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

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THE NALAWAN SOCIETY 389
deï¬Ånitely associated, sharing as they do a single title for their
members, and, with the exception of Ambnr Leo, one name for
the hat or mask worn by their members on ceremonial occasions.
The last three of them, however, have so many individual
characters that they do to some extent stand apart. The grade
of Newt Nambar is interesting because of its association with
the mythical woman Nevinburnbaau, after whom its mask is
called and by whose name the grade itself is sometimes known.
It will be remembered that Nevinbumbaau was the ï¬Årst person
to make a Nimangki ï¬Åre ; her voice is the bull-roarer used in the
rites of the Nevinlnu, and she ï¬Ågures in the mythology of the
Ambat culture heroes as a giant ogress who endeavours to kill
and eat them. Of the highest Nalmwm grades Atim Bwitinn is
usually only attained by old men, while the remaining tour
carry with them very high status indeed, and are seldom
reached.
In addition to these Nalaunm there are two others which hold
an exceptional position and which must be considered separately.
Ono of these is Nalawzm Mbmlendm. The word mbrfllmdew
moans literally “ to block tight", from mbrï¬Ålm meaning to
“ block â€ù or “ obstruct " (thus to make a weir or dam is
“ mbrulemle newer‘ " “ to obstruct the water "), and miew,
signifying " close â€ù or " tight The Nalawan grade bears this
name because its ceremonies are always the last which a man
performs. For instance, if having cntercd a number of N alum/an
he then decides that he does not wish or cannot afford to climb
higher in the society, he celebrates the rites for N alau/an M brl4—
lendew and thus closes his career of gaining high rank in the
Nalau/am. It is clear, therefore, that they have no ï¬Åxed position
in the series. If a man dies suddenly, and has in his lifetime
become a member of several Nalawan, it is, apparently, usual
ior his son or next of kin to perform the M Irrulanrizw ceremonies
for the dead man, the rambammp or effigy of the latter being
brought out of the amel and set up close to the gangs that it
may participate in what is happening.‘
The other exceptional Nalawan is Nalawzm Vinbamp, in the
rites oi which the seclusion oi the candidates for a year is a
noticeable feature. More will be said later of this and of its
relation to the other Nulazv/an grades.
I Sea the account ui the funeral oi Apwil Naandu, Chapter xvru.