. Then a great feast is held, and the members both new and old disperse. What happens to the Mai Mb after the ceremonies are over we are not told, but it is deï¬Ånitely stated that they are not burnt. At some time during the period of seclusion the novices are introduced to the sacred sounds of the Nimangki T lel. One of these is called nemin tagtag (“ the crying bird "). It is produced by an instrument which consists simply of a short piece oi bamboo cut oft in such a way that one end is closed by an unpertorated node and the other is open. Across this open end strands of grass are stretched and bound. The sound is made by blowing into the bamboo through these strands of grass which are thus made to vibrate. On the ï¬Årst occasion when the novices are shown how to use this instrument they are beaten with nettle- tree leaves, as they are whenever they are introduced for the ï¬Årst time to a sacred object of the Nfmangki Tlzl. The other sacred sound is made with an instrument called mun‘ lmdlend. This is a reed held in the mouth like a flute ; it is not blown, however, but tapped with a small rod at the far end, and the sound is modulated by opening and closing the month, the palate acting as a resonator. The mm‘ lmdlmd is played by novices to warn women oi their approach, so that they may clear out of their way, it being of the greatest importance that no 1161/ali should be seen by a woman. The bull-roarer which is known in this district plays no part in the rites of the Nimanglzi Tlel, but belongs exclusively to the incision ceremonies. One of the songs of the Nimangki Tlel has been preserved. Whether it belongs to the Nam‘ Mï¬Årdh or to the Nimangki Misi is not certain, but it is probably the property of the latter. It runs as follows :~ Natemah sale salo run nambugh gimizm 0 humzsur natum a mm» do do la so la la do la so me re do do do do la so la la do la iualiwl 0.1 so me re do do. um is the fourth before the ï¬Ånal dance. The tï¬Åmbflt appear On the village dancing ground and dance round the gangs with thorn. They seem to be a kind bi decorated bambbb some seven {eat high.—C. H. W. 1 There is, unfortunately, no translation of this song.—C. H. W.
