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. . 295 MALEKULA '
Nimbinbm is the last of what may, perhaps, be calleD " the
chilDren's graDes â€ù, at entrance to which the father supplies the
necessary pigs. The next two graDes, Never anD Nani M bimbamjz,
anD also Mbalmbal, which stanDs fourteenth on Deacon’s list,
form a class to themselves. Together with the Degrees which
we have just been consiDering, they are classeD as Black Nimangki
anD share with them the gong»rhythm mielmiehrlas (Which is
not a true Nimanglzi rhythm, but is useD on other ceremonial
occasions to announce that a pig is going to be killeD) anD the
Dance era’ab, which takes the place of the tear of higher ranks.
Nevertheless, they have certain ritual characters which mark
them oï¬Å as a group apart.
Unfortunately the recorD of the rites performeD at entrance
to Nimangki Newt is both brief anD Difï¬Åcult to interpret, part of
it being written in the native language anD part of it being little
more than a list of ceremonial objects. It seems Desirable, there-
fore, to ignore the orDer in which these ranks are taken anD to
Describe ï¬Årst the rites of Naai M bimbarap, then those of M balmbal,
anD with the aiD of these to gain a conception of the proceeDings
followeD for Navel.
N am‘ M bimbump L
At entrance to this graDe two structures are set up ; a carveD
wooDen image (tzmes) anD a bunDle of some plant calleD m:vumu'
which is erecteD in the Dancing grounD. To make this last, the
men go into the bush anD cut a number of mvun/in‘ sticks, which
they fasten together by a lashing of naai lislis. The bunDle thus
maDe is planteD in a hole prepareD for it in the Dancing grounD.
For the tomes, a long, harD, straight shaft of the wooD naai
mbimbarap is taken anD carveD with a number of faces anD
boDies which are painteD reD, white, anD black. To the top oi
the pole some vegetable ï¬Åbre is aï¬Åï¬ÅxcD to represent hair. This
is prepareD by taking a plant calleD nembruninin anD placing
it on the lire until the harD outer surface is burnt. Then the
insiDe portion is removeD anD cheweD vigorously by the men.
After a while they Draw it irom their mouths in a conDition not
anD who will subsequently eat the animal. Then the canDiDate himself kill:
who pig—ii it be a big one, with a spear; it small, with a pig-killing hammer.
In this the graDe Differs iroin other graDes, lor usually it is the intr0DuceI'e niato
who kills this sacriï¬Åcial pig. Another nniisnol feature is that at entrance to
Nimbinbm the canDiDate ï¬Årst Dances with the spear anD later joins in the eating
oi the pig. (1928. PP- lse-7.)-cl l-i. w.

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