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THE NIMANGKI SOCIETY 299
hoops, with a number of pieces of split bamboo running length~
wise, at right angles to them, and lashed together at either end
(v. Fig. 15)} Over this framework is a coating of some thin,
paper-like substance called neuleul which gives the mwamwu a
shiny appearance. One of these is fastened to the end of each
£01101 pole so that it sways in the breeze.‘
The entrance ceremonies are almost identical with those just
described for Naai Mbimbamp, save that the gong rhythm to
which the procession enters the dancing ground is that called
rmdir naai mbalmbal. The decoration of the candidate also is
the same, with the addition that a {owl's feather, nisimll mbal,
is stuck into his hair. When all is over, the candidate stands
up and receives his new title Mbalmbal lili or Mbalmbal mbuas
from the blackened man.‘
New/at
Newt is the lowest of the small class of Nimomgki grades
which we are considering. The general scheme of the rites for
entrance to it appears to be exactly the same as that described
tor Nani Mbimbamji and Mbalmbal, the only variation which
is mentioned occurring in the ceremony oi bestowing the new
title Vetndum. In Newt, as in Naai M bimbamp, the introducer
ufliciates, but as he utters the name he strikes the candidate on
the back with a bunch of mbwingmbwingamb leaves instead of
with his bare hand. The objects set up in preparation for the
ceremonies are, however, distinct from those of the two grades
which have just been described. It seems that a bundle of wild
canes (nauwi) fastened together with mat lislis, is set up inside
an enclosure composed of sprays of naai raw, the cordyline naari
' An object called naai ‘afar is also mentioned. It may be that this is the
name of the whole structure oi tartar pole, um/anauu and fence, or it may be
some distinct object, comparable to the nave! mzmbuv of the grade Neva! (q.v.).
Judgiug from the word naai it may very possibly be a pole oi some special variety
oi wood, possibly even a. lsmes.—C. H. W.
’ In his article on the Maflki of South-West Bay, Layard describes a 11a:/Mmvlu
as “a hollow cone about eight feet long, manufactured on a. bamboo irame,
open at the lower end, covered with certain shiny leaves and bound with coco~nut
sinnet “, and states that ior entrance to Mbalmbal one of these is hung from
a long pole set up near the gangs. No second one is mentioned. Further, on
Plate XV, Fig. 1, oi this article he gives a photograph of one of these nan/amwu
which is clearly quite unlike the nmummm described by Deacon and illustrated
by him in the sketch reproduced in Fig. l5. No explanation can be oï¬Åered for
this disc.repancy.—C. H. W. '
_‘ It is said that he stands up near the naai ’ov'or, whatever this may be.
it is curious that in this degree it should be the blackened man and not the
introducer who dubs the cB.ndi£late.—C. H. W.