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THE NIMANGKI SOCIETY 321
been recorded, and the two others, Naamel and Netm Mu/eliï¬Å,
do not apparently share any of the distinctive features which
characterize the ritual of the group, which we are considering.
Nahavmial is the lowest of the Ninumgki ranks which are not
classed as Nimzmgki Mztmei (Black Nimangki), the lowest
for which there is a distinctive gong rhythm and the lowest
during whose rites the typical Nimangki song-dance tear is
performed.
As at entrance to Neliwts, so for Nahaimdal four small temes
of tree-fem are cut and carved, two of them with a face only,
two with a complete human ï¬Ågure. They are set up in the usual
way inside the amel to form the numbul, complete with the nerei
menus, the hanging coco-nut, and the yam carved with a human
face and decorated with leaves of nerivivw and mbwingmlr!//ingamb,
for all of which the candidate pays his intmducenl A few days
after this has been done the two Imus on which only a iace has
been carved are set up in the dancing ground close to the gongs
as they are at entrance to Nzlm/is.“ Whether a navan mbatia
is erected here also is not stated, but it is probably safe to assume
that it is and that the candidate pays for " the opening of the
door" on this occasion also in the usual way. After another
interval of a few days the candidate and introducer proceed as
they do for the rites of Ncliwis to make the principal terms.’
For Nahaimdal, however, it is made of bread-iruit (mbetep) or
some other wood, but not of tree-fern. It is carved with several
faces and bodies and these are painted in red, white, and black.
The head is sharpened to a point, and fow1s' feathers are fastened
to it by means oi a paste of bread-fruit bark.‘ This carving and
decorating is done inside the amel, and three days after it is
ï¬Ånished the tame: is carried on to the dancing ground and set
up near to the amel. It must be noticed here that there may be
_ 1 Nothing is reported here of any dunoe executed by the introducefa assistant
with the carved yn.m, which he eventually put! back inside the nmmu, but it
n probably sale to manic that it is performed very much in the manner nlrcndy
deacribed.—C. H. W,
' This ceremony is called Mimi mm: on this occasion elso,—A. B. D.
I According to Layard (1928, p. 155) either this mm or the four which
are erected inside the amal (which is not clear, since Lflyaxd was hirnsell confused
between them] are made by " the brothers nnd fathers of the candidate and
lat/er the pnynicnen for these, tor the flumllul, for the swinging coco-nnt, etc.
are mldn by the candidate to his ind-icr, ninthcrs tether, m.her'n father, or
elder brother, but never to the mother‘: brotherr-—C. II. W.
A‘ "go-igy cotton, from the introduced cotton tree is used instead of feathers.
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