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

CHAPTER XXII
THE “MAKING OF MAN " »
Besides the clan fertility ceremonies which are performed by
the oflicial magician of every clan in all the districts of West
Malelula from Seniang north to Lambumbu, there is a ceremony,
similar in nature, but of much greater importance, which is
performed periodically, and in which the whole district is
intimately involved. The rites are owned by a certain village
in each district, and are directed by its clan-magician. These
villages are Iumoran in Tomrnan Island, Rahulemp i.n Seniang,
Mbatiar in Wilemp} Melpmes in Mewun, and Lembelag in
Lambumbu.’ In Mewun and Lambumbu this important
ceremony has as its object to make mankind fruitful and to
render the whole district healthy and strong. In the South-West
a similar rite was celebrated at lumoran. Of this last, Deacon
writes : “ In the sacred place are said to be the largest specimens
of the sacred pottery and on the continuation of the performance
of fertility magic here the life of the whole district is apparently
supposed in some way to have depended. The descent group oi
Iumoran has only one survivor, the village has fallen into ruin,
and the line of clan-magicians came to an end some years ago ;
hence, according to the natives, the present appalling depopula-
tion." This is all that is recorded. Deacon was unable to go to
Tomman Island and study the site of Iumoran owing to the
exhorbitant price (to be paid in whisky and champagne) demanded
by those who could take him there.
But besides this extinct ceremony there are in Seniang and
Wilemp respectively the annual rites which are performed by
the villages of Rahulemp and Mbatiar. These appear to be
primarily harvest festivals and for the commemoration of the
1 In the list of Wilemp villages I have not been able to ï¬Ånd any one called
Mbatlar. There is in Seuiaug a village of this name. It is one of the subsidiary
villages oi the clan Navan Ans of which the chief village is Mbwilmet. Neverthe-
less it is clearly stated that in Wilemp the Nurew Mbatiav corresponds to the
Nearsw Rahulemp of Senia.ug.—C. H, W. "
1 It will be observed that most oi these villages have a clan iertility ceremony
for a food-stuff in addition to this big district ceremony.—C. H. W.
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