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" THE NIMANGKT SOCIETY 295
N imbinben
In this grade, as in Naamb Tilea, a boy's introducer is his
maternal uncle or maternal grandfather. This man makes three
images of tree-fern wood, about the same size as that set up
for the ï¬Årst grade. Each one is carved with a human face, but
this is not painted nor is any body represented. The temes are
apparently erected in the dancing ground, but on this occasion
they are not enclosed in a numbul. The introducer then gives
the candidate a pig which he kills and distributes among boys
ol his own age and status. At entrance to the grade a pig's tusk
bracelet is given to the candidate 1 and also an anklet or garter
nimbinben, after which the grade is named.“ For these two
objects as for the three tmes, pigs are paid to the introducer,
the father having given them to his son for this purpose. The
new title which the candidate receives is Mwelipsal or Mwelipmbon,
which, as before, is bestowed by the introducer while he and
the candidate stand beside the three temes.’
are blackened from head to foot and, thus decorated and carrying wooden pig-
killers, they ' circle ' for the sacriï¬Åcial pig. No man kills his own pig, but always
one belonging to another, and no one who kills a pig partakes oi its flesh, this
being distributed among the guests. Ii a. man should possess a large pig with
well-curved tusks, it is, apparently, his duty to kill it on this occasion. In
any event he must kill the largest animal he has." (1928, pp. l57—8.)
1 This is the ï¬Årst relerence to the pig’s tusk bracelet. but it must not be taken
for granted that it is purchased for the ï¬Årst time at entrance to Nimbinbm. The
notes on these early grades are very brief and the irwestiture oi the candidate
with this ornament may well have been omitted by the informant through an
oversight.-C
' The nimbinbm referred to here is not, according to Layard, made oi shell
discs and string, but is 5. garter of plaited string similar to the plain string armlet
whichuevery child may wear. (v. Layard, 192s, p. 156.) It seems, however,
that’ the true shell arm-band nimbinlrm is also acquired on entering this rank,
£o_r according to Deacon thearrn design noon mlmbal is characteristic of all ranks
from Nimbinbm to Nimu/:il.—C. Hr W.
" ’ IJayard's account of entrance to this grade differs in certain respects from
l3eacon’s. According to the former only one lambs. carved with a single lace,
is erected by the maternal uncle or grandfather with the help of the candidate.
Round its '_base are placed bunches of coco-nut frond split into many strips
together with leaves of the mztar tree, all hound together with norow leaves
such as are used in cooking. Yams and other {nod for the feast are placed round
the foot of the lemss. The guests may include members of Nimbinben and all
higher grades. F our pigs are paid ; one for the fumes, one for the face of the
temes, one for the Mimbinbm, and one for the spear with which the pig “ killed
for Nzmnmgki " is killed. Two of these four pigs go to the mother’: brother,
and two to the mother's father. Should the real mother-‘s brother be dead,
then a man standing as “ classiï¬Åcatory " mother's brother receives them. The
pigs are small ones; their actual size is dependent upon the wealth of the
candidate's father. After this payment the introducer (maternal uncle or
gnndlather) glV6S'0D6 pig to the candidate, which is in value approximately
equal to the four just paid. This is the pig which the boy is to kill " for the
Nzmangki ". It is "circled " for by all who have previously taken the degree