[Note: this transcription was produced by an automatic OCR engine]
342 MALEKULA
somewhat greater elaboration of the rites, the performance of the
dance nimbwelan, and the erection of a tembwat, but what this
object may be is unfortunately not recorded.
The personal names or titles which a man can buy seem to
be grouped as follows :—
(1) Vilvil, Bwil.
(2) Harten, Melmel, Tovtop.
(3) Ruhvaru Mial, Tesragh, Sesien, Kukan, Mbulmbul.
(4) Metenma1,1 Laghau, Tsuliinl
(5) Ronglili, Tesnrel, Morumbun, Salsalmal, Vilienmal.
(6) Sesai, Raghlili.
(7) Tes, Nambwi-t, Tavtismal, Taviirmal, Uren.
(8) Tolili.
(9) Rus Nevat.
(10) Saghsaghmal. '
Among these we can recognize a few that resemble the grade
names or grade titles of the Seniang N imang/zi, Vilvil, Mbwil, and
Mbulmbul correspond almost certainly to Nevelvel, Nimweil, and
Mbalmbal, but beyond these there seems to be no similarity
between the northern and southern districts, and there is perhaps
even less between Lambumbu and the south-east. Ruhvaru is
entered rather doubtfully as a grade in Senbarei and it is possible
that Saghsaghmal may have some connection with Mal} the
highest rank at Port Sandwich. For the most part we are ignorant
of the meaning of these names‘ Metenmal, for which the word
Namal is sometimes used as an abbreviation, is the name of a
reef ; Ronglili is said to signify " hears it close up ", and Rusnevat
“ tie to a stone ". There is also a statement to the effect that
Tes is the same as nesnimzar and is to be interpreted “ the man
is cross â€ù. ' _
In addition to this list of Nimangki titles, three other lists
are recorded from Lambumbu or Lagalag, and one from
Laravat :—
Lambumbu 1. Lambumbu II. Lambumbu III. Larm/at.
Vilvil Vilvil
Bwil Mbwil
Harten Harden Harten T('ivt6p
Tiivtiip Tesra Tesragh Melmel
1 One brief note states that in Lambumbu this name takes the form of
Vetn1al.—C. H. W.
* Sagh sag}: means, apparently, "to climb up_â€ù—C. I-I4 W. i
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