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

S-,1 THE NIMANGKI socnsrv 227
I older members do not allow these boys to eat at the same time
as themselves, but order them to go outside and play while their
elders are eating ; only when the latter have ï¬Ånished and dispersed
are the boys permitted to return and cook and eat at their grade
_"_i§~‘~ ï¬Åre, after which they must clean up the compartment and leave
it tidy.
Tnr: RITES or THE Nimangki
- The rites which are performed when a man enters any grade
of the Nimangki all conform to a single general pattern, though
they show considerable individual variations. For every grade
certain preparations are made, which in their simplest form
comprise the erection of and payment for the temzs, and, for
~ _ grades other than the Black Nimangki (and very possibly for
these also), the setting up of a structure which represents an
amel or club-house, for the opening of which the candidate must
pay. The representation of this amel is often highly symbolic;
: in the lower grades it consists often of four posts planted to form
a rectangle and joined together by a cord; in others of rather
higher status it seems to be indicated by a ring of stones ; while
in only a few of the more important ranks such as Nimweil,
N-evzlvzl, Amel Mul/uwun Swmbumn, Numbau Timbarap, and
.Namu,. is a real hut or shelter built ovcr the lemes or other sacred
mhjects. The " opening" oi this " house " is a.n act which
1,_symhqliz‘es, apparently, the opening of the grade for the admission
-‘~,of:>thét».camdidate. It seems to be akin to the custom whereby,
viflranstranger-;is visiting a hamlet and wishes to go into the amel,
~hd1asks‘a man belonging to that community to “ open the door â€ù
and so permit him to enter. This ritual act is termed isesewm
('¢'1he'opens the doorâ€ù). It is generally carried out by the man
from whom the candidate is buying admission to the new rank ;
the candidate gives him a pig to purchase entrance, whereupon
the introducer takes some object which represents the fastening
of the door, often a coco-nut frond, and throws it away. After
these preparations—the erecting of the icmes and the building of
“ the house â€ù—are completed, the true rites of adrnission take
' place. In the morning the guests arrive and begin to dance and
sing ; they continue thus until early afternoon. The man from
whom the candidate is purchasing his membership then presents