[Note: this transcription was produced by an automatic OCR engine]

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604 MALEKULA ~ _1
to a part of the reef ealled Lawur Nemep, where he performed‘
another ceremony. Unfortunately no details are recorded.‘ r;
It will he remembered that it is on the occasion of a clan
merzw that the bones of all those who have died during the
last year are placed in the nembrmbrkon oi their clan. Nothing
has been noted, however, of the rites which go to make up this
sacred ceremony, nor is there anywhere any indication as to
who olï¬Åciates at it or what people take part.
A study of the third column in the table on p. 599 will
reveal that there are several clans which do not " make " any
foodstuff but which have control over such phenomena a5
famine, wind, and war. These, too, perform a mmw which,
however, is not an annual ceremony but may take place at
irregular intervals. Why war or famine should ever be brought
about intentionally is not clear. It seems improbable that
antagonism towards neighbouring clans would lead to it, for,
as with the neevew of foodstuffs, the results appear to affect the
district as an whole. It must, however, be appreciated that the
clans which can make war and famine can also work their
opposites —peace and plenty—just as the clans which can raise
wind can also still it. Thus in Uraau there are two distinct
nenzw, one for causing famine the other for " making peoples‘
bellies feel full ". This is in line with the general principles of
Malekulan magic whereby every magical act has its complement;
there is a magic for producing effect and counter-effect. In
Uraau this countering the famine may be done either by causing
a certain fruit-tree mum/us mbala to bear plentitully or by so
working that people shall feel iull and satisï¬Åed without their
having actually consumed any greater amount of food.’ Another
way of producing famine, though by which of the three clans
who perforn1,a neerrw namarim it is used is not stated, is for the
nimbatin nowor to uproot and overthrow the Neva Namar in
the sacred place, accompanying his action with the pronouncing
of the appropriate formula. Again the famine is checked by
1 The sites of these places have not been recorded. One note states, too.
that the mmw Nimbrdia oi Loorveli and Iurnhalilong for ma increase of tam,
was performed in tho taro gardens, but it is probably safe to suspect that, while
the last pm may have been carried out (here, the earlier part was celebrated
in the mmbYmb1k1m.»~-C. ‘H. W4 i
‘ These two methods of countering famine were evidently rooordod on two
entirely difle-rent occasions. The Second method seems to agree more closely
with the name of the mu/aw which ifl Rsnggut nit/at“ mmvml imbflnl (" they mike
the bcllics of Xnen full").
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