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

244 MALEKULA -
all centred upon his mother, his food, and his play. We do not
know at what age he ceases to be regarded as imbamp, but
probably the change is considered to come with the advent of
puberty, and although nothing is said of the approximate age
of the novices, it seems that this physiological change is recognized
socially by the celebration of the initiation rites.
The practice of initiating young boys into manhood by a
period of seclusion and the operation of incision appears to be
universal in at least the coastal districts of Malekula, except in
the territory of the Big Narnbas, where circumcision takes the
place oi incision, and it is found also in the inland district of
Niviar. According to tradition it was ï¬Årst introduced into
West Malekula from Pangkumu district on the east coast. The
rites performed in Seniang, Larnbumbu, Laravat, and the Big
Nambas have been recorded in some detail, and show interesting
similarities and differences. Of those of MEWUN and the south
coast we know nothing, though it is probably sate to assume
that in the latter region they are not very unlike those of Seniang.
In Onua the ceremony of incision is called has and the novice
is mzghor. The proceedings themselves are not described, but it
is said that the boy's maternal uncle gives his nephew a pig
which he kills and probably shares with the other novices.
Later the boy's father gives his son a number of pigs which the
lad is directed to distribute among his relatives. This pig-
giving is evidently an important rite, for throughout it conches
are blovsm continuously. It is probably during this part of the
incision ceremony that the novice purchases his ï¬Årst penis
sheath. In Uerik the interesting fact recorded in connection
with incision is that the bullroarer, known here as nangamgar
nrlalinge, is shown to the novices, who are also taught how to
swing it. In Seniang the bullroarer belongs exclusively to the
rites of the Nevinlmr, but its use in the incision ceremonies of
Uerik is paralleled in Lambumbu and Laravat, where it is the
principal sacred instrument oi this transition rite. In Niviar it
is not used at incision, but whether it is used there at any other
ritual, we do not know.
Smizmg
In Seniang the rites of incision are called collectively netambzq.
The reasons which the people of this district put forward for the
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