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

I92 MALEKULA
killing of game forms any very important part of their economic
life, and judging from the fragmentary records which we have,
it appears to have been an occupation in which at most only
two or three men would j0in—game-drives and other organized
modes of hunting being unknown. The pig is the only wild
animal of any considerable size, and this is caught by means of
pitfalls (called in the dialect of Lambumbu Mu/al nï¬Åmbï¬Årmbar).
These are dug to a depth of probably some six feet} carpeted
with sharpened spikes of bamboo, and covered over with boughs,
leaves, and earth. Another variety of pig trap, which to-day is
also used for dogs and cats, as well as for other smaller wild
creatures, is known as nitutu met. The mechanism by which it
works is not quite clear from the notes and drawings, but it
appears to be on the principle of a spring trap. A small space
is enclosed by a low fence leaving one opening. A supple pole
planted just outside the fence is bent over and kept in position
by being lightly fastened to a short post set up inside the enclosed
ground. To its bent end, which now overhangs the centre of
this space, is attached a length of cord terminating in a running
noose. This noose is spread out just inside the opening in the
fence and over some boards, on which food is placed, and ‘which
are balanced in such a way that when an animal, tempted by the
bait, comes to feed, it presses upon these boards, as a result of
which the supple pole is released, the noose is drawn tight, and
the animal is thus swung into the air, and if not strangled at
least held until the hunter comes to kill it. An analogous trap
from Malo is ï¬Ågured by Speiser, I923, pl. 26, ï¬Åg. 12.
Pigs are often hunted as well as being snared or trapped.
Although we know almost nothing of how this is done, it is
interesting to notice that dogs are used, and are trained to hold
a wild pig until a man comes up to secure it,
Birds are snared for their plumage—they are seldom if ever
eaten—though of the methods used nothing is recorded; it is
probable also that they are killed by means of a bow and arrow,
the same kind of bow being used as that employed for shooting ï¬Åsh.
Of the ritual aspect of ï¬Åshing and hunting our knowledge
‘ This would seem unnecessarily deep for pigs, and it is true that no actual
measurements have been recorded, but we are told of z woman who accidentally
fell into such a pit—luckily there were no stakes in itiaud had to be rescued
by lowering a tree into the pit that she might use it as a ladder by means of
which she could climb uuti—C. H. W. '