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

I70 MALEKULA
may please himself with other women, yet she can be justly
indignant if he neglects her, and in Lamburnbu a wife will not
infrequently beat her husband's genitals with the very painful
leaves of the nettle-tree if he is remiss in doing his duty by her.
There are, however, certain periods and occasions when it is
necessary for him to refrain from having intercourse with her.
Thus, sexual relations must cease as soon as she shows the ï¬Årst
signs of pregnancy, nor may they be renewed until some time
after the birth of the ï¬Årst child.‘ Further, before undertaking
certain activities, a man must wholly eschew all contact with
women. Sexual intercourse is considered to be antipathetic to
certain ritual practices, and many of the limitations and
restrictions which regulate cohabitation are connected with the
ceremonial life of a man. Thus, for ten days before making a
Nimangki, for an equal or longer time before making death
magic (mzai mih), on the day on which he sets out on the war-
path, and for the whole time that he is acting guardian to a boy
during the incision ceremonies, a man must refrain from having
relations with any woman. A further rule is that a man who has
cohabitecl with his wife on the previous night may not enter
a new garden, a prohibition which is also found in Seniahg.
This regulation does not apply to gardens in which the yams
are almost ready to be harvested, but only to those where the
plants are still young and growing.
As regards homosexual practices, it is recorded that in
Lambumbu and Lagalag, those between men are only occasional
and sporadic. This is in marked contrast to the customs of the
Big Nambas, living to the north, where they have been raised
to the rank of an institution. By the people of these districts it
is considered foolish, mad, or bad. Between women, however,
homosexuality is common, many women being generally known
as Lesbians, or in the native tenn nimamogh iap nimumogh
(“ woman has intercourse with woman â€ù). It is regarded as a
form of play, but, at the same time, it is clearly recognized as a
deï¬Ånite type of sexual desire, and that the women do it because
it gives them pleasure.
The following are terms used in connection with marriage
l Unfortunately it is not recorded how long an interval must elapse after
the birth of the child before the husband is allowed to resume conjugal relations.
—C. H. W. ,
J

g