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

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THE “MAKING OF MAN â€ù 649
occupied by certain women of the district during a part of the
Nogho Tilabwe ceremonies.
The most sacred place in the logho is the tabued area beside
the aevet muogh. Even Telvusuaga might not approach it, and
as Deacon neared the spot the former became very nervous and
agitated, spoke in whispers, and restrained him from going any
further. It is here that Mwelnggil Veo and Ravaai are said to
be buried. At the spot under which the bodies are supposed to
be lie three of the sacred pots (h h), each measuring from I8
inches to 2 feet in length, overgrown with creepers and green
with moss. '
THE Rrrns or THE Nocr-10 TILABWE
Unlike the clan nogho of Mewun. the Nogho Tilabwe appears
never to have been an annual affair, but to have been held at
irregular intervals. Whenever it did take place, however, it
always began in the month of N ilugiem: and lasted until the end
of the sixth month following after this, the month of Svelovime.
the ï¬Åfth month, Nilzme N nu/i, being called “ the moon of the
GREAT Nogho ".1 ’
There is no consecutive account of the ceremonies of the
Nogho Tilabwe, but only disconnected notes on different rites,
and it is not possible, therefore, to be certain as t0.the order in
which they took place. There are, too, several apparently
contradictory statements which makes a lucid exposition of the
whole almost impossible. Nevertheless four aspects of the
festival can be recognized. Primarily its aim is to “ make man â€ù,
that is to ensure the fruitfulness of the human species, just as
the clan mvgho ensure the fruitfulness of the different species of
foodstuffs. It is also intended to invigorate and render healthy
and strong the whole district of Mewun; to prevent sickness
and famines. Some of the rites performed, as already mentioned,
are to prepare and safeguard the passage of the souls of the
nemugut nogho of Melpmes on their way to the land of the dead ;
and lastly, like the Ncerew Ra/mlemp, the Nogho Tilabwe is a.
general harvest festival. .
When the N ogho T ilabwe is to be celebrated a house is built
on the top of a hill (? behind the logho), and here the men of
1 For a list of the months oi Mewun, see p. 177. '
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