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

NEVINBUR, NELENG, AND NIMBE’EI 469
THE Neleng
Th Nele is an institution which is found in Seniang and
e ï¬Åe
perhaps in other parts of the south coast. It appears to be
intimately connected with the practice of artiï¬Åcial deformation
of the head‘ Unlike the Nalmmm and Nimangki, the Nelmg is
t a secret society but a performance which resembles a pageant
no
rather than a religious ceremony. Deacon was repeatedly told
. . . nd
that it was “like play â€ù, while the Ntflldflgkt, Nalaimm, a
' lm were serious It docs not occur at any particular
Nmn r .
season nor at any deï¬Ånite interval of timc, but it there are in
h district a number of men who are tamed for their good looks,
t e
spirit, and grace in dancing, then some old man will decide that
h f hat
it is fitting to hold a Nalmg. There then begins a searc or w
are called “ good " mun. The qualities of a good man are
ll well-
supple limbs, athletic bodies, tall stature, and above a a
ed h d ‘ (see Pl Ill 4) From the way in which Neleng
deform ea . , .
is spoken of, it appears to have existed for the gloriï¬Åcation of
th “ 00d" and beautiful. Mothers bandage their children's
9 €
heads in the hope, or in view of the possibility, that they may
- .. k ..
w u “goodâ€ù men and may wish some day to ma e
8"? P
Neleng. An insufficiently deformed head would be an
insunnountable obstacle to realizing such a wish.
All th men assemble in the amel, and after much discussion
0
"certain individuals are selected and asked if they are willing to
‘dance Neleng! A number of candidates having been chosen a
‘race is organized in which they may display their powers. A
stretch of ground is cleared leading through the village and up
to the amel. On either side of this the spectators, both men
then
and women. range up to act as judges. The performers
u the course, each man displaying his qualities to best
run p
advantage. The "winner" is not he who ï¬Årst reaches the
amel, but he who runs in the best style, with most ease, grace,
and " straightness ". This man is than determined upon to
play the part of the principal dancer, nemmbas.
1 " For a i_ong_timé new there has been no man ‘good ' enough to make
Nrlzng. There is still living on the south coast one mln who was going to make
ll} All the women were mad on min, and the man slid he was ‘good ', but it
the last i-nonient ll] old man, who had nines Nslmg in his youth, give his opinion
d it."—A. B. ‘D
that hn was not tall enough. so he never mi e l .
' “The whole proceeding may be likened to the selection Of candidates
for Parliament/'»-A. B. D.
" — ~-—1'