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VERHANDELINGEN

VAN HET KONINKLIJ K INSTITUUT VOOR TAAL·, LAND· EN VOLKENKUNDE

DEEL 46

C. L. VOORHOEVE

THE FLAMINGO BAY DIALECT OF THE ASMAT LANGUAGE

'S-GRAV E N H AG E - MAR TIN U SNIJ HO FF - 1965

ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS

N ow that this hook is finished the time has come for me to express my indebtedness to those who have made it possible. My first acknowledgement is to the Stichting Wetenschappelijk Onderzoek van de Tropen (WOTRO), formerly the Stichting Wetenschappelijk Onderzoek Nieuw-Guinea (WONG), The Hague, for making available to me the money to enable me to carry out fieldwork in linguistics for a period of two years in West N ew Guinea and, in addition, for making it possible for me to devote myself exclusively on my return to working on the material I had assembied. I owe a particular debt to the Treasurer of the Stichting, Dr J. H. Westermann for his continued and stimulating interest in the progress of the work.

I am grateful to the Board of Directors of the Koninklijk Instituut voor Taal-, Landen Volkenkunde, The Hague, for their kindness in publishing this thesis as one of the Verhandelingen of the Instituut.

My thanks are due to Dr J. C. Anceaux and Mr B. J. Hoff for their suggestions made during the preparation of the baok, suggestions upon which I place great value.

The translator, Miss Jeune Scott-KembalI, has been painstaking in the difficult task of translating this work and her critical observations have frequently led to a clearer formulation of the facts. Her efforts des erve great praise.

I t is not possible to name every person who was so helpful to my wife and me during our stay in New Guinea and who made our sojourn one of great pleasure, but they are remembered with gratitude.

I wiII, however, mention those who were directly concerned with my work. Foremost among them were Dr A. A. Gerbrands and Mr D. B. Eyde who were carrying out anthropological fieldwork in the Ásmat country. Their friendship and their continued interest was a stimulus to my own work and their knowledge of Ásmat culture enabled me to catch a glimpse of the inner working of this remarkable society. Here the name of Pater G. Zegwaard, M.S.C. at Merauke must not pass without comment. By placing his own field notes at the disposal of the fieldworkers in the Ásmat country, he made accessible

VI THE ASMAT LANGUAGE Leiden, October 1965 C. L. VOORHOEVE

to them an inexhaustible source of valuable data on the Asmat people.

I am also grateful for the support and co-operation I was fortunate enough to receive from the Roman Catholic and Protestant Missions at Agats, in particular from Father Pitka, with whose help I obtained my informants and Mr W. Hekman who was kind enough, af ter I had left the Asmat country, to send me some additional data that I needed.

That I can recall with so much pleasure our stay in the Asmat country is not least due to the friendship and hospitality of Mr J. W. Kroon [District Offieer], Mr J. Watrin [Chief of Police], and Dr V. F. P. M. van Ame1svoort, M.D.

Our thoughts frequently go out to the friends in SurU and J epém whose hospitality we so of ten enjoyed and who many times acted as my informants : in Suru, there was \Varsékomen, the great warrior; the astute Simni; his brother Pókakat and his wife Misinmaj who adopted my wife as their daughter; the old Oscowák, and Asépar, the mother of my informant Natinák. In Jepém there was Erémnet, my 'father', and the old Poe, my wife's 'mother' ; Manéfakat the seer; our neighhours, the story-teller Makór, the vain Joperák and the good-natured, if testy, Jojpir and last but not least the youths Wominén and Atmer. All of them made the time my wife and me spent among them unforgettable.

In particular, however, is this book the hook of my adopted sons and informants Mifekpic and N atinák. With endless forbearance and with great enthousiasm these youths, with sueh simple Malay as they knew, endeavoured to teach me something of their difficult language, and it is especially due to them that the year and a half of productive research has resulted in this book.

CONTENTS

page V ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS. CONTENTS VII PART I: INTRODUCTION 1. The Ásmat language: area, adjacent languages, dialects . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. 1 2. The terrain, the people, the concept of their world 2 3. Establishment of Government and the Missions ; first linguistic research. . . . . . . 3 4. Present research, choice of dialect. . . 4 5. The Flamingo Bay dialect; area, history . 5 6. Work with informants. . . 6 7. Tape recording . . . . . 8 8. Research in Ágats and J epém 8 PART 11: PHONOLOGY 10 I. THE PHONOLOGICAL SYSTEM • 9-11. Introduction . . 10 12-19. The vowel phonemes 12 16 20---31. The consonant phonemes . 11. SPECIAL PHONOLOGICAL PHENOMENA • 20 32. Introduction . . . . . 20 33. The occurrence of an allophone in a ~sition in which it occurs not otherwise . . . . .. 21 34--37. Particular phoneme modifications. . . .. 21 38. Sounds which stand completely by themse1ves . 23 111. THE ACCENT. • • • • • • • • • • • • 23 39. Introduction . . . . . . . . . 23 25 40. The general principle of accentuation 41--44. Words in isolation : 25 41. Monomorphematic words. 42--44. Polymorphematic words 27 45-47. Words in context . . . 30

VIII THE ASMAT LANGUAGE

/Jage IV. THE DISTRIBUTION OF PHONEMES IN THE WORD • 31 48. Single vowels and consonants 31 32 49-50. Vowel sequences. . 51-52. Consonant sequences 33 38 V. WORD-VARIANTS.. 38 53. Types of variants 38 54-61. Free variants . . PART lIl: WORD-CLASSES 1. INTRODUCTION 41 41 62. Morphological processes Il. THE VERB 41 63. Introduction 41 64-70. Genera! survey of the structure of verba! forms: 42 64. Core and periphera! part . 65---69. The morphological structure of the core . 43 46 70. The morphological structure of the peripheral part 71-103. Core-morphology : 71--80. Prefixed formatives 47 81-94. Suffixed formatives . 52 95. Sequences of formatives 57 58 96-99. Root-allomorphs 100-103. Lists of unidentified morphemes and of residual forms 62 104--180. W ord-morphology : 104--106. Introduction 67 72 107. The core category 108. The -ic category . 73 74 109. The -a category . 110-111. The m-/mV- category . 74 112. The m-/mV- -áji/éji category . 76 113. The -ájmos category 76 114. The -ájpuruw category 77 78 115-118. The imperative category 119-122. The hortative category 81 84 123-124. Subdivision into subjectand object-categories .

CONTENTS

page 125-131. 85 The conditional category 132-134. The optative category . 90 135-140. The habitual category . 92 141-143. The habitual forms of the mediate past . 97 144-151. The progressive forms . . . . . . 99 152-154. The progressive forms of the mediate past . 104 155-161. The ultimate past category 106 162-164. The mediate past category 111 165-167. The anterioritive forms 114 168-170. The perfective forms . 115 171-173. The past tense category of cores with durative formative . . . . . 117 174-175. The -mer forms. . . . . . . . . . . . 119 176-178. 121 The unproductive category of the positional verbs 179-180. The prefixes emand p-jpV- . . . . 123 181. 125 Syntactical valenee of the verb. . . . . . . 182. Summary of the forms of the verbs e Ij and ji 'to do', which were found linked to a form of the -a category . . . . . . . . . . . . . 125 183. Summary of the forms of the verb em 'to do, to make', which were found linked to the m-jmVform of the verb. . . . . . . . . . . . 127 128 lIl. SUBSTANTIVES • • 184. Definition 128 185-187. Primary derivatives . 128 188. Secondary derivatives 130 189. Words with which derivatives are formed only with -nakáp, or only with -nakás . 131 190. A non-productive plural category 132 191. Cases of transposition 132 192-193. Syntactical valenee . . . . . 133 IV. PROPER NAM ES . • 135 194. Grouping 135 195-196. Names of persons and names of riv ers 135 197. Names of villages and names of ceremonial houses 136 198. Syntactical valenee . . . . . . . . . . . 136 x

page V. AD]ECTIVES • • • • • • • • 137 199. Characteristics 137 200-203. Morphological valence . 138 204. Cases of transposition 140 205. Syntactical valence. . 140 VI. DEICTIC WORDS. • • 142 Introduction 206. 142 207-231. The non-interrogative pronouns: 207-219. The personal possessive class 143 220---227. The demonstrative class 152 228--231. The directional class . 156 232-234. Interrogative pronouns : 232. Characteristics 157 233. 158 Interrogatives occurring in combination with am 234. Interrogatives without am . . . . . . . . 160 VII. INTER]ECTIONS • • • • 161 235. Characteristics 161 236. Exclamations . 161 237. Onomatopoeic interjections and words of command to animals . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 162 VIII. NEGATIONS AND POSTPOSITIONS • 164 238. Introduction . 164 239-244. Negations . . 165 245-261. Postpositions: 245-247. Emphasizing words. 168 248--251. Conjunctions . . . 171 252-254. Question markers . 173 255. The dubitative marker ew 174 256. The irrealis marker aj . 175 257. The 'subjectivity' marker aw 176 258. The quotation marker in/un/n . 176 259-261. Elements of which the function is not clear 177

CONTENTS

PART IV: TEXTS page 262-263. INTRODUCTION . . . . . . . . 180 180 262. Recording and presentation. . . 263. Individual details about the texts . 181 264. TEXT I 184 265. TEXT 11 184 266. TEXT 111 186 267-270. TEXT IV 186 271-279. TEXT v 190 280-302. TEXT VI 200 303-306. TEXT VII 232 307-315. TEXT VIII 238 316-320. TEXT IX 250 321-344. TEXT x 256 PART V: WORD LIST 292 362 MAP I: ASl\IAT AND RELATED LANGUAGES MAP IJ: THE FLAMINGO BA Y AREA . . . . 363 SKETCHES 364 DIAGRAM: Surwy of thc sllhjectallel object suffixes of categories 10-22, 24.

Man holding a paddie decorated with white cockatoo f('athers and a pouch made of pandanus leaves. He is wearing a cap made of the skin of the CtlSCUS and a necklace made of dog's teeth. (Safántes, from ]epém),

The informants Mifekpic and Natinák.

Thc village of Jcpém. 1962.

PART I

INTRODUCTION

1 The Asmat Ianguage: area, adjacent Ianguages, dIalects

The language of the Ásmat Papuans, Ásmat,l is one of a number of related Papuan languages which are spoken over an extensive area of the coastal plain of South-West New Guinea (Irian Barat). These languages extend along the coast from the River Ópa in the north-west to the mouth of the River Digul in the south-east.2

The Ásmat region is generally considered to he the coastal strip and the adjacent hinterland between the Rivers Momác (Le Cocq d'Armandville) and Ewtá. In addition to his region, however, Ásmat is also spoken in a small area to the east of the confluence of the Rivers Siréc (Eilanden) and Wildeman; on the coastal strip hetween the Ewtá and Cook Bay (the Casuarinen Coast); and in a few villages on the coast hetween Cook Bay and the mouth of the River Digul.

It is still not known with certainty how far inland the Ásmat language-area extends. It was only recently that this coastal area was brought under Government control and that part of the low-lying plain abutting onto the mountainous country in the centre is still practically terra incognita. Up to now, Ásmat villages have been encountered inland to a distance of more than 70 miles.

To the north-west of the Ásmat language-area, two languages re1ated

Introductory note

In the notes the following abbreviations have been used: Kon. Inst. TLV. - Koninklijk Instituut voor Taal-, Landen Volkenkunde. BK! Bijdragen tot de Taal-, Landen Volkenkunde, of the Kon. Inst. TLV. VKI Verhandelingen van het Kon. Inst. TLV. MBA Micro-Bibliotheca Anthropos.

to Ásmat, Kámoro and Sémpan, are spoken. These two languages cover the whole coastal area between the Rivers Ópa and Otákwa. Between the Otákwa and the Momác, where the Ásmat language-area begins, there are no villages. Nothing is known about the languages to the north and the north-east of the Ásmat language-area: in the east and the south-east, Ásmat meets up with the Áwju and Jakáj languages, which are probably not related to Ásmat,3

Ásmat has various dialects, but a systematic investigation into them has not yet been made, so that little is known about the nature and extent of the dialectical variations. Broadly, Ásmat dialects can he divided into a central group of little differing dialects with, around it, on the periphery of the Ásmat language-area, a number of dialects differing sharply from it: those spoken upstream of the Rivers Pomác (Noordwest), Unir (Lorentz) and Siréc, and the dialect of the Casuarinen Coast.

2 The terrain, the people, the concept of their world

The area in which the Kámoro, Sémpan and Ásmat languages are spoken consists mainly of a marshy, low-Iying, thickly wooded plain, intersected by countless rivers and streams of which a noteworthy feature is the ebb and flow of the tide far into the hinterland. The c1imate of the region is very humid and the rainfall abundant - approximately 225 inches a year. The terrain is very heavy going on foot, so the canoe is the usualmeans of transport. It is used extensively. One can go everywhere along the natural network of waterways by canoe and people can thus move about easily and ean cover great distances.

The Ásmat people dwell in villages situated along the riv ers. The

INTRODUCTION 3

largest villages have between 1,000 and 2,000 inhabitants; the smaUest less than 100. The total Ásmat population is estimated to be 40,000 persons. The people of the central Ásmat region caU themselves ásmat ow. which probably means 'tree people'.4

According to the Ásmat people, the territory they inhabit, the ásmat capinmi, is enclosed within, and lies at the bottom of, a gigantic coconut: their world is not convex but concave. 5 The boundaries of their world correspond roughly to those of their language-area - between the Casuarinen Coast and the Mimika Coast (where Kámoro is spoken). And one can do the 'journey round the world' by setting out from the Casuarinen Coast, crossing the stretch of water between it and the Mimika Coast, landing there, and then returning to the Casuarinen Coast. Through the middle of this world flows the great River Siréc, rising far away, somewhere at the top of the coconut, cloSe to the holyentrance to the upper world (the outside world). From this opening, in prehistorie times, the heavenly beings descended to earth, in order to populate the world with their descendants.

8 Establishment of Government and the Mlssions; fint linguistic research.

It was only in the recent past that the Ásmat region was brought under controlthe area was notorious for head-hunting. Only in 1954 did the Government finally set up its seat there, at Ágats, though the Roman Catholie Mission had opened its first Mission station there in 1953. 1t was also at Ágats that the Protestant Mission (The Evangelical Alliance Mission, TEAM for short) began its activities in this region in 1955.6

Investigation into the Ianguage spoken in the territory inhabited by the Ásmat people, as in sa many regions in N ew Guinea, was first undertaken by the Roman Catholic and Protestant Missions. The Dutch Missionary, P. Drabbe, who lived in Ágats from 1957 to 1959, made a study of the dialect of the village of Ajám, 20 miles further upstream. In addition, he collected material on various other dialects. Ris gram mar of the Ajám dialect, with a vocabulary, as well as a comparative study of three Ásmat dialects, have been published. 7 The TEAM linguist, C. Roesier, is still working on the Ajám dialect, and Mrs. Dresser, the wife of the TEAM doctor at Pirimapun, Cook Bay is making an initial study of the Ásmat of the Casuarinen Coast. To date, their work has not been published.

4 Present research, choice of dialect

The following description of the language is the result of an investigation into the coastal dialect around Flamingo Bay which was carried out from November, 1%0, to September, 1962, under the auspices of the Stichting Wetenschappelijk Onderzoek Nieuw-Guinea (W.O.N.G.).8

The aim of this research was the collecting of material for a description of one of the Ásmat dialects. Out si de Mission circles in N ew Guinea, almost nothing was known about Ásmat. Drabbe's grammar of the Ajám dialect had been puhlished, though this fact was not known to me until I arrived in the area, and found that the Mission disposed over a few copies of it. The only thing on Ásmat I had had at my disposal was a short vocabulary at the end of Drabbe's Kámoro grammar. Thus a preliminary orientation into the language was not possible. The investigation had to be started from scratch.

For some time the Roman Catholic Mission had been opening schools in the Ásmat region, the language taught in them being Malay,

INTRODUCTION 5

the lingua franca of West N ew Guinea. I t was therefore obvious that the thing to do in this situation was to use Malay as the contact language and to make use of bilingual informants - Ásmat Papuans who had acquired areasonable knowledge of Malay in school.

On arrival in the area, it became c1ear that the number of Ásmat Papuans with such a knowledge of Malay was meagre. These potential informants belonged almost entirely to the younger genera ti on - children who had attended the three-year lower school of the Mission at the Government Station at Ágats, or who had left it. Only a few of the older men knew some Malay. The children who went to school in Ágats came from the neighbouring village of Suru, and from Ajám. The language of the village of Ajám, already examined by Drabbe, belonged to a dialect different from that of the coastal villages, one of which was Suru, in the environs of Ágats, and I therefore decided to make the dialect spoken at Suru the object of the investigation.

6 The Flamingo Bay dialect: area, hlstory

The Flamingo Bay dialect is spoken hy about 2,600 people who live in five villages, Ewér, Suru, Jepém, Per and Uwus,9 situated in the immediate vicinity of Flamingo Bay. In the literature on Ásmat, this group of villages is also called Bismám, but the people themselves apply this name only to the villages of Ewér allel Suru, of which the inhabitants formerly lived together.

The oral historical tradition of these villages goes back about a century. About the middle of the 19th century, Ewér, Suru, Uwus, and the village of Majit, stood together on the River Mow: UWlls is still there (see map). Jepém and Per, situatecl on the Jomót and the Mani, respectively, were then on the upper reaches of these small streams, with, at that time, the village of Kajé standing beside Per. Later on, Majit affiliated with Suru, while Kajé ceased to exist,

Ewér . 686 Suru . 697 ]epérn . 401 Per 365 Uwus . 504 Tota! . . 2653 because its inhabitants dispersed to different villages af ter the death in battle of their foremost warrior.1 0 Some of the Kajé people went to live at Suru. The inhabitants of Ewér and Suru left the Mow and, af ter wandering about for some time, settled in their present dwelling place.

The language of the villages around Flamingo Bay exhibit small lexical variations as between one village and another. Within Suru, the descendants of the people fr om Kajé are distinguished from the 'true' people of Suru by some lexical peculiarities in their speech. These singularities are regarded by the non-Kajé people as typical of the latter. Nothing comparable concerning the people from Majit came to my attention.ll

6 Work wUh lnfonnants

The collaboration of two boys from Suru who were in the third and highest class at the Roman Catholic Mission school, was arranged with the help of the Mission. These boys were about 13 years old and appeared to be fairly intelligent. One of them, Mifekpic, was the pnncipal informant throughout the entire investigation. The other, Natinák, worked with me for over a year.

Mifekpic, baptised Andreas, was a grandson of Warsékomen, the oldest of the chiefs of Suru and the most influential man in the Flamingo Bay area. Through his grandfather, Mifekpic was descended from the people of Kajé. Natinák, baptised Natalis, was related on his mother's side to the people of Amorép, a village belonging to the Ajám dialect-area. Both boys also had relatives in the village of Jepém,

INTRODUCTION 7

where the investigation was later to be carried on. Mifekpic had even spent part of his childhood there.

My relationship to the two boys developed from the outset on the 'anak piara' 12 pattern: they called me their 'father' and were regarded as my 'children'. They were paid in cash for their assistance. They were given a meal every day, and now and then some clothes and tobacco. With their wages they could buy clothes, tobacco, and the highly prized axes and chopping knives at the shop in Agats. The relationship with these informants was a very good and personal one throughout the whole undertaking. They worked with enthusiasm and pleasure, apart from some unavoidable lapses.

Because the boys were still rather young, their knowledge of their mother tongue, of tradition and of mythology was sometimes inadequate for the translating of the folk tales I collected. The help of an older man was then enlisted for the interpretation of mythological matters and special usage. In addition, all the Asmat people with whom I conversed acted as informants. The information received from them was always checked again with the regular informants.

The reason I chose two of the latter was primarily to enable me to control the information given by the one by that provided by the other and vice versa. Another reason was that the boys' capacity for work was rather small, especially in the beginning - an hour at a stretch was more than enough for them. Later, when they had been properly trained, they could sustain a session of two hours or longer without difficulty. No fixed scheme of questioning was followed at these sessions. The discussion began on a particular subject and developed as it went along, depending upon the mood of the informant. The boys were never prevented from giving information spontaneously, even if it were not relevant, but sometimes they had to be guided along a fresh track back to the original subject. If it became apparent that an answer to a question about a particular matter was not forthcoming readily, either because the boy did not understand me, or because he had had enough, then it was put on one side. Later, a casual return to it of ten produced good results. If one of them gave information on a subject and it differed from that which the other had furnished, then these variations were discussed in the presence of bath of them. And sometimes it then became clear that they held differing opinions regarding the pronunciation of particular words, or their meaning.

'7 Tape recordlng

A portable tape recorder was used extensively for the collecting of the language data and the music. Thus texts and music could always he got without difficulty. Only once was I requested not to record a sacred song. The Ásmat people were delighted to hear their own music reproduced. Western music meant nothing to them. They were not much interested in the texts, though this did not alter the fact that the audience always listened critically and expressed their disapproval in a very positive fashion of any deviations from the version they knew.

The analysis of the texts collected appeared to be of great value for an understanding of the language and it was through these that I came upon the track of the special forms of the Ásmat verb which express varying moods.

The language of the folk talès would not appear to differ from common usage. Ásmat songs, however, have their own vocabulary which is known only to the older people, particularly the singers. These latter were, however, less inclined to be communicative about it to strangers.

8 Research In Apis and Jepem

I began the investigation at Ágats, but since Ágats was completely outside the sphere of Ásmat society - it was a IS-minute walk from Suru - I decided, once I had surmounted the first difficulties of the language, to continue it in one of the Ásmat villages in the vicinity of Ágats. By living amidst the Ásmat people I would he able quietly to observe the way in which Ásmat society functioned and would become acquainted with the people and their language. Su ru was,less suitable as a place in which to stay because the presence of the Government and the Missions had to a certain extent already influenced the way of life there. The village of J epém, where both my informants had relatives, appeared to he the most suitable, and from May, 1961, the investigation was carried on from there, interrupted from time to time by a short sojourn in Ágats.

During the period of my stay in the Ásmat region, the Dutch scholar, Dr. A. A. Gerbrands, and the American student D. B. Eyde, were also there: the former doing research into Ásmat art, similarly under the auspices of W.O.N.G., and the latter doing ethnological field work. Their presence was of great value in acquiring as good an insight as

INTRODUCTION 9

possible into Ásmat culture. Many were the pleasurable and stimulating discussions we had when we were together, either in the house of the W.O.N.G. in Ágats or at the 'Wong Club', as Dr. Gerbrands' house in the village of Amánamkaj was called. During the last year, a lively correspondence on mythological and linguistic subjects was kept up with Eyde. A knowledge of mythology seemed to he of the greatest importance for acquiring an insight into Ásmat culture, and it was for this reason that I put as many tales as possible on the tape. I collected approximately 80 texts, but these represent only a fraction of the wealth of stories the Ásmat people know.

PHONOLOGY

I THE PHONOLOGICAL SYSTEM

Introduction

9

The phonological description i.s based on the speech of the two principal informants. In the cases where their speech deviates from that of other people speaking the same dialect, the difference will he mentioned.

The system used for the phonetic spelling is that followed by the American linguist, K. L. Pike, in his work "Phonemics".1 The phonetic transcription, in accordance with usual practice, is put hetween square brackets; the phonematic transcription between solidi. In the phonetic spelling, the accent is indicated by a sign placed hefore the accented vowel ['a]: in the phonematic spelling, by a sign above the accented vowel jáj. The following signs are also used: "" = other than; '""Iv = alternating with; C = consonant; V = vowel.

The term cluster means a biarticulate, non-geminate intervocalic consonant cluster. The terms initial, medial and final indicate positions in the word.

10

The phonological system contains six vowel phonemes and el even consonant phonemes. These are reproduced as follows: ja, e, i, 0, u, e; m, n, f, j, k, p, r, s, t, c, wj.

Sets of minimal pairs are:

PHONOLOGY 11

jfaj = bottom [fa] jfej = string (on which something is threaded) [fe] jfij = empty [fi] jfol = wind [f,? ] Ifuj = bamboo hom [fu] lreménl = penis [bm'en] jciménj = stem of a canoe [cim'en] laml = kind of fish [am] janl = sago trough [an] jajj = new [aj] lak! = cheek rak] lapj = kind of tree rap] jarj = sawfish [ar] lasj = faeces [as] lat! = urging [at] jacj = name of a village [ae] lawl = breast (of a woman) [aw] jeml = drum rem] lenj = kind of fish [en] jefl = twig [ef] jekj = stone [ek] lepl = tail [ep] lesj = blood [es]

11

Most phonemes occur in phonetically differing variants (allophones). These can be divided into: positional and alternating allophones.2

Two allophones are positional allophones when either of them occurs in specific mutua1ly exc1usive positions.

Two allophones are altemating allophones when both occur in the same or partly the same positions.

These definitions imply that an allophone may he a positional and an altemating allophone at the same time, which is in fact the case.

To give an example: of the allophones of the jej phoneme, [el may he called an alternating allophone because of the free alternation with [e] in certain positions, and a positional allophone because in other positions [el and [el exclude each other. (§ 14).

The vowel phonemes

12

Diagram of the allophones of the vowel phonemes.

1 slightly open [el and [0]

2 fronted [a]

18

jaj Allophones: [a], [a], [a], [re].

1. [a] occurs in final position: [a] thigh; [fa] bottom ; [fir'ka] kind of grass.

2. [a] occurs in all other positions : [ak] cheek; [baj) foot; [was'en] forest; [kanp'<?r] kind of crab.

3. [a] 'V [a] in initial and medial positions, except hefore a cluster or a final consonant: [kam'em, kam'em] many-pointed spea.r; [as' en, as' en] place; [aw' <?r, aw' 9r] kind of fish.

4. In addition, [a] 'V [re] when the vowel immediately preceding it or the one immediately following is jij: [jism'ak, jism'rek] fire;

PHONOLOGY 13

[jir'an, jir'ren] ripe; [baw'it, baw'it, brew'it] star; [dam'in, dam'in, drem'in] white ant.

14

lel Allophones: re], [E], [ö].

1. [e] occurs in final position: [e] leaf; [se] mud; [bat'e] rib of a sago frond (gaba-gaba).

2. [E] occurs before a final consonant :;o!: Iw land before clusters :;o!: IwC/: [Ep] tail; [éES] arrow; [ESk' am] red; [term'En] split.

3. [ö] occurs before a final Iw I, and before clusters of the type IwC/: [öw] crocodile; [jöw] ceremonial house; [böws' En] duckboard.

4. [e] 'V [e] in all other cases: [er' En, Er' En] upstream; [fer' 9, fEr' 9] sharp. Here there appears to be a certain tendency towards harmony on the allophone level [ e-e; E-E]; the allophone most frequently occurring before lol is [ e] : [es' e] bag; [ter' e] rattan leaf; [bES' Ep] spittle; [bEt' En] amlband; [bew'9r] kind of parrot; [sej' 9r] kind of fish.

15

lij Allophones: [i], [ü], [tl.

1. [i] occurs in all positions: [i] urine; [ié] thorn; [fié] nail; [pi] cassowary.

In the following cases, [i] alternates with [ü] or [e] :

2. [i] 'V [ü] before a final Iw/, and before clusters of the type IwC/: [tiw, tüw] son; [iwn'im, üwn'im] the water's edge.

3. [i] 'V [tl occurs in a small number of words, before a final consonant : [bi~r'im, bis~r'tm; masir'im, masi(tm] thereupon; [b'utir, b'ubr] octopus; [in, en] (postposition, see § 258). In these words the [t] allophone generally occurs.

18

jol Allophones: [0], [9], [ë].

1. [0] occurs in final position, and before Iw/: [éö] nest; [jo] river; [éow'ak] one (numeral) ; [éow] the sago palm.

2. [9] occurs in all other cases. In addition, it occurs in final position, unless preceded by jcl or Ij/, and before Iw/, uniess preceded by Ic/ or Ij/. In the lastnamed cases, therefore, [0] and [ 9 ] altemate : [ 9k ] egg; [ 9m' En] shouting ; [ Ç'tm' a] neap tide; [wm'an] opposite side; [h<?rw'9tl kind of duck: [0, 9] pig;

[pö, w] paddie; [wö-w9] waves; [öw,9W] people; [böw, b9w] kind of fibre.

3. In the foUowing cases, [9] alternates, moreover , with [ë] when the environment is formed by a specific combination of consonants from the alveolar and alveopalatal set. These combinations are: js-s, s-t, t-s, t-t, j -r, j -cj: [sës, s<?s] dry sago leaf; [sët, S9t] kind of bird; [tës'öw, t<?s'öw] fruit; [tëtap'<?m, tëtap'<.>m] wild cucumber; [jër<? - j9r'9] wing; [jëC'9P, j<:>c'<:>p] head-hunting raid; [j ëc' <:>r] river mouth. (No form of this with [<.>] was found.) A case standing on its own seems to be the name [K<?s'ër], of which no form with [<:>] was found, while in other words with joj between Isj and jrj, the allophone [9] was always found.

17

juj AUophones: [u], [û].

1. [u] occurs in all positions: [uc] iguana; [fu] bamboo hom; [ amb' us] sago scraper; [j uw' ut] heron.

2. In some cases [u] alternates with an allophone [û], namely, when consonants of the alveolar and alveopalatal set precede and foUow ju;' The [u] occurs in these cases only if the words are spoken slowly and emphaticaUy: [ajt'ur, ajt'ûr] fuU (of something) ; [cur'uw, cûruw] secret; [jims'ur, jims'ûr] stake standing in the water; [bis'ur, bis'ûr] pole; [sus'ur, sûs'ûr] kind of small bat; [jur, jûr] white cockatoo; [bis'un, bis'ûn] abdomen; [duC'ur, dûC'ûr] ancient; [jurs'uc, jûrs'ûc] longing.

18

jëj In addition to the vowels la, e, i, 0, ui there occurs a mid-central vowel [a]. In the first place, it is found in the foUowing cases where it alternates with one of the other vowels :

1. in words in isolation ; only in the unaccented position: [fas' ak, fas'ak] white; [en'am, an'am] fish; [piC'in, paC'in] skin; [Wr'ö·w, par'öw] evening; [juw'ur, jdw'Ur] dog.

2. in words in context; also in the accented position: [jö, ja] river; [dew'et, daw'at] elder brother; [dö 'nat, dö 'nat] I (stressed); [jumb'us, jam'as] with bowed head.

In the second place, it does not alternate with one of the other vowels, for example in [cam' en] penis; [san'en] e1bow; [eamb'öw] abuse; [j'<:>pares] sweat; [and'öw] mother.

I t also occurs in a number of verbal suffixes, such as: [-an, -ar].

PHONOLOGY 15

The possibility of this [~] occurring only in a consonantal environment in which the other vowels do not occur, is excluded by the occurrence of word pairs, like the following:

house [cern] [ cam'an] space under the house a burn [ bm' en] = penis [ cum' an ] [ cim'in] the temple (of the head) [cÇlmb'it] sponge made of young sago leaves

The following minimal pairs were also found:

[ c~m' en] penis; [ cim' en] stem of a canoe;

[~nd'öw] mother ; [çnd'öw] thatch; 3

[aWf'eS] they saw him (from por - to see);

[a~f'ES] they sat (from ap - to sit).

Since [~] occurs in the accented as weIl as the unaccented position in those cases in which it alternates with the other vowels, it is not possible to regard it here as an allophone common to la, e, i, 0, u/ which is restricted to unaccented positions. Because [~] also occurs without alternating with the other vowels, in which cases I found some minimal pairs, it must be regarded as a phoneme lel Cases of alternation must be regarded as cases of phoneme alternation. The phoneme lel is then distinguished from the other vowels by its different behaviour, and because it is the only vowel phoneme without allophones.

19

To sum up one can say that the vowel phonemes form a system of three contrasting tongue heights. At the highest level, there is a contrast front - back /i - u/; at the middle level, a contrast front - central - back Ie - e - 0/; while at the lowest level only lal occurs:

u e ë o a

From the foregoing it is clear that a rounded allophone of jil and lel occurs in analogous cases, while a rounded and an unroutided allophone of jul and joj, respectively, occur in analogous cases. Later it will become clear that there is a close connection between lil and jul, and between lel and joj which manifests itself in their occurrence in word variants (see § 55, 56) and in allomorphs (see § 91, 98).

The consonant phonemes un16 THE ASMAT LANGUAGE

20

Diagram of the allophones of consonant phonemes (allophones belonging to one phoneme are enclosed within a line)

1 rounded lp]

2 paiatalized [t]

3 [s] with minimal friction.

PHONOLOGY 17

The consonants are not, in general, strongly articulated. The stops do not usually have a release when they occur at the end of a word. When a final lp, t, kl is followed by a hesitation pause, a nasal release sometimes occurs:

[po., t D, ktJ].

In clusters, as a rule, 'close transition' occurs; 'open transition' can occur in clusters of the type stop + stop, nasal + nasal, and stop followed or preceded by a non-homorgan nasa\.

21

Ipl Allophones: [p], [n], [pW].

1. [p] occurs in all positions: [ep] tail; [pa] scale; [up'u] coconut shell; [apC' 9m] having; [kanp' 9f] kind of crab.

2. [n] alternates with [p], it would seem, only in the sequence IVpVpV I [banan'ajimb'ue] open it!

3. [pW] this allophone, it seems, is used only by ol der people. It could not be established whether it is a social characteristic, for instance, a sign of status. It occurs only before the vowel Ie;' This allophone did not occur in the speech of the regular informants. [pWer] name of a village; [pWe] crab.

22

Itl [t]. No allophones.

[tem] rattan; [bat'e] gaba-gaba; [pit] python; [tatm'a] nonsense; [ajt'ur] having a high degree of a partictllar quality.

23

Icl Allophones: [e], [e].

1. [e] occurs in all positions, except as the first consonant of a cluster (§ 51): [ cem] house; [paC' ak] bad; [apC' 9m] having, supplied with; [ue] iguana.

2. [e] was found alternating with [c] in final position in the following cases: [ic, it'] thorn; [fie, fit'] nail.

24

Ikl Allophones: [k], [x].

1. [k] occurs in all positions: [kap] armpit ; [ak' at] good; [akm' at] old; [esk' am] red; [P9k] goods.

2. [x] as an alternant of [kl was found only in a few cases; in the cases noted, [x] always follows avowel: [akm' at, axm' at] old; [ atak' am, atax' am ] story; [Ç1P' ak, Ç1P' ax] not.

25

jfj [f]. No allophones.

[fi] empty; [uf'u] kind of shell fish; [Ç1f] rotten; [afè'in] the crust of roasted sago; [bat'akfiw] to go downstream into (a house).

28

Isl Allophones: [s], [a], [sj, [ti].

1. [s] occurs in all positions: [si] stone axe; [es'e] bag; [esp' et] shoot of the sago palm; [dems' cîncîkap] slow; [Ç1s] tree.

2. ['] alternates with [sj in normal speech, i.e., speech that is neither deliberately slow nor intentionally emphatic. In the cases noted, [0] always occurs af ter a .vowel. The phonetic quality of this allophone is difficult to define byear. I found it markedly similar to a voiceless glottal fricative [h]. When, however, I deliberately pronounced an [hl in such cases, my informants thought it ridiculous. It is probably a weak alveolar fricative. Regrettably, I have not been succcessful in reproducing this allophone: [amb' as, amb' aS] sago; [des' en, de" en] none.

3. [s] and [ti] occur especially in the speech of older people. I got the impression that they are not alternants of [s], but that [ è] and [ti] are distributed throughout the vocabulary in a way which varies from person to person.

27

Ir/ Allophones: [r], [rl·

1. [r] occurs in all positions except in initial position and as the last consonant of a cluster (§ 48, 53): [tèr' e] rattan leaf; [arp' uk] far away; [ir] year bird.

2. [r] '"'V [r] was found only in the speech of small children and in the speech of the regular informants. It is not beyond question that a consequence of the latter regularly speaking Malay with [r], is their using it now and then in their mother tongue.

28

Iw j [ w ]. No allophones.

[wu] edible top of the sago palm; [juw'ur] dog; [öw] crocodile; [iwn'im] the water's edge; [k'afwan] dagger made from a croco-

PHONOLOGY 19

dile's jaw. [w] is of ten very weak between two identical vowe1s: [ju"'ur] dog; [ni"'i] father.

29

Ijl Allophones: [jl. [j], [j].

1. [j] occurs in all positions: [j9f] hole; [aj' am] name of a village; [baj] foot; [ajk'un] younger brother; [bat'amjen] name of a woman.

2. [j] and [j] altemate with [j] in initia! position: [j' 9P~res, j'9~res, j'9P~res] sweat; [jiw'i, jiw'i, fiw'i] child; [jó,jó] river.

80

Im, nl These are two complex phonemes which present an almost complete parallel. Both phonemes have as allophones a voiced stop, its homorgan nasal, and a combination of both; nasal + stop:

Iml = [bl. [ml. [mb]

Inl = [d], [n], [nd]

1. The voiced stop 4 occurs in initial position, and as second member of the clusters Inm, mn/; in the latter case only if no nasal follows: [b]: [bi] nose; [besn'im] smell; [cap'inbi] land; [d]: [det] ghost; [dew' et] brother; [amd'u] towards each other. 2. The nasa! occurs in all other cases, and, in addition, in initial position before a following nasal, and also as second member of the clusters Inm, mn/, if no nasal follows. In these last cases, the stop and the nasal thus alternate: [m]: [m'imkam, b'imkam] kind of liana; [m' antam, b' antam] on the lookout ; [am' an] bow ; [jims'ip] door; [manm' ak, manb' ak] eye; [j9km' en] having supernatural power; [' anm<?m] we eat; [tam] morning; [9m] digging stick.

[n]: [namb'ir, damb'ir] dead; [ank' 9s] centipede; [tamn' am] kind of duck; [akn'im] angry; [jamn'9k, jamd'9k] two; [en'am] fish; [jin'a] knee; [s~n' en] elbow.

3. In the following cases, the nasal and the combination nasal + voiced homorgan stop, alternate:

a) between two vowels, when no nasalor final lal follows: [mem'ap, memb'ap] to sit down; [em'atm9f, emb'atm9r] he cut down; [~n'öw, ;md'öw] mother ; [min'9, mind'9] lump.

b) as second member of a cluster ~ Inm, mnl provided no nasal follows: [jitm'up, jitmb'up] the sea; [tasm'a, tasmb'a] beautiful, powerful.

No cases were found of [ n ] '"'\., [ nd], though [ n ] as weIl as [nd] was found in comparabie environments: [k<.>k'<.>jndiew'erl to fall down continually (ripe fruit); as weIl as: [lik' ajni' d] it toppled over, broken (of a tree).

81

The consonant system can now be set out as follows:

t c k P f s m n w r

11 SPECIAL PHONOLOGICAL PHENOMENA

Introductlon

82

The term special phonological phenomena is used here to denote a number of speech sounds which do not fit into the phonological system as described in the preceding paragraphs. These speech sounds are found in a restricted part of the vocabulary: in onomatopoeia, interjections and proper names, and aJso in some special forms of speech, i.e. when speaking in a kindly or affectionate manner, and when people call out to each other.

In the following paragraphs will he discussed: 1) one allophone occurring in a position in which it occurs not otherwise; 2) five particular phoneme modifications ; 3) three sounds that stand completely by themselves.5

PHONOLOGY 21

The occurrence of aR aUophone in a position in which it occurs not otherwise

SS

The [El allophone of the phoneme lel occurs in final position in:

the word [kaj'e] name of a village two forms of the verb: these will be discussed in § 135 and § 140. interjections : [we] ouch! onomatopoeia: [kekeke] the screaming of the joe bird; [lij' e lij' e lij' e] imitating laughter.

a kindly manner of speaking; the [e] can then occur at the end of every final word of a word group. Here it is regarded as a feature typical of the speech of women; men use [ 0 ], unless they are mimicking a woman. So, a woman will say:

[ji, ndC;>f mb'oe] hey, my husband! hey my husband

And a man will say:

['c;> nat 'is esc9w'o] now, you go to sleep! you pp 6 sleep /you must!

The [e], however, occurs in the speech of men and women, when they give expression to astrong emotion:

[n9n s'awe] Oh, Mrs! (a pity you are going). Mrs. pity

In this case, the [El can be prolonged (see § 34).

Particular phoneme modifications

84

1. Prolongation of vowels occurs:

in interjections : [j9"i] exc1amation of surprise [ba·] Oh no! Really!

in onomatopoeia: [s9P'i·, S9P'i·] uuup and dooown; (said of a fish jumping high out of the water);

[d·] (laryngalized, see § 35) reproducing the screaming of a crowd of people.

In addition, I found the forms [jin'irlÎC'i·na, jin'ira·] 'exceptionally beautiful' in which the prolongation of the vowel stresses the high degree of beauty.

Prolongation of the vowe1 also occurs in final [e] and [0], already mentioned in § 33:

[ d9f9m' umo·] my dear one! (expression of affection ) ;

and in final [a] which can be suffixed to the last word of each word group when people address each other or call out to each other. This final [a] is sometimes very long drawn out:

[9 C' ama·] Who are you ? you who

[wu jaC' a j ow' ow mböw' a·] hey there! Who are those people? hey there which people pp

A long vowe1 [ä, e·, d·] is sometimes suffixed to a word in order to indicate the duration of a happening, or to lay emphasis on its continuation :

[t'owa·] (they gathered continually) sago grubs.

sago grubs .... [ èf' en 'lÎwi tepef' e· ] upstream jhe walked quickly j

[' amsesmb' eSd·] they slept and slept.

he walked quickly further and further upstream.

35

2. Laryngalization of vowels and voiced consonants occurs when the speaker is quoting a word or words shouted by a crowd of people. When the speaker is speaking softly, laryngalization can result in unvoicing:

[ d·] (voiceless) scream of horror;

[ji'a·] (voiceless) cry of amazement;

[yJ (voiceless, rising to voiced) war cry;

lji~'! _è~,: ~'~~ç:p_~'~~,:.] quickly, bring the child upstream! child quickly /bring it upstreamj

36

PHONOLOGY 23

4. Palatalization of the alveolar nasal [n] occurs sometimes In onomatopoeia, in initial position only :

[ne[, fier], or [n' 9ma, n' 9ma .. ] indicating the gnawing of maggots devouring a corpse, or the gnawing of sago grubs.

[na na na] indicating the mmmm when a great crowd of people are talking together.

37

5. A short glottalized bilabial nasa I r'ml occurs as an interjection, and indicates a vigorous start to an act or happening:

['m! '0 nim jak k'aju k'aju 'etëtërmb'ar araw 'un]

m! pig like heart thump thump Ibegan it of each to dol pp pp

Then their hearts began to thump like the hearts of wild pigs! (§ 334).

Sounds which stand completely by themselves

38

1. A voice1ess glottal fricative [h] which occurs in the stereotyped sign of agreement [hehe], and in the interjection [ha]! ah!

2. An alveolar click [ts] : an interjection expressing annoyance.

3. A bilabial trill with 'mouth air' 7 [pr 1 : an interjection indicating that one finds something very beautiful or impressive.

III THE ACCENT

Introduct1on

39

To the most recent investigations in the field of accent belong the studies of the American linguist D. L. Bolinger. In 1958, the results of a number of experiments he had made were published.8 These showed that the most important cue in determining stress in English is what he terms 'prominence of pitch', i.e. ua rapid and relative1y

24 THE ASMAT LANGUAGE .- .- -.

wide departure from a smooth or undulating contour".9 By 'departure' Bolinger means a deviation in a contour which then continues in the same pitch _. - or -. -, as weU as a sudden rise _ or fall - _, af ter which it continues on a higher or a lower level.

With regard to Asmat, it could be established that in most cases the accent is accompanied by a c1ear and sudden rise or fall of the pitch. Four cases can be distinguished:

1. The accented vowel has a higher tone than the rest of the contour:

2. The accented vowel has a higher tone than the contour preceding it :

3. The accented vowel has a lower tone than the contour preceding it:

4. The accented vowel bas a higher tone than the contour following it:

It is c1ear that in 3, and 4 'pitch' alone does not determine the accent. There must be other factors that cause the difference. Bolinger, who describes a parallel case in English, attributes the determination of accent in this case to different factors: context, phonetic reduction, and contiguous 'unaccentables'.10 It is not possible, however, for me to determine in how far similar factors are also active in Asmat. This would require special investigation.

There are also cases in which I noted accent without being able to discern a deviation in the pitch by ear. Insome of these cases it could he established tbat the accented vowel was rather longer than the contiguous non-accented vowels. It was of ten not possible, however, to determine by ear what the accent-determining factors were.ll

PHONOLOGY 25

The genera! principle of accentuatlon

40

The general principle of accentuation is: there is a regular alternation of accented and unaccented vowels.

In certain cases, however, sequenees of two, at most three, unaccented vowels occur.

Furthermore, there are some cases of multi-vowelled onomatopoeia in which no alternation of accented and unaccented vowels is found:

~nnnn imitating the sound produced by many small objects falling down.

sesesese imitating the hissing of fire as it is put OUt.12

The factors which co-operate to pro duce the accent pattern of a word are: the morphological structure of the word, and the accents of contiguous words in the context.

Words In lsolatlon

1. M onomorphematic words:

41

Here the general principle applies without exception.

Words having two vowels:

As a mIe, these have the accent on the second vowel. In the material I collected, the following words, however, have the accent on the first vowel:

mîmkam kind of liana

îric 13 Spanish pepper

juwa kind of grass

kind of tree sîkaf

umu crown of a palm tree

ud a tree fallen over a river mUM octopus óset a cricket wárat kind of bird éco kind of frog

mujsaw cumulus cloud ócen spear kárwan dagger kámter the legs jókmen tongs náriw brothers mácir an embrace jipir to clasp (a large object) cámuw sound of wood being chopped

kófo l onomatopoeia ind;""ting a ,lap, 'pIMh or IIMh. káju cáka pére jáka ~ deictic words (§§ 225, 226). átar

A numher of minimal pairs were found in which the accent appears to he distinctive : cámuw sound of wood being chopped - camûw (going) on foot umu crown of a palm tree - umtt name of a feast usi a tree fallen over a river - usi camp éco kind of frog - ecó revenge jókmen tongs - jokmén having supernatural power

W ords having three vowe1s : These have an accent on the first and the third vowel. As a rule, the last vowe1 is stressed more strongly than the first :

banana usawic jicemup the sea

An exception is the word canupir, pelican.

42

PHONOLOGY 27

2. Polymorphematic words.14

The general principle of accentuation also applies to these words with, however, the limitation that in specific cases, to be mentioned later, a sequence of two unaccented vowels occurs.

With regard to the position of the accent, or the first accent where the word concerned has more than one accent, the following rules apply :

1. The accent falls on the first vowel when the first morpheme has only one vowel :

ó·few relatives

jó.mopán hird of paradise.

The accent falls on the second vowel, however, when in compound words, the second morpheme has an accent on the first vowel when it occurs as a word (see § 41):

om.ócen spear (óccn) of which the top of the shaft is shaped like a digging stick (om).

No cases were found of the theoretically possible combination :

v.'vv'v

A number of compound words having two vowels were noted which, contrary to Rule 1, have the accent on the second vowel. These are:

jis.mák fire

jen.mák ear

jew.sén space in front of the ceremonial house

jow.ów people belonging to one jew

po.mót paclclle decorated with feathers

pu.mót spear decorated with feathers

sok.mót feathered headdress

cem.sén the space in front of the houses

14 In the following paragraphs, the signs given below wil! be used:

wa.sén the forest nasal mucus mi.tá the skin of the cuscus (Jac + cin) fadn the skin of the iguana (uc + cin) udn

2. The accent falls on the second vowe1 when the first morpheme has two vowe1s:

emén.metén calf band

Words with two vowels, having the accent on the first vowe1, however, retain this accent when they occur as first member of a compound word:

jipir.sám to wrestle

Some cases of regular accentuation are:

ná.tin.ák 'Our sago palm blossom' (proper name) áp.temét to c1imb into (a tree) patám.kurUm to load full to try to cut off something for someone saká.m.tam.pór ó.sirim.tak to row quickly downstream again.

Monomorphematic words having two vowels, of which the first vowe1 is accented, appear to retain this accent when they occur as first member of a compound word or when, as a second member, they are preceded by a morpheme having one vowel. When, however, they occur as second member of a compound word and are preceded by a morpheme having two vowels of which the second vowe1 is accented then, in agreement with the general principle of accentuation, the accent faUs on the second vowel:

akám, nipa palm; umu, crown; akám.1tmU, crown of the nipa palm (proper name).

No cases were found of the theoretically possible combination 'vv'v.v'v, from 'vv'v, and 'vvo

44

Sequences of two unaccented vowe1s occur In the following cases:

1. When an accented vowel is followed by:

PHONOLOGY 29

a) three morphemes, each of which has one vowel, the last morpheme being final or penultimate :

tów.om.iw.tám to bring something inside for someone; tów.om.iw.tám-cemés they will bring it inside for someone.

But: á-mit.áp.m-ac.és when they had stabbed him;

b) a morpheme having one vowe1 and a morpheme having two:

pór.jar.awér to go and look at (something) continually.

No cases were found in which the morpheme with two vowe1s has the accent on the first vowe1 when it occurs as a word.

2. In the morpheme combination : vv.vv, in which the first morpheme be10ngs to the exceptions which always have the accent on the first vowel (see § 41):

umu.nakáp full pákaj.amis all to lie together 15

No cases were found of the theoretically possible combinations 'vv.v.'v; 'vv.v.'v.v'v; 'vv.v.'v.vv'v.

3. A sequence of two unaccented vowels can also occur in:

a) the imperative forms of the verb (§ 116);

b) shouted words, to which the vowe1 -a is suffixed (§ 34).

In these cases, the last vowel of the word is always accented. When a morpheme of the type vv is followed by this accented vowel, this morpheme is unaccented if it is also preceded by an accented vowel, as for example in:

mé-tewér to take - mé-tewer-ic take it! Tewér.awuc T. Tewér.au'uc.á hey, T! (woman's name).

But when this is not the case, it has an accent on the first vowe1, as for example in:

niwi father niwi.á hey, father !

Words In context

45

The principle of the regular alternation of accented and unaccented vowels also operates in word sequences, though not so rigidly as within a word.

This is expressed by:

1. the accentuation of words with one vowe1; this appears to be governed by this principle, as for example in:

wun ow nát cem máp emétePákajpites in some people pp houses ahead /had gone upriver and sat togetherl pp some of the people had gone ahead upriver to their houses and sat there together.

2. the influence which accents m words in sequence can have on each other:

a. words which in isolation have an accent on the first vowel, do not have this accent when, in context, a word with final accent precedes it; or, instead of it, have an accent on the second vowe1:

ém-or.ém you made it.

a pó ca ém-or.ém who made this paddie ? this paddIe who Iyou made it/

a pó cá em-or.ém who made this paddie ? this paddIe who Iyou made itl

má.ne.m-or.ém you chopped down.

ucim os má.ne.m-or.ém which tree have you chopped down? which tree Iyou chopped downl

os cá ma.né.m-or.ém who has chopped down the tree. tree who Iyou chopped downl

b. words which in isolation have an accent on the last vowel do not have this accent when, in context, a word with initial accent follows it; or, instead, have an accent on the penultimate vowel:

usawic banana

usawic é banana leaf pomán 'the other side'

póman cém, póman cém the houses on both sides (of the river). /other side/ house, /other sideJ house

46

Contrary to the general principle, sequences of two accented vowels can occur in context. Unfortunately, I have not been able to discover any definite regularity in their occurrence.

]omót áwse aráw here lies the (river) ]omót (§ 309).

Jom6t /here it is/ pp

esé jmu anmuc/ make a carrying bag! (§ 284).

bag /make itj

jimsip ónoká bolt the door! (§ 292).

door bolt

47

Because the rules of accentuation presuppose an insight into the morpheme structure of the Asmat words which cannot be expected from readers without a fair knowledge of the Asmat language, and because in context changes in the accentuation of words of ten occur, the accents will be shown throughout this work, except in the lists of verbal cores 15" given in §§ 100-103, and in the verbal cores, given in the word list.15b

IV THE DISTRIBUTION OF PHONEMES IN THE WORD

Single vowels and consonants

48

All vowe1s occur word-initially, word-medially and word-finally, except e which does not occur word-finally.

I found only the following exceptions to this rule: a) the onomato15. For this term, see §§ 64-69.

poeic words sesese hissing of fire as it is put out, and fefefefe the sound of the wind; b) the words with the long final e mentioned in § 34.

All consonants occur word-initially, word-medially and word-finally, except r which does not occur word-initially.

Vowel sequences

49

Here, the following rules apply :

1. In monomorphematic words, vowel sequences do not occur. I found two exceptions to this rule:

MaitjMajit the name of a ceremonial house in SurU fait j faunc joke

2. In polymorphematic words sequenees of only two vowe1s occur; the first vowe1 always is a morpheme-final vowel, the second one a morpheme-initial vowel.

H

The following combinations of vowels were found:

word-initia! :

aa a-áp.tak-er.és they went on the way down river ae a-e-r he said ao a-6row.ap.6m-cem.és they repeated1y press ea é.ap.6m to build (a house) ei e.itum to do in the evening eo e-o.f I said

word-media! :

ae má-enáw-c .aw he must come here ai na.itum to eat in the evening ao má-okom.ém.tam-d.n roll it up for me!

ea m6m-se.áwer-i stay in the water henceforth ee até.enáw-m.om we come here to summon ee sé.pe-er.és they started out, rowing eo se.ok6r to float past (on water)

PHONOLOGY 33

~a ni.ap to return and sit down ~e tep.si-ér upstream he went into a side-stream ie sé.si-er.és they entered a side-stream 10 ni.o11t.ûw to go down to the river and depart (with someone) ~u ni.uw to go down to the river and set out oa po. amis to sleep with l1lany people together oe éw.tep.l,o-ér it feil from above ua mU.amÎs to lie down af ter bathing ue a-wu-éf he wrapped it up ue tép.kurû-er.es upstream they shouted approval uo a-mu-ór he bathed

word-final :

Here, the second vowel is always one of the three vowels: a, 0 and è which are discussed in § 33 and 34.

ea maré.a enGugh !; stop! eo maré.o it's done now za niwi.á father ! iè uci.è what's the matter! 10 ém.ams-i.o I lay down oa tÓ.a tomorrow! ua mÛ.a water! oè nor mÓ.è my husband!

The following vowe1 combinations we re not found 111 this material :

word-initial: ae, ai, au; ee, eu; eV; iV; uV. word-medial : ae, au; ei, eu; cV; ii; oe, oi, 00, ou; ui, uu. word-final: Ve; a V; ei, eu, ee; cV; ii, iu; oi, 00, ou.

Consonant sequences

51

Here, the following rules apply:

1. Consonant sequences occur only word-mcdially; scquences of more than two consonants do not occur.

2. sequences of two identical consonants cannot occur;

consequently, in polymorphematic words, only one consonant is found instead of two identical consonants wherever one would expect a sequence of two identical consonants to occur because of the constituent morphemes:

mánakap little hand; from man hand, and -nakap, diminutive suffix.

tépor to go upstream to look at; from tep to go upstream, and por to look at.

3. The sequence e + non-identical consonant cannot occur;

consequently, in polymorphematic words, t is found instead of cC (C ~ e) wherever one would expect this sequence to occur because of the constituent morphemes:

eowutnakap little woman; from eowue woman, and -nakap, diminutive suffix.

motni to return while crying; from moe to cry, and ni to return.

4. The sequence te cannot occur ;

consequently, in polymorphematic words, only e is found instead of te wherever one would expect te to occur because of the constituent morphemes:

anakáeowue the said woman, she; from anakát anaphoric element and eowue woman.

The following consonant combinations were found: 16

pt áp.tak to go on the way down river

pc apeóm with, supplied with em.áp-eem.á he usually sits pk tép.ku to go upstream and land

pm epmák upper course of a river áp.m-or he planted pn epnám pandanus áp.n.awér to sit, eating continually ps tép.si upstream to enter a side-stream pf áp-f·om we sat pj áp.ji.pu to stay and do habitually

tp pór.it-p.és they looked at it in the morning Ik jitkakér kind of bird Im tat'l'l'lá nonsense á-sit-m.i I stand up tn jim.ot.náw to drag towards ts temét.surum to scratch one's head tf tiw.ot-f·én he touched me tw temét.wani.óc to grow high (of trees) tj temét.jam.ém to stand high up

kp akpés tatoo marks ták.por to go downstream to look at kt ták.ti.tiw to go downstream and put down kc akcá together cá-tak-ei first I must go downstream km jokmén having supernatural power a-sak.m-ór he cut through it kn aknim angry ták.n.ap to go downstream and sit down to eat ks ták .se to row downstream kf ták.fiw to go downstream and go into kw ták.wi.tiw to go downstream and throw down kj ták.juku.m.ap.óm to go downstream and put together

mp wémpa small stone axe e.m-p.uj I did it mi kamtér both legs sirim.tak to row downstream quickly me mamcup three em.ei I am, I stand (as a man) mk omkóc kind of insect ám.kawi to join mn jamnók two ém.ni 10 go down (walking)

36 THE ASMAT LANGUAGE sp espét young shoot of the sago palm jis.por to go outside to look at st jis.tip.sé to come out partIy (said of a fish in its hiding place) se ceseuw skilled, clever á-po.amis-cem.óm we all go to sleep (as usual) sn mesnim smell nemés.nakáp cautious sf amés·fac to become emaciated (said of a person lying down) sw taráswuc sister sj és.jar to sleep and travel on

ms simsá scurf ém.se to be on the river mf tetám-f.es they gave him mw a-ném.wer-ér they took to their hee1s

np kanpór kind of crab án-p.uj late it nt mantám look out post ne án-e.om when we have eaten nk ankós centipede nm tanmá nonsense án-m.ar he eats it nf án-f.om we ate it nw nanwis shattered

sk eskám red jis.kapu to row out of a river and join up with

sm fusmá widow a-jis-má he goes to the forest

fe afcin cru st of balI of roasted sago aj-áf-c.en hit me! fm áf-m.ar he hits him In jóf.nakap a little hole fs áf.se to die in the water

wp táw.pacáj to scatter in all directions wt awtó kind of tree áw.tiw to roast and put down (sago)

wc áw-c.om when we have roasted it wk uw/dt crochet needie made of a pig's bone tiw.koj to go on one's way wm táw.mes.ém to put things along the edge of something wn iwnfm the water's edge ew.ni to return from ws jowsép baby Suw.simit Suw senior (proper name) wf aréw·faj to assembie wj táw.jimir.se.m to launrh (a number of canoes) jp ajpáw fine! jt ajtûr having a high degree of a particular quality je se.táj-cem.és they will arrive (by canoe) jk ajl~ûn younger brother tép.taj.l~û to go upstream and land jm ájmir.ém to be lost se. táj-m. es they arrive (by ranoe) jn ajnfm now sáj.ni to return (many people) js 11l/Îjsaw cumulus eloud páj.se to turn off (in a canoe) jf fajfó cocoon páj.fir.áp when sitting to turn round rp arpûl~ far away mér.papûj to head oH by going upstream rt pór.tew.ét to be 011 the 100knut for a woman to marry re arcér main stream a-por-c.i if I see him rk firká kind of grass jfr.ku to cross a river and land rm karmák kind of snail a-por-m.f, I see him rn jirnó half burnt (of wood) mér.ni to go downstream to look for food rs parsá scattered, dispersed áp.ter.si to enter a river in line of battle rf mér·fasî to go upstream and return again rw karwán dagger made of a crocodile's jaw rj pór.jit to plan (a murder)

The following consonant combinations were not found in this material : Cr; fp, ft, fk, tw, fj; ns, nj; pw.

V WORD-VARIANTS

Types of varIants

A number of words were found which have two or more variants. These variants fall into two groups: conditioned variants, and free variants.

Conditioned variants are variants which:

a) exclude each other in all contexts, or:

b) exclude each other in some contexts, and alternate in others, or:

c) alternate only in specific contexts.

Conditioned variants are found among the deictic words, verbal forms, and postpositions. They will be discussed in §§ 129, 146, 208-212, 221, 229, 232, 245, 258 and 259.

Free variants alternate freely in any context. Only these wilt be treated here.

Free varlants

54

In most cases, the free variants form pairs, of which the members appear to differ exclusively, or almost exclusively, from each other in one of the following points:

1. the one has i where the other has u

2. the one has e where the other has 0

3. the one has c where the other has t

4. the one has 'ltl which is absent in the other

5. the one has j which is absent in the other

6. the one has avowel which is absent in the other.

55

Pairs of variants of which the one member has i whereas the other has u, are:

jifó - jufó cold

jiwUs - juwus name

jimsip - jumcip door nuwuw to go aboard and depart nzuw jikurum - jukurum to squeeze out all (sago pulp) jir jur white cockatoo

56

Pairs of variants of which the one member has e, whereas the second has 0, are:

Kosér - Kosór name of a ceremonial house in ]epem onéw onów thatch oweréw owerów adult males owerés owerós husband ses - sos dry palm leaves

57

Pairs of variants of which the one member has e, whereas the other member has t: 17

Words which in isolation always have a fjnal e, in context alternate freely with a form with final t; for example:

moe crying arám mot, moe, mot, mot, mot. .. he cried and cried and cried ... he crying ....

Variants with non-final e and t are: ei ti canoe takás all eakás eesén tesén outside tépacés - tépatés when they had gone upstream,

Pairs of variants of which the one member has w, which is absent in the other, are:

fawte - faU jokes mariw , ready, finished - man ~ mare maréw fiwomiweemés - fiomkemés they go with him inside (the house)

When w occurs in the one variant between two identical vowels, the other variant has V instead of VwV:

59 Pairs of variants of which the one member has j which is absent in the other, are: M ajU - M aU name of a ceremonial house in Suru fW'tJM iwis to go quickly to the forest éwtePkojér - éwtepkoér (the fruit) feIl from above 60 aJfmsomfcemes - ájimsomitmes they pull him up with them manuwUw - manwuw (in order) to go aboard and depart ajisic - ajsic go to the forest! misiti - misti stand up! mápacájkukuás - mapcájkukuás (in order) to disperse In all directions.

kuwUs - kus head niwl - ni father nuw to go aboard and depart nuwuw - ter to take tewér

Pairs of variants of which one member has avowel which is absent in the other, are:

Although these variants appear to alternate freely, there is a c1ear distinction as to their frequency, which is determined by the speed of speaking: the variant having this vowel occurs mostly in deliberately slow speech, whereas the variant in which this vowel is absent, occurs mostly in normal or quick speech.

61

In addition to the preceding cases a number of isolated cases of free variation were noted. In these cases the same formal difference was not found to recur in a series of pairs of variants.

I will give here only the variants of two words which occur frequently in the texts:

1. másinerim, másnerim, masirim, miserîm, masnim then, thereupon.

2. mariw, maréw; mari, maré ready, finished.

WORD-CLASSES

I INTRODUCTION : MORPHOLOGICAL PROCESSES

62

The following morphological processes occur:

A. Frequently occurring processes:

1. suffixation: occurs with verbs, substantives, proper names, adjectives, and personal-possessive pronouns.

2. prefixation : occurs only with verbs.

3. reduplication: occurs only within the core of the verb and consists of the repetition of the first two phonemes of the underIying form. When the latter consists of two phonemes only, this process results in duplication (§ 79).

4. composition: occurs with verbs, proper names and substantives.

B. Processes occurring exceptionally :

S. infixation: was only found to occur instead of prefixation within the core of the verb in three cases (§ 76).

6. infixation, simultaneous with suffixation: was only found to occur instead of suffixation within the core of the verb in three cases (§ 82).

7. modification: was only found instead of prefixation in one case (§ 76).

8. multiplication: only two cases were noted: one of triplication of an adjective (§ 200) and one of quadruplication of a verbal root (§ 79).

II THE VERB

Introductlon

63

From the preceding survey of the morphological processes, it IS clear that the word-class of the verb is distinguished from the other word-classes by the fact that all these processes occur within it, whereas outside the word-c1ass of the verb only suffixation and composition occur.

Of the morphological processes which occur only within the wordclass of the verb, only prefixation can occur with all verbs, and therefore is characteristic of the verb as a whoie: an Asmat verb could be defined as a word which is, or can be, prefixed.

The morphological structure of the verb which is of ten very complicated, in comparison to the structllre of non-verbs, makes it necessary to divide the description of the verb into three parts:

1. a genera! survey of the morphological structllre of verba! forms and of the relation between the core-morphology and the wordmorphology of the verb;

2. the core-morphology;

3. the word-morphology.

General survey of the structure of verbal forms

C ore and peripheral part

64

Within the verb, two parts can be distinbuished which are to a certain degree independent of each other, name1y:

1. a central part, which will be termed the core of the verb ;

2. a peripheral part.

The verba! core can he monomorphematic or polymorphematic. The peripheral part consists of prefixes andjor suffixes added to the core.

The mutual independenee of the core and the peripheral part shows itself in a differenee in internal organization which makes a separate description of the two parts necessary.

Their mutual dependence shows itself in the fact that: a. a verb consists either of a core, or of a core + peripheral part, but never of a peripheral part alone; and b. there are a number of verbal categories that do not occur with cores ending with the morphemes itum, es, it or awer (see §§ 91-94).

WORD-CLASSES 43 occurring as a care: not occurring as a core:

The morphological structure of the core

Only provisional observations can be made here about the structure of the core. The reason for this is that the main point of research, as regards the verb, was an investigation into the verbal categories. An insight into the structure of the verbal system proved to be a prerequisite if I were to understand and to speak the Asmat language. The relative independence of the core made it possible, temporarily to leave its structure outside consideration. Since, however, research into the verbal categories took most of the available time, there was none left for a systematic examination of the cores. This remains one of the most important tasks for future research.

Consequently, the paragraphs on core-structure, as well as the paragraphs on core-morphology, represent only a preliminary reconnaissance in the field. The picture of the core-structure given here is for the main part based on indirect information, i.e. information obtained from an analysis of a specific corpus of verbal cores of which only a small part was elicited from the informants with this analysis in view. This corpus of verbal cores consists of -+- 3,000 cores, of which -+- 1,200 occur in the texts to he appended to this grammatica! description.

86

Among the morphemes of which a core can consist, first a number of roots can he distinguished. The following will he considered to he roots:

1. The morphemes that can occur as a core of averb, for example: ap to sit; tak to go downstream; tewér to take

2. The morphemes that were not found as a core, but which appear to he allomorphs of morphemes that occur as cores, for example:

en mer to go upstream amis amés to lie (down)

The distribution of these allomorphs will be dealt with in § 97-100.

3. The morphemes that were not found as the core of a verb, but that do occur as a word within another word-class, i.e. cases of transposition. For example:

siri quick (adjective) áp.siri to break into a run

kiki close together (adjective) kiki.m to put close together.

87

Secondly: among the remaining morphemes that were not found as cores, a number can be distinguished which have the character of affixes. These are morphemes that conform to the foIlowing criteria:

1. they occur in a series of forms;

2. their position in relation to the root is constant: they are either always placed before it, or always behind it;

3. they add to the core a specific semantic element;

4. they do not occur in combination with each other as a core;

5. there can be established a relative order in wruch they occur In relation to the root.

In order to distinguish these morphemes from the affixes of the peripheral part, they will henceforth be termed formatives.

Formatives are for example:

o/oragain; -tam on behalf of

The formatives wiIl be discussed further In the core-morphology (§ 71-1(0).

The grouping of the corpus of core-morphemes now presents the following picture:

88

The group comprising the rest (rest-group) consists of:

1. a number of morphemes of which it cannot be said with certainty whether they belong to the formatives or to the roots. These fall into:

a. a number that were not found in combination with formatives. b. a number that occur with formatives. The fact that these morphemes can occur with fortnatives could be an indication that we are here dealing with roots. This applies particularly to those morphemes which, in combination with formatives, were found to occur as a root, such as:

co 'hidden' in cores as: có.ap to sit hidden;

co.m to hide something (co + formative -m/Vm, cf § 81).

Here the possibility must be taken into consideration that a third category of morphemes occurs within the rest-group, namely, morphemes that cannot occur as a core but which have certain characteristics in common with roots. The morphemes naw 'coming' and as 'away' neither of which can occur as a core, would belong to this category. Both morphemes can occur with the formative -mjVm (see § 101, nr 4 and 8).

2. a residu of forms of which the constituent morphemes could not yet be identified andjor, of which the meaning is not known with certainty.

Complete lists of the morphemes and residual forms belonging to the rest-group will be added to the core-morphology.

69

Survey of the root - formative structures, occurring in cores.

The following survey will, naturally, be limited to those cores of which all the constituent morphemes could be identified as root or formative. These cores fall into four groups:

I. Those, consisting of a root

1I. Those, consisting of more than one root

lIl. Those, consisting of a root + one or more formatives

IV. Those, consisting of more than one root + one or more formatives.

The following symbols wi1\ be used here:

R root fprefixed formative -f suffixed formative fi, placed before R infixed formative.

I. R ap to sit; onór to carry something on the back Il. RR tép.ap to go upstream and stay RRR ni.ma.tiw to return and chop down fIl. f-R éw.ni to return from fiR s.om.it to stand up with something (in the hand) ; from: sit to stand up. R-f pór.om to show, to cause to see f-f-R éw.om.sé to row with something from R-f-f jik.tam.pór to try to tie something up for someone f-R-f sá.saká.m to cut into pieces fiR-f s.um.ut.'um to cause to stand up; from: sil to stand up. R-f-f-f é.m.tam.pór to try to make something for someone IV. f-RR ó.jis.pór to go outside again to have a look at R-fR fá.m.tiw to burn a lying object RfiR jim.s.om.U to pull someone up Rf-R tów.o.ni to bring something to the river R-ff-R fá.m.o.p to sit by someone until the morning RR-f-f ni.tiw.tam.pór to try to put down on behalf of someone f-Rf-R éw.ni.om.uw to go down from (the house) and go aboard with (something) f-R-fR ó.fasi.m.tewér to take up where one left off (a story) R-fR-f taká.m.ne.m to cause to go below through an opening f-RR-f ó.wu.ap.óm to bury something again RR-fR jis.kawi.m.tiw to go outside and put down s?mething against RRR-f ni.tew.sé.m to go to the river and lay something in the water f-R-ff-R-fR si.si.m.ka.kami.m.tiw to wash ashore many objects (subject = the water).

70

The morphological structure of the peripheral part.

The peripheral part can consist of: a prefix, or: 1, 2, 3 or 4 suffixes, or: a combination of 1 or 2 prefixes and 1, 2, 3 or 4 suffixes. The peripheral part can also he absent: the core can occur as a word (see § 107).

Survey of the structures of the peripheral part.

The following symbols will he used here: p prefix S suffix Co core Co tewér to take p Co mé-tewér in order to take Co s téwer-ic take it! Co ss tewér-m.em you take it Co sss tewér-m.en.óm we take you Co ssss tewér-m.an.en.ém are you taking me?

Co por to see p Co s cmé-por-î I have seen him (today) p Co ss cmé-por-n.ém you have seen me (today) p Co sss clllé-por-án.cn.ém have you seen me (today)? p Co ssss emé-por-m.án.cn.ém can you see me now? pp Co s cmé.pa-pór-an (éw) has he perhaps seen it (today) pp Co ss emé.pa-pó,·-an.em (éw) have you seen him perhaps (today) pp Co sss cmé.pa-por-án.en.em (éw) have you seen me perhaps? (today) pp Co ssss emé.pa-por-m.án.en.em (éw) ean you perhaps see me now?

Core·morphology

Fonnatives which occur prefi.red to a root

71

em j om- This formative was only found with the roots amis, to lie; ap, to sit; em, to stand; tep, to be above; se, to be on or in the water.

omonly oeeurs in comhination with the formative ojom/otjoc- (§ 76):

óm.óp to go and sit hy someone.

ó1n.o.mis to go and lie with someone.

The difference in meaning between roots with and without this formative seems to he that the roots without em/ommean: 'to he' or 'to move', of a subject which helongs to the 'lying', 'standing', 'flying' or 'swimming' class of things,l whereas the roots with em/omdenote the actual action of lying, sitting, etc.

The roots with em/omhave, moreover, an inchoative element of meaning: they can mean: to lie down, to sit down, etc. ap 'to he, to move', of a 'sitting' subject. ém.ap to sit, to sit down.

72

ewfrom, out of, since.

fis to come outside; éw.fis to come outside from (a house).

kekém to sew something up; éw-kekém to sew something up from a particular point; to be sewing something from a particular point in time.

Found in 39 cores.

73

~nmindicates: 1) plurality of subject; 2) that the subject is walking. tep to go upstream (rowing or walking); irim.tep to walk upstream wit many people. Found in 6 cores.

74

jamindicates that the subject or object is bulky, or that it consists of a quantity of component parts. It refers, for example to a bunch of fruit, a bundie of arrows, a crowd of people.

tep to hang, to he up in the air; jám.tep to hang; of a large object, or a bundle, a bunch of objects.

ni to go downriver; jám.ni to go downriver; of a large animal, of a crowd of people together.

Found in 24 cores.

75 %ragain, anew. 0- occurs before a consonant. 0- alternates with orbefore avowel, except when this vowel is followed by another vowel, or if avowel precedes the formative. In such cases oralways occurs: mow ap to split off pandan fibres Jpandan fibres / to split off/ mow ó.ap / ór.ap to split oH pandan fibres again mow á-or.ap-ór she split oH pandan fibres again. e to say. é-o.f I said; ór-e-ó.f I said again. Found in 37 cores. 76 %m/ot/ocindicates that the subject is holding something, is accompanying someone, is on the way to someone, or is busy with something. This formative was only found with the roots amis, ap, em, tep, and se (see § 71) and with roots which indicate a going in a particular direction. 0- occurs with: m o.m to go downriver with (on a large river) tak o.tak to go downriver with (on a small river) tep o.tep to go upriver with (on a small river) The following roots, af ter 0-, have an allomorph without initial vowel: ap o.p to sit with, by; or, busy with something em o.m to stand with, by; busy with amis o.mis to lie with, by; busy with es o.s to come here with; busy with omoccurs with: jir /ir óm.ir to cross the river with; towards someone jis/is/us: óm.is to go landwards with; towards someone jiw/iw óm.iw to enter with; to go inside towards someone. (Of these roots, the allomorph without initial j occurs af ter an m)

Instead of prefixation the exceptional processes of infixation and modification occur with this formative. Infixation occurs in the following three cases: fis f.óm.is to come outside with fiw f.óm.iw to go inside with sit s.óm.it to stand up with (There occurs also a form fiw.om.iw. which has the same meaning as fómiw; here iw is an allomorph of jiw which also means 'to go inside'.) Modification occurs in: tep : top to hang with, by This is the only case of modification I found. 77 78

as óm.as to go away with at óm.at to go with ku óm.ku to go ashore with, to óm.puw to go into the water with puw óm.se to be on or in the water with se uw óm.uw to go aboard with 01- occurs only with: naw : ot.naw to come with oeoccurs only with: en : óe.in to go upstream with (on a large river) (the allomorph in occurs only in combination with oe)

pákaj 'with many together'. pákaj was only found with the roots amis, ap, em, tep and· se (see § 71). ap to sit; pákaj.áp to sit together with many.

tew indicates the beginning of an action. po ji to row paddIe Ito dol po téw.ji to start to row o.s to come here with; téw.o.s to leave here with.

jiniw.jar to go with everyone (walking); téw.jiniw.jar to set out with everyone (walking). Found in 12 cores.

79

Finally, I treat as a prefixed formative the element which is added to the root by the process of (re)duplication. In all cases I noted, this process consists of the repetition of the first two phonemes of the underlying form. If this form consists of only two phonemes, the result is duplication.

Reduplication, or duplication, indicates that the action is repeated a number of times, or that the action is itself repetitive.

erém to tear something; ér.erém to tear something to pieces. si.m to shift something; si.si.m to shift something repeatedly. ciki.m, ci.ciki.m to wash something.

One case was found in which the non-reduplicated root has initial a, whereas the reduplicated root has initial e:

apér to make a test hole in the bark of the sago palm áP.epér to make test holes.

In one case, quadruplication of a CV root was found: si to dig(in); á-si.si.si.si-ác af ter he had dug them in (the glowing coals in the ashes). . . .

80

The prefixed formatives do not occur with all roots equally. On the basis of their distribution, it appears to be possible to classify the roots in three groups, namely:

1. amis, ap, em, tep, se: 'positional roots';

2. roots that indicate a going in a particular direction, 'directional roots' ;

3. other roots;

as will appear from the following survey.

52 THE ASMAT LANGUAGE sakáj to be broken; saká.m to break something.

+ = found - = not found

Formatives which occur suffixed to a root

81

-m/Vm By means of -m/Vm transitive or causative cores can he formed from intransitive roots, and causative cores from transitive roots.

-m occurs:

1. Af ter avowel:

kawi to add oneself to; kawi.m to add something to.

an/na to eat (see § 98) ; na.m. to cause to eat, to give to eat.

Of roots which have two allomorphs, one with and one without fina! j or w, the allomorph without j or w always occurs with this formative:

uw to go aboard; u.m to cause to go aboard.

2. Af ter a consonant, when avowel follows the formative:

ap to sit; áp.om to cause to sit; ap.m-ór he made him sit.

-Vm occurs:

Af ter a consonant, if no vowel follows the formative.

The vowel of -Vm, as a ruIe, harmonizes with the (last) vowel of the root to which it is added.

tak to go downstream ; ták.am to cause to go downstream.

onór to carry something on the back; onór.om to cause to carry something on the back.

WORD-CL.,\SSES 53

Exceptions to this rule are: ap to sit; áp.om to cause to sit. tep to go upstream; tép.om, táp.om to cause to go upstream.

82

sit to get up; s.um.ut.ttm to cause to get up. fiw to go inside; f.im.u.m to cause to go inside. fis to come inside, to come outside; f.im.us.um to cause to come inside, or outside.

In three cases suffixation of -Vm occurs simultaneously with infixation of -Vm:

These three roots each have an allomorph with u instead of i, which occurs only in this case (see § 98).

ss

Two positional roots cannot be combined with -m/Vm:

em can mean 'to stand' as weIl as 'to cause to be stood up, to put down' (of a 'standing' object) amis, to lie, does not occur with the meaning 'to lay, to put down' (a 'lying' object); in place of it, another root is used: tiw, to lay, to put down.

84 -m/Vm bas a particular value 2 in such cases as: (faj to bum; fa.m to cause to bum; ap to sit, to stay): jo fá.m.ap to stay somewhere until the sun begins to shine. sun (pu to rise; pu.m to cause to rise; em to stand, to stay): jo pu.m.em to stay somewhere until the sun rises. (jis to go outside) : pir jamnók jis.m.ap moon two to stay somewhere until two 'months' have elapsed.

54 THE ASMAT LANGUAGE when compared with: cém norpá ma.ni.táj I 'Il arrive home alone. house 11 alone I shall arrivej

81S

In addition, there are a number of cases in which the value of this formative is not clear to me; such as in :

nUa.m, having apparently the same meaning as the underlying form nî.taj 'to return and reach', in: támnakap nUa.m-or jmorning-a-bit j she arrivedj she arrived (home) towards the end of the morning,

and ot.m, apparently meaning the same as ot, 'to touch', in: wá ot.m.enáw-or.és they came, brushing along the trees, trees Itouching them they camel

when compared with: amás a Pimnakap átemet.ót.ap-er sago there Inear-edge I it rose-touched-satl the sago had almost risen to the edge.

88

A number of cases were noted in which by the suffixation of -m/Vm a word belonging to another word-class is transposed to the word-class of the verb. These cases are:

fek, fak (adjective) broken, damaged; fal?ám to break, to damage. kapi (adjective) shut, closed; kapi.m to shut, to close. kiki close together (adjective); kiki.m to put closely together. parsá, porsá disorderly, scattered about here and there (adjective?); parsá.m to scatter. ~r~n. . .. onomatopoeia, indicating the sound of many smallobjects falling down; irirf.m to brush small objects off something; to scrape small pieces off. káju onomatopoeia, indicating a dull thud, the sound of footsteps; ká.kaju.m to knock on something.

87

-kurum 'all, totally'

jirán ripe; jirán e to become ripe; jirán e.kurûm to become squashy. Found in 41 cores.

aw to roast; áw.kurum to roast everything.

88

-por 'to try, to be able to'

e.m to make something; é.m.por to try to make something; to he able to make something. Found in 25 cores.

an/na to eat; ná.por to try to eat, to taste.

89

-tam 'for, on behalf of'

aw to raast; áW.tam to raast for.

onów Je to make thatch

thatch make

onów Jé.tam to make thatch for someone; to help to make thatch. Found in 76 cores.

90

-totór 'everyone for himself, each individually'

wu bundIe, wrapped in sago leaves; wu wu to make a bundle, wrapping it in sago leaves; wu wu.totór each person to make for himself sago leaf bundIes.

e to say; é.totór to say, each person for himself.

Found in 10 cores.

91

Finally, there are four suffixed formatives, -itum, -es, -it, and -awer which, in contradistinction to the other formatives, exert an influence on the peripheral part: there are a number of verbal categories which do not occur with cores in which these formatives occur.3

-itUm/utum indicates that the action or the event takes place during that part of the day which is called porów, i.e. the period from afternoon to shortly af ter sunset.

-itUm and -utum are distributed according to a rule which also governs the distribution of the formative -it/ttt (§ 93), the verba! suffixes -i/u (§ 117), -ij (u, uj) (§ 156), (-er, er)/or (§ 156) and the postposition (in, 'n)Jun (§§ 258, 259). This rule is:

The allomorph containing u instead of i or absence of vowel, or o instead of e, e, occurs only:

- af ter p, w, or f, when these consonants are preceded by a consonant, or bya, 0, or u.

- af ter m.

The only exceptions to this rule are the positional roots em to stand, and ap to sit, af ter which the allomorph with i or e, e, always occurs :

atów e to play

play /to dol

atów e.itum to play in the afternoon.

ém.itum to stand during the afternoon.

é.m.utum to make during the afternoon.

taw to talk; táw.utum to talk in the afternoon.

92

~es indicates that the action or the event takes place during the period from nightfall to early in the morning. This period covers that part of the day which is called erém 'night, when it is really dark', and the first part of tam 'morning, from daybreak to ± 10 a.m.'

tak to go downstream ; ták.es to go downstream at night, in the early morning.

purumuc ji to sing dirges

dirge sing

purumuc j.es to sing dirges the whole night.

93

-itlut indicates that the action or the event takes place in the morning,

i.e. in the remaining part of tam (see above).

The distribution of -it and -ut nms parallel to that of -itumlutum.

tak to go downstream ; ták.it to go downstream in the morning.

faw to spear (plural object);

enám fáw.ut to spear fish during the morning.

fish

There is no formative corresponding to jok, the period from ± 10 a.m. to + 3 p.m. i.e. 'during the day'. Cores without itum, es and it are neutral as far as indicating the time of day is concerned.

SM

-awér I ewér I ewir I a is a formative indicating duration: 'continua1ly, always, all the time'.

The distribution of the allomorphs is determined by the verbal categories within which the core occurs :

awér occurs in forms of category 1, 3, 4, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13 and 23 3"

ewér occurs in forms of category 5, 6, 7 and 23

ewir occurs in forms of category 22

a occurs in forms of category 14 and 15.

so e to sing (with drum accompaniment)

singing do

to só e.awér-m.om

tomorrow singing /we shall do continually /

tomorrow we shall sing and play the drums continually.

This formative can follow -iMmjutttm, -es, and -it/ut:

pe ak to catch crabs

crabs catch

pe ák.es.awér to catch crabs continually at night.

jisin ák.it.awér to gather coconuts all the morning.

coconuts

The informants also translated these four formatives as meaning 'many':

jisin ak.it-m.om we gathered many coconuts (in the morning) coconuts

jisin ak.á-m.om we gathered many coconuts (during the day)

jisin ak.itum-om we gathered many coconuts (in the afternoon)

pé ak.es-m.om we caught many crabs (at night).

Sequenees of formatives

915

I only found sequences of prefixed formatives preceding the first root of a core, and sequences of suffixed formatives following the last root of a core. Between two roots, sequences of two formatives do occur, but the sequence consists always of a suffixed formative followed by a prefixed formative. In these cases, the suffixed formative is always -mjVm; the prefixed formative is %m/ot/oeor, a (re)duplication:

R-ff-R ká.m.o.ni to tear away and take downstream

f-R-ff-R-fR si.si.m.ka.kami.m.tiw to wash ashore many objects.

Only a few different combinations of prefixed formatives were found; for some of these a relative order could he tentatively fixed:

olor-, emjom-, olomlotloc-, Root, or: olor-, (re)duplication, Root.

(Re)duplication was not found with roots with which emlomand olomlotjococcur (§ 80).

The following combinations were found:

olor- + (re)duplication: ó.si.si.m.tám again to push (different objects) towards someone. olor- + emlom- ór.em.ém again to stand up emlom- + ojomlotjoc-: óm.o.p to sit down by, with

A relative order could he determined for the following suffixed formatives:

R -mjVm, -kurum, -tam, -por, ! -es , -awérlewérjewirla -itûmlutum -itlut

Here, the following sequences of formatives were noted: -m/Vm + -por é.m.por to try to make -mlVm + -es é.m.es to make something at night -tam + -por jik.tam.pór to try to tie up something for someone -por + -awér otáw.por.awér continually to try to exhort someone -itum + -awér jisin ak.itum.awér to gather coconuts all afternoon -kurûm + -awér sa.kurum.awér to be dried up all -kurum + -por ná.kurum.por to try to eat up everything -mlVm + -tam + -por: é.m.tam.pór to try to make for someone.

Root-allomorphs 4

96

There are a number of roots which have 2, 3, or 4 allomorphs.

The distribution of these all01110rphs appears to be conditioned by the following factors:

1. a phonological feature, or:

2. a morphological feature, or:

3. a positional feature, or:

4. a combination of 1 and 3, or of 2 and 3.

There are three positions which are relevant to the conditioning of root-allomorphs :

a. Occurrence as a core; b. final position in the core; c. non-final position in the core.

97

Conditioned by a phonological feature are the allomorphs of the root e/j: to say, to do

e occurs in all cases, except between two vowels.

j occurs between two vowels.

é-o·f ~ I 'd ,. f sa! a-J-o.

é.ap.óm to build (a house);

á-j.ap.m-ór he built (a house).

98

Conditioned by a morphological feature IS the distribution of the allomorphs of the following roots:

1. ni/ne to go down, to go home, to go towards the river. ni occurs in all cases, except before the formative -m/Vm. ne occurs before the formative -nt/Vm: ne.m to cause to go down, etc.

2. fis/fus to come inside fiw/fuw to go inside sit/sut to stand up

fis, fiw, and sit occur in all cases, except in the exceptional case of simultaneous infixation and suffixation of the fonnative -m/Vm, in which the all01110rph with u occurs: f.i17l.us.um; f.im.u.m; s.um.ut.um (see § 82).

3. tep/tap to go upstream (on a small river). tep occurs in all cases. In addition, tep alternates with tap hefore the formative -mjVm: tep.om, tap.om to send someone upstream (see § 81).

4. tep/top to he above, to be hanging.

tep occurs in all cases, except before the formative -mjVm. Here occurs top: tóp.om to cause to be above; to hoist (a flag).

5. temétjtomt to rise, to climb. temét occurs in all cases, except before the formatives -mjVm and ojomjotjoc-; here occurs tomt: tómt.om to cause to rise; tómt.o.m to stand on top of something, and be busy with.

6. tewjtow to take, to seize. tew occurs in all cases except before the formative ojomjotjoc-: tów.om.iw to bring inside; ancl in the core tow.okop to swallow.

99

The following roots have in addition to allomorphs of which the distribution is conditioned by phonological, morphological or positional features, allomorphs of which the distribution is conditioned by a combination of these features.

1. amisjamésjams to lie down; to stream; to swim (a fish). ams occurs preceding avowel. Preceding a consonant occur: amis, as a core, or core-finally amés, in a core, but not core-finally. áw-amis it is lying here; áw-ams-i I am lying here. áms.es to come swimming towards (said of fish) kámi.ams-ér he lay af ter having collapsed kámi.amis to lay af ter having collapsed amés.ni to stream downwards.

2. amjatámjmajm to chop. am occurs as a core atám occurs core-finally ma occurs in a core, but not core-finally, before a consonant, or a vowel ;o!: a. m occurs in a core, but not core-finally, before a.

am-uc chop it! mér.atám to go to .. to chop má. tiw to chop down m.ás.am to chop oH, to chop away.

3. an/na/n/Vn to eat. an occurs as a core na occurs in a core, but not core-finally, before a consonant, or a vowel ~ a or e. n occurs a) in a core, but not core-finally, before a and e; b) corefinally, af ter avowel. V n occurs core-finally af ter a consonant; the vowel of V n harmonizes with the vowel preceding it. án-m.ar he eats, is eating ná.kurum to eat up everything ná.itum to eat in the afternoon n.ás.am to eat up; n.es to eat at night ci.n to cut up something for eating téw.en to take something to eat it.

4. apfpa/p to work loose (fibres); to gather (sago grubs). ap occurs as a core, and core-finally pa occurs in a core, but not core-finally, before a consonant, and before vowels ~ a. p occurs in a core, but not core-finally, before a. nww ap to work loose fibres from the roots of the pandan tree. /pandan fibresj m-o.ap-uc work (the fibres) loose agail1! mów p.a-m.ár she was busy workil1g loose the fibres tow pá.tewér to work loose the pith of the sago palm in order to jsago grubs/ gather the sago grubs.

5. enfin/mer to go upstream (on a large river) ; to go to a specific point.

en occurs a) as a core; b) core-finally, except when it is preceded by the formative %m/ot/oc-; in this case in occurs. mer occurs in a core, but not core-finally. fáw.en to spear (fish) while going upstream tów.oc.in to take upstream mér.ap to go upstream and stay there.

6. jisjisjus to go to the forest; to go outside. jis occurs in all cases, except af ter m. $S occurs after m, but not af ter the formative -mjVm.

us occurs af ter -mjVm.

ém.is to walk to the forest

tów.om.is to bring to the forest

ni.m.us to disappear into the forest.

Lists of unidentified morphemes, and of residual forms

100

1. Morphemes that in combination with one or more formatives can constitute a core (see § 68).

1. ariw to he together; to be with many people in one canoe. See: ariwap, ariwes, emariw, tawariwap; + -mjVm: arim, arimut, emarimut.

2. asaw to be adorned. See: asawtam (+ -tam), asam (+ -mjVm).

3. faj to glide, to stream. See: fajpuw; + -mjVm: fam, famasam. famsem, enawfam.

4. fajim to put in order; to arrange neatly. See: fafajim, tatafajimtiw.

5. fiki to give forth a smelI. See: fikikonaw; + -mjV m: fikim.

6. firi to be turned around. See: merpajfirap, pajfirap; + -mjVm: firim, firimtiw.

7. jiri to he fully loaden. See: jirikaj; + -mjVm: jiririm (reduplicated), jirmotep, nijirimuw.

8. juw to marry. See: juwut, sajwut; + -mjVm: juwum.

9. kaj to he 100se. See: kajkurum; + -mjVm: kam, kamapom, kamoni, kampomes, kamtewer, kamtiw.

10. koj, okoj to break off; to set out. See: emkoj, kojir, kokójni, takokojir, tepokojir, tiwkoj; + -mjV m : komjokom, amkoman, emkom, jisokomtiw, komtewer, kokomtaw, kokomtiw, okomemtam, okmomse, okmoni, okomtiw, okokom.

11. ok to stick to. See: okap; + -mjV m: okom, okokom.

12. pajiw to he open. See: pajiwem; + -mjVm: pajim.

13. papuj to peri sh. See: papujkurum.

14. pari, peri to turn round. See: paperini, poperiomat; + -mjVm: paremjperem, kupaperemapom, papcrimop, tepomparem, tiwpoperem.

15. patam to lood full. See: patamkurum.

16. pur to be covered with. See: puramis, pupurap; + -mjVm: purum, pupurumucimtiw.

17. su to be pregnant. See: jiwsu; + -mjVm: sumo

18. tip 'to be jl1st beyond a demarcating line' (e.g. a man sitting just outside the door of his house). See: jistipse; + -m/Vm: tipim.

19. co to be concealed, hidden. See: coap; + -mjVm: com, comop, comapom.

20. tur, turu beside each ot her in a row. See: turamis; + -m/Vm: turutn, turumtiw.

101

IJ. Morphemes occl1rring with one or more formatives, though not constituting a core in combination with one or more formatives.

1. am disappeared. See: anicukas; + -mjV m: animcuku, antmus.

2. anaw bowed. See: anawtep; + -m/Vm: emanam.

3. akapi alone, separate. See: akapiem, akakapipu.

4. as 'away'. See: a.nicu/ws, na/?urumas, cas, jisas, kikicukomas, kukuas, pacajku/?Uas; + -m/Vm: nasant, emasam, famasam, fafe1llasam, fa'l.c.'asam, pumasam, sasakamasam, siasam, tawasam, tewerasam, tiwsiriasam, cumasam, wiasam.

5. awer to be at the edge of something; to be at the extreme part of something. See: awerfis, niawerap, apawerjotak, awewerjar (redl1plicated); + -m/Vm: aweremtiw, aweweremkum.

6. mes against, close by, along. See: mesamis, mesakajipirem, mesari, mesem, mesenaw, 1I1eses, mesjotep, mesoJn, mesop, jiwmesop, konawmesem; + -m/Vm: mesemapom, mesemjirmem, tamesem.

7. met accompanying; in addition t~. See: metos, metotnaw, metotep, metowomis, metocin; + -m/Vm: metemaw, metememan, metemtewer.

8. naw coming. See: enaw, enawap, konawjkunaw, konawamis, konawap, konawmesem, konawfiJn, konawkapu, konawomis, pinaw, pijinaw, towotnaw; + -m/Vm: iwenam.

9. nuk to embark with many others (in a canoe). See: ninukamis; + -mjVm: nukumomuw.

10. fu gathered rOl1nd, with. See: fuamis, jiwfuem; + -mjVm: jiwfumtotor.

11. J~mw (walking) with many, with all. See: tewjiniwamis, tewjiniwem, tewjiniwjar; + -m/Vm: jinimtewer, tewjinim.

12. J~nm to stick something in somewhere. See: jirimem, mesemjirmem, jirimku, jarjirimop, kujirimap; jiririmsem (reduplicated).

13. juk together, assembIed. See: jukap, jujukamis; + -m/Vm: jukumtiw, jujukumapom, jujukumapomtam, jujukumsomit, tajujukumapom.

14. kuri, kuru to agree with. See: tepkuru" kukuram.

15. pakaj to break. See: oterespakaj; + -m/Vm: capakamop.

16. pawu to depart with many. See: pawuawer, pawuamis.

17. piti to be fuIl. See: pitijamap, pitijiwap; + -m/Vm: pitimsem.

18. puw to go into the water. See: jipuw; + -m/Vm: jipum, jispum, pumasam.

19. si being in something. See: nisiap; + -m/Vm: simom, sisimomis, jiramsimapom.

20. co to put on a string; to plait. See: cop, coap, cotiw, cotiwpor, comom.

21. cuk, cuku to disappear, to go out of sight, to he out of sight. See: anicukas, namicuku, jicuku, pacajcuku, animcuku, cukem, kikicukomas; + -m/Vm: parsamcukum.

22. wu with all, with everyone. See: wuamis, emwu; + -m/Vm: wumomas.

102

111. Morphemes, not found in combination with formatives.

1. am together, with each other. See: amamew, amakan, ame, amkawi, amkawimapom, amkoman, ampi, am tak, amtewen, amtewer, amtiw, amcirim, amuw; apam, emamtewer, jumamtam, kapumamtewer, kukuram, o tmamtewer.

2. amis to set out (to seek food). See: wuamis, tewjiniwamis.

3. anim to take in hand. See: tiwanim.

4. asi to assembIe. See: asienaw.

5. atam indicates that the subject is doing two things at the same time, or that the subject is using an implement. See: atamni, atamen, atamjik, atamse, atamsi, atamsiom, atamtewer, atamurum, atamompor, jiwatamap.

6. awum to stick something in the hair. See: tewawum.

7. matam to accompany to. See: nimatam, takmatam.

8. mu to pay, to present (a gift). See: mutam, mutiwtam.

9. nuwum, nowom (rowing) in line of battle. See: nuwumamis, mesnowomtep.

10. et, ut for oneself. See: etjiwir, juwut, sajwut, tewet.

11. fes to stick fast; to be unable to get free. See: nifesap, nifesopomit.

12. jininim all around. See: jininime.

13. jir to bend; to stretch (a bow); to split. See: jirap, jirem, jirpor, jirse.

14. jiram hasty. See: jiramfiw, jiramsimapom.

15. jirw jigging up and down. See: jirwutum.

16. kasi (to look) casually. See: porkasi.

17. kipim to hold ready for use (a spear). See: kipmom.

18. okop to swallow. See: towokop.

19. orom to pierce (with a spear). See: omomoromtiw.

20. orow to press repeatedly on. See: orowapom, orownem.

21. ota to and fro; returning with many people. See: otadap, emotasisimawer.

22. oe to stand out high. See: temetwanioc.

23. papir to turn round. See: papiromllu.

24. pari, pariw extended, in full length. See: pariwem, parise.

25. saj each person; all. See: nisaj, sajes, sajis, sajtakawer, sajwut, emsajcuku.

26. sicim to separate from each other; to set apart. See: nisicimtiw, sicimapom.

27. taj slanting. See: tajamis.

28. ter in a row heside each other. (Perhaps tur). See: aptersi.

29. tuw to keep an eye on. See: tuwop.

30. cu unseen, secretly. See: cuomatomit.

31. cum to let go. See: cumasam.

32. cucuru to slip, to glide. See: cucuruni.

33. wasi rising above the ground a little bit; to be coming up (of plants). See: temetwasiap.

108

Residual elements

These elements will he marked as follows:

A meaning uncertain, or unknown.

B morphological structure uncertain, or unknown.

AB meaning as weil as morphological structure uncertain, or unknown.

1. amer AB. See: jitamernem, jitamertaw.

2. anerem AB. See: sianeremtiw.

3. amew B. to teIl someone to do something. See: amamew.

4. ak A. See: niakap.

5. akaj A. being somewhere for some time (?). See: mesakajipirem, tepakajap.

6. apes AB. See: apesawer.

7. arew A. (with many). See: arewfaj, arewfajpurtaj, arewkaj. arewsam.

8. ari AB. See: mesari.

9. astam B. to follow. See: astamotak, astamotep, emastamtewer.

10. aw A. See: apomawsim, tiwawsim.

11. map AB. See: jismap.

12. me AB. See: apme.

13. nana AB. See: nanasimapom.

14. mm AB. See: nimomop.

15. faj A. See: arewfaj; arewfajpor, arewfajpurtaj.

16. jiw A. (heavy). See: amjiwapom, pitijiwap, jiwsu.

17. jum AB. See: jumop.

18. karem B. to cause to be silent. See: karemem.

19. kikira B. to stop up. See: kikirakurum.

20. kom AB. See: komapom.

21. kokorom AB. See: cakokoromse.

22. kawu A. See: kawuamis.

23. om B. to chop. See: omas.

24. omit AB. See: copomit, Cttomatomit, nifesopomit.

25. okopom B. to touch, to hit. See: pumokopom.

26. ors AB. See: niorsap.

27. pit, put A. (to fall (asleep), to go (tosleep». See: pitamis / putamis, nipitamis.

28. pom AB. See: miwpom, espom, kampom.

29. pok AB. See: emempokawer.

30. pu A. (to be in the habit of, to be used to). See: mapu, akakapipu, jipu.

31. sam AB. (to detach from; to take out from). See: samtewer, samop, emsamem; jipirsam, arewsam.

32. sapu B. to take care of. See: apsapu.

33. ser A. (bent, in a curve). See: serapom.

34. s~nm A. (to stare at). See: tiwsirimasam, tiwsirimawer.

35. suw A. See: suwap, suwem, suwomis, jisuwap, nisuwem, suwumomis/sumomis, suwumoplsumop, mersuwem. 37. tapi A. (a bit). See: tapijiw. 38. tapow AB. See: nitapow. 39. tatepi AB. See: nitatepiap. 40. taw A. See: tawariwap, tawpacamapom, tawpacamop, tawpacaj. AB. See: tewtemsem. 41. tem 42. tomin AB. See: tawtominomas. 43. topom AB. (to row strongly). See: ewtopomsirim. 44. caj AB. See: cajl~urum, cajomat. 45. caCt AB. (tightly paeked). See: caciap, caciom. 46. urum AB. See: atamurum, urumni. 47. uCtm AB. See: pupurumucimtiw. 48. wam AB. See: temetwanioc. 49. wari A. (all at onee). See: waritemet. 50. wartm AB. See: warimomas.

36. ta, t A. (neatly; with). See: tem, tap, tatafajimtiw, tajujukumapom, taksem, tamesem.

WORD-MORPHOLOGY

Introduction

104

In this seetion the verbal forms whieh ean he formed from the eore by the addition of prefixes and suffixes will be dealt with. These verbal forms, together with the affixless eores, make up the system of verbal eategories. This system consists of 24 main categories 17 of which eaeh consist of a system of sub-categories. A survey of these 24 main categories is given in the seheme on p. 68; the sub-eategories are here omitted.

The form of the scheme is determined by the following considerations :

1. that the verbal eores are distinguished from all other ver bal forms by the absence of a categorial element of form. They can be said

Survey of the verbal categories

I. non-characterized categories.

II. characterized categories.

1. without sub-categories.

2. with sub-division into object-categories.

3. with sub-division into subject-categories.

4. with sub-division into subjectand object-categories.

A. occurring with all cores

B. not occurring with cores ending in a time-formative or in the durative-formative.

C. only occurring with cores ending in the durativeformative.

The categories are dealt with in the sequences as given in the survey. For a fuller explanation of this survey, and the meaning of the verbal forms shown, see paragraphs 104 and 105.

to form a non-characterized eategory as opposed to to all other categories, whieh are characterized. In the scheme: land Il.

2. that the eharaeterized categories fall into:

1. categories in which there are no sub-eategories.

2. one in which there is a division into a number of object-eategories ; the verbal forms be10nging to this category differ from eaeh other in the suffix indicating the object, e.g.,

mo-por-c.én look at me! mo-por-c.awuj look at us!

3. one in which there is a division into a number of subjectcategories ; the verbal forms belonging to this eategory differ from each other in the suffix indieating the subject, e.g.,

á-por-c.ów do look! (sing.) á-por-c.owuj do look! (plur.)

4. a number of categories in which there is a division into a number of subject categories and a nu mb er of object categories ; the forms be10nging to these categories differ from each other in the suffix indicating the subject and the suffix indicating the object, e.g.,

á-por-m.i I see him á-por-m.ém you see him á-por-m.en.ém you see me (Cat. 14)

In the scheme : Il, 1, 2, 3, 4.

3. Cutting aeross the preceding division of four groups of eharacterized categories, there is a division of a totally different kind, i.e., the division of the characterized eategories into: A. A number of categories that occur with all cores. B. A number of eategories that do not occur with eores ending in time-of-day formatives, i.e., itum/utum, es, it/ut, or the durative formative, awér / awér / ewir / a. c. One category that occurs only with cores ending in the durative formative, awér / awér / ewir / a. In the seheme: Il. A, B, C.

The 24 categories given in the scheme are as follows :

I. 1. The core category: porto see, to look at.

Il.

1. A: 2. A category of forms of which the categorical meaning is still not clear:

por-ic seeing (?)

3. A category of repetitive forms :

á-por-á to look at time and again.

4.,5. Two categories each of which has a semantic element of intent. Cat. 5 has, in addition, a semantic element translatabIe by 'usually, customarily':

in order to see, to wish to see m6-por mó-por-áji customarily to want to see.

6-11. These categories are modal categories.

They express 'The psychological atmosphere of an action as interpreted by the speaker'. 5

6.,7. Two categories expressing reproof. The forms in Cat. 6 contain, in addition, a semantic element of exhortation: the forms in 7, one of disapproval:

mó-por-ájmos you ought to look at it m6-por-ájpurûw you shouldn't look at it.

2. A: 8. A category of imperative forms: mó-por-k look!

3. A: 9. A category of hortative forms: á-por-ców do look!

4. A : 10. A category of conditional forms: á-por-d if I see him.

11. A category of optative forms : tá-por-cáj had I but seen him.

WORD-CLASSES 71 aspect tense

The categories 12-21, inc1usive, form a coherent group in which two sets of oppositions occur: a) the oppositions ultimate past - mediate past; 6 b) the aspect oppositions habitual, progressive, anteriority, perfective, absence of aspect:

An exception is Cat. 12 which relates to the present as weIl as the future. Cat. 14 is distinguished from Cats. 16, 18 and 20 because it relates to the present as weIl.

12. á-por-cemi I shall see, I am accustomed to look at

13. á-por-cemóp I was accustomed to look at 14. á-por-mi I look at, I am looking at 15. á-por-móp I was looking at 16. á-por-i I saw him (uIt. past) 17. á-por-óf I saw him (med. past) 18. á-por-acî Af ter I had seen it (ult. past) 19. á-por-aró Af ter I had seen it (med. past) 20. á-por-iti 1 had seen him (uIt. past) 21. á-por-itó I had seen him (med. past)

4. C : 22. A category consisting of past tense forms in which there is no distinction between ultimate past and mediate past. This category occurs only with cores ending in the durative formative : in this category, the allomorph ewir occurs.

á-poréwir-i I always looked at him.

4. A: 23. A category of forms which seems to be an isolated category. These forms relate to the past (ultimateand mediate past). and, in addition, have a semantic element of repetition that can be translated with 'each day again':

á-por-meró I saw him again each day.

4. B: 24. An unproductive category that only occurs with positional roots:

ap-i I am (sitting).

106

In the following paragraphs, first the verbal categories will he discussed in detail. Next, two prefixes of which the occurrence is determined by syntactical factors will he dealt with. Finally, two verbal word-groups will also be discussed, i.e., those consisting of:

1. a form of Cat. 3 (core -a), followed by a form of the verb e/j to do;

2. a form of Cat. 4 (mjmV- core) , followed by a form of the verb e.m to do.

1 The oore category

10'7

The cores form a category that is distinguished from all other categories by the absence of a categorial element of form. Their common semantic element is difficult to define on the basis of the 31 cases I noted. Tentatively, it can he said that these cases fall into two grouPs:

a. one comprising a numher of cases in which the core seems to he characterized by the absence of all other categorial meanings and only relates to the action or the happening as such:

a W ók tetám, a Mis tetám, é a niwi tetám, infm a-e-f

here Wok give here Mis give there his father give /that's what / he did/ He gave (the fish) to Wok, and to Mis, and to bis father (§ 318).

onów amapóm ará it must be covered with thatch. thatch /to cover / it is/ b. one comprising a number of cases in which the core seems to have a semantic element of completion :

pók tatáfajimtiw akát the things were neatly put down (§ 268). things Ineatly put down/ properly

ei jicemup a pájnijis

canoe sea there /to turn downstream and go out/

the canoe had turned downstream anel drifted out on sea (§ 339).

2 The·ie category

108

I only noted six forms in this category; the categorial element of form is -ic/uc. -uc was found af ter core-final m, and in the word jursûc. Here, one would expect the mIe of elistriblltion formulated in § 91 to obtain: jursûc would then he an exception to it. It is still uncertain what the semantic element common to the forms with suffix -ic/uc is: the forms seem to indicate a state of having, of being:

jurs-ûc longing for : jurûs to long for.

mokót tewer-ic an inherited sago garden (§ 329). sago garden / having acquired

Jépem ów por-ic thinking of the people of ]epem (§ 322). ]epém people 'seeing'

jirm-uc jirim customarily to senel someone on (errands). sending on j to send on

cowuc móc am komapm-uc araw un woman wailing pp jwas doing/ pp pp the woman was wailing continually (§ 300).

In one of the cases noted the core was preceded by a prefix a-:

a hari Minggu 7 cowák jiwi takás áj mupicin a-táwat-ic this Sunday one children all new c10thes receiving this very Sunday all the children will get new c1othes.

The word fajmuc, safe, unhindered, perhaps also belongs to this category. The underlying form probably is fajim 'to arrange neatly'.

3 The -a category

109

When -a is suffixed to cores, a category is formed with a semantic element of repetition. In most cases the suffix -a was found to he accented.

The forms of this category can occur with a prefixed a-. No difference in meaning was found between the fonns with and without a-:

é so ókom-á, purumuc am taw-á, /inim cowák, / inim cowák/ e song /to start repeatedly/ lament also Ito sing repeatedly 1 and so on/ land so on/

now (she) started the e song, then again (she) sang the lament, and so on, and so on.

enám faw-á, arásen jukumtiw-á fáfaw-á, arásen jukumtiw-á . .. á-mesjótep-éf

fish spearing there Iputting together / spearing there /putting together 1 so he did going upstream along the bankt

He went upstream along the bank continually spearing fish, which he always put together where he had speared them (§ 316).

The fonns of this category can he linked with forms of the verb e/j 'to do'. This construction will he dealt with in § 182.

4 The m-/mV- category

110

mis prefixed to cores beginning with avowel;

mV- is prefixed to cores with initial consonant. The vowel of the prefix is identical to the first vowel of the core, but it can also be a irrespective of the following vowel. A definite regularity could not be found here; sometimes both possibilities were found alongside each other, sometimes only one of them, for instance, I noted:

from por 'to see': mó-por and má-por;

from fis 'to come inside': always mi-fis;

from ni 'to return home': always má-ni.

Cores with prefixed m-/mV- have a semantic element of intent which is translatahle with:

1. to wish to, in order to, to intend to :

nó amás m-awán 1 am going to scrape out sago. I sago Igo to scrape out/ Ac ma-jsas ÓW opén Ac /want to go tol people pp are there people who want to go to (the village) Ac? enéw mu m-aw dapur 8 emiw-ér mother water /to boil/ kitchen Ishe went intol mother went into the kitchen to hoil water.

2. to have to, to he necessary to :

akát cepés mo-cómopawér

comely women /must be kept hidden/

you must keep comely women hidden (in the house) (§ 330).

ná m-uapóm araw án must we bury him (§ 274)?

we Imust bury/ pp pp

3. 'to he able to, to he allowed to', if the postposition pen follows:

nó a cém mi-fis pen may 1 come inside this house ? I this house I can come in/ pp

111

1 obtained, in addition, m-/mV- forms from my informants every time they referred to the action or the happening as such; for example, when 1 asked them "What's 'ta go''', they replied "ma-jár". "What's 'ta take'?" - "mé-tewér".

The question is, how do these farms stand as regards the core which cao also indicate an action or a happening as such? It is out of the question that this is an idiosyncracy of my informants, for Drabhe 9 had the same experience with his informants from Ajam.10 It occurs to me that these forms only differ from the affixless core in having a semantic element of explanation, or clarification. This idea is supported by the fact that in categories 12, 14, 16 and 17, forms also occur that are characterized by a prefix m-jmV- which seems to differ from the forms without this prefix by having a semantic element of explanation or clarification. Examples of the use of these forms, which I shall caU explanatory forms, are to he found in §§ 140, 148, 158, 164.

5 The m-/mV- -áji/éji category

112

'Inoccurs before an initial vowel;

mV - occurs before an initial consonant: the vowel is identical to the first vowel of the core, or a (/ / m-/mV- § 111).

-áji occurs in all cases, except when the core ends in the durative formative, which in this category has the allomorph ewér; in this case -éji occurs. The first vowel of the suffix is always accented.

The forms of this category only differ from those of the preceding category in having a semantic element that can be translated with 'usually; always' :

nó capinmi 'ftI,(V-konáwams-áji

I land lusually go to sleep/ cár mo-kokójniewer-éji araw án you /always to fall down/ pp pp must you always fall down (§ 226)?

1 shaU make it my custom to go on the land to sleep (says a crocodile).

ná inim as m-em-áji pów we don't usually do such a thing (§ 287). we sueb la thing / usually to dol not

6 The -ájmo8 category

liS

The following forms were noted:

m/mV- core -mos m/mV- core -ájmos core -ámos core -ájmos/ éjimos.

No difference in meaning could he found between the forms with and without a prefix and between forms with -mos, -ámos, -ájmos or -éjimos. -éjimos only occurs with cores ending in the durative formative, which here occurs in the a110morph ewér.

From a comparison with the -ájpuruw category, (§ 114), it appears that we are here dealing with a suffix -ajaj/éji} followed by a suffix -mos. The suffix -a/aj/éji is probably identical with the suffix -áji of the forms of category 5. The forms of the -ájmos and the -ájpuruw category are used to comment on something that, in tbe opinion of tbe speaker, is not as it ought to be.

The forms of the -ájmos category have a semantic element of exhortation in common:

é wasén m-amus-ájmos 0 eepés akát

yonder forest /go with/ your wives comely

now, you go with your comely wives to the forest! (as is usual).

atów} ei ak-ájmosó 10· Come, now make a canoe!

come, canoe Jmake it now/

(Says a man to his brother-in-Iaw who, according to Asmat custom, must make a canoe for him but who has not done so).

Owpaeákipic} ei jén inim émewer-éjimos

O. canoe sound /like this / you should always have been making 1/

Owpacakipic, you should always have been making canoes for us!

7 The -ájpurûw category

114

The following forms were noted:

m-/mV- core -ájpuruw core -ájpuruw/-éjipuruw.

Like the forms of the -ájmos category, I could not find any differenee in meaning between forms with and without a prefix. -éjipuruw occurs only with cores ending in the durative formative, which here, also. occurs in the allomorph ewér. \Vith regard to -puruw, there is some doubt whether we are here dealing with a suffix: the structure CVCVC was not found in any other suffix. Since, however, -puruw was only found in combination with verbal forms, in a position parallel to that of the suffix -mos} I shall regard it as a suffix.

The -ájpuruw forms differ semantically from the -ájmos forms in that they do not express all exhortation, but a disapprobation:

inim as em-ájpuruwa lOb you mustn't do such a thing! jlike this/ something /you must not dol pók piri emewer-éjipuruwa fish /telling me wrong / you must not always/ you must not tell me always the wrong way (to catch fish).

The semantic difference between forms with -ájpuruw and forms with -ájmos stands out c1early in the following case:

pacákseré ow atakám jeten in apteterémtaw-ájpuruwa, unfit people word middle pp /must not sit to talk/ akát ow atakám jeten in apteterémtaw-mosá! fit people word middle pp /must sit to talk/ unfit people are not expected to have a voice in discussions, only fit people do!

8 The Imperatlve ca~ry

115

In this category there is a division into three object categories, a division that also occurs in categories 10 to 24, inc1usive. These object categories are:

I. a. the verb has no object;

b. the object or, where the verb admits of two objects, the indirect object, is neither the speaker, nor a group to which the speaker belongs, nor the person(s) spoken to: him, her, it; them.

11. the object or the indirect object, is the speaker or the person(s) spoken to: me, YOU.

111. the object, or the indirect object, is a group of people to which the speaker considers himself to belong at the time of speaking: us.

116

Paradigms of the imperative forms : 11

an to eat tetam to give tWl to shoot por to look at

If a comparison is made hetween the forms iwi-c, iwi-cen, and iwicawuj, it will he seen that the object categories II and III are characterized by the suffixes -en and -a'llJUj, respectively, but that a similar suffix is absent in the form of the object category L Object category 1 is here characterized by the absence of an element of form which is correlated with the categorical meaning. In a case such as this, we can say that the object category is characterized by zero.

If we compare the form an-f with the other forms of the paradigm, then we see that here the modal suffix c is absent: the imperative is therefore characterized by zero. Besides an-i, the form with modal suffix -co an-ic then occurs: here, the modal suffix -c alternates with zero.

Formal characteristics.

11'7

Modal suffix: -co

-c occurs af ter the suffix of object category I, and alternates freely with zero;

-c occurs before the suffix of object categories Il and lIL

In these cases, -c alternates freely with zero, when the core ends in r.

Object suffixes:

L a. -i/-u; -i and -u are conditioned allomorphs.

According to the rule formulated in § 91 (j /itum/utum) they are mutually exc1usive.

b. -ej.

Il. -en alternates freely with -in.

lIl. -awuj.

Prefixes:

A. a-/aj-/an-; m-jmV-; p-jpV-.

ais only found before a core-initial consonant, or a. ajor analso occur before a instead of a-.

mand poccur before vowels.

mV- and pV- occur before consonants. As a rule, the vowel is identical to the first vowe1 of the core, but it can also be a, irrespective of the vowel following. No definite regularity could be discerned here.

These prefixes can also be absent: when, however, the core consists of one vowel, there is always a prefix. In the cases noted this prefix was mostly a-.

B. mom-jpomappear to alternate freely.

Categorial meaning

118

1. The imperative forms with prefixes of series A, or without a prefix. No difference in meaning could be fOlmcl hetween the forms with and without a prefix or hetween the forms which each have a prefix. The farms with aand with m-/mV- are interchangeable; the forms with p-/pV- are perhaps rather more emphatic than the others.

All these farms, with the exception of those with -cej, express a command that must he obeyed immediately:

mó-por-i, a-por-i look at it! aj-áf-cen, an-áf-cen hit me!

,atów p~e-c go and play! play Ido iV

The farms with -cej do not have such a forceful imperative character; they contain a corrective instruction:

inim a-ám-cej you must chop it this way.

Ithis way I chop it/

your visit has been too long, you should he quick about it!

jewir juruw naká! éfa inim em-pór-cej

visit long too! quickly Ithis way I you must do itl

pacák pók towós-cemokóm, akát pok tówos-céj

bad wares Ibring you alwaysl good wares fyou must bringl

you always bring bad wares, you should bring good wares.

2. The imperative forms with prefixes of series B.

The forms with the prefix momor pomexpress a command that does not have to be obeyed immediately:

móm-tetám-cin give it to me soon! pom-mátewer-ic (pomáteweric) chop it down soon and take it!

9 The hortative category

119

In this category the following subject categories are distinguished:

1. 2nd. pers. s. you

2. 2nd. pers. pI. you

3. 2nd. pers. dual both of you

4. Ist. pers. pI. we

both of us 5. Ist. pers. dual

Dual forms of the Ist. and 2nd. persons are only found in this category. They are productive, in contrast to the dual forms of the 3rd. person that occur in categories 14 and 16.

120

Paradigms of the hortative forms:

an to eat; por to look at

The forms with the modal suffix -er that occur here in 4. and 5. are forms which only occur in friendly, familiar speech. They are not used when the speaker desires to or must keep the person(s) spoken to at a distance. These forms I shaJl caJl informal forms; the forms with modal suffix -c I shaJl caJl formal forms. The term formal only indicates, that in 'formal speech' only the formal forms are used; it does not imply that the formal forms can not occur in 'informal speech'.

The distinction between formal and informal forms also occurs in categories 10, 11 and 12.

Formal characteristics

Prefixes: a-; m-/mV-, p-/pV-.

121 Modal suffixes: formal : -c; zero informal: -er -c occurs in all cases; af ter core-final r, -c alternates with zero. -er occurs only af ter core-final consonant ;é r. The modal suffix here occurs before the subject suffix in all cases.

Subject suffixes:

1. -ow 2. -owuj; when the modal suffix is zero: -wuj 3. -tm 4. -ar, alternating with -a 5. -aszn

Here, the same rules of distribution apply as for the prefixes in series A of the imperative category. Here, also, forms occur without a prefix; befare a core having one vowel, however, there is always a prefix: in most of the cases noted this was a-.

Categorial meaning

122

As with the imperative forms, I did not find here a difference in meaning between forms with and without a prefix, and between the forms which each have a prefix.

The hortative forms express an exhortation:

amás aj-áw-car! let us scrape out sago! sago lIet us scrape it out IJ inim a-án-cow! eat it up! Ithis way / eat it IJ m-án-ca! let us eat it! atów p-é-car! let us play! play lIet us 1/ má-jirpor-im both of you cross now (to the other side of the river).

84 THE AS MAT LANGUAGE

Subdlvlslon lnto subjectand obJect-categorles

128

In the next categories to he dealt with, categories 10 to 24, inc1usive, there is a division into 3 object-categories, and a division into 6 or 7 subject -categories.

The object-categories are those mentioned in § 115.

The subject-categories are as follows:

1 st. pers. sing

2nd. pers. "

3rd. pers. "

1 st. pers. plural

2nd. pers. "

3rd. pers. "

3rd. pers. dual

The 3rd. pers. dual occurs only in categories 14 and 16.

The objectand subject-categories occur in the following combinations :

WORD-CLASSES 85 This division cuts through the classification into subjectand object12 From the foregoing it will be c1ear that, when averbs admits of no object,

In the paradigms, the verbal forms will he given in the order as above.12

124

The suffixes that characterize the subjectand object categories display great uniformity in all the categories which follow. For the description of these suffixes, we will take as a basis the standard list given below and only the deviations from the list in each category will he given. A survey of these deviations will he found at the back of the hook.

The order of the suffixes is, as a rele: 1. suffix indicating the category ; 2. suffix indicating the object; 3. suffix indicating the subject.

The suffix indicating the subject only occurs before the suffix indicating the object, in form 2.

10 The condltlonal category

123

In tbis category there is a division into formal and informal forms.

categories, so that the whole paradigm is split into one series of formal forms and one series of informal forms.

Paradigms of the conditional forms:

tetám to give ; por to see

13 Of the pronouns in object category I: him, her, it, them, I shall follow the practice throughout the paradigms of giving only 'him'.

14 In this category, in contrast to all those following, there is no formal difference between forms with subject-object combination No. 6 and those with subject-object combination No. 8.

F o-rnzal eharacteristies

126

Modal suffixes: -e; -er/-er/zero.15

-e occurs with the formal forms.

The following occur with the informal forms :

-er before C

-er before V; af ter the core-final r, zero always occurs.

Object suffixes; peculiarities:

lIl. in forms 6/8 zero occurs instead of -GW.

Subject suffixes; peculiarities:

3rd. pers. s. in forms 6/8: -aw occurs instead of zero.

3rd. pers. pI.: a feature occurs here which is also found in the following categories : when combined with the subject suffix -es of the 3rd. pers. pI., the object suffix -en only relates to the speaker and the person spoken to:

tetám-eenés if they give me, you (sing.).

If the object-suffix re1ates to the persons spoken to, then the subject suffix of the 3rd. pers. pI. is zero and the form is like that of form No. 7:

tetám-een a. if he gives it to me, you, you (pI.)

b. if they give it to you (pl.).

Prefixes

A. zero, a-:

awas only found before cores having one vowe1 and beginning with a consonant. An exception is the core tewér to take, of which forms were found with and without prefix G-.

B. m-jma-jmaj-:

maoccurs before C and V ~ a.

moccurs before a, except with the positional roots ap to sit, and amis to lie: here, majoccurs.

C. m-jmV-, p-jpV-:

The rules of distribution are here the same as for the prefixes of the imperative category (§ 117).

D. ca-jta-: only in one case did I note taoccurring instead of ca-.

Categorial meaning

127

A. Forms with prefix a-, or without prefix:

these have a conditional meaning:

fakán a-kám-ci, móm-emsiri-c if I scream, then run away quickly! scream /if I give J run away quickly / I

128

B. Forms with prefix m-jma-jmaj-: these have an imperative meaning; they express an order or a requirement. Only the forms of the lst. and 3rd. persons occur with this meaning:

inim atakám m-apómkuru-cóm we must ten him about it (§ 343). this story Jwe must tell him/

máj-ap-eráw he must remain sitting.

máj-ams-eráw, máj-amis-caw it must remain lying.

má-emtép-caw it must remain hanging.

má-tep-erés they must go upstream.

Probably the occurrence of imperative and hortative forms of the 2nd. person in category 9 and 10 prevents the forms of the 2nd. person in dus category to occur with an imperative meaning.

129

Forms with prefix m-jmV- or p-jpV-: these have a prohibitive meaning. Here, by contrast, only the forms of the 2nd. person occur. They have either no prefix, or m-jmV-, or p-jpV-, just as in the imperative and hortative categories, without noticeable differenee in meaning:

pók mi-jitum-cenemó 15" don't throw things at me the whole evening! thing /doo't throw at me in the evening/ mót se m-ówawer-ém wailing mud Idon't you always roU in it/ don't continually roll in the mud, wailing (§ 299). papis a-tám-cok6m lexchange women I do not dol you cannot make an exchange of women with her (§ 330)! man mi tiwot-erém hand tip /don't touch him/ don't touch him with the tips of your fingers (§ 309)!

D. By prefixation with caa category of prioritive-conditional forms is created: first; must first: camnim ca-emáP-ci lin the proper way I I must first go and sitl first, I must go and sit down in the proper way (§ 291). cá-wijispor-in 16 let me first go quickly to the forest to look at it. There was one case in which taoccurred instead of ca-: no tá-tak-d I /1 must first go down the river I I must first go down the river (before you close it off).

With the verb e/j to do, in addition to the forms with modal suffix -c, forms with modal suffix -t occur :

m-owórse p-é-cemá 15b you must not travel to and fro! Ito travel to and fro I you must not! mu-cucum p-e-tém, p-e-tok6m to make noise I doo't do it 1/ you (sing., pI.) must not make such a noise!

lSO

181

The conditional forms also occur in interrogative sentences with the interrogatives ucim what, which, and ca who, when the question relates to the future :

which scheme /you do? / eá a-tewér-eaw who will take it? who /will take it? /

udm eaj é-eem what are you going to do?

See also the discussion on interrogatives, § 234.

11 The optative category

Here, also, a series of formal and a series of informal farms occur alongside each other.

Paradigms:

tetám to give; por to see

Formal characteristics ISS Modal suffixes: -car / -ca} -arar / -ara/-ar / -a: formal : -car in all cases, except in forms 1. and 2. where -ca occurs. informal : in all forms, except 1. and 2.: -arar} but af ter the core-final r: -ar. In forms 1. and 2.: -ara} but af ter the core-final r: -a. As in the conditional forms, the contrast formal-informal, does not occur with cores ending in awér. Af ter awér} only -ar and -a occur. Object suffixes: no pec1l1iarities. Subject suffixes: peculiarities: lst. pers. s. -j in form 1.; zero in form 2. Prefixes: t-/ta-. tbefore vowels; tabefore consonants. Categorial meaning 184 The forms of the optative category express an unrealizable wish of the speaker: jó cowák a t-arwáp-cares áw! river one there /had they but Iived together / pp had they but lived together on one river (§ 329)! In addition, these forms occur in sentences having the irrealis mark aj (see § 256). They then relate to the present or to the future and occur instead of the forms of categories 12 and 14. nórap áj nat a jéw t-ámses-aráj 1I alonel pp pp here Jceremonial house J I would sleepl If 1 were alone (unmarried) I would stay and sleep here in the ceremonial house. ó a-tówof áj} nés t-on-cán pig killed pp flesh II would give youl If I had killed a pig, I would give you the flesh. When, however, the verb following af ter aj relates to the past, then the past tense forms of categories 16 and 17 occur:

to á es áj, emé-faw-óf yesterday here Ito comel pp 1I speared them al ready I had they come here yesterday, I would have speared them

jó pu inim emse-res áj nat, mu namir eme-áf-ores in sea on flike this I they werel pp pp water dead Ithey were already 1 pp had they been on the sea, then they would by now have met their deaths in the water.

12 The habltual category

185

This category, like categories 13 to 15, inc1usive, and 18 to 21, inc1usive, is a tense-aspect category with separate characteristics of form for indicating time and aspect. In this category, as in the two previous categories, a series of formal and a series of informal forms occur. These two series are, in addition, opposed to a third series of forms whieh express a particular mood of the speaker, such as, for example: joy, excitement, vexation, disappointment. These forms I shall eall mood forms. The formal and the informal forms are, in this respect, neutra!. In addition, a few interrogative forms were noted. These occur only in the traditional stories. I get the impression that they have an arehaic character. Outside the traditional tales, I found in questions only the non-interrogative forms, followed by the question marker enjan.11

188

(Paradigms: see pp. 94-95)

I noted the following interrogative forms:

1. tetám-cemani shall I give him

3. tetám-cemaném will you give him

6. tetám-cemán will he give him

9. tetám-cemanóm shall we give him

11. tetám-cemánokóm will you give him

14. tetám-cemanés will they give him

Formal characteristics

187

Aspect suffixes: -cemj-cej-cuj-m; -erm (informaI).

1. only with cores not ending in the formative awér:

-cem in all non-mood forms, and in mood-form 6 (before mood suffix -op).

-ce before mood suffix -p when -p is followed by avowel 7"" u.

-cu before the mood suffix -p when -p is followed by u.

2. only with cores ending in the formative awér: -m.lS

3. Informal : -erm. This suffix occurs only with cores not ending in r. The opposition formal - informal does not, therefore, occur if the core ends in r.

Tense suffix: from a comparison with the forms of category 13, it appears that here the time suffix is zero.

Mood suffix: -PI-op.

-p occurs in all forms, except when the object suffix and the subject suffix are zero; in that case, -op occurs.

Interrogative suffix: -an.

Object suffixes; peculiarities:

111. In the non-mood series: -eraw occurs before vowels; -araw occurs word-finally and before consonants.

Subject suffixes; peculiarities:

Ist. pers. s.; af ter the mood suffix -p: final -uj, medial -u.

3rd. pers. s.; in the formal and informal series: when the object suffix is zero: -ar alternating with -a. -ar and -a alternate freely, except when, in context, the form is followed by a word with initial vowel. In that case, this suffix is always -ar.

Prefixes:

A. zeroja-jaj-:

18 Here I noted only one mood-form of a care ending in awér: m-ájmiremewérpunè = I always go the wrang way, (§ 317).

Here, the aspect suffix is zero. If we compare this farm with mood-forms of cares without awér, it then becomes apparent that in this series we can expect an aspect suffix -m in form 6. (befare -op) :

The paradigms of these forms would, therefore, probably he as follows:

1. porawer-puj; 2. porawer-pun; etc.; 6. porawer-mop; 7. porawer-pen, etc.

The prefix ausually occurs before a core having one vowel and beginning with a consonant. There is usually no prefix before cores beginning with avowel.

B. m-/mV-:

The rule of distribution is here the same as that applying to the prefix m-/mV- of category 4 (§ 110).

C. tep-/tepa-:

tepaoccurs in all cases, except before a

tepoccurs before a.

Categorial meaning

138

A. The farms without prefix, or with a-jaj-.

These indicate:

1. that the action or the happening is customary:

jévu emáp-cer.ná

ceremonial house I he sits usually I

he is sitting, as usual, in the ceremonial house (§ 265).

is a-poáms-ermóm (af ter the feast) we usually all go to sleep. sleep /we usually all go to sleepj

ei jufuj nim a-kirim-cupuj

canoe Itrough for paintl Iike /1 am accustomed to makel (mood-form)

I am accustomed to make a canoe (beautifully carved) like a trough for paint! (Here the speaker gives expres sion to a feeling of pride).

In addition, they ean have a prohibitive meaning:

inim ém-cememá lS" you mustn't do it this way.

jthis way / you must not always do itl

inim atakám a-táw-cemém you mustn't keep saying such things. J1ike thisl talking Iyou mustn't a1ways speaki

2. that the action or the happening will take place in the future :

cough loudly a1so Iyou will dol (mood-form)

usi wow a-káj-cemá today thepeople will return from camp (§ 333). camp today /people will return/

ós armá emwUs-ermár

tree fit itself j it will fall down/

the tree will fall down of its own accord (§ 296).

ós kor am ém-cepém

soon you'll also cough loudly (said a speaker laughing to the tape recorder when he had interrupted his narrative with a fit of coughing).

189

B. Forms with the prefix m-/mV-.

All the forms noted belong to the formal series.

The forms with m-jmV- are distinguished from the forms without a prefix, or with a-/ajin that they are used when the speaker explains or interprets something, or when he makes a confirmatory statement to himself. These forms I shall eaU explicative forms (see § 111).

Explaining which word is used for peeling skin, an informant said:

na piein ma-fafuj-cemaráw our skin 'peels'.

our skin fit 'peels us' j

m-ájmiremewér-punè lSb (mood-form) - I always go the wrong way!

(complains a man who meets spirits when he is looking for food § 317).

Form 2. occurs here because he makes the observation to himse1f.

140

C. Forms with the prefix tep-/tepa-.

All the forms noted belong to the formal series.

The forms with tep-/tepaare distinguished from the forms with zero/a-/ajin that they express a negative question :

tépa-pór-cemém why don't you usually look at it?

13 The habltuaI fOnDS of the mediate past

Paradigms:

te tam to give; e/j to do

It will he seen from the paradigms that a series of forms occurs with an aspect suffix -cem, and another series with an aspect suffix -erm/-er. Though the formal contrast between the two series shows great similarity with that between the forma! and the informal series of the habitual category, there does not appear to he a division into formal and informal forms. The forms with -erm/-er were only found with the verb eh to do, when it is linked to the repetitive form of a verb (core-á); they occur here instead of the forms with -cem. The two series appear to be mutua1ly exc1usive.

F ormal characteristics

142

Aspect suffixes: -ccm; -erm/-er.

-erm before vowels; -er before consonants.

Tense suffix: -po

In all forms, the tense suffix follows the aspect suffix, except in forms 1 and 6, in which it follows the subject suffix.

Subject suffixes; peculiarities:

lst. pers. S.: before the tense suffix: -0 (form 1)

3rd. pers. S.: before the ten se suffix: -e (form 6).

Prefix: a-.

awas only found before cores having one vowel, and an initial consonant. In all other cases noted, no prefix occurred.

Categorial meaning

143

The forms of this category indicate that the action or the happening took place regularly over a certain period of time. They differ semantically from the forms of the habitual category in that they relate to that part of the past that goes back from yesterday as far back as the generations still alive can recall from their own experience. This period I have called the mediate past (see also § 105, note 6) in contrast to the ultim,ate past which covers the remaining part of the past.

Forms with -cem:

erém 'ni' a-jés-c'émpés, na tapin night come Ithey said time and time again/, we Isleeping matsl lmanám a-jik-c'émpómj, wunám 'opák' a-ji-ecmpes jwe packed them up time and time again/, then 'no' Ithey saidj time and time again that night they said: "come (let's go)". Then we packed up our sleeping mats, but again they said they were not going. jwá mul nákurumsém-eemop, 'UlUnám Iwun ásj pool 1I drank up again/ then another every time I drank one pool dry I began on another (§ 314). In ]epém I noted one case where the en ding -c'épes occurs instead of -c'émpes: jiwi a mu nisé-c'épes, ás i op tepómporsém-c'épes children there water Ithey were as usualf shit piss above Ithey kept letting gol The children who, as usual, were (playing) in the water just let their shit and piss go (§ 320). Farms with -erml-er: "u" jkuku-á j-ermép shouting, they usually fled. ooh I /shouting fled I they usually did/ ei táktetémapm-á j-erpóm canoes Iwent downstream and rammed I we usuallY didl we usually rowed downstream and rammed their canoes!

14 The progresslve forma

144

In this category there occur a series of non-mood forms and one series of mood forms. In addition, a numher of interrogative forms was found which appear to he used exclusively in traditional stories. A dual form of the 3rd. pers. occurs in the non-mood series. In contrast to the dual forms of the hortative category, this one appears to he unproductive. Until now, I have only found it in texts which were narrated by a couple of old men who were approximately 50 or 60 years old. In these texts, the dual form was not used consistently by the narrators. The informants knew these dual forms, but in practise they made no distinction hetween the 3rd. pers. pl. and the 3rd. pers. dual. In the progressive forms, the durative formative occurs in the allomorph a instea.d of awér.

Paradigms:

tetám to give; tetámutum to give in the evening; por to see (Paradigms: see p. 100)

The following interrogative forms were found :

do I see him? 1. á-por-mani

2. á-por-manin do I see you?

3. á-por-maném do you see him?

4. á-por-máneném do you see me?

do we see him? 10. á-por-manóm

Formal characteristics

Uts

Aspect suffix: -mi-am/zero.

-m occurs in all cases, except when the core ends in m.

-am occurs when the core ends in m, except af ter the formative itumj utum 'in ·the evening', and af ter the core em 'to do, to make' when the verb forms a word-group with a form of category 4 (see § 183).

zero occurs af ter itum/utum, and with em 'to do, to make' in the case mentioned above.

Tense suffix: from a comparison with the forms of category 15 this appears to be zero.

Mood suffix: -pj-Vp.

-Vp occurs af ter aspect suffix -m. The vowel is identical with the (last) vowe1 of the subject suffix.

-op final, when the aspect suffix is -am or zero.

-p medial, when the aspect suffix is -am or zero.

Object suffixes; peculiarities:

1. when the subject suffix is zero -a alternates freely with -ar, except in context if the word following has an initial vowel: in that case, only -ar occurs.

111. In the non-mood series: final -araw; medial -eraw.

Subject suffixes; peculiarities:

lst pers. s.: af ter the mood suffix: final -UJ (form 1) medial -u (form 2).

Interrogative suffix: -an; follows directlyon the aspect suffix.

Prefixes:

A. zeroja-jaj-.

aalternates freely with zero. In addition, aalternates with. ajbefore a. Cores having one vowe1 and with an initial consonant usually have the prefix a-.

Cores with an initial vowe1 usually have no prefix.

B. m-jmV-: the same rules of distribution apply as for the prefix m-jmV- of category 4 (§ 110).

C. em-j eme- : emeoccurs in all cases except before e; emoccurs before e.

D. op-jopa-: opaoccurs in all cases, except before a; opoccurs before a.

E. tep-jtepa-: tepaoccurs in all cases, except before a; tepoccurs before a.

Categorial meaning

146

The progressive forms indicate that the action or the happening is or was still in progress. They relate to the present and the ultimate past to which, as I have al ready mentioned, be10ngs everything that has occurred on the same day as the speech event, but prior to it, as well as everything that took place so long ago that it is known only from tradition.19 When, however, the core ends in the formative itumjutum, es, itjut, or a (durative), these forms only relate to the ultimate past and appear to lack the progressive aspect.

147

A. The forms with zeroja-jaj-: their categorial meaning does not differ from the categorial meaning as described in § 146.

jisin kokómtaw-més aráw they are picking coconuts. coconuts Ithey are pickingl pp

no atakám a-táw-mopokóm (hey!) you're talking about me! me talking /you dol (mood-form)

J améw is nim póamis-már maré a-nijirimuw-or in jpeople of J.I sleep when /they all sleptJ, then Ithey all departedj pp

When the people of Jaméw all slept, they (people of Jepém) all departed (§ 344).

tám a-nuwut-mames in they both departed in the morning (§ 328). moming Ithey both departedf pp

móc a-móca-már she wailed continually.

wailing Ishe kept wailingf

I came across a few cases in which the categorial meaning of the forms with zeroja-jajappeared to he parallel to those of category 12 with prefix zeroja-jaj-. These forms are to be found in text II (§ 265). The following case is taken from a text which is not inc1uded in this hook:

ei na sówpum-cemi aráw, a ei wunám ju

canoe pp /I always launeh/ pp the eanoe again trunk

oworés-mopá

fit beeomes again at night 1/ (mood-form)

I always launch the canoe and then at night it always changes into a tronk again!

148

B. Forms with prefix m-jmV-: These are distinguished from the forms with zeroja-jajby a semantic element of explication or c1arification:

sók mi-pimá a bird fUes.

bird lit fliesl

'jó uciè!" -"ó uciè pak áw; nám m-enáw-mi".

you what - you what not pp; 1 /1 eome/

"What do you want!" - "Don't say 'what do you want'; I'm just coming".

maré, jó ma-ni-má; nó a me-sés

good, sun /goes downf 1 here Istay tonight in the water/

Good, the sun goes down, 1'11 stay here tonight in the water (says a crocodile).

149

C. Forms with the prefix em-jeme-: these are distinguished from the forms with zeroja-jajby a semantic element of completion which can he translated with 'already' .

mu emé-susu-má pen Is the water boiling already? water fit is boiling alreadyf pp

emé-jistewéres-mi I have already been to the forest tonight and fetched it.

150

D. Forms with the prefix op-/opa-: these are distinguished from the fonns with zero/a-Iajby a semantic element of interrogation, translatabIe with: for what reason, why.

car mó nor asén opá-na-már your (pi) husband my place /why he ate/ why bas your husband eaten at my place?

UI

E. Forms with the prefix tep-/tcpa-: these are distinguished from the fonns with 0p-Iopaby a semaritic element of negation:

enám tep-ámpia-mém why won't you also go fishing ? fish /why won't you aiso go fishing/

Instead of enám tepámpiamém) one can also say: 20

enám m-ampi pák opá-ema-mém. fish /aiso to fish/ not /why don't you/

15 The progresslve fonns of the medlate past

UZ

A division into non-mood and mood forms does not occur here. The durative formative here occurs in the allomorph a.

(Paradigms: see p. 105)

Formal characteristics

158

Aspect suffix: -mi-am/zero.

-m occurs af ter core-final V, and af ter core-final C ~ m when avowel follows the aspect suffix (forms 1. and 2.).

Paradigms: tetám to give; af to strike; (atakám) tawutúm to tell stories the whole evening

A.

-am occurs af ter core-final m, except af ter cores ending in the fonnative itumlutum 'in the evening'.

zero occurs: a. af ter core-final C ~ m, when a consonant follows; b. af ter itumlutum.

Tense suffix: -po

Subject suffixes; peculiarities:

Ist. pers. s. : in form 1.: -0. 3rd. pers. s.: in form 6.: -eo

Prefix: zerola-Iaj-.

aalternates with zero; in addition, aalternates with ajbefore a.

Categorial meaning

1M

The forms of this category differ from those of the preceding category only in that they relate to the media te past:

Owpacákipic is nim putamis-mép, parás ten káku a-wini-óf

o. asleep when /he lay down I dune-ridgel on quickly /1 went awayl

when O. lay down asleep, I quickly ran away along the dune-ridge (§ 312).

atakám táwutum-ép in the evening he told of it.

story Ihe told in the eveningl

erén tepit-mép he went upstream in the morning.

upstream ,/he went in the morningl

kónawomsés-penem cém

Iyou ca.rne-slept with mei house

the house where you came and slept with me (§ 300).

a j!f sion!pora-móp

the ground 1I tried to dig away continually I

I tried to dig away the ground continually (§ 302).

These forms, like those of category 14, lack the progressive aspect when the core ends in one of the time-of-day formatives or the durative formative.

16 The ulttmate past category

In these categories there is again a distinction between non-mood forms and mood forms. In addition, there is a series of interrogative forms

1.M

108 THE AS MAT LANGUAGE 1. a-titi/titij-i a-fé-j amó-j a-wu-j etc. etc. etc. etc.

characterized by the suffix -an. The forms of this category, in contrast to those of categories 12 and 14, do not occur in combination with the question marker en/an (§ 252).

As in category 14, a dual form of the 3rd. pers. occurs but it does not appear to he productive. I found it in the same texts as the dual form of category 14.

Paradigms of the ultimate past forms:

por to see; tetám to give; an to eat; wu to shout

(Paradigms: see p. 107)

titJ to trembIe ; ie to string together; (ow én) amo to fight with

3. a-titi-rém/erém a-fe-rémjerém amo-rém a-wu-orém

6. a-titi-r j ér a-fé-r/er amó-r a-wu-ór

Formal characteristics

11S8

Tense suffix: from a comparison with the forms of category 17, it appears that the tense suffix is zero.

Mood suffix: final: -op; medial: -po

Interrogative suffix: -an, suffixed directly to the core.

Obj eet suffixes; peculiarities:

I. zero: in form 1.; af ter core-final r; 21 in all mood forms.

-or: af ter core-final m; af ter core-final p, w, i, preceded by a, 0, u or C; not, however, af ter em - to stand and ap - to sit Cl j itt'tm/ utum, § 91).

In the other cases occur:

-er before avowel; between two vowels -er alternates with -r. -er word-finally, or before a consonant.

Il. -en alternates with -n between two vowels.

lIL -aw occurs in the mood fonns, and af ter core-final r.

-araw occurs word-finally, af ter core-final C ;&!: r. Af ter corefinal V -araw alternates with -mw.

-eraw occurs medially, af ter core-final C ;&!: r. Af ter core-final V -eraw alternates with -mw.

-rawafter core-final V alternating with -arawand -eraw.

Subject suffixes: peculiarities:

lst. pers. s.: -uj occurs word finally; -u occurs word-initially; zero af ter core-final -i; -j af ter core-final V ;&!: i.

The distribution of -uj and -u is parallel to that of -or (see above). 3rd. pers. dual: -mames.

Prefixes:

A. a-jaj-jan-jzero:

aalternates freely with zero. In addition, aalternates with ajbefore a.

anwas only found in the form an-e-rés = they said, alternating with aand zero: a-e-résj e-rés. Before cores having one vowe1, with initial consonant, ausually occurs. Before cores with an initial vowe1, there is usually no prefix.

B. m-jmV- Here, the rules of distribution apply as for the prefix m-jmV- of category 4 (§ 110).

C, D, E: Here, the same rul es of distribution apply as for the corresponding prefixes of category 14 (see § 146).

Categorial meaning

A. The forms without a prefix, or with a-jaj-jan-:

These re1ate exc1usively to the ultimate past, i.e. the period covering that part of the day which is prior to the speech event, as weU as the distant past which is only known from tradition (see also § 105, note 6).

110 THE AS MAT LANGUAGE

1M

B. The forms with the prefix m-/mV-.

These have a semantic element of explanation, c1arification:

anám ajpim new, ómfts néw, me-msémapm-uj anam Jextreme endJ perhaps omus perhaps JI've left thereJ I've left the extreme end of the anám (central sago pith) m the trunk of the sago palm, or perhaps it's the ómus (outside sago pith) (§ 299).

ts! m-émamtewér-pokóm! (mood-form) So. you've just met each other! (Here the speaker deduces a fact ano remarks upon it testily to himself.)

1Ii9

C. The forms with the prefix em-/eme-.

These have a semantic element of completion translatabIe with already:

emé-setaj-ér he has already arrived (by canoe).

emé-pa-nikájap-ánokom 22 ewá

pp

have all of you perhaps returned? (from getting sago).

amás nes emé-awkurum-puj sago pith /1 have already scraped out allJ I have already scraped out all the sago pith! (§ 297).

180

D. The forms with op-/opa-.

Forms with this prefix are interrogative forms translatable with why, for what reason :

a nát a ei mátuwuw pák opá-em-ór he pp his canoe go off not why does he why doesn't he go in his own canoe ?

161

E. Forms with tep-/tepa-.

These are negative interrogative forms translatabIe with why not:

a nát a ei tepá-tuwuw-ór he pp his canoe /why doesn't he goj

why doesn't he go in his own canoe? (This is an alternative used instead of the previous example).23

amás tepa-émn-erém why haven't you fetched sago? sago Jwhy haven't you fetched it/

17 The med1ate past category

162

A division into non-mood forms and mood forms does not occur here. I did find a number of informal forms: these, however, do not form a, complete paradigm. In addition, I found in the texts a few cases of informal interrogative forms characterized by the suffix -an. My informants, however, always tlsed a construction with the question marker en/an in interrogative sentences.

(Paradigms: see p. 112)

The verb ejj -to do, when linked with a form of category 3 (core-á), has -erof, eref as endings instead of -of and -ef (form 1., 6.) :

tetam-á j-eróf time and again I gave it to him tetam-á j-eréf time and again he gave it to him.24

F ormal characteristics

163

Tense suffix: -f; in the informal forms: zero.

Interrogative suffix: -an.

Object suffixes; peculiarities:

lIl. In the informal forms, -eaw occurs instead of -aw.

Subject suffixes; peculiarities:

Paradigms:

tetám to give

1 st. pers. S.: -0 (form 1)

3rd. pers. S.: -è (form 6).25

Prefixes:

A. zero/a-/aj-: aalternates with zero; in addition, it alternates with ajbefore a. The prefix awas found in most cases before cores having one voweI, with initial consonant. No prefix was found usually before cores with an initial vowel.

B. m-/mV-: mand mV- are distributed according to the ruie given in § 110.

C. em-/eme-; D. op-/opa-; E. tep-/tepa-: Here, the ruies of distribution appIy as for the corresponding prefixes of category 14 and category 16.

Categorial meaning

184

A. The forms with zero/a-/ajrelate exclusively to the mediate past, i.e. the period which begins with yesterday and goes as far back as the generations still alive can recall from their own experience.

B. Forms with m-/mV-: these have a semantic element of explanation or clarification:

Taweric enim /f,w ma-táwsim-fawós

Taweric and Jiw Itook us with theml

Taweric and Jiw took us with them (on their flight) (§ 342).

C. Forms with em-/eme-: these have a semantic element of completion, translatabie with already:

amás emé-kafum-anés had they already scraped out sago? sago /had they already seraped out/

D. Forms with op-/opa-: these have a semantic element of interrogation, translatable with why:

enéw nat mifán opá-faj-fém why were you averse to mother ? mother pp averse /why were youl

E. Forms with tep-/tepa-: these are negative-interrogative forms: tepá-por-fém why didn't you see it?

114 THE AS MAT LANGUAGE zeroja-jajFormal characteristics

18/19 The anrerlorltive forms

166

The anterioritive forms are those verbal forms which indicate that the action or happening is anterior to another action or happening. They can he translated with: af ter .... ; first .....

Paradigms:

tetám to give

Tense - aspect suffixes: ultimate past forms: -ac; mediate past forms: -ar.

Subject suffixes; peculiarities:

mediate past: Ist. pers. S.: -0 (form 1); 3rd. pers. S.: -e (form 6).

Prefix: zeroja-jaj-.

WORD-CLASSES 115 canoe firing /1 did first! water II pushed it first intol immediately /1 rowed off/ First I fired the canoe, then I pushed it into the water, and immediately rowed off.

aalternates with zero; in addition, aalternates with ajbefore a.

Categorial meaning

16'7

The forms of category 18 re1ate to the ultimate past; those of category 19, to the mediate past:

ei sés a-sów-aei, mu a-nifámpum-aci, anPiw a-pesé-j

tapin a-jik-aró ei á-nuwuw-óf

/sleeping mat / 1 packed it up andl canoe /1 go into it/

I packed up the sleeping mat and got into the canoe.

The anterioritive forms of the mediate past were never found as the last verb in a sentence; they were always followed by at least one verb. The anterioritive forms of the ultimate past can occur as the last verb of asentence. They then have a conditional meaning. I do not know in how far their meaning is then identical to that of the forms of category 10 with the prefix ea- (§ 130) and whether they are interchangeable with those forms:

már atów e-aeóma! let us first play football.

bali play liet us first dol

tó aflnás emtewn-áeema

tomorrow sago /you must first fetchl

tomorrow you must first fetch sago (before we go on our way).

20/21 The perfecüve fonns

168

In the course of working on the material it became c1ear that the verbs with the suffix -itjut form a separate category. It was, therefore, not possible to obtain a complete paradignl from my informants. It is, however, pos si bIe, on the basis of the cases noted, to deduce the complete paradigm with rather great certainty. The forms not found in the material are put between brackets in the paradigm that follows. All these forms appear to have a semantic element of completion.

I have therefore termed them perfective forms. They relate to the past; a division inlo ultimate past and mediate past only occurs, however, in forms 1 and 6.

Paradigm:

por to see; tetám to give

F ormal characteristics

169

Tense - aspect suffix: -itjut. -it and -ut are distributed according to the rule given in § 91 (/ j itumjutum).

Subject suffixes; peculiarities:

mediate past forms: lst. pers. s.: -0 (form 1); 3rd. pers. s.: -è (form 6).26

I noted one case of the ending -itof instead of -ito; here the f occurs which, in category 17, is the tense suffix.

Prefixes:

A. zero/a-: only in two of the cases noted a prefix aoccurs.

B. em-/eme-: only one form with this prefix was noted.

170

A. Forms with prefix, or with a-.

Some of the cases noted were:

no asén akatés cowák emáms-iti

1 place good very 1I have lain/

I have lain in a very good placet (§ 314).

jóp nim jitak-itó a mu,

Ion the back / Iike this I 1 had gone downstreaml there water

I had gone downstream, laying on my back in the water (§ 313).

jéw éwenaw-ut he has come from the ceremonial house (§ 315). Iceremonial house I he has come froml

B. The only form with em-/eme- I noted, occurs in the following sentenee :

wun ow nát cem máp emé-tepákajap-ites in some people pp houses ahead /they had already gone upriver I pp some of the people had already gone upriver to their houses (§ 273).

22 The past teRse category of cores with the durative fonnative

171

A separate category of past tense forms occurs with cores ending in the durative formative. There is no division into ultimate and mediate past. The durative formative here occurs in the allomorph ewir. As in categories 12, 14 and i6, there is a series of mood forms.

(Paradigms: see p. 118)

Paradigms:

por to see, to look at

1'72

Tense suffix: -i in all cases, except in form 9 of the non-mood series where it is zero.

Mood suffix: -pi-up. -up occurs word-finally, -p medially.

Object suffixes; peculiarities:

IIl. In the non-mood forms: -raw.

Subject suffixes; peculiarities:

lst. pers. s.: in the non-mood fonus: zero. In the mood forms: -ujl-u.

-uj occurs word-finally, -u medially (fonus 1 and 2).

2nd. pers. s.: -m when the tense suffix immediate1y precedes it.

3rd. pers. s.: -r in form 6 of the non-mood series.

lst. pers. pl.: -um in the non-mood series.

2nd. pers. pl.: -kum when the tense suffix immediately precedes it.

3rd. pers. pl.: -s when the tense suffix immediately precedes it.

Prefixes:

A. zero I a- : awas only found before cores having one vowe\ and with initial consonant.

B. em-jeme-: emeoccurs in all cases, except before e. emoccurs before e.

na

A. Forms without a prefix; or with a-:

inim émtawéwir-is that's what they always said.

/like this I they always saidj

pé amás néwir-um néwa

crabs food /we always atej perhaps

what we always ate before was perhaps crabs! (§ 302).

mu midc sejiréwir-up

water seaweed /he lay in it so long that it grew over him/

he lay in the water so long that the seaweed grew over him!

B. Fonus with em-Iemehave a semantic element of completion, translatabie with 'already ; have':

ei emé-akéwir-ipuj I have always made canoes!

canoe /1 have always made/

23 The ·miJr forma

174

A category about which meagre data were obtained is that of the forms characterized by the suffix -mer. I only got form 6 from the informants, so that I thought for a long time that I was dealing with an isolated case. Later, from the texts it appeared that other forms also occur.

The forms with -mer relate to the past. In addition, they have a semantic element of repetition which is transIatabIe with 'each day again'.

The following forms were noted:

1. a-pór-meró every day I saw him again 2. a-pór-merén every day I saw you again 3. a-pór-merém every day you saw him again 6. a-por-merojmere every day he saw him again 11. a-pór-merkóm every day you (pI.) saw him again. 14. a-pór-merés every day they saw him again suntik 27 a-empór-meró opák injection J gave him every day J but not! I gave him an injection every day but it didn't help. camuw ei ákarawér-merkóm a-por-óf Ion footl canoe /you went each day again / I sawJ I saw that you (pI.) went each dayon foot instead of by canoe.

The -mer forms can also indicate that an action or a happening takes place over a long time, from a point in the past up to the present:

nur epic nam tari jiwamis-meró, wow Inamir af-órl my sister sick long Jshe layJ today /she died/ my sister has been sick for a long time, today she died.

1715

I found an ending -ermero with the verb elj - to do, when it was linked with a form of category 3 (core -á). The forms with -ermero were only found in a text, narrated by an old man (between 50 and 60 yea.rs old). The suffix of the forms of cat. 3 in these cases is -e instead of -á.

Taweric nat jów ceml inim apéwer-e j-érmero T. pp Jlookout house / Iike this / he sat there each day/

each day Taweric again remained in the lookout post (§ 340).

enám Iteweréwer-e j-érmero/, tów Ipéwer-e j-érmeroj fish Ithey fetched each dayJ, /sago grubs / they fetched/

each day they again fetched fish and sago grubs (§ 324).

In addition, this ending occurs in the same text, suffixed to cores ending in awér or ewér:

jók apawer-érmero each day they spent the day in idleness (§ 326). Iduring the day I they just sat, each dayl

wasén namicukewer-érmero

forest Ithey all went each day I

each day they all went to the forest (§ 326).

These forms are probably contractions of forms of category 3 and j-ermero. I think it not impossible that the forms with -ermero are archaic. When Iran the text af ter the recording, the informants repeated it word for word, and they always used in these cases forms with -mero instead of these with -ermero: jók apawér-mero; wasén namicukewér-mero.

Fina1ly, a form with -mamero was found:

Suru áwemic aráw, juwur fék wut ak-mámero

Suru lis therej pp Ijuwur wood,! big very Ihe makes (a canoe) each dayl Suru is there, he is busy every day making a very big canoe of juwur wood.

In this case, the daily activity is seen as a process that is still unfinished. Perhaps the -mer forms are divided into a category of past tense forms and another category of present tense forms.

24 The unproductive category of the posltional verbs

178

When the positional roots occur as a core or as the last morpheme of a core with the meaning 'to be' (in a specific position), the forms of category 14 do not occur. Instead of them we find:

I. With amis (to He), ap (to sit), and se (to be in the water) :

1. ams-i ap-i a-sé-j lam

3. ams-ém ap-ém a-sé-m you are

6. amis ap a-sé he is

9. ams-óm ap-óm á-se-óm we are

11. áms-okóm áp-okóm á-se-okóm you (pI.) are

14. ams-és ap-és a-sé-s they are

17. ? ap-més ? both of them are

122 TUE AS MAT LANGUAGE 1. áms-ani áp-ani á-se-ani am I? 3. áms-aném áp-aném á-se-aném are you? 6. ams-án ap-án á-se-án is he? 9. áms-anóm áp-anóm á-se-anóm are we? 11. áms-anokóm áp-anokóm á-se-anokóm are you (pl.)? 14. áms-anés áp-anés á-se-anés are they? 1. op-i om-ei I am with him 2. op-in om-ein I am with you

II. With em (to stand), and tep (to he above) :

Onee in a text I found a dual form of ap (see above).

With amis, ap, and se, interrogative forms oceur which are charaeterized by a suffix -an:

The eonstruetion with the question marker enlan oceurs with em and tep:

em-cém en are you?

á-tep-k en is it (above)?

177

The complete paradigm oceurs when the positionál root is eombined with the formative olom- (see § 76).

3. op-ém om-cém you are with him

4. óp-ëném óm-oeném you are with me

5. óp-awóm óm-cawóm you are with us

6. op om-ic he is with him

WORD-CLASSES 123 a w sé - á w amis - a w áp - á w emic - á w atePic it is here é w asé - é w amis - e w áp - é w emic - é w atepic it is there The prefixes emand p-/pV179

178

When the positional verbs are preceded by the deictic words a here, or e there,28 a w occurs between these words and the verb:

Morphonologica11y, these word-groups behave as one word: it is not á wamis etc., because a wsé is impossihle: a consonant cluster cannot occur at the beginning of a word; it is not ew asé because in that case the [ö] allophone of the e phoneme would occur in ew, whereas the [ e] allophone occurs.

Therefore I shal1 write awsé, áwamis, éwasé etc.

There are two prefixes of which the occurrence appears to he exclusively dependent upon syntactical factors. These prefixes are emand p-jpV-. emoccurs only when the verb is linked with the interrogative word udm - how, how many. It does not, however, occur with the verb em - to make.

emwas found in forms of categories 10, 12, 16, 17 and 24 with the prefix a-jajor zero; it precedes a-jaj-.

Cat. 10: a amás ucim em-áw-cem 29 how will you cook tbis. sago ? this sago how /will you cook itj But: sájer 30 ucim em-cém how will you prepare the vegetables ? vegetables how /you make theml

Cat. 12: sej si ucim em-tetám-cemokóm iron axes /how many I you usually give/ how many iron axes do you usually give for it?

Cat. 16: ów ucim em-setáj-erés how many people have arrived? people jhow many / they arrived/

Cat. 17: kus ucim em-sakámtewer-fém heads /how many / you cut off and took/ how many heads have you taken?

Cat. 24: jisin ucim éma-tep-k coconuts /how many / are therel how many coconuts are hanging there?

180

p-jpv-: poccurs before vowels; pV- before consonants.

The vowel of p V-is identical to the vowel immediately following it. p-/pV- is prefixed to the verb when it is immediate1y followed by the postposition ew/aw (§ 255).

It was found in forms of categories 10, 12, 14, 16, 17 and 24 with the prefix a-/aj-/zero, or with em-/eme-. 1t is noteworthy that p-/pVprecedes a-/aj-, but is preceded by em-/eme-.

Cat. 10: ucim cáj p-e-caw éw what is he thinking of (§ 282). which plan /has hel pp

Cat. 12: ucim asén pi-jisas-érmokom where will you go? which place /will you travel tol pp

Cat. 14: pá-por-mem éw did you or did you not see it?

Cat. 16: emépa-sá-n ew is it perhaps dry already (§ 284).

Cat. 17: ucim p-em-of éw how could I have done it? (§ 326). how /did I do itf pp

Cat. 24: 0 p-áp-em áw are you at home? you Iyou sit! pp

Syntlwtlcal valence 31 ot the verbs

181

Provisionally, the following can be said about the syntactical valence of the verbs:

1. it would appear that all verbs can be linked with substantives, proper names, personal pronouns and demonstrative pronouns;

2. it would appear that the only time that there can be a linkage verb + verb is in the verbal word-groups which are to he discussed in paragraphs 182 and 183;

3., the word-group interrogative + verb was only found with forms of the categories 10, 12-17 inc1usive, 20, 21, 22 and 24;

4. only the forms of categories 4 and 5 (m-/mV-; m-/mV- -áji) can form word-groups with negations.

Cases in which all these verbal word-groups occur will not be given here; they can be found in paragraphs 182 and 183 (verb + verb; verb + negation) ; 192 (substantive + verb); 198 (proper name + verb); 219 (pronoun + verb); 234 (interrogative + verb) and in 235-243 (verb + negation).

Summary ot the forms ot the verbs efj and ji 'to do',31" which were tound llnked to a tonn ot category 3 (core·á)

182

Cat. 10: a-por-á j-eri/e-d etc.': Everytime I see him Ito see repeatedly I if I dol

Cat. 12 : a-por-á j-ermi etc. : 1 shall see him again and again.

Cat. 13 : a-por-á j-ermóp etc. : I used to see him time and again.

Cat. 14: a-por-á e-mi etc. : time and again I see him.

126 TUE ASMAT LANGUAGE

Cat. 15 : a-por-á e-móp etc. : time and again I saw him (mediate past).

Cat. 16: a-por-á ej etc. : time and again I saw him (ultimate past). a-por-á e-rém etc. : time and again you saw him. a-por-á e-r etc. : time and again he saw him.

Cat. 17: a-por-á j-eróf time and again I saw him (mediate past). a-por-á e-fém time and again you saw him. a-por-á j-eréf time and again he saw him. a-por-a , e-f' om etc. : time and again we saw him.

If the core of the form preceding ends in the durative formative (ewér), then the suffix is -e, and instead of e or j, ji occurs:

a-poréwer-é ji-róf I saw him time and again, over a long period;

etc. etc.

a-poréwer-é ji-fém a-poréwer-é ji-réf a-poréwer-é ji-fom

Cat. 23: á-por-a j-érmerojjimero each day I saw him again.

The forms of categories 8 and 9 (imperative and hortative forms) are always separated from the core with the suffix -a by inim 'in this way' :

Cat. 8 : tám maserim wunám otuwsé-a inim mom-é-c morning then again Idepart again I this way I do it II and when it is morning, you must start out again (§ 300).

Cat. 9: wowuc sumoms-á inim e-rasin middle liet !ie with repeatedly I this way I let us both dol let us always sleep on either side of him! (§ 282).

The forms of category 3 can also be linked with verbal forms the core of which contains the root ji, or ejj:

a-por-á jes-mi time and again I see him at night (cat. 14).

"ni", a-jipor-á jipór opák "corne" Ito win over I she tried / but not! "come" so she tried to win her over, again and again, but in vain.

Sununary of the forms of the verb em . to do, to make, whlch were tOWld Unked to the m/mV· form of the verb

183

I. Directly linked: this construction has a volitive meaning.

Cat. 12: mó-por ém-cemi, etc. 1 shall want to see it.

Cat. 14: Here, instead of em-ami, etc., the forms em-i, em-ém, etc. are found (see § 145). mó-por em-i, etc. 1 want to see it. mó-por em-aném, etc. do you want to see it?

Cat. 16: rnó-por em-ûj. etc. 1 wanted to see it (ultimate past). mó-por em-puj, etc. I wanted to see it!

Cat. 17: mó-por em-óf, etc. I wanted to see it (mediate past).

I also noted here a form e-óf, instead of em-óf.

Only once did I find a m-/mV- farm followed by a farm of the verb ji - to do, of category 23 :

o mo-pórtewét jiewér-meró you /want to marry / he always didl he has always wanted to marry you (§ 281).

Il. Indirectly linked: this is the negative construction with pak - not. This construction has na volitive meaning.

Cat. 12: mó-por pák em-cemt, etc. 1 shall not see it. Ito seel not /1 shall dol

Cat. 14: mó-por pák em-i, etc. 1 don't see it. mó-por pák emut-mi, etc. I didn't see it this morning.

Cat. 16: mó-por pák em-uj, etc. 1 didn't see it (ultimate past).

Cat. 17: mó-por pák em-óf, etc. I didn't see it (mediate past).

Cat. 22: mó-por pák émewir-i, etc. I never saw it.

128 THE AS MAT LANGUAGE

III SUBST ANTIVES

DefIn1tlon

184

I will term substantives those words from which derivatives ean be formed by adding the following suffixes:

- nakáp - nakás primary derivatives -iriwj-eré secondary derivatives

Prlmary derlvatlves

185

-nakáp is a diminutive suffix indicating 'smallness + singular number'. The diminutive value of -nakáP has four aspects:

1. 'smallness': cem house, houses; cémnakap small house.

2. 'small part of a whoie' :

a. mopán trunk; mopánakap ám awamis Ipiece of the trunkj also lit lies therej there is also a piece of the trunk lying there (§ 299). si axe; sinakap mitapmuj I thrust the axe into it, but not deeply (§ 278). jlittle bit of the axel I thrust into itj pisuwá dagger; pisuwánakap mafáw jlittle bit of a dagger j to strike repeatedly I to strike repeatedly, but not deeply, with a dagger.

b. Suffixed to names of substances, and generic names, -nakáp lndicates a'small quantity of':

amás sago; amásnakáp a little bit of sago mu water; mûnakáp a little water enám fish; enámnakáp a little bit of fish.

WORD-CLASSES 129 food much not32 A similar semantic symmetry is found in the following words which also

3. Suffixed to the words tam morning; jok noon; porów afternoon; and erém night, -nakáp indicates tbat the time of day or night in question bas just begun or has almost passed: 32

támnakap ów /udm ar' am/ éw enáwmes aráw /ea.rly in the morningl people various pp /they are comingl pp early in the morning various people come. támnakap nitamor in, jok Ilate in the morning I she arrived/ pp, noon she arrived (at home) towards the end of the morning, at noon(§ 301).

4. In the following cases the suffix -nakáp indicates a closeness to: umu top; esé umunakap apitmomésmar in bag /almost to the top I he filled it at night/ pp at night he filled the bag he had with him al most to the top. pim edge; amás a Pimnakap átemetótaper in sago there /almost to the rim I it rose and stayedl pp the sago (mea1) rose until it had almost reached the rim (§ 289).

188

One case was noted in which -nakáp was suffixed to the last word of a word-group; here it refers to the who Ie group:

amás nee raw sago; amás nétnakap a little bit of raw sago.

Similar cases are probably :

pók kow opáknakap not enough to eat.

to tomorrow / yesterday jowun the day af ter tomorrow / the day before yesterday átojowun in three days' time / three days ago átojofáj in four days' time I four days ago átomér in five days' time / five days ago.

ténam jóf opáknakap 33 áemémer in throat opening not- /he stoodl pp he stood there his throat almost ehoked (with erying).

-nakás is a diminutive suffix indicating 'smallness + plural number': pok thing/things; póknakas Httle things nani heap/heaps; naninakas little heaps.

187

The semantie value of -nakás does not seem to have the different aspects that -nakáp has.

Secondary derlvatives

188

To derivatives with -nakáp and :-nakás, the suffix -iriwl-eré ean be added to form seeondary derivatives. The forms of this suffix have a distribution parallel to that of -nakáp and -nakás: -iriw is suffixed to derivatives with -nakáp, and -eré is suffixed to derivatives with -nakás. Derivatives with -iriwl-eré indicate something very small, a very small quantity of, etc.:

jak rain cloud; jáknakápiriw a tiny rain cloud amás sago; amásnakápiriw very little sago ow people; ównakápiriw very few people porów afternoon; porównakápiriw masnim maré atakám afasmapéf eveningthen lat last! story /he toldl FinaIly, when it was still evening, he told them the story (§ 320). jisis the edge of the fire; jisisnakápiriw fa amnu aotmámseres in ledge of the fire-/ back Ito each other I they lay/ pp by the edge of the fire they lay, their backs towards each other. jep side; jépnakapiriw máokomémtamcin side- Iroll it up for mei roll up for me a tiny part of the side (of the fish trap) (§ 269).

No cases parallel to sinakap mitapmuj were found.

A secondary derivative with -eré is:

pis grandchildren; car pisnakaseré all your small grandchildren. See also: cowákaseré, § 191.

Words wUh which derlvatives are formed only wlth -nakáp, or only wlth -nakás

189

1. In the following words, diminutive forms were found only with -nakáp:

cOwUc woman; cowutnakáp little woman, girl jipic man; jipitnakáp little man ewUc younger brother; ewutnakáp little younger brother.

It can therefore be assumed that only -nakáp can he suffixed to the following kinship terms denoting a particular person:

o grandchild mo husband wife em ótipic brother (said by a sister) teráswuc sister wa brother-in-law older brother epuc epic older sister amUs younger sister nin daughter-in-law

2. In the following words, diminutive forms were found only with -nakás:

isipis parents, mothers or fathers ; fsipisnakás little fathers pis grandchildren; pisnakás little grandchildren.

It can also be assumed that only -nakás can be suffixed to the following kinship terms denoting a number of persons :

miwis husbands

ófajis grandparents

ófew blood kinsmen belonging to a ceremonial house different from one's own

132 THE AS MAT LANGUAGE A. B.

6wopis people of a similar age terásepés sisters children of both sexes tipuris cenwis parents-in-law wes 'sons' epucewes older brothers epkewes older sisters amusewes younger sisters ninwis daughters-in-law

A non-productlve plural category

190

A non-productive plural category occurs with six kinship terms. The derivative suffix is -ewes in four cases, -wis in two cases:

The possibility of suffixing -nakáp to the words under A, and -nakás to the words under B, has already been discussed in § 189.

Cases of transposltlon

191

The one definite case of transposition I found is the word jiwinakap, which occurs as a substantive with the meaning 'small child' (from jiwi, child), and as an adjective with the meaning 'smali". This case will be dealt with when the adjective is discussed.

Transposition to the c1ass of substantives probably occurs in the following cases:

1. The adjectives awUt large, and jiwinakap small, occur in the following sentence in positions in which one would expect substantives to occur:

takás awakámkurumor in, awut am, jiwinakap am, takás in all Ihe killed them alll pp, large also, small also, all pp He killed them all, large and small, all of them U / owerów am, cepés am - men and women).

2. cowák 'one, very, forthwith' > cowákaseré 'little ones' (substantive). cowák is a word of which it is not yet c1ear to which word-c1ass it belongs. 1t ean form groups with substantives, adjectives, and verbs, as in: cem cowák one house; akát cowák very good; átepfés cowák they forthwith rowed upriver.

The irregular derivative with -aseré instead of -nakásere (see § 202) I found once, as a substantive:

cowákaseré pen éw melléstewer e11lpûj Jlittle onesl pp pp Icome to getj I do (mood form) I come here and would like to get some [sago] if perhaps there are still some crumbs left! (§ 324).

Syntactlcal valence

192

Substantives can form groups with:

1. other substantives: amás esé a bag with sago. sago bag

2. adjectives: áj cem a new house; new house cem awUt a large house. house large

3. deictic words: 110 cém my house; a cém this house; cém ar to the house; cá cem (ám) whose house; udm cem (ám) what kind of house.

4. verbs: fét aworséc change into a fet fish! (§ 270). Ifet fish I change intol

134 THE AS MAT LANGUAGE

amás ancemes they usually eat sago.

sago /they usually eat!

na mémtomir ÓW

me jaccompany to the other sidef people

people who (want t~) accompany me to the other side (of the river).

5. the postpositions aráw, nat, am (see §§ 245, 246, 248).

198

There are a number of kinship terms which are always linked to a personal-possessive pronoun. They are:

IV PROPER NAMES

Grouplng

194

Proper names fall into two groups:

1. one group consisting of names of persons and names of rivers ;

2. one group consisting of names of villages and names of ceremonial houses Uew).

Names of persons and names of rlvers

195

Derivatives can he formed from names of persons and names of rivers by adding the suffixes -akáp or -sintU.

When -akáp is suffixed to a person's name, it indicates that that person is the younger of two namesakes ; when -sintit is suffixed to a person's name, it indicates that that person is the elder of two namesakes :

Tewérawue (women's name) T ewérawucakáp small T. (T. junior) T ewérawutsintit big T. (T. senior).

When -akáp and -sintit are suffixed to names of rivers, they serve to distinguish two identically names rivers from each other. The name of the smaller of the two acquires the suffix -akáp, that of the larger, the suffix -sintit:

Mow (name of a river) the small Mow Mówakáp Mówsintit the big Mow.

196

The following kinship terms link up with the proper names:

enéw mother enéwakáp younger sister of father or mother enésmit « enéw-simit) grandmother

niwi father niwiakáp younger brother of father or mother nismit « niwi-simit) grandfather

wet namesake : wétakápjwétsimit youngerjelder namesake.

as partner in the exchange of women; asakáp the younger of the two partners.

No derivative with -simit is known to me of the last term.

Names of vUlages and ceremonlal houses

197

Names of villages and of ceremonial houses (jew) link up with the names of persons and of rivers as regards their syntactical valence. But, they have no morphological valence.35

The name of one of the ceremonial houses of the village, or also a compound formed by the names of two ceremonial houses belonging to a village, are used as the name of the village, for example:

village the ceremonial houses (jew)

belonging to the village

lepém lepém, Apoków, Kosér, Mos.

Suru Suru, Setmót, Ar, Awór, Majit.

Amanamkáj Amán, Namkáj, Awók.

Amisu Amiw, Su.

Syntactlcal valence

198

Proper names can form groups with :

1. substantives:

Warsé ei the canoe of Warsé; lepém ow people of Jepém.

2. adjectives:

N atinák omér N atinák IS afraid; J epém wut many people of Jepém.

3. deictic words:

no TewérawUc lam Tewérawuc; ná Jepém we are from Jepém. já Matámjen that Matámjen (persons name); e Jepém over there, in Jepém.

Tewérawuc ár in the direction of Tewérawuc.

J epém a to J epém.

ca Miwirpic ar'áma! who is this Miwirpic! (§ 273).

who M. pp pp

4. verbs:

Jispáripic ájmirimtiwér It was the falllt of Jispáripic. J omót ajiser He rowed out of the J omót.

5. postpositions : aráwJ amJ enerim, cin (see §§ 245, 246, 248, 250, 251).

V AD]ECTIVES

Characteristlcs

199

Words from which derivatives can he formed with the following suffixes will here be termed adjectives:

-nakápJ -iriw -nakásJ (-eré) -picim

Since, as far as morphological valence is concerned, there is a distinct similarity to the substantives, it is legitimate to ask the question whether there is here a separate class of adjectives. There are three arguments which plead for the existence of a special class:

1. the semantic value of -nakáp and -nakás differs clearly from the semantic value which these suffixes have when they are added to a substantive;

2. the possibility of suffixing -pidm, a productive process, that d~ not occur with the substantives;

3. the word jiwinakáp occurs as a derivative substantive with the meaning of 'small child' (see § 191), and as an adjective, with the meaning of 'smalI' . It is possible here to conclude that this is a case of transposition, a conclusion strengthened by the fact that from jiwinakáp 'smalI', derivatives can be formed with -nakáp(iriw) and -pidm (see § 204).

Morphologlcal valence

200

The suffix -nakáp has here the semantic value of 'much, to a high degree':

jinic slack jinitnakáp very slack, weak siri quick sirinakáp very quick kik;' close together kikinakáp very close together.

The suffix -nakás, similarly, has the semantic value of 'much, to a high degree':

nemcén angry, pugnacious nemcénakás furious, very pugnacious jepén recent jepénakás very recent.

The material is not decisive in respect of the distribution of -nakáp and -nakás; a distinct correlation with singular and plural, respectively, such as occurs in parallel formations with the substantive, was only found with pacák - bad (discussed below). In all other cases, this does not occur:

emák kikinakáp having a quantity of bones (said of fish).

bones Jvery close together /

onów kikikikikikînakás

thatch

pieces of thatch laid very, very close together.

jepénakáp; jepénakás in the recent past, still very new.

The material is, however, too limited to allow of a decision whether -nakáp and -nakás are interchangeable in these cases and are thus alternants. Bearing in mind the case of pacák (§ 202), they will he provisionally regarded as two separate suffixes.

201

On the basis of the derivatives with -nakáp, secondary derivatives can he formed with the suffix -iriw, which serves to emphasize the semantic value of -nakáP:

jinic slack; jinitnakáp very slack; jinitnakápiriw very, very slack.

The only case of a secondary derivative with -eré that I came across was pacákaseré (§ 202).

202

Pacák bad, unfit, has irregular derivatives: the suffix -ap and -as are added to pacák instead of -nakáp and -nakás:

pácakáp pacákapiriw pacák (not found) pacákaseré

These derivatives express intensity of feeling. Pácakáp is used to express compassion, for example:

newét pacakáp! my poor man! (said by a wife about a deformed husband).

Pacákapiriw and pacákaseré can he translated by: worthless, miserable, deuced. This is the only case in which the derivative with -apiriw indicates the singular number, in contrast to the derivative with -aseré which here indicates the plural number:

a acir pacákapiriw!

that acir bad

that confounded acir (storefor sago on the collar beams of the house).

a juwUs pacákaseré / minip manimcemf,j!

those names bad /1 always forget/

those deuced names, I always forget!

The suffix -picim indicates a relative degree:

cases of tr&nsp08itlon

204

The case of jiwinakáp smalI, of which the derivatives jiwinakápnakáp very smalI, jiwinakápnakápiriw very, very, smalI, and jiwinakápicim rather smalI, were found, has already been noted. Probably the following case is also one of transposition (transposition to the adjective cIass by suffixing -nakáp):

nemsánakáp slow nemsá: I only eame across this word as an exhortation: nemsá! don't hurry!, he careful!

I do not know if sétnakáp narrow, and karésnakáp thin, laid out far apart (of atap) are derivatives: I did not find an underlying form set and kares.

Syntactlcal valence

205

Adjectives ean form groups with:

substantives: aj young, new, is the only adjective that always precedes a substantive:

áj cem a new house áj jipic a beginner, newcomer.

The other adjectives can precede as well as follow a substantive. An adjective precedes the substantive when a certain emphasis falls on the former:

ów akát good people akát ow good people (in contrast to bad people) ów tari old people tari ow people from the distant past, ancestors.

proper names:

N atinák omér N. is afraid.

verbs:

ew áj aworéf the other day he was changed into a crocodile crocodile new /he changed into/ akát émores ów the men who did it weil. goodjthey did it/ people

personal pronouns:

ó jiwinakáp you are small

nó pacák I will not, I won't do it (Pacák can have the mea.ning 'averse to, not willing' when linked with personal names or personal pronouns).

Adjectives, in addition, can he linked with words which express 'a great degree of'. I got the impression that these words cannot be linked to all adjectives. Thus I found:

kar very, too, in:

tan kor very long (ago) afó kor very very wide, too wide awut kor very very large, too large akát kor very very beautiful jicó kor very very smooth, too smooth jitur kor very very heavy, too heavy sir! kor very very quick, too quick

anakát really, in:

fum anakát clear as crystal mocó anakát wet through akmát anakát really old

nucur very, in:

awut nucur huge pacák nucur most miserabie

, ? asuw ., In:

pár asuw very wide fék asuw as hard as a stone

f sa an ' ? ., m:

juruw safán very long cakámkaj ?, in:

focó cakámkaj skinny awut ut very large cowák 'totally', in: akát cowák very good

ut very, in:

VI DEICTIe WORDS

IntrodUCtiOD

206

Asmat bas a number of deictic words which fall into two main groups: I. non-interrogative pronouns; Il. interrogative pronouns.

1. The non-interrogative pronouns, if we set aside the derivative forms, can he set out in the following scheme:

The form of this scheme rests on the following considerations :

1. the non-interrogative pronouns fall into three classes:

personal possessive pronouns; demonstrative pronouns; and directional pronouns;

Of these, only the personal possessive pronouns have morphologica1 valenee;

2. there is one 'neutral' deictic word, a/ar, which links up with all three classes;

3. In all three classes we find pairs of word-variants: one variant ending in avowel, the other in r.

The scheme makes it clear that th ere is a certain forma! connection between the classes: 1) because the deictic word a/ar belongs to all three classes; 2) because the same type of word-variants occurs in all three classes.

Only with these deictic words do word-variants with and without final r occur systematically: outside the deictic words, only a few isolated cases were found. 36

Il. The interrogative pronouns are ca/com, ucim and udnak/uciJuc. In' this group the neutral deictic word a/ar does not occur, nor do word-variants with and without final r. The reasons for treating them as one group will be given in § 232.

The non-interrogative pronouns

1. The personal possessive class

207

This class consists of four personal possessive pronouns, to which the neutral deictic word a/ar is added:

The forms in set A will he called A variants ; those in set B, B variants.

Distribution of variants.

208

When a personal possessive pronoun is linked to a substantive, we find the B variant before a substantive beginning with avowel; the A variant before a substantive beginning with a consonant:

nor amás my sago; no cém my house.

Deviations from this regularity are found:

1. when the personal possessive pronoun is linked to a substantive having one vowel, which is initial:

no ém my drum; 0 ó your pig;

Besides these, however, one always finds:

nor ém my wife; or ó your grandchild.

It is possible that here the homonymy has led to a need for differentiation.

nas 'it is mine', occurs as weIl as the regular construction nor ás 'it is mine'.

2. when the personal possessive pronoun is linked to one of the following substantives, all of which belong to the group of kinship terms that occur exclusively linked to one of these pronouns (see § 193): Here, the B variant occurs before substantives beginning with m or w:

1. mo husband nor mó, or mó, etc.

2. wa brother-in-Iaw nor wá, or wá, " 3. wes sons nor wés, or wés, " 4. wet namesake nor wét, or wét, " 5. wopis 'people of the same age' no wopis, but: or wopis, " 6. wos mother no wós, but: or wós, "

In one case has the personal possessive pronoun Ist. pers. sing. a variant new, in four cases a variant nur; in all these cases, the personal possessive pronoun 2nd. pers. sing. has a variant ur. These variants occur when these pronouns are linked to the following substantives:

1. isipis parents new isipis, ur isipis

father 2. kipk nur kipk, ur kipk

3. pis grandchildren nur pis, ur pis e1der sister 4. epic nur epic, ur epic 5. wis sisters-in-Iaw nur wis, ur wis

These substantives belong to the group of kinship terms which occur exdusively linked to a personal possessive pronoun (see § 193).

209

Only the B variant was found:

1. when the personal possessive pronoun is the only word in the sentence:

nor. 1. (in reply to the question: who is there?) or you;

2. when the personal possessive pronoun is not linked to any other word in the sentenee :

omóp ea alán, or you, who has hit you ? blow who struck you, you nor, or, nar, ear, ar (summing up).

3. when the personal possessive pronoun is linked to one of the following words:

a. the directional pronoun ar / a (§ 229): ó nor ár pen are you going for me ? you me to pp

b. the question markers en and pen (§§ 252, 253) : ór en is it you; ór pen are you there?

c. the postposition am (§ 248): nor ám, ar ám I also, and he too.

d. the postposition aráw (§ 245) : nor , , araw, " .... "., ~mm eo '1 I th en sal 'd" : " 1 pp so 1I spokei

e. the postposition aw (§ 257): nór aw (yes) it is only I (reassuringly).

4. in sentences like:

ór enakáp nór enakáp, jumamtámfawos you small I small Ithey intended us for each other I when we were both very smalI, they intended us for each other (§ 280).

ór a /jó ajp;'m/ inim map;', nór a/jó ajpim/ inim memáp you this side jlike this j go to sitf, I this side (Iike this I go to sitl you go and sit on that side, then I will go and sit on this side (of the sleeping mat) (§ 283).

5. before a hesitation pause:

no ó mopor pák nor .. .. nám / pok mer emémi/ I you Ilook forl not; I jalso IJ searched for foodj I am not looking for you; I .... I was also searching for food.

6. in derivatives: These will he diScussed in §§ 213-217.

210

The A variant was always found:

1. before the postposition nat (§ 246): no nát I (emphatic);

2. before the interrogative ca/cam/com (§§ 232, 233): o cám; ó com ám who are you ? you who; you who pp

211

For the remaining cases, it was not possible to establish a constant difference in distribution between the A variant and the B variant. The A variant was found in the vast majority of cases. Both for,?s occur in identical or similar environments in which no difference in meaning is discernible and it is thus probable that in these cases the two variants can alternate freely:

%r cowák aráwan are you the only one? (§ 290). you one pp pp

no/nor pók memtém emin I shall take care of the food I food jtake care off / I shallj

no/nor áwapi aráw here I am; here I sit. I Isit berel pp

Only in one isolated case, namely, when they are linked to the word omér, was a difference in meaning found between the A and the B variant:

nó omér lamafraid nór omér afraid of me ar omér afraid of him a nát omér he is afraid (For nat, see § 246).

The meaning of the personal possessive pronouns.

212 no/nor points to the speaker of the sentence in which no/nor occurs: nó or enéw aráw I am your mother . I your mother pp

na/nar points to a group of persons to which the speaker of the sentence in which na/nar occurs belongs, or to which he considers himself to belong: ná J epém ow we are people of J epem. we J epem people

%r points to the person to whom the sentence m which %r occurs is directed: ó Miwir en are you Miwir(pic)? you M. pp

cal car points to a group of persons to whom the sentence in which ca/car occurs is directed, or to whom the person spoken to belongs or is considered to belong at the time of speaking: car arásen ememic you must remain here! you here remain

a/ar points to a person or persons other than those, indicated by no/nor, na/nar, %r and ca/car: ár enakáp, nór enakáp, jttmamtámerawós he small I small /they intended us for each other / when he and I were still smalI, they intended us for each other (§ 280).

When these pronouns are linked to a substantive, they can have a possessive meaning:

nor enéw no niwi my mother and father (see also § 208).

Morphologica1 valence.

218

Derivatives can he formed by suffixing -ma, -ap/-pa, -ow, -am, and -m to the B variant.

The forms with the suffix -ma have a semantic element in common which can he translated by: self, oneself, of one's own accord, or reflexively by: myself, etc. In the cases noted, the derivatives with -ma are always linked to a verb :

normá maci emi I myself will cut it up. II myself I cut up / 1 will it/ normá atewérfin I have fetched you of my own accord (§ 283). 1- Ifetched youl sej si normá sakamóf I cut myself with an axe. iron axe myself /1 cut/ se armá wuápmor in he himself buried him (§ 274). ground self /he buried him/ pp

armá mápjit ás pow it is not something that will grow by itself. self /to grow I thing not

214

The derivatives with the suffix -ap / -pa all have a semantic element which can he translated by: alone, secluded.

Distributionally, the forms with -ap and with -pa exc1ude each other: the derivatives with -pa occur only when linked to a verb; derivatives with -ap are never linked to a verb:

orPá mempór pow! only you won't do it! (§ 283). lonly you / will dol not nám a norpá emapi cowák 1 here alone /1 sat/ continually I have sat here the whole time on my own. wasén arpá soráperes in they lived quite alone in the forest. forest Ithey alone / they livedl pp naráP /ow somót/ emcóma! we are an independent group (§ 320). /we alonel group Iwe arel

op aráp sipám un, cenés aráp sipám un above lit alone I row of collar-beamsl pp below lit alonel row pp (in the house) there was a separate row of collar-beams above, and a separate row of collar-beams below (§ 321).

When these derivatives are linked to a substantive, they can have a possessive meaning:

noráp tapin my own sleeping mat, mine alone.

One exception to the above mentioned rule of distribution was found: the derivative with -ap as well as that with -pa occurs linked to an elenlent min, which appears to be an emphasizing element:

caráp min; carpá min you alone (with emphasis).

213

The derivatives with the suffix -am have a semantic element which can be translated by: in (his) turn, on the other hand, however:

náram ám naráp /07.(,1 somót/ emcóma we too Jwe alonel group Iwe arel we, too, are an independent group (§ 320). arám ja atmár araw un, arám po ajinimés araw un he way Ihe was on it travellingl pp pp, they paddIe Ithey were rowing down riverJ pp pp while he was on his way (on foot) , they rowed downriver (§ 341). Fét am arám, " .... " inim aer in Fet, in his turn, said .... " " Fet and Ihe in his turnl .... so Ihe spoke,l pp (§ 270).

218

The derivatives with the suffix -ow have a semantic element which can he circumscribed as emphasis on the person or persons in question, to the exclusion of others:

norów aporóf I saw it (not you).

cOwUc akát norów tetámfenem áw wife beautiful me /yoo gave mei pp you have indeed given me a beautiful wife (and not to others).

cepés manám arów maf, owér masájwut opów women fin love / they only/ are, husbands choose not women do fall in love, but the ehoiee of a husband is not theirs (§ 283).

217

The derivatives with -m are:

nam (lst. pers. sing. & pI.) om (2nd. pers. sing.) cam (2nd. pers. pI.) am (3rd. pers. sing. & pI.)

Unlike the orther derivatives, it is impossible in these cases to decide which variant is the underlying form. Is -m suffixed to the A variant or does it replace the r of the B variant? Furthermore, here both no/nor and na/nar have a derivative nam.

The semantie element common to these derivatives can he translated by: also, eoneerning; of ten it ean only be cireumseribed as slight emphasis on the person or persons in question.

náma! I, too I nam asén akát emámsió I lie in a good plaee, I do I (§ 314). 1 place good /1 liel nam ám namsón pak I don't know it either I 1 either II know not!

When a personal possessive pronoun is linked to a substantive and is preceded by an -m derivative, it lays stress on 'possession' :

nám no ci (its) my eanoe I 1 my canoe 6m or as (its) yours I you your thing ám apapis cowUc (she is) his own paPis-woman I he his paP!S woman

WORD-CLASSES 151 substantives: no cém my house proper names: no Téawuc I am Teawuc adjectives : no omér I am afraid verbs: nó matewét I will have it wów, car áferî take care, or I shall kill you!

In fact, the -m derivatives om, cam and am were found almost exc1usive1y in this construction ; nam, on the other hand, occurs frequently in other contexts, see the previous examples.

218

Summing up, we can say that all these derivatives refer to relations between persons. If we call the persons concemed A and B, then we can set out the following scheme:

Syntactical valence.

219

The personal possessive pronouns can form grollps with:

deictic words; only with the directional pronouns: or ár in your direction, going for you (see § 209).

the postpositions am, aráw, aw, nat. (Examples of these constructions have al ready been given in § 209).

2. The demonstrative elass

220

This class consists of the demonstrative pronoun eler, the neutral pronoun al ar and the three demonstrative pronouns without variants : ja, jáka and átar.

221

The A variant was always found, except in the following cases; in these, the B variant occurred exclusively:

1. as the single word in a sentenee : ar here; er there.

2. linked to the directional pronouns: ár ar this way; ér ar that way, over there.

3. linked to:

aráw (§ 245) ár aráw this is it; here it is. ér aráw that is it. maserim ár maserim and next; and then ér nim a little bit to that side n~m pieirim ár pieirim to here (and no further).

Cases in which the demonstrative pronoun was linked to en, pen, am or aw, were not met with in the material I worked on.

4. before the final a which occurs in exclamations : éra! hey, there!

222

al ar points to:

1. that which is by, or in the direct neighbourhood of the speaker: a fér ca seráPmorémè this jfish trapj who fyau put it downf who are you, who have put down this fish trap? (§ 269).

jismák, a pér afámtiwU fire, buro up this mouse! (§ 266). fire, this mouse Ibum itl I

2. the locality of the events told of (in a tale):

a nesén los wá 371 cowák in, a Siréc there only forest only pp there Siréc there was only the forest, there by the Siréc (the locale of the story) (§ 290).

3. to that which is simultaneous, or almost so, with the action spoken of, or the happening narrated:

a Ihari Minggul 38 cowák jiwi takás aj mupicin atáwatic this Sunday one children all new c10thes receiving this very Sunday, all the children will get new c1othes.

The demonstrative pronoun al ar of ten occurs without its pointing to anything definite. I got the impression that this is the case when something is mentioned which has already been spoken of, or is presumed to he known to the listener :

MajU nucur moporóm pak in, a cém os

Majit ancestors /to show/ not pp the house poles

the house poles [already mentioned], they did not let the ancestors of the Majit people see them (§ 274).

a Watér nat , •.... " inim aer in Watér then said:

- Watér pp so /he said/ pp

a amás jis akát, a pók jis akát étampormi a jim a enám

- sago roasted weil - fish roasted weil 1I make for himl - /fish net/ - fish

piewérmi, mán opów 1I catch many:1 [but] eat not I prepare tasty roasted sago, tasty roasted fish for him, I scoop up many fish with the net, but eat he does not! (§ 280).

el er points tO:

1. that which is distant from the speaker:

e eá ei ám whose is that canoe over there? that whose canoe pp

fér e kapi euwue áp aw un Ifish trap/ there c10sed /was present/ sitting pp pp there in the distance stood the fish trap (in the river) dosing it (§ 269).

2. to a point in time, neither simultaneous, nor almost 50, with the time of the speech-event:

e asép enáweaw Ihari Rabuj 39 ará no karji 39 opák that next lit comes/ Wednesday pp I work not next Wednesday I am free.

3. a place far from the locality of. the event set forth in the narrative:

4. eler can also indicate a point that, in relation to another, is seen by the speaker as being the farther removed; or as the last one of a series: the distance is not then relevant.

esé jép er ár, jép er ár bag side there to, side there to a bag whose sides reach from there to there (the speaker stretches out hls arms on either side) (§ 285).

eler can occur without pointing to anythlng definite, j I alar:

enám a Wok tetám, a Mis tetám, é a niwi tetám, inim aéf fish - Wok /to givef - Mis Ito givel - his father /to give/ 50 /he did/ he gave the fish to Wok, to Mis and to his father. (Here e occurs as the last one of the series: a . . a . . e . . ).

é ur isipis aráw siriá, arásen momásiénawut - your parents pp quickly here /presently you must come together / as regards (you and) your parents, presently you must come together here quickly! (§ 275).

what is that thing you bring with you? that part you have been working on is the ánam (middle part of the no já or mó / manám maf / páka! 1 don't like that husband of yours! (§ 281). ja points specially to the person spoken to: (that) there with you: ja ueim pok tówomkonáwmem that what thing /you bring with you here! ja émorem ánam aráw that jyou work up! middle pp pith of the sago palm) (§ 299). I that your husband like not 225 jáka points to everything that is not at too great a di stance from the speaker. Before a word beginning with avowel, sometimes jak is found instead of jáka: jak ápori look there (beside: ar ápori, look here! and er ápori look over there!) jáka jowówa! hey, you there! there people ei jáka erén a! (let's go) a length upstream with the canoe! (§ 269). canoe there upstream to 226 WORD-CLASSES 155 átar enám amás néwirum néwa! that fish food /we ate always/ perhaps a ei nat átar jis ei nim makmák araw un bis canoe pp there firewood canoe Iike !piled up/ pp pp in his canoe, now, there they lay piled up high (the corpses) like a canoe with firewood in it.

224

átar was only found in a few cases in the texts. lt seems to me that átar only differs in meaning from the demonstrative a/ar by a certain emphasis:

perhaps it was fish we always ate formerly! (§ 302).

227

The demonstrative pronouns form groups with:

substantives: a esé this bag; ja esé that bag (with you) ; jáka esé that bag there ; e esé that bag over there.

proper names: a lepém here in ]epém; e Kájmo the village of Kájmo, away over there; ja Matámjen Matámjen there, near you.

directional pronouns: ar á this way; er á that way. (not found with ja, jáka, átar).

with aráw, maserim, nim, picirim (§ 221).

3. The directional class

228

This class consists of only two members: the directional pronoun ariw, and the neutral pronoun al ar:

a I ar ariw

alar points in a certain direction : wásen á to the forest nor á to me

The B variant was always found before the question markers en, pen, before the 'quotative' marker inlun, and before the final a, 0 or è which were mentioned in § 33 and § 34.

ár ará this way! here tol ó nor ár pen are you going for me? you me to pp o mokót ar en are you going to the sago garden? you /sago garden I to it/ no mokót aró yes, I am going to the sago garden. I/sago garden / to itj

WORD-CLASSES 157 281

e jowów mokót ar in those people jsago garden I to itl pp they are on their way to the sago garden, so it is said.

In the other cases, the A and the B variant seem to alternate freely.

230

arîw indicates that the point to which the movement is directed has been reached:

e jowów mokót ariw they are at the sago garden. those people jsago garden j to itj

káper 40 M erauke ariw boat Merauke Ito itf the boat (which left here) has arrived at Merauke.

Syntactical valenee

Directional pronouns can form groups with substantives, personal possessive pronouns and demonstrative pronouns. Examples were already given in § 229.

Interrogative pronouns

Characteristics

There are three interrogative pronouns:

ca/cam who, whose ucîm what, which, höw, how many, how much ucînakjucijuc where.

These will here be treated as a group for the following reasons :

1. they can occur in combination with a postposition am, which only occurs in combination with interrogatives;

2. they can only occur with particular farms of the verb.

eaj cam: ca occurs in all cases except immediately preceding the postposition am: in this case cam occurs.

udm: only once in a text a form udp was found instead of udm.

udnak/udjuc: udnak is probably a compound formed with ud and nak true, actual; udnak occurs in all cases except those given below. ud was found only once in a context in which one would expect udnak: this case is given in § 233 under udnak.

uc occurs hefore the directional pronouns a/ar and ariw.

In addition, ud and uc occur in the two alternating forms uciè and ucè, which occur in contexts in which the speaker expresses annoyance or uneasiness. These forms have the final è, dealt with in § 33.

The syntactical valence of the interrogatives is still not fully known to me. The structure of the sentences in which they occur is not always clear. It can only he said with certainty that they can form groups with substantives and verbs.

I shall deal first with those cases in which the interrogatives occur in combination with am; then I shall discuss those in which they occur without am.

Interrogatives occurring ~n combination with am:

am only occurs in combination with interrogatives in non-verbal word-groups.

There are two exceptions: a. uciè / ucè, with which am never occurs; b. the word-group udnak + positional verb, af ter which am does occur.

cajcom a cá jipic ám who is this man ? this who man pp cá Miwirpic ar' ám who is Miwirpic? who Miwirpic pp pp o cóm am who are you? you who pp

Instead of ó com ám, 0 cám who are you, also occurs.

jirpu com ám who is angry? angry who pp awut jiwi com ám which is the biggest child? big child which pp udm

a udm pok ám what's this thing? this what thing pp udm as ám what is it, what do you want? what something pp

In the contexts in which udm means how, how many, am is always preceded by the postposition ar' (see § 245):

ók udm ar' ám how many eggs are there? egg how many pp pp ná udm ar' ám what must we do now? we how pp pp o d par udm inim ar' ám how wide is your canoe? you canoe wide Ihow much I Iike thisl pp pp

udnak/ud/uc

The postposition am is always preceded by the postposition ar', when am occurs in combination with udnak. niwi ueinak ar' ám where is father ? father where pp pp nó juwur sis uei ar' ám where is my necklace of dog's teeth? my dog tooth where pp pp cá uc ár' am where are you going? you where pp pp é jowów uc áriw ám where have those people gone to? those people where lhave gone tol pp

Exceptions, mentioned above:

a. niwi uciè/ucè where is father ? father where In the following set expression, uciè/ucè has the specific meaning: why. inim nat uciè why (do you say) this! (§ 281). llike this/ pp why b. Suru ow udnak apés ar' ám where do the people of Suru live? Suru people where /they Iive/ pp pp

I nterrogatives without am

284

am does not occur in verbal word-groups. The only exception is the word-group ucinak + positional verb + ar am as mentioned in the preceding.

The interrogatives can form groups with the verbal forms of Cat. 10 (conditional forms) , Cat. 12 (habitual forms), Cat. 14 (progressive forms), Cats. 16 and 17 (ultimateand mediate-past forms), and Cat. 24 (unproductive category of the positional verbs). The forms of category 10 always occur when the question re1ates to the future.

ca

a kanU ca cePés apierés

these shrimps who women /they caughtj

who are the women who have caught these shrimps?

no cá amkawicen who will go with me there.

me who /will go with mei

udm

udm emésmemá how did you do it tonight?

how Iyou did it tonightj

tirif 40' udm emamis 41 how many letters are lying there? letters jhow many / Iie there/

makik ucim ématamcém 41 how will you throw out the fish line? /fish Iinej how jwill you throw itj

udnak

/makik mer/ udnak em-cém where will you go to fish? Igo to fishj where /will you do itj

Usually, however, one finds before a verb the circumscription ucim asén which place, instead of tlcinak:

tirif ucim asén tiwirumfem where did you send the letter?

letter which place jsent you itf

VII INTER]ECTIONS

CharacterlstlC8

235

The interjections form a word-class characterized by:

1. ,the absence of morphological and syntactical valence;

2. the occurrence of special phonological phenomena;

3. the breaking of the rules of phoneme distribution;

4. the breaking of the rules of accentuation.

The special phonological phenomena occurring with interjections are:

word-final è

prolongation of vowels

laryngalization

the special sounds nj, 'm, ts, and pro

These have already been dealt with in §§ 33-38.

The rules of phoneme distribution are broken in that the vowel e can occur word-finally.

The rules of accentuation are broken in that, in specific cases, the regular alternation of accented and unaccented vowels does not occur.

The interjections fall into two groups:

1. exclamations ;

2. onomatopoeic interjections, and exclamations used to call animals or to urge them on.

Exclamatlons

236

The rules of phoneme distribution are only broken In this group. Among others, the following cases were noted:

162 THE AS MAT LANGUAGE

wuI oh! alas! uwû! oh! alas! je fie! jój an exc1amation of surprise emá wait! be patient ! at6w come! ajpáw fine! enamûc come on! ts a sign of annoyance 'm indicates a vigorous start to an action sI hey! I say! noromûm 42 you are my husband, my dear one, my dear

Some cases were noted in which a whole word-group was transposed to the category of interjections. These cases are: the affectionate expression nor mó my husband, my dear one, and the abusive words: ekcá jimá monster! misbegotten brat! (arse child!) nés minó weakling! (piece of meat)

Onomatopoeic interjections and words of comrnand to animals

28'7

The rules of accentuation are only broken in this group. A phenomenon frequently occurring in this group is the repetition of the same element, usually one having one vowel. In this case the alternation of accented and unaccented vowels does not occur.

Examples of onomatopoeia:

ko,ko,ko,ko,ko sound made by drums kukuku caU of the ojum bird kèkèkèkèkè scream of the joc bird taká ko, taká ko sound made by feet squelching in the mud

The foUowing interjections are suggestive of actions :

njanjanjanjanja or njómo njómo njómo the action of nibbling or gnawing urururururu the action of something slipping into something e1se; people foUowing one af ter another wáka the making of a scarcely noticeable movement (e.g., with the hand) pére a sudden appearing and disappearing, flashing of light, a quick short movement.

In the foUowing cases the element that is repeated occurs also in the class of verbs either as a core, or as a component of a care. We are thus dealing here with cases of transposition :

teptepteptep the action of going lower and lower down, of sinking deeper (tep to he above) tajtajtajtaj the gradual ceasing of rain (taj to cease, to stop) purpurpur the assembling of a great crowd of people (pur in rows) sopï, sopï the action of leaping high in the air (of a fish leaping out of the water) (saw to leap up, pi to fly).

I also noted the foUowing interjections which are used to eaU an animal or to urge it on:

as, as urging on dogs at a pig hunt fafafafafa calling tame pigs

VIII NEGATIONS AND POSTPOSITIONS

Introduction

238

I shall now deal with a number of words that have no morphological valence and which calmot yet be classified into a definite word-class because the material is insufficient for this purpose. That I have, nevertheless, divieleel them into negations anel postpositions is elue to the fact that the negations, at least, have a feature common to them, one which is not found in the postpositions: only specific forms of the verb can occur before negations. The feature characteristic of the postpositions is that they always occur at or within the enel of a word-group.43

The syntactical valence of the negations anel postpositions, like that of the interrogatives, is still not ful1y known to me. In so far as I have been able to eletermine it with certainty will it be mentioneel, anel examples will be given.

In aeldition, cases will also be given of the occurrence of negations and postpositions in sentences of which the syntactical structure has not yet been determined.

The negations and postpositions will be dealt with m the following order:

1. The negations: opáklpall, opówlpow; ópnalláwlpcnakáw, pok, cmár.

Il. The postpositions: on the basis of their function, these can be divided into:

1. emphasizing words: aráw, nat, man

2. conjunctions : am, win, encr-imlenim, cin 44

3. question markers: enlan, opénlpcn, am'

4. the dubitative marker: ew

S. the irrealis marker: aj

6. the subjectivity marker: aw

7. the quotative marker: in/un/n.

Lastly, I will discuss three elements of which the function is still not clear to me: in/un/n', am', and aw.

Negatlons

289

Only the following forms of the verb can precede negations :

1. the m-/mV- and the m-/mV-áji forms:

2. the tense and ten se-aspect categories of verbs of which the core contains the formative por = to wish, to try to. These verbal forms only occur in combination with opáklpak, opówlpow and ópnakáwl penakáw. These negations then express a contrariness which can he translated by: but no, but in vain.

240

opák/pak not, without

opák and pak alternate free1y, except af ter verbs with the formative por, where opák always occurs. pak was usually fOlmd af ter the m-/mVand the m-/mV -4ji forms of the verb; in other cases opák was usually found.

opák/pak can form groups with:

the m-/mV- farms of the verb :mópor pák emóf I did not see it; see not jdid 1/ substantives: amás opák there is no sago adjectives: akát opák it is not good personal possessive pronouns: or pák not you cowák one, all: opák cowák absolute1y not wut much, many: opák WIlt by na means pak not: opák pak really! positive1y! not not

Cases in which opák is preceded by the verbal forms mentioned 10 § 239, 2. are:

Seréw matowóf un arewfájporamár opák in /peop!e of Seréw / in order to kill/ pp /they assembledl not pp the people of Seréw gathered to kill her, but in vain (§ 338).

"mank" ajf,por opák eat it, he said, but in vain.

I rat it / he said/ not

241

opów/pow not, without

The distribution of opów and pow is parallel to that of opák and pak. I could not find a distinct difference in meaning between opákjpak and opów/pow. I got the impression from the examples to hand that the relationship between opákjpak and opów/pow is parallel to that between the non-mood and the mood forms of the verb. opów/pow was only found in direct speech, in sentences in which the speaker gives expression to varying moods.

opów/pow was found linked to:

the m-/mV- forms of the verb:

Sajit masetáj powá Sajit has not arrived!

Sajit arrived not!

substantives :

amás opów there is no sago!

personal possessive pronouns:

no opów I am not there!

Cases in which opów is preceded by one of the verbal forms mentioned in § 239, 2. are:

atakám otawpormln opów talk 1 do with you not I give you advice, but you won't listen! (§ 282). pók jis akát etámporml opów fish roasted good /1 make for him/ not I prepare nicely roasted fish for him; it's all in vainl (§ 281).

otáwporéwirin opów Jcontinually I gave you advicel not I 've always given you advice, but you won't listen!

ópnakáw/penakáw

ópnakáw, or penakáw, occurs in negative-interrogative sentences and in sentences containing an emphatic denial and is translatable with: why not, not.

In sentences with this negation the speaker is always expressing a certain uneasiness, vexation, disappointment or dislike.

ópnakáw/penakáw was found linked with the m-/mV- forms of the verb, and with adjectives :

manapór penakáw why won't you eat them! (§ 280). Iwant to eat I why not/

namké ópnakawè now, aren't you ashamed! ashamed not

Preceded by a verbal form mentioned in § 239, 2. :

owerós moporómtewér empórmin ópnaka'Wè husband /to find / I try I but nol I am trying to find a husband, but without success.

Other cases:

cár jimin penakáw I don't like you at all! you like not okorá or owopis penákawè seduce you Jpeop!e of your own age I why not/ why don't you seduce girls of your own age!

pok let not, lest

pok was only found af ter the m-/mV- form of the verb:

jó mupu pok

sun / come up f let not!

don't let the sun rise = be sure you're ready before the sun comes up.

ów mop or pók efá jaró

people /to notiee/ lest quickly /1 walkedl

I walked quickly lest people should notice (§ 314).

244

emár is a negation expressing the reverse of an assumption; it can be translated with:. but .. .. not; indeed not; oh, no!

emár ca.n he linked to aráw and to the group substantive-adjective:

no ów akát emár I am indeed not a handsome man.

I man handsome findeed not/

máwtewer asén emár aráw

/to fetch (sago)/ place not pp

there is really no place to get sago from (§ 324).

pacáksere ei mosokóm, emár aráw, ei tari moskóm pak

useless canoe /break up/ no pp canoe old /break up/ not

a useless canoe, broken up .. no, they didn't break up the old ca.noe (§ 339).

P08tpos1tlons

1. Emphasizing words

245

aráw/ará/ar': aráw and ará appear to alternate freely, except in the following cases:

aráw always occurs before the postpositions an/en, in/un/n, and m:an. ará always occurs before the negation pall, and before new (§ 255). ar' 45 always occurs before the postposition am'.

aráw/ará/ar' can he used to make a statement about an existing situation, and is then translatabIe by: (there) is, (there) are.

Of ten, however, aráw/ará/ar' only places a slight emphasis on the word or the word-group preceding it.

aráw/ará/ar' can be linked with:

verbs: ajiniwnimés ará there they are, all coming back. atawfém aráw you said it.

The group: m-/mV- form of the verb + ará/aráwexpresses requirement:

mósirimták araw án is it necessary to row down the river again?

(§ 269).

substantives : cowuc cém ará the woman is at home (§ 265). woman house pp . maré, atówará then, there is play (§ 264). then play pp

proper names: Watér aráw, mu aniser in then, Watér went into the water (§ 270). W. pp water /he went into/ pp

personal possessive pronouns: nór aráw, ó matewér emin I want to take you with me (§ 280). I pp you ltake with / I want tol

demonstrative pronouns: ár aráw here is it, this is it. ér aráw there it is, that's it.

the postposition man: aráw man naturally, certainly.

nat/na nat and na alternate freely. nat/na places a slight emphasis on the word or the word-group preceding it.

nat/na ean form groups with: substantives : cowut nat jiwinakap in the girl (in contrast) was quite small. girl pp small pp proper names: a Watér nat ". .." inim aer in Watér pp so he spoke pp Watér (in his turn) said: .. (§ 269). personal possessive pronouns: no nát 0 jimin emcio I am fond of you. I pp you Ifond of 1 I am/ When the pronoun a/ar is the subject of a sentence it is always linked to nat: a nát, ó mopórtewét emenè he pp you Ito take / he wants you/ he wants to take you (as a wife) (§ 281). directional pronouns: ér na over there. In the following cases, nat/na emphasizes the word-group preceding it: amás os nát opák in then there were no sago palms (§ 289). sago palm pp not pp mitur wut nát, pasték wut nát, mipacák in mitur many pp pasték much pp fuU pp (there were) many mitûr bushes, much pasték grass; the whole place was covered with it. 241 man always occurs at the end of an emphatic statement or affirmation.

I t ean be linked to:

verhs:

mácatiw man! (yes), let's kill it! to kill pp

substantives : atów man good, (let us) play! play pp and to aráw, see § 245. 248 am also, and. onów am, ÓS am thatch and wood. thatch pp wood pp puw atéwer in firkóm am amán am spear /he took/ pp, /heavy arrow / pp bow pp he took a spear, and also a heavy arrowand a bow, .. (§ 277). nám am, namsóm pak I also don't know. 1 also /1 know / not nor ám, or ám you and I. 1 pp you pp

A few other cases are: no pók araw mán it's mine! my thing pp pp ér araw mán that's it! tl13.t's right! that pp pp

2. conjunctions

am can he linked to substantives, proper names and personal possessive pronouns:

win all, one by one.

win can only he linked to substantives: ei win, ei win, ei win all the canoes, one af ter the other. emoe pp emoe pp emoe pp mokót win ásasakájesef în, mokót win ásasakájesefë fsago gardenf pp fshe passed, comingf pp /sago gardenf pp Ishe passed, comingf she passed one sago garden af ter another, on her way here .... (§ 307).

250

enerîm/ enîm and. ctn and, inclusive. cîn occurs af ter words or word-groups which indicate a person. It is found linked to proper names, personal possessive pronouns and the interrogative ca 'who': a tîw cin, Juwutakap cîn he and rus son, Juwutakap. his son pp J uwutakap pp When linked to personal possessive pronouns cm is translatabie with 'bath': ná cin bath of us; cá cin or ó cin both of you. With the interrogative ca: o cá cin ám who is with you ? you who pp pp A few other cases: Tawerîc, ar ewuc Jiw cin Taweric and his brather Jiw (§ 336). Taweric his brother Jiw pp

enerîm, freely alternating with enîm, only occurs between proper names: Pisîm enerim Wasî Pisim and Was! (§ 328). Juwur enerim Ew Dog and Crocodile (as persons in a story). Cepésmi enerim Okórmi (the streams) Cepésmi and Okórmi.

251

But: Tawerîc, enerim Jiw Taweric and Jiw (see § 250). na sinakap cin anijîc go home now, you and my littJe wife § 292). my /little wifef pp /go home/ ar ém cin, ar mó cin the man and his wife. his wife pp her husband pp

3. Question markers

en/an

en and an appear to alternate freely; en occurs most frequently. Af ter aráw, however, an always occurs.

en/an occurs in interrogative sentences in which an inquiry is made regarding the identiy of a person or a thing, or about the nature of something. It can he linked to verbs, substantives and adjectives:

apórmem én are you looking at it? enám en is it fish? awUt en is it big?

A few other cases are: játakám juruw en is the story long? story long pp tó nuwuwfokom én did you set out yesterday? yesterday lyou set outl pp ó Tewér en are you Tewér(awuc)? you Tewér pp

253

opén/pen

op én, freely alternating with pen, occurs in sentences in which: a. an inquiry is made about the presenee of something or the occurrence of something:

enám pen is there any fish?

mu emésusumá pen is the water already boiling? water lit boHs already I pp

no mémtomir ÓW opén is there someone who can take me across? me Ito take acrossl people pp

b. an inquiry is made about the possibility of something happening, or permission is requested to do something. In these cases op én/pen always occurs af ter the m-/mV- form of the verb:

nó a cém mifis pen may I go into this house? I this house /go into/ pp no mani pen éw may I perhaps go home? (§ 299). I/go horne/ pp pp ja omá makámtewer pén these /binding material / to split into/ pp can you split them (the sago leaves) into binding material ? (§ 288).

This am which is not identical with the conjunction amJ occurs only at the end of word-groups containing an interrogative. Since it has been discussed in paragraphs 232 and 233, it will not he dealt with again here.

4. The dubitative marker ew

256

With some exceptions which will he mentioned later, ew always occurs in combination with either the interrogative form of the verb, with an interrogative, or with one of the question markers en/an and op én/pen. Sentences with ew express a doubt or an assumption :

with the interrogative form of the verb : enéw niwi pacáseánes éwa! 45' mother father Idid they kill them/ pp I have they perhaps killed mother and father (on the river) ? mów emépasán ew are the pandanus fibres already dry? (§ 284). /pandanus fibres / are they already dry/ pp with an interrogative: já ucim pemof éu' weIl, how should I have done it? (§ 327). that how I did itj pp na ucim jo ár' am éw by which river are we? (§ 340). we which river pp pp pp

With en/an: here, new always occurs instead of en/an + ew: amás aráw newá 45b is it sago? Perhaps it is sago! (§ 302). sago pp ppl pakás kor néw perhaps (he had) a big ulcer (§ 331). ulcer big pp udm 0 amiterém, jipit new, penés new Jwhat kind/ pig Iyou spearedj, male pp female pp what kind of pig did you spear, a boar or a sow? Exceptions are the verbs of which the core consists of or ends in a positional root: ew then occurs instead of new and alternates with aw: namuj pámis aw is my brother-in-law perhaps (lying) there? jbrother-in-Iaw j does he liel pp páPes ew are they perhaps at home? Ithey siV pp amán pómcem éwa! 45" have you the bow by you? (§ 336). bow Iyou stand withl pp with oPén/pen: o pacák pen éw don't you want to? you /don't want tol pp pp no jó pen éw mopówpor I river pp pp J go to look for I I'm going to see whether or not there is a river (to settle down). 5. The irrealis marker aj 256 aj occurs only at the end of conditional word-groups as an indication that the condition therein mentioned has not been met. It can still he followed by the postposition nat/na. It would appear that aj can he linked to verbs and personal possessive pronouns. Sentences in which aj occurs have already been given in § 135.

6. The 'subjectivity' marker aw

267

aw IS used to express delicate differences m the feelings of the speaker, e.g.:

reassurance : nór aw it's only I.

disappointment: wasén cow opák aw! forest / sago palm!\/ not pp there are no (good) sago palms in the forest (§ 279).

anxiety: niwi nat áw where has father got to? father pp pp

querulousness: a esé awut kor new áw this bag big too pp pp this bag is perhaps too big! (§ 285).

7. The quotation marker in/un/n

21')8

in/un/n occurs in sentences contammg a quotation in direct or m indirect speech, or containing a statement made from hearsay.

It's noteworthy that the rule of distribution obtaining for in/un is parallel to that which applies to the verbal formatives itumjutum, itjut and to a number of verbal suffixes (see § 91): un occurs af ter wordfinal m (except af ter em, to stand), and af ter word-final p, w or f preceded by a, 0 or u, except af ter ap to sit. in occurs in the other cases. n 46 was found only in two texts, narrated by a boy from J epém. (Text VII and IX, §§ 303-306; 316-320). In these texts it occurs af ter form 6 of category 19:

Safán atéptowópmare'n first she dropped Safan upstream (§ 303).

in/un/n always occurs at the absolute end of a word-group.47 á, arána, Miwirpie jjiwis tuwséf/ aráw new in, ei nap;' hey, upstream Miwirpic jwho moved away j it isl perhaps pp canoe white

é nimár araw un, e jó pu /mu ján/ asórmonimár

there Icomes downstreamj pp pp there river on current jit follows downstreaml

araw un

pp pp

"Hey, they say that there upstream - perhaps its Miwirpic who moved away - a white canoe comes floating down, it follows the current there in the middle of the river!" (§ 301).

An abundanee of cases can he found in the texts.

Elements of whieh the funetion is not clear

in/un/n2

The distribution of un is identical to that of the quotative un; n 48 occurs af ter word-final vowel; in the remaining cases in occurs.

in/un/n2 was found:

1. Af ter a m-/mV- form of the verb in sentences such as:

(per), am ék man in jisapeéj

(mouse), am fruit Ito eatj pp jcome outside and sit/

mouse, come outside and sit down to eat up the am fruit! (§ 266).

pó mipipim un ámeremer in

midribs Ito cut offl pp Ihe went therel

he went there to cut off midribs (of the sago palm) (§ 267).

The m-/mV- forms of the verb do, however, occur in comparabie constructions without in/un/n2.

sér matáw ajisáperes in

Iset fish / to catch I they went onto land and satj pp

they went onto the land to sit down and catch the ser fishes (§ 272).

I was not able to discover a difference in meaning between this construction and that with in/un/n2.

2. Af ter a substantive in sentences like: jipit, /mán fe'n/ ajimómcemés boy wrist /they drag him alongl they drag the boy along by the wrist (§ 265). e akát ow, e akát cepés in porerémtewerá, paeáksere ów paeák eepés, the fit men the fit women pp Ichoose repeatedly/, unfit men unfit women towofá, inim aer in jkill repeatedlyj, so jhe didl pp again and again he choose the fine men and women (from the people in the water), and the unfit men and the unfit women he killed (§ 278).

In these cases in/un/n2 appears to indicate that some part of a whole is affected by the action. There are, however, a number of cases in which constructions with and without in/un/n2 occur without any apparent difference in meaning:

/se'n/ ajáwniámar in she returned covered in mud (§ 300); mud Ishe returned covered inl pp

as weU as: sé ajáwnimia I return, covered in mud (§ 301); mud 1I return covered inj and: jumus in jiremóf I walked with bowed head (§ 309); /bowed head/ pp 1I went! as weU as: jumus jireméf ,/bowed head / she went! she went with bowed head (looking for crabs) (§ 303).

am"

An element am, which appears not to be identical to the conjunction am, was found in a limited number of cases, linked to mak back, moe wailing, and fajmue unhindered, safe, undisturbed:

mak ám matátiw to pile up on each other back pp Ito put on/

móe am ajatámniamár she returned, wailing all the time. wailing pp 1 she returnedl

páj akát fajmue am e-erés /peace-making ceremonyl good undisturbed pp /they did/ they held their peace-making ceremony properly, without disturbance.

But, in a comparabie case, in instead of am occurs af ter moe: móe in ajatámsieres in wailing, they entered the river (§ 328). wailing pp /they entered the river / pp

281'

aw

This aw is not identical to the aw mentioned in § 257; it probably is an allomorph of aráw/ará/ar'.

Compare:

Patépo euwue opéf aráw at that time he lived with Patépo (§ 311); Patépo lat that time I he sat withl pp

and: Patépo enerim Jitureem cuwUc opef áw Patépo and ]iturcem lat that time I he sat withl pp at that time he lived with Patépo and ]iturcem (§ 311).

PART IV

TEXTS

INTRODUCTION

Recording and presentation

282

The ten stories presented here are only a selection of those recorded on tapes. Eight of the stories were narrated by youths of 14 to 17 years of age and the recordings were made either at my house in Ágats or in my house in Jepém. One story, (VI), was told by a woman and was recorded in her own house and one, (X), narrated by an older man, was recorded in the ceremonial house.

During the narration, the speaker sat cross-Iegged on the ground on a sleeping mat, a.ccocding to Ásmat custom. And, since the stories were being told to an audience, the hand microphone, on its holder, was placed on the ground in front of the narrator. A number of listeners were always present during the recording sessions. The speaker was only interrupted during the telling of the story wh en a new tape had to be put on.

The recorded stories were lalter transcribed and translated with the help of my informants. For the transcripts, they repeated the stories word by word, and the translating of each story was only done when the transcription had been completed.

The stories have been presented - as far as it has been praoticable to do so - as they were told by the narrators: recapitulations, anacolutha, corrections made by the speakers, sudden changes of theme~ and asides have been retained. Any errors of speech which, in my opinion, were a hindrance to the understanding of the texts have been deleted. The transcripts given here are based on the word-by-word repetition of the stories by my informants, who sometimes deviated from the original by using another word-variant, or another word, or by using an Ásmat word instead of a Malay word used by the narrator. In these cases the word used by the latter is given in a note.

To facilitate the reading of the texts these have been divided into relatively short paragraphs. One paragraph of the Ásmat text corresponds to one paragraph of the translation. If any notes occur in a

TEXTS 181

paragraph, these have been put at the end of it. For technical reasons the notes to the Ásmat text as weIl as the notes to the translation have been added to the Ásmat text.

The spelling of the texts is phonematic; the special phonological sounds are written as shown in § 32, note. The accent is always indicated. The x indicates the sound made by striking the cupped hand with the fist. The narrators sometimes did this when the passage dealt wi,th chopping, striking, spearing, or when they wanted to indicate a thud or a crack, or a sudden start of an action. Since the striking of the cupped hand with the fist of ten wholly or partly took the place of a verba! description, i,t seemed advisable to indicate this sound in the transcription. A senten ce such as: Tawcric amás . .. 'Taweric sago' ... cannot he understood unless the accol11panying sounds made by the narrator are represented: Tawcric a11lás x ol" ol" ol" 'Taweric chopped down sago palms'.

In addition, the following punctuation-l11arks will be used:

the ful! stop, to indicate a fillal pause, after a non-exc1amatory sentence;

the comma, to indicate a Iloll-final pause in the speech of the narrator ;

the exc1amation mark, to indicate a final pause af ter an exclamatory sentence;

the dash, to indicate a sudden change of theme ;

quotation marks, to indicate statements in direct speech.

No capital letters will he used, except for proper nam es.

Individual details about the texts

288

1. (§ 264). Narrator: the informant Mifekpic from Suru; approximately 14 years of age. He fells of a day in the life of youths from Sumo

Il. (§ 265). Narrator: Mifekpic. He gives a brief description of the way in which a marriage is conc1uded.

lIl. (§ 266). Narrator: Mifekpic. A story for children about the squabble between the Maciw, a snake, and the Am, a fruit.

IV. (§§ 267 - 270). Narrator: Warsé, an elder brother of Mifekpic, also from Suru; approximately 16 years of age. A story for children telling how the fet fish came by his scarred nose and the watér fish by its many bones. (Children are not al!owed to eat the watér fish hecause it has so many bones).

V. (§§ 271- 279). Narrator: Warsé. This story of Owpacák and

Cowutpacák is part of the history of the ongm of the Majit group in Suru. The locale of the story is the Sepér, a sidestream of the Siréc (see map Ir). In the past, the people of Majit lived for some time on the Sepér.

VI. (§§ 280 - 302). Narrator: AséPar, the mother of my informant, Natinák. This story is abotllt the origin of sago - the only story told by a woman. It differs in various details from the story of the origin of sago told to me llllter by Warsékomen, the chief of the ceremonial house Ar in SurU. Because this is the origin myth of the most important food of the Ásmat people, I shall give a short summary of bath versions :

In AséPar's version, Miwirpic wants to marry the younger sister of his wife, Tewérawuc. When the girl expresses her unwillingness to become his wife, he takes the two women with him to the upper course of the Siréc. There he finds a sago palm which he looks afiter until the sago ean be extracted. In the meantime, he gets Tewérawuc to make a huge bag. He chops down the sago palm and instructs the women in the extI"action of the sago. While he is on his way home with the heavy bag full of sago on his back he sinks into a morn.ss, still bearing the bag. During the night he changes into a sago palm which makes the sago palms, seattering them everywhere. It has, however, no crown. On the following day the women return to look for him. Tewérawuc puts her sister upside down on Miwirpic and she changes into the crown of the sago palm, her legs and arms, sticking up towards the sky, become its fronds. Tewérawtlc then returns alone to her village and illltroduces the sago to the people.

In Warsékomen's version, Miwirpic goes alone to look for sago. He threads on a thorn which he then plants. From it grows the first sago palm. Helped by his wife, he then extracts the sago. On his way back, he and the bag full of sago sink into a morass. At night he changes into a sago palm which scatters its fruit everywhere and sa spreads the sago palm.

Warsékomen told me that he did not know the version given by Asépar and claimed that it was incorrect. The question arises in this connection, whether Asépar's version may he told only by women. Unfortunately I was not aware of this during the time I was staying with the Ásmat people. It is noteworthy that various procedures in the kaware feast held on the Mimika Coost, bear astrong resemblance to some of the events described in

Asépar's version. 1

TEXTS 183 -----

VII. VIII. & IX. Narrator: Wominén, a young man from Jepém, approximately 16 years of age. These three stories all have as their subject matter a contact with supernatural beings. These were told to me as true happenings.

In VII. (§§ 303 - 306), he teUs about the woman, Pajámpari, and the consequences foUowing intercourse with a spirit from a river which passes itself off as the man she desires.

In VIII. (§§ 307 - 315), Wominén tells how he himself was taken off by a spirit girl who wanted to marry him, and was finally brought back.

In IX. (§§ 316- 320), he teUs how his father once had an encounter with his ancestors when he was searching for fish.

X. (§§ 321- 344). Narrator: Simni, chief of the ceremonial house Awór in SurU; approximately SS years of age. This story tells about a famine in the coastal regions which made it necessary for the people living in the area to join villages further inland. It describes in detail the fate of the people of Jepém when they went to the village of Seréw, and how the majority of them were slain there. The story is a tari atakám, a story regarded by the Ásmat people as historical. The happenings described in this story must have taken place at least a century ago. 2

I

264

ná amás mér, wásen á. amás mamánem, amás mawán. amás awcóm, amás esé atápomcemóm. amás esé tapómcom 1 miserim, ánicemóm. cém misêrim ásetájcemom. amás áncom, mari atów ará. atów ecóm, wunám, porów, már atów me, arásen ajiniwenáwcemóm. már atów eitumcom, ánicom, cém amás ancóm, mari is ápoamiscemóm.

• i.e., from Suru to Agats.

11

2815

jipit, jéw emápot;má. cOwUt, cém ará. ájimsomicemés cowut jimsomit, jipit jimsomit écemes. jimsomicemés, cowut, jis atopómcemes jipit, mán fe'n ajimómcemés. ár enéw, a niwi cém miserim áfiwomiwcemés.1 fiwomiwoemes 2 masêrim, mari, á ko inim ajiwemapómcemés. á ko jiwapómcemes,jókmen simtiwtámcemés.3 amás án co simtiwtámcemés. mari, amás áncemés. amás, si amamtámcemés. á pakajápcemes ów si amamtámoemes misêrim mari, misit écemes miserim, séj in órowapómcemés awér kápmapómcemés. jófaj miserim, mari amás mer jisomásmes. wasén, fawic emásmewérmes. fawic 4 emásmewérmes. ei niomuwoemés.5 fawic ésasmewérmes. cém setájcemés. wun jófaj amás mer jisásmes. ófasicemés. porów miserim, amás, cowuc, ár isipis, cém atówomiwtámcemés. tówomiwtámcemes pók am ámutámcemés. mari opák.

1 fiomlcëmes; S fiomiwcëmes; 3 simtitámeemes; 4 fait; Ii niomueemes.

264

TEXTS 185

I

We go to the forest to get sago. To cut down a sago palm; to scrape out the sago. When we've scraped out the sago, then we put the sago in the bags. When we've filled the bags we go back. Then we arrive home. When we've eaten, il:here'll he play. \iVhen we've played then, in the aftemoon, we all come here' to play football once more. When we've played football in the afternoon, and when we've gone back and have eaten at home, then we all go to sleep.

26G

11

The boy sits in :the ceremonial house. The girl is at home. They' pull them up with them; they pull the boy up with them; they pull the girl up with them. They pull them up with them; they put the girl on someone's back; they drag the boy along with them by the wrise Then they take them inside, into the house of his mother and father. When they've taken them inside, they make them sit down [on the floor] cross-Iegged. They make them sit cross-Iegged and they· push the bamboo tongs towards her. They push a basket with sago in iil: il:owards her. Then they d eat the sago. They • share the sago out. They share out the sago among all the people who are gathered there, and after that the laJtter get up one by one, and gently press her several times on the shoulders. f The awér is put on her.' The following day, they' go away with her to the forest to get sago. In the forest they make jokes all the time; all the time they make jokes. h They take her with ,them in the canoe. Still joking, they come here and arrive home. The next day they go away to the forest to get sago. They come back. Then, when it's evening, they take the sago inside the house of the girl's parents. They take it to them, and they also present them with things of value. I

III

266

Maciw, mu amuámser in. Ám ek arám op jirán aetéper in. "Maeiwa, ó na arpuka,l nó mari jirán mékurum mokójni 1 emi" ajipor opák in. a nát, "earpá min nát tepákokójniewérmokom. a ów mamis maserim cár mokokójnieweréji araw án" inim aer in. "á, emémamserém" inim aer in. Ám ek óp ewtépkojér 2 eowák misa nami anijámtiwer in. "uwu mia uwu mia" inim aer in. "pér, ase éwsiraeém Am ék man in jisapcéj" inim aer in per ápsirér eowák, Am ék man in ájisaper in. "wá, jismák, a pér afámtiwit" inim aer in. jismák pér sesese aómomáter in. "té mumu anemuea" inim aer in. té mumu anémor in. mari, opák.

267

IV

Fét, amás mér, támiwcim 1 atiwkojer in. amás mer támiweim tiwkojér, jó atépsier in, erén. jó tepsiér, wasén áiwiseres in. wasén áiwiserés, amás animatier in ar mó. ar mó Fét.2 apér ajáperer in. apér aperér, anuk akér,3 piein ám afafémor in. piein afafémomasér, ar mó, amus átewerac in. amus, eenám ájatmápmae in amus atewérer in, nés asákmor in. nés áwkurmorés, - wunám ar ém atátmor in a amus aráw. ar ém amus tatmór, ar ém amás nes ajáwor in. ar mó aráw wunám, umu áiwiénae 4 in, pó mipipim un ámerémer in. pó pipmór, po ámtawkenémtiwér miserim, émkurmór miserim, ar ém ará maré, "apim majit" inim aer in. ar ém amás apim jiamár, amás apim ajiámar in tám ewemés. ar mó arám amás nes áwamar in. awamár, amás apim jikurumorés,5 amás am, ar mó amás nes áwkurumór, mari, amás nes áwkurumór maserim, mu afámsemáees in. amás masirim esé atápmores in.

TEXTS 187

III

268

A Maciw snake lay asleep af ter bathing. A [bunch of] ripening Am fruit hung above it. "Maciw, get out of the way, you! I want to fall down to become squashy," it said, but in vain. "Why do you never fall down when you're alone? Why do you always want to fall down when someone's lying here?" [the snake] said. "Weil, since you are there," it said. And the whole bunch of Am fruit forthwith fell down from above and hit the [snake's] nose. "Oh, my nose! Oh, my nose!" it cried. "Mouse, run out of the undergrowth and sit down and eat up the Am fruit," it said. The mouse immediately started to run out, and it sat down to oo.t up the Am fruit. "Hey, fire, bum up this mouse," said [the fruit]. The fire came up to the mouse, frizzIing it up. "Downpour fall down!" it said. A downpour feIl down. That's all.

IV

26'7

Fet went to get sago; early in the moming he started out. Early in the moming he stal"ted out to get sago and, having gone upriver, entered a sidestream. When he had rowed into the sidestream, they (Fet and his wife) went quickly into the forest. When they got into the forest, the man began to chop down a sago palm. Feit, the husband. He made the test holes.· When he'd made them, he chopped off the growth from the trunk, and he also stripped off the bark. When the man had stripped off the bark, he first took the sago scraper. He first fixed the headpiece to it. He took the sago scraper and began to scrape out the pith. When they'd scraped out all the pith -, af ter that, he gave his wife the sago sctaper. He gave the sago seraper to his wife, and she began to serape out the pith. Then the man walked quickly to the crown of the palm; he went there to cut off midribs of the fronds. He cut oH midribs of the fronds and then he fitted up the trough for washing the sago, and when he'd made the whole thing, he then said to his wife: "Squeeze out the sago pulp." His wife squeezed out the sago pulp continualIy; continually she squeezed out the sago pulp. They were doing it from the early moming. The man, on his part, scraped out sago continually. He scraped all the time; they squeezed out all the sago pulp. The man scraped out the pith until it was all out and when he'd scraped out all the pith they let the water run away band put the sago mea1 in the carrying bag.

268

ar mó cowó mokokómtewér, cowó eméner in. cowó emenér, cowé kokómtawór, ar ém, cowé esé atówopmor in. cowé esé towopmór, ar ém aráw, "wu copón pomáteweri,1 cem, wit matáknap" inim aer in. ar mó wu copón emátmor in. wu aématmac in, wu copón mátewér, wu asumór maserim, - ar ém am arám, amás esé tatapóm akát. pók am tatáfajimtiw akát. mari ar mó wu ámerátmor in. wu sumomér, tówocinér maserim, "enamuc ánica" inim aer in. a amás apim ará, átewerac in, mirám ajikonier 2 in. mirám ajikoniac 3 in, ei anititiwer in a amás esé am ei nitowópmorés, ar ém mu amuór ar mó cin mu amuorés masirim ei asuwuwóres 4 in. - wasén éwnierés mu ánimurés. mu ámuores 5 in ei ásuwaces in. mari aséperes in. sépeêrés, áptakeres in.

1 pomáterit; 11 ajukoniér; 3 ajukoniác; 4 asuwores; 5 mu ámores.

269

Watér am arám, mu Intm jimsemamár mari asirmeser in fér maserapóm. fér masirim, a Fét ar ém cin sésieres jó, áserápmor in. fer áserápmac in wasén ajisémer in. arám ásirimtakerés cowák ar ém cin, Fét am, ásirimtakêrés cowák ar ém cin. sén, ar mó manmak ápemtakmór.1 fér e kapi cuwuc áp aw un a jó. "á, a fér ca serápmorémè" inim atákjiser in. Watér wasén cuwuc emic aw un, "ja fér nó serápmujá", inim ajinémor in. "emá fér serápmorém new, é wasén pinim j épnakápiriw máokomémtamein nor, - ei ara was én pinim mesétak" ajipor opák in. a Watér nat, "carpá min nat tépesájtakawérmokóm. wunam a fér serapmuj masirim, mósirimták araw án" inim aer in. inim ajiémer in a capinmi. "á, emá awut akát pak é jep in okomémtamein no cásirimtakei", ajipor ópak in. Watér nat, "carpá min nat tépesájtakawérmokóm" inim ajiémer in. "á, emémemerém" ájac in, "enamuc ei jáka erén a" inim aer in. éren ásirimtepêrés, ar ém cin éren ásirimtepërés cowák. e erén ewtopómsirimorés pó ji. éren

268

TEXTS 189

The man went to the crown to break off side leaves of the fronds of the sago palm. He went to the crown; he broke off side leaves, and his wife lined the bag with them. She lined the bag with them and she said: "By and by, chop down a young sago palm and take the edible top out of it, so that when we arrive home we ean eat it." The man went 1:0' chop dO'wn a young sago palm. He went to chop it down; then he chopped it O'pen in order to get the edible top out of it, and -. Meanwhile, his wife had put the sago neatly in the bag, and placed all the tools neatly beside each other. The man went to cut out the edible top. He pulled out the edible top, took it back with him and said: "Come, let's go home." Then he took the sago pulp, which he wrapped up in a small bag, and went with irt to the river. First he wtapped it up and then he went with it to the river; then he put it in the canoe. They also put the bag with the sago in it in the eanoe; then the wife went to bathe. When she and her husband had bathed, they stepped into the canoe to start O'ut. . .. They came out of the forest and went to the river to bathe. They bathed; they stepped into the canoe. Then they started out. They started out, and began to row downstream.

269

Then Watér came, just as the water began to go down, to put down a fish trap. And he put down the fish trap in the river which Fet and his wife had entered. When he'd put dO'wn the fish trap, he went ashore and stayed there. Now they came down the river; Fet and his wife came rowing quickly down the river. The man kepi\: a sharp lookO'ut downstream ; there, in the di stance , was the fish trap in the river, dosing it. "Hey, who are you who've put down the fish trap?" he cried out from where he rowed downstream. Watér, who stood in the forest, said: "I've put that fish trap down there." "Oh, maybe you 're the one who's put the fish trap there, then roU up a little of the end that's on your bank, then I - the canoe, ean go along by the bank," he said, but to no purpose. Watér said: "Why don't you go down the river when you're alone? Must you travel down the river just as I've put down a fish trap?" so he shouted out, standing on the land. "Oh, come, only a little gap; roll up rthe end for me, let me get through first!" he said, but in vain. Watér said: "Why don't you go down the river when you're alone?" "Since you are there ... ," (Fet) said. "Come, let's take the canoe upstream a bit," he said. They quickly éwtopómsirimorés eowák mari fér jeten in atapómterémores in a jó pu. fér jo pu jeten in atapómterémores in.

270

Watér am arám apán efa tiwsiritewerae 1 in, Fét euwue emie, maré mi piein, mitápmorin. mi piein 2 ámitápmae in, Fét am "á, nemeén emétemêrém" inim aer in. ásefasiae in, amás apim, atiwtewerae 3 in euwue emic maré nám empámor in. nám empamór miserim, mare owén ajipirsámores in. owén amorés amorés amorés, "apán mitapmun aráw, Fét, Fet májawérnes. Fét aworsée" inim aer in. Fét am arám, "amás apim emsokmun aráw, mu enám niáworsée Watéra. Watér emák kikinakap mómseaweri", inim aer in. maré, Watér aráw, mu ani ser in. mu tiki ajipuor in. fér am musumtewér pak in, mu wu ánijiser in. Fét am arám, ei ewtépsowor eowák, 010 mi'n ajistipser in. mo mi'n jistipsér misêrim, ów porá er,4 mó amán tapijiwá, ów opák aporá er,4 mi'n jistipseá, inim aer in. Watér am arám, ów porá er,4 mu tiki jipuá ów opák aporá er,4 suwapá, mu jipuá afun pupupu inim ajipuor in. inim aémor in. maré.

1 tiwsiterácj !J mi pcinj 3 atiteracj "aporër.

• The fet is a fish that Iives in small holes in the mud.

v

2'71

Owpacák, Cowutpacák. a tiw Miwirpie. Majit nueur in. sé caka jésmar jiwi mu. Majit nueur in. sé caka jésmar ei sér mokokóm sen, eowák awuámsesmar in. Owpaeák Cowutpaeák, a tiw Miwirpie 1 ám, maré erém ajámuwésmar in. erém amtakesmár, sé caka jésmar, sé pe mákan maré, sé ajiémeres in. pé akitmes in. pé akitmés, pu mu am ákonawor in. "maréwa, pu mu átewermára,2 jáka erén mátetapmuca, erén máescésa",3 inim aeres in. erén jipit cowák ajirimtápmores in, ów maté. erén tépkuruerés, ei anisájeres in. ei nisajerés, ei sér araw

TEXTS 191

rowed up the river; he and his wife forthwith rowed up the river. From there they set oH, rowing quickly. They rowed strongly from there - in the middle of the river they drove straight ill!to the fish trap and split it down the centre. There in the middle of the river they drove straight into it and split it down the centre.

270

Then Watér quickly picked up a many-pointed arrowand hit Fet, who stood there, on the nose. When it had hit him on the nose, Fet said: "Oh, so now you are angry!" He turned round, picked up the sago pith and hit Watér, who stood there, on his body. Af ter it had hit him, they began to struggle. They fought, and fought, and fought .... "With a fish spear I struck you; Fet sha11 they call you from now on. Change into a jet fish," said Watér. Fet, in his turn said: "With sago pulp I hit you. Change into a fish, a watér fish. By and by become a fish, a water, full of bones!" Thereupon, Watér went into the water; with a splash he dived in. He did not remove the fish trap. In the water, he began to waggle his fins. Fet, for his part, forthwith sprang oH the canoe and stuck his nose up through a small hole. ft He stuck his nose up through a hole, and whenever he saw anybody, he went back into the hole, and whenever he saw that there was nobody, he stuck his nose up through the hole. That's wh at he did. Watér, in his turn, dived below with a splash when he saw anybody, and whenever he saw that there was nobody, he came above the water, and wh en he dived he blew air bubbles. That's wh at he did. That's all.

v

271

Ówpacak and Cowutpacak. Their son was Miwirpic. They were forefathers of the Majit people. n At night the mud banks lay dry, it was jiwi tnu. b They were forefathers of the Majit people. At night, when the banks lay dry, the whole village went down the river to catch ser fish. And Miwirpic, the son of Owpacak and Cowutpacak, went at night with them. At night, he too went downriver; the banks lay dry, and they went onto the banks to catch the crabs in the mud. The whole morning they caught crabs, and while they were catching the crabs uno áokómorés. wasén, ajisokómtiweres 4 in. sér atáworés, wunám, áokomorés ei wa. a cimin cowák araw wunám wasén ajisokómtiweres in.

C The method used to catch the ser fish is as follows: in the shallow water near the bank of the river a number of canoes are placed end to end in a half circle, facing the bank. The canoes are 'then pushed towards the bank driving before them the fish that have been caught in this trap. The men who have been pushing the canoes then go and sit on the bank, stretch out their legs to the right and left of their bodies, and try to seize the fish as they slither back to the water.

272

wunám ci wá kor óeres in. a sér najitipit, ei wa tnlm emés maré wasén sopi sopi sopi ajiser in. Miwirpitsimit 1 arám, ów a tasmájipic in, "tiwa, é sosójismar nás korá, atewércokom ów mómtetámciná", inim aer in. maré wá omiserés, wasén jisokómtiwerés miserim, maré sér matáw ajisjápêres in. ar ás kor nat e wasén ewcucurumorés cowák. wasén ewcucurumorés cowák, ár apnáf 2 a, curujisá, ájamesjinier in iwnim pinim. Ówpacák Cowutpacák, a tiw Miwirpic 3 apnáf 2 masirim maré mimi aniáper in. maré, átewérac in, ei atówonier in. mu apirimac in, fé acomómor in. a Miwirpitsimit 1 aráw, Miwirpitsimit 1 aráw, curuw jirpu apuémer in. "á, ja mátetamuca,4 májsiréra" ajipores opák in. "á, nám nor enéw no niwi ása, ceméw atmokóma", inim ajómer in.

1 Mirpitsimit; 2 apnéf; 3 Mirpit; 4 mátamuca.

273

wunám, ar erén plUIm, ei ser áokomorés. ajisokómtiweres 1 in. a Miwirpicakáp ará, a Miwirpitsimit, ei, ak, inim mésarimár, pó men awón mopac in x, sé okon in ajakmápmor in. á emsér jicop ei ow, "maréwa", áemwuor in. wun ow nát cern máp, emétepákajapites 2 in. mánmak in tiwsirimasmámes in. ar ásakap Mewórpic. Mewórpic aráw, "manmák in tiwsirmeweréjipuruwa" ájac in, átewerac in, mu, é nam mu cicikimór e sé, mu cicikimór,3 ei atitiwer in. átepá jamés, "Ówpacák Cowutpacáka, ca tiw aráw, Miwirpitsimit 4 pó men, sé okon in akmapmór. sér aráw, arów ajsirér sér omót nak, omót kor cowór. arów ajsirér, ca tiw maserim atéwer in, matetám 5 pak emór", inim tepjomséames in. ar enéw a niwi miserim, "á, ja cá Miwirpic ar' amá", inim japá james in. ar mó cin ar ém cin. átepá jamés, "Ówpacák

TEXTS 193

the tide came in. "Let's stop now, the tide begins to rise. Send someone upriver to call the people; they must come here," they cried. They sent a man upriver to call the people. There upstream they shouted their agreement, and they all got into the canoes. They all got into the canoes, and af ter that, they drove the ser fishes (before them) with the canoes.· They drove them against the (downstream) bank. They caught the ser fishes. Again they drove them, with the canoes in a half circle. Then, as before, they drove them to the bank.

272

Again they made a big half circle. While they were busy doing that. a gigantic ser fish rushed to the bank, leaping high out of the water. The old Miwirpic, the men's war leader, cried: "Children, that one thWt's leaping onto the shore yonder is mine! If you catch it you must give it to me." And they pushed the canoes towards the shore. When they'd driven them against the land, they went onto the land to sit down and catch the ser fishes. The huge ones forthwith slithered from the bank. They (the fishes) slithered down from the bank, towards the wide apart stretched legs (of the men). They broke through to the water's edge. The son of Öwpacak and Cowutpacak, Miwirpic, sat down, his legs stretched wide apart close to the ground. He was the one who caught it, and he took it to the canoe. He washed it in the water, and he strung it on a rope. Now, the old Miwirpic was furious, but he didn't show it. "Hey, give him that fish, he's laid claim to it," they cried, but to no purpose. "No, it's for my mother and father ; you won't rile me," he said, keeping it.

278

Once again they drove the ser fishes up but then to the upstream bank. They drove them up onto the shore. As to the small Miwirpic; the old Miwirpic went alongside him with the canoe; he gave him a thwack with the blade of his paddie and toppled him into the mud with his mouth open.' The men who were in the war canoes (called out): "Let's go!" and they all fled. Some of the people had already gone ahead upriver to their houses and they sat there just sta:ring. b His paPis partner was Mewórpic. Mewórpic then said: "Don't sit there as usual, just staring !" He took him up, and washed the body with water; he washed off the mud with water, and he laid him in the canoe. Again and again the people went up the river: "Öwpacak, Cowutpacak, the old Miwirpic struck your child with the blade of the paddle and

Cowutpacáka, ca tiw aráw. pó men sé okon in akmápmorés, é asep móc ajósmes ará" inim eres in.

1 ajisokómtires; 2 emétepakajpites; 3 cikimór; 4 Mirpitsimit; I matám.

• An open mouth (with the tongue hanging out) is a sign of death: the young man is therefore dead.

b The people who are looking on behave in a manner which is customary in the Ásmat country: they don't meddle with things concerning others.

2'74

Miwirpic, ásirmotéperä, cém atepómser in. cém tepomsér, ar ënéw a niwi móc mamóc 1 pak in, ar ënéw a niwi móc mamóc 1 pak. muapom ámamewámes in. "a, na inim pacákseré ow, ów cepés na jimá, ná muapóm araw ána", inim já james in. Miwirpic masërim wunám, sé armá awuápmor in. sé armá wuápmor in. jófaj apamés, jófaj am ápamés, jófaj misërim amás mér araw uno amás mér, amás cem áwtiwërés, a ei towopmór jipit,2 Mewórpic, maré Miwirpic mi aókmores in. amás aworés, wunám, os mér araw un, cém os. cém os, curuw ámores in. Majit nucur moporóm pak in a cém os. cUrUw amápuëres in ar ém ein ar mó dn. cém am curuw, ájapómkekémores in. cém am curUw, curuw. jóf opák in, takás akikirákurUmores in. jimsip, ákamápmores in. wasén, pók cem, ajápmores in.

• i.e., Mewórpic.

2'75

wunám, amás araw uno amás, amás, aworés, aworés, aworés. cém, amás patámkurmorés, "má" jaces in, mtt enám 1 araw un, sen ásirimtákëres in. suku átewer in. fét atéwer in. fis atéwer in. pé atéwer in. kanpór atéwer in. sinák atéwer in. én atéwer in mu enám.1 é pakajsé, pók, e pákajamis pok, takás áfefémtawor in. wasén, ców ek átewer in. ei ék átewer in. os ék, átewer in. jif atewérer in. piri misin átewer in. sé atewérer in. emór, jófaj apamés jófaj, erám pok, afefémtawores in. erám pok fefémtawamés, aeic acic pok, fefémtawamés, jófaj, masërim, a tiw, Mewórpic a Miwirpic mi okmorés jipit, aótawores in.

" "piri mu ajitmar" ecés aráw, e ur isipis aráw, siriá, arásen mom-

TEXTS 195

tumbIed him dead in the mud. There was a ser fish, he claimed it, it was a ser fish like a real omót fish, as big as an omót. He claimed it, but your son captureel it and wouldn't give it to him," so they calbl out again and again as they were rowing up the river. But his mother and his father who were sitting there said: "Hey, who is this Miwirpic?" So they sat, asking it again and again. All the time (people) came up the river: "Öwpacak, Cowutpacak, it's your child! He struck him with the blaele of his paddIe and tumbIed him dead in the mud; and there behind, they come with him here, crying," they said.

274

He rowed with Miwirpic upriver; he took him upriver to the house. He took him home, but his mother anel his father dieln't cry. They dieln't cry. Everyone was telling everybody else to bury him. "Must we bury the child of sueh a bad man and wornan," they said over and over again. In the end he himself a buried Miwirpic. The following day they stayed at home and the elay af ter, and the day af ter that they went to get sago. They got the sago; they put the sago down at the house anel Mewórpic, the youth who hael laid him in the canoe, they took as a son in plaee of Miwirpic by rubbing him with lime. They scrapeel out the sago and then they went to fetch wooel for the poles for a house. They chopped down the poles for the house in secret. They didn't let the forefathers from the Majit people see those house poles. They ehopped them seeretly, the man and his wife. The house, too, they built in seeret and tieel it firmly. They built the house in secret, too; there were no holes in it. They stopped them all up. They made a door in ~t. In the forest they put up a hut to store food.

275

Once more, they went to get sago, and sago, and sago; they scrapecl and scraped and scrapeel; they filled the hut right up with sago. "That's still not enough," they said, and they went downstream to get the things that live in the water. He got a small ewór crab, a suku, a fet anel a fis fish, a pe and a kanpór crab, a sinák lobster, an en fish. Everything that swam or crawleel in the water he collected. From the forest he fetched a sago fruit, a fruit of the ei tree, anel other fruits. He fetcheel humus, and from the seashore he fetched sand. That's what he did. The next day they rested, anel the elay af ter that they gathered magic herbs. The whole day they gathered magic herbs; they asiénawnt", lUim ajitámor in. ájitamac in jófaj aráw maré, erém atiwkojer in. Majit nucur arám se cáka jésmar, pók memán, sén fofofó jitaker in. arám efá sirimtakáces in, e jó naraw atákseaces 2 in, "jáka jicëmup muä, máenawcáwa", inim aer in, Owpacák. inim emtawmár jóc ara "kèkèkèkèkè" inim aer in. ar ém cin ar mó cin, "á, ëmá siri kór naká. cém cátepapcóma", 3 inim aer in.

• The eall of the joc bird is considered as an augtlry in that when its call is heard one may ask the bird a question. If the eall stops, the answer is in the affirmative. In this story, the screaming of the joc bird is a sign that the magie practised by Owpacák and Cowutpaeak will take effect immediately.

278

cém lUim tepapmés, jicëmup 1 sesák jáknakapiriw atowópmor in. Siréc jo pu. sésak jáknakáp atowópmor in. mu komén fére ajikonáwor in maré. é po mén emsokmór jipit nát, cém metép pak in maré jócor átakamás, mu namir átakamás in. "sen mu ajter ina" inim emés, Mewórpic,2 ar isipis, e asé ar isipis, a tërásëpés, asé a tërásëpés, átawac in, Owpacák Cowutpacák, cém cowák maré ajirámsimápmor in. "jimsip mápapájimut" inim aer in. jimsip pajimáces in ar isipis e cém amán cowák. maré jimsip in akápmaper in. Majit nucur cém emápëres ów, pó karéw araw uno pó karéw emápaces in, cém eápmores in. mu nat inim emór cowák, tototototo. Majit nucur, maré mu atowómser in. pó karéw apërés ow, maré mu, ajitmomáser in. pók mer, amás mer pacájcukor ów, mu namir takas in. erém nat, maré mu nat, 'm, jimtewer 3 in. Majit nucur wun ów, pó karéw apërés ow, té cesmar wó, afésmar, namir nim e ei amán, jumus in jinitnakapiriw nesén acaeiapëres 4 in.

1 jitmup; 11 Mowórpit; 3 jiémtewer; 4 atatiápëres.

• asé ar isipis, asé a tarásepés: his asé "side" parents and sisters. It is not c1ear which kinship group is meant here.

277

a Owpacák enim Cowutpacák aráw, "jáka iwnim emséces ów aráw, já ur isipis, nesén momniemit, nesén momátewerit", inim áeres in. anakátipic aráw, "awó", inim aer in. puw atéwer in, firkóm am amán am átewerac in, maré iwinier in. cemsén áwiniér, inlm apór, pó karéw

TEXTS 197

gathered all kinds of magic herbs. Then, on the following day, they told their son Mewórpic about it, the one they had taken in place of Miwirpic by rubbing him with lime. "When rthe people say that the water's rising downstream, th en be quick and come here with your parents," so they said to him. The day af ter they had told him that, he [Öwpacak] started out at night; the forefathers from the Majit people went downriver in crowds to find food because at nighrt the mud banks were dry. They also went quickly down the river; wh en they had gone downstream on the shallow river he, Öwpacak, cried: "That sea water there, may it come here!" While he was saying that, a joc bird screamed: "kèkèkèkè".· "Hey, wait a bit," said the man and his wife, "not so fast! Let's firSit reach our house."

276

When they'd arrived home a tiny dark c10ud gathered above the sea; above the Siréc. A tiny dark c10ud gathered itself. The fingers of water edged quickly towards the land. The man who had struck with the paddie did not come to the village. He was the first to perish in the water at the mouth of the river. When the people cried: "Hey, they say that there be10w the water's rising !", Mewórpic fetched all his blood kin and all his distantly re1ated kin· and took them all inside the house of Öwpacak and Cowutpacak. "Open the doors", he said. When they had opened the doors, all his family went into the house. Af ter that, they stayed there with the doors shut. The forefathers from the Majit people, who were in the village, made a raft of canoes. When they'd gOit onto it, they built a house on it. Higher and higher rose the water and in the end it carried away the forefathers from Majit. The rising water carried away the raft with the people on it. The people who were scattered everywhere looking for fish and sago all perished in the water. But at night, all at once, the water began to go down. Those of the forefathers from the Majit people who were sitting on the raft, - the rain poured down on them all night, the waves buffeted them all night long. They just sat in the canoes, packed together, as though dead, completely numbed, their heads bowed.

277

Öwpacak and Cowutpacak said: "The people there on the water in front of the house, your parents, by and by go down to them and fetch them and do them na harm." "All right" he said [Mewórpic]. He took a spear, he took a heavy arrowand a bow and went down quickly to

198 THE ASMAT LANGUAGE 1 cu; la cut.

apërés ow CUWUC 1 asés aw uno ów manmák mempepém pak. té afesmár, nám jinic, ei amán of nim cuwut 2 pakajamis aw uno jefé aniómac in, ócen in asemármor in. anakátow mopór pak in. a ócen in mitapmá er, ájujukumsomireres in. ájafac in, - ar enéw a niwi mofasim pak néw -, maré nesén ajisemer in. a mu kampomésmar enám, capinmi nát, máj memém asén pak in. usir wut, ón wut, sowót wut, ár wut, capinmi, ókokonisok in. a mu emór, as wá maré, sá takas in. ców, sá takas, sánamikurumor in. á seokorá eres, é akát ow é akát cepes in pórerémtewerá inim aer in. - cém, arám, cém eápmorés, mu am aráp cern etámores in. wá mu áwsemac in, ewór atewsémor in suku átewsémor in fét atewsémor in, e wá mu.

278

emór, á emséëres, é akát ow e akát cepes in pórerémtewerá, pacáksere ów pacák cepés, tówofá, inim aer in. á cemsén pakajámser enám, cém aciómiweres in. mu sisimkakamimtiwér enám. Cowutpacák, Ówpacák ar ém ein, wasén aiwijiseres 1 in. "amás pawáncasin, amás sa sákurumawér ará" inim eres in. Ówpacák amás ajisátmor in. amás amor in. mocó nat si mén acin atáper in. "má, inim pak" ájaces in, áfasinieres in. wu aurumteweres 2 in. wU nat, mu afemór, asesá kamák mopan in. cém niápërés, "wasén, ców opák aw, amás jemé. sinakap mitapmuj cérecafó jasér aw", inim anijáper in. "ma" jac in, tinak ek átewer in. wasén ajistowópmor in. ei ék atéwer in, wasén ajistowópmor in. os ék, átowópmor in. sen fét atáktitiwer 3 in, suku atáktitiwer 3 in, fis atáktitiwer 3 in. ewór, pé, atáktitiwer 3 in. mu enám anitewsémor in. "má" jac in jisin akán atowópmor in. wasén, amás, átemétwasiáper in, copu. mówerompór pak in. arám a cém amás· cowák ajapáneres in. sén matákoweróm pak in. arám a cém enám cowák ájapáneres in.

TEXTS 199

the river. He went down in front of the house and there he saw on the river the people sitting on the raft. They weren't on the lookout. The rain had poured down on them the whole night. They were numbed; like dead wood they lay together in the canoes. Then he went down quickly and stoOO beside them. He struckabout him with the spear. The people took no notice. Again and again he struck with the spear. Only when they were struck did they make a move to get up. When he'd killed them - he didn't tell his father and mother, did he? - he went ashore without them. There was no pI ace to pUIt one's feet among the fish left on the land. The water had done thaJt:. The trees were already quite dead; all the sago palms were dead; they were all quite dead. Again and again when people floated by, he choose from among the fine men and wamen. They had (also) made a house; they had also made a separate house for the (drinking) water. When he had dug a water-hole, he put the ewór crab in it, and the sukû fish and the fet fish.

278

That's what he did; again and again he chose fine men and wamen from the prople in the water, and the unfit men and the unfit women he killed. They cult up the fishes that lay in a huge mass in front of the house and took them inside; the dead fish which the water had washed ashore in great numbers. Ówpacak and his wife went quickly to the forest. "Let's both scrape out sago before all the sago palms are dead," they said. Ówpacak went to cut down a sago palm. He cut it down and there was fluid sticking onto the blade of the axe. a "No, it can't he done," they said and they turned back. They got out the edible top of a sago palm. The water had ruined it; it was as hot as ginger. They went home. "There are no (good) sago palms in the forest, the sago is salty. 1 thrust the axe into it a bit and the juice spurted out," he said when he had returned. "So, it's no goOO," he said, and he took the fruit of the sago palm and plallited it in the forest. The fruit of the ei tree, he took it and planted it in the forest. He planted the seeds of the trees in the forest. Downstream, he put the fet fish, the sûku and the fis fish, the ewór and the pe crab. He put back again into the water all things thaJt: live in the water. "That's still not good enough", he said, and he planted coconut shoots. In the forest the sago palm was heginning to grow; it was already eopû. b He didn't go back again to keep an eye on them; they only ate the fish that were in the house.

2'79

Owpa.cák Cowutpacák ar ém dn aráw, amás mer áiwijiseres 1 in. amás aráw, aworés, cUrUw un mufum pak in. curuw aniópêres in. "wasén, ców opák aw" inim anijápêres in. sen ásirimtakerés, wasén pe okós jan ájamestámor in. mu enám arám fá armá manámitámser in. wasén arám, amás, maré atemétwaniócer in. inim temétwaniótma, a tiw Mewórpic aráw maré, é jipmur ewapómjimorés cowák, áw apcóm kor, maré emápmores in. áj petéw amás mer másirim maré was én, áiwijisêres 1 in. amás awamés, jófaj amás. jófaj am awamés amás misêrim, cowuc ar enéw a niwi atatámores in. "ma" jaces in piri enám araw uno piri enám, ájapáneres in. wasén amás mu emporá, mu enám emporá, wasén, pé emporá, inim ajápêres in. mu wumomáser ów, wUn e jopmák, átawpácamápmor in. wUn ow miserim e Kájmo ará. maré.

VI

280

Miwirpic, Tewérawuc, tátmores in. ar epic Tewérawuc, atátmores in. Tewérawuc á amás jis epórawér. Miwirpic jis etámporawér a enám akát, tów jimin akát enám nes jimin akát. a ná manapór pak in. a nát, e ár amus matewét, cenés awamis 1 araw uno a amás jis akát a pók jis akát etamór, Miwirpit na mán pak in CIm, or amás man. orám 0 pók mán. inim aáncow",2 inim er in. "e, Miwirpic, amás jis akátè, pók jis akátè etámporminè. enám akát, piewérmi, enám akát piewérmi, ám ep omót ep akátè. enám nes jimin akat jiktampormin, manapór pênakáw. ór enakáp nór enakáp jUmamtámfawos áw", inim merjápa inim er in. "má" jac in, ar amus áw temér, ájapómiwer in. cém, cuwuc áp ar amus, ajiwmesóper in. "á Tewérawuc, 0 ucim as ám" inim er in. "á, '0 ucim as ám' pak! á newét aráw, ár enakáp, nór enakáp, jumamtámerawós. á amás jis akát, a pók jis akát, étampormi. a jim a enám piewérmi. ám ep omót ep, áwjis étampormi, mán opów! mán opák. cenés nesén mesamis. nór aráw, ó matewér emin, nó makawimop emin", inim er in.

279

TEXTS 201

Ówpacak and his wife went to the forest to get sago. They scraped out the sago in secret, they told nobody about it; they retumed and hid it. "There's no sago in the forest," they said af ter they'd retumed. They went downriver. On the bank the crabs were making agreat noise with their pincers, the fishes were scratching each other with their spines. In the forest, the sago palm grew right up. When it had grown fine and high, they then took for their son, Mewórpic, a big-bodied marriageable girl from the far end of the house, and made them sit down (as husband and wife). Af ter that, the young couple went to scrape out sago in the forest. They scraped out the sago all day long, and the following day, and the day af ter that, and the sago they scraped out on the day following that one, they gave to the girl's mother and father. "It's still not enough," they said, and they went to the sea to fish. They ate sea fish. So they stayed there, scraping out sago in the forest and then fishing again, then going on land again to catch crabs. One part of the people who were carried away by the water were scattered about here and there along the upper course of the river (the Siréc); another part of them now forms the village of Kájmo. That's all.

VI

280

They gave Tewérawuc to Miwirpic (as a wife). They gave the elder sister, Tewérawuc, to him. Tewérawuc always roasted sago; for Miwirpic, she always roasted nice fish, tasty sticks of sago mixed with sago grubs, and tasty sticks of sago mixed with fish. But he wouldn't touch them. He just lay on the floor; he wanted to marry her younger sister. She prepared tasty roasted sago for him, and tasty roasted fish. But Miwirpic wouldn't eat. "It's your sago, and it's also your fish, you must eat it," he said. "Oh, Miwirpic, I prepare tasty roasted sago, delicious roasted fish for you. I aJways catch many fine fish, fine am and omót; I make tasty sticks of sago and fish for you, now why won't you eat them? When you were still small and I was still small, they intended us for each other," so she spoke, sitting down (beside him) every now and then. "All right, have it your own way!" she cried, and she went to her younger' sister who al ready had breasts (was marriageable). She went inside and sat down beside her sister who was at home. "Hey, Tewérawuc, what's the matter?" she said. "Bah, don't ask 'what's the matter with you'! My husband, when he was still small and I was still small, they intended us for each other. I

281

"á, Tewérawucá, no já or mó manám maf páka I inim as kor ám naká", ajipor opák in. "á, inim nat ueiè I a nát, ó mopórtewét emenè, nór amás jis akát, no pók jis akát etámpormi opów. nór amás nat no pók nat, paké nesen atiwamár aráw" , inim ajikurumor 1 in, ar epic. ásosówomér cowák ar amus matewér, ásosówomér cowák. ásosówomer. maré, ár amus áteweráces in, ar epic akáwimápmores 2 in. ar epic káwimapmorés,2 anakácowuc, cáj in. a nát caj in. ar mó, nám makawi pak in. nám makawi'n empór opák in. jumus inim jirapér cowák araw uno amás pok, mán pak in. manmák moe mimis acin taper in. ár epic "á, newét aráw, ó mopórtewét jiewérmeró. a nór amás aráw no pók aráw, mopórsaméwirir. nór masinerim, nám, normá makawimop, ajUrsewirin. mare ákawimtewérmin aráw. amás pok jis metamuj e jisis pájfirapi", ájiporá jipór opák in. "á, no nát ja or mó nat manám afani. manám mafè, e nór amás jis no pók jis arów metám arawá", inim japá inim er in. "á, manám maf pák am inim aráw I manám maf pák am inim aráw nó sinopis, néw isipis, manám maf pák owér inim aráw owerów armá, manám 3 armá comá 3 emes ám. fáeimtewtá emes ám ám amás jis in, pók jis in jiwpuopá inim emés. oráp cowák mémpor pák", ajipor opák in.

1 ajukurumór; 2 akáimápmores; 3 suka: loan-word from Malay.

282

anakátipic, nám makawi pák apór, "Tewérawuc, jiwis pok ei a" inim aer in. jiwis aruwor in - tuwutmar in. anakácowutnakáp ep ániaweráper in. ar epic wowuc in ar mó eimén in. jiwis tuwómser in maré. é Siréc arán, ápajimómser in ei mi. Siréc ametóciner in. mówsec is, ésomitá er, nám makawi pak in. cémnakapiriw awut opak in, inimnakapiriw emapmá jipór, cowkán mopóromomis. a nát, erásenakápiriw, fá ieitnakap nésen 1 jisamsá. a ár epic aráw "á, ni newét, mótowómsefáw, wowuc sumomsá inim erasin", ájiporá jipór opák in. ar amus nat "á, nó or mó manám afániè. no or mó manám afani. nór masinerim,

TEXTS 203

prepare nice roaSited sago for him, and tasty roasted fish, I always catch fish with the net. I roast am and omót for him, but eat he wiII not! He just lies on the ground doing nothing. Now 1'11 take you with me, 1'11 put you beside him," she said.

281

"Oh, Tewérawuc, I don't like that husband of yours, so don't do that," she said, but to no purpose. "Come, why do you say that; he wants to have you as his wife. I've prepared nice roasted sago, nicely roaSlted fish for him; it's aU in vain. He just lets my sago and my fish get hard and old," she said, urging her, th at elder sister. Again and again she got up to take her with her, again and again she got up, and yet again. In the end, they took the younger sister with them and added her to her elder sister. They added her to her elder sister, but the girl was not \villing. She didn't want to. She wouldn't go near her husband; he tried to approach her but failed. She just sat with her head bowed; she wouldn't eat the sago or the fish ; her eyes were fuU of tears. "COOle, my husband has always wanted to marry you, he has always thrust aside my sago and my fish. And I, I've always wanted to add you to myself, that's why I take you now. Roast sago and fish for him, turn yourself towards the fire," so she tried again and again to win her over, but without success. "Oh, am I th en to love this husband of yours ! I'd roast sago and fish for him if I loved him," so she kept on repeating as she sat there. "Come now, although you don't love him, you must. Love or no love, it makes no odds! My sisters, my mothers, were married without being in love, that's the way of it. It's only the men who fall in love and marry again; they (the women) always sit indoors and roast the sago and the fish. You're the only one who won't do it!" so she tried to persuade her, but without avail.

282

When the man saw that she wouldn't go to him, he said: "Tewérawuc, take everything to the canoe that we need to move house," and off he went - in the morning he went off. The younger wife went and sat in the stern, her sister was in the middle, their husband stood in the bows. Then he departed with them to another dwelling place. He turned the nose of the canoe towards the upper reaches of the Siréc, and he went up the Siréc with them. During the journey, he took them every night to sleep with him. She wouldn't go near him. Every time he made a small house, not a big one - one about this size -, to force

204 THE ASMAT LANGUAGE 1 nè.

já or mó wOwUc no musuwumomis atakám ájapotáwmaneném", Intm ja inim er in. tam jó puamsá er, ei nióml1wá, Siréc arán átowomsér cowák. jó inim nimémerapá er, wasén kuomsá, cémnakap inimnakap in, áomociner in. inim cowák, tám tuwomséa, jók, pó mináf uno tám, ei niómuwá, e jók jo juruw, pó mináf ttn. é ar epic kor, "á, Tewérawucakáp, cepés métiw atakám motáw pak emár aráw. atakám otáwpormin opów. otáwporéwirin opów! newét, nám makawi atakám otáwporewirin opák. udm cáj pomséfaw éw. jók mukáp opák, op jó poké animár, na mák atiwtarémar aráw. ueim cáj pecaw éw newét, acán owpormin opák mówsec omsénom", inim jomséa inim aer in anakácowutnakápiriw, e ei ep móc mimis ptt in. "é, ó jurusmemá, emá, newét tnatowómsefáw, jiwis cem armá kujurumápcaw apórserár", ar epic inim jomséa inim aer in.

288

tnaré Siréc épmak nák ákikicukómaser in. ajárkikiómser 1 in maré. cém wos in ajarómer in. cém wos in ajarómer in. Siréc epmák. cém, eapmór, ar epic, "néj, newét cowkán wowut sumóperasin, new~t a cém, tapin a jumeip inim mimiwtiwtám, ór a jó ajpim inim mapi nór a jó ajpim inim memáp", ajipor "ä, no nát manám afani, jáka or mó manám afani!" "ä, orpá mempór pow! nó sinopis néw isipis am, a tiw jak in jiwsu emár, inim aráw! ówerów, cepés inim manmák armá okoromá emés, tewtá inim emés cepés manám arów maf. owér masájwut opów! newét arám inim mi nip pumeméwirir 2 0 matewét, nó tnaserim aráw, cáj asiropén, normá atewérfin", ajipor opák in. "mowsécè, po jámkonáwewirum 3 aráw tnariw, cém os in ajárjirimópmar aráw, ni nám makawic", ajipor opák in. "no nát, 0 nám makawi cowut memáp pow, óm or atakám tnatáw emápem áw" inim

TEXTS 205

her to sleep with him. But no, every time she moved a little to one side and slept by herself. Her sister 1:ried to win her over. "Come, our husband has brought us along with him, let's sleep on either side of him!" But no, everytime her sister said: "Do you think I love that husband of yours? Are you asking me to let your husband sleep between us?" Each time, just as the sun had risen, he got into the canoe with them and started out alld he took them right to the upper course of the Siréc. Each time, just as the sun sank down towards the horizon, he went ashore with them to sleep, and he made a small house - one about this size - and so he moved upriver. And so it went on: in the moming he started out with them and during the day they just rowed. In the moming he got into the canoe with them and started out, and during the day they did nothing else but row, a long way upriver. During the joumey, the big sister said continually: "Oh, little Tewérawuc, an older woman should not fail to give advice. Well, I give you advice, but you won't listen. I've always given you advice, but you wouldn't listen! All the time I've told you to go to my husband, but you won't hear of it! Why is he taking us along with him? During the day he doesn't go to the shore. The hot sun up there is going down; it makes our backs hot! What's my husband thinking of? I've tried to give you good advice, but in vain, all the time -ou're with us," so she spoke repeatedly during the joumey. The girl sat at the stem, crying all the time. "It's your fault, but sillce our husband bas taken us with him, let's wait and see whether he lands to build a permanent house" so spoke the elder sister again and again.

288

Finally, he arrived with them at the narrow upper course of the Siréc; forward he went with them into the narrow stream and then (went ashore and) c1eared an open space for a house. There, on the upper reaches of the Siréc. When he'd made the house, the elder sister said: "Come, let's allow our husband to sit between us. Spread a sleeping mat out here, near the door; you go and sit on one si de and 1'11 go and sit on the otther." "Oh, do you think I love him? Do you think I love that husband of yours?" "Oh, only you won't do it! My sisters and my mothers always have children in their bellies; that is the way it is. It's only the men who flirt with the women, who take them to wife; women do fall in love, but they don't do the marrying. My man has always had it in his mind; he's wanted to take you, and I've finally given in. I, of my own accord, I fetched you," so she tried to aer in. jó puamsá er, mopór pak a cimin eowák araw uno eém in aópae in, e jók jo juruw, jo ti merémapá, inim aer in.

1 ajárkikuómser; 2 pumemewirup; 3 jomkanawewirim.

284

"Tewéra, esé mu anemue" inim aer in. é wasén anakátipie e wasén erém animeuká er. a wu mikin wut eowák araw un, eów na opák in. a wu mikin wut eowák, ei papi nes én aémsiter in. á nesén os wá eowak in, a Sirée.1 amás opák in, eów opák in. anakátipie áomatmár araw un, wós wos áomatmár araw uno ei aésumtumor in wu ei. inim porá er, "nor mó wut ém", mi wut nim nesén afmár araw uno maré waser kór atemétsowáper in. eopón atemtémer in. anakátipic mésomic araw un. 2 maré op átemétjamémer in. ar ém, esé at áetamor in. mów esé, mow, anakátipie mów ajáker 3 in. mów akamár, ar ém anijukmapómtamor in. "Tewéra, a mów esé masi mów akami, mów masamue jo poké asirimsamue" inim aer in. ar ém aráw, "hè hè" jac in, a mów aráw jo poké aturumamár, jo poké aturumtiwer in. "e esé, mócopi mariw, mów emépasán ew" "á, mow tó emésamep áw. jowun emésamep áw" "á maré mocóapi, mów mapue" inim er in. amás na maré mie atémtemer in. mie wut in. "pok wut eowák, á matatám 4 pok éfamue" inim er in. "esé siriá, áeopáwerém eowák, mér eowáka". ar ém masnim, "ä, esé a mér eowák méwtiwaji pák! pisis esé emá a mér cowák mewtiw aráw mów esé siporewérmes opák. ma, émtawmém aráw an" 5 inim er in.

1 Sirát; 2 in; 3 ajákar; 4 matawtám; 5 en.

• Sago is of ten compared with !ime or ashes; a sago palm of which the growth is prolific, with a cloud of ashes, or lime; a big sago palm which contains an abundanee of meal, with a canoe, newly painted with lime (see § 343).

285

esé, mów pamár, acóaper in. eoapér, esé nat najitipicëj, eótiwer in. "Miwirpieá, e esé awut kor new áw", inim er in. anakátipic inim apór, "á, ja wun mow ám moaput ! já esé nat, énakapiriw misi atakám táwmanin, esé jép er ár, jép er ár", inim er in. "ä, Miwirpie é esé nat ueim eaj éeemè. esé awut nák wut mempór pow no nát a esé najitipie

TEXTS 207

persuade her, bUil: in vain. "The whole way we've rowed together and now he's busy putting up the poles for the house. Come," she said, "go to him". 'Tm not the one to add to you (as co-wife), so don't go on about it," she said. Every day, as the sun rose, she carried on as though it didn't concern her. So she did all day long, until the sun set, af ter he had made the house.

284

"Tewér, make a carrying bag" he said. Each night he disappeared into the forest. There was only one goodly young sago palm; it stood there with broad-based fronds. There was only the ordinary forest by the Siréc. There were no sago palms; there was no sago forest. The man got to work; he made an open space. He pulled off the old fronds from the young palm. Time and again he looked at it: "You're a beauty!" It rose up like lime which is thrown about.· Finally it grew into a wasér; (then) it became a copón. b The man stoOO guard by it. At last it had grown large and high. He told his wife to make a bag, a bag plaited with the fibres from rthe roots of the pandan tree. The man got rthe roots; he stripped off agreat quantity of roots and put them down together for his wife. "Tewér, I've just stripped oH a greaJt amount of pandan roots to make the bag with; dry them, put them in the sun to dry quickly!" he said. "All right," said his wife, and she spread out the roots in ,the sun; she laid them down neatly in the sun. "Now, plait the bag; are the roots dry yet?" "Yes, they were already quite dry yesterday; .they were al ready quite dry the day before yesterday." "Fine, start the plaiting, work loose the fibres," he said. Now, the sago palm had grown into a fully grown palm. A large fully grown palm. "It's huge! Quickly, it mustn't flower, • " he said. "Get on w~th the bag, if you plait continually it 'll be made in a day." But bis wife said: "Huh, a carrying bag can't he plaited in a day! A bag made of grass, yes, that can be plaiJted in a day, but a fibre bag, even if the plaiting is done without iIllterruption, that can't be done! You don't really mean that," she said.

281S

She worked loose many fibres for the bag and she started .10 plait it, and she plaited an enormous bag. "Miwirpic, the bag is perhaps too large," she said. He looked at it. "No, work loose still more of those fibres. Do I teil you to make this bag very smalI! It must be a bag with the sides from here to there," he said. "Miwirpic, what are you

208 THE AS MAT LANGUAGE

nak áw", ajipor opák in. "ése mów moapuc, ja esé jiwinakap", inim er in. anakácowuc "hèhè" jac in, wunám, áorápor in, mów mamcup.l manmák atewerámar jep é merámser in. esé jep a emámser in. ar ém, womák pasés in átemétsurumor in "á, néw isipis, nó sinopis, esé asimés inim esé masiporáji pów, inim esé at nak ówpenem áw" inim er in. acópomit cowák, acópomit cowák, acópomit cowák, acópomit cowák. méw asén kor inim asianerémtiwer in. "êmá, Miwirpic, asé emésakajámi maré asé jipin wut. esé awut kor maré ëmá, to méwtiw" inim er in.

1 mamcip .

• The translation is uncertain: my informants translated 'she plaited the manmák', but no one knew what the manmák of a carrying bag was.

288

jófaj jó fajamsér, anakátipic, amán in átiwanimac in wasén ar in. inim apór, mie wut nim é cuwuc émecemár araw uno "ji, nor mó kor em! cern mémotásisimawér emin", inim aer in. anakácowuc tám ewópomis, tám ewopomis, tám ewopomis, maré éwokómtiwer in a pók fek. ten ásiac in, com ám ajámtiwer in. é esé jép wut araw un jép wut araw uno amás jispormémac in, fasiniér, ó penés wut, firkóm acimtiwer in. tosó nim amómorómtiwer in. átowóniér cowák, capinmi anititiwer in. "Tewéra, 0 pápem áw". "no api". "a ó penés korá, firkóm acimuj". "é, mapnawérè" inim er in. "esé tepéwtiwerém". "é, e jámtepit wut aráw. cóm wut eméamuj". "á, esé tosów asmuc, waséa, mia" inim er in. wasé atéteremápmor in. e jirik emapmór, mi, manmák nini tepemár araw uno e ó ciomiwamár, e ar amus, "á, mapájfirapi, newét, ó kor cátiwir, ó nam pók jis awuc", ajipor. "a, orám 0 ó omópem áw or mó catiwtamán, inim mánawerowè", inim aer in. "ó, no okón, asé, nó momóp, a kUs kor, á no sinakap á, wun á am sép am", inim aer in. "é, mititiwtamcówè", inim aer in. atiwtamor in á am sép am, kus 1 kor ám. ájujukumapómtampór ar mó, opák in. ar epic, atakám táwomewermár jó'n apótimór, anakácowuc aráw, 0 nésnakap mawán apájfiráper in.

TEXTS 209

going to do with the bag? I ean't make an enormous bag. I .. this bag is too terribly large," she said, but to no purpose. "Work loose still more fibres for the bag, this bag is mueh too smalI," he said. "All right," said his wife, and she again worked loose many fibres, a huge quantity of them. She plaited the eye design; a - the one side reached to here, the other to there. The wife scratehed her head (thoughtfully, as though) she had liee. "Oh, my mothers and sisters plait bags, but such a bag have they never tried to mal{e, and you've told me to ma}{e such a bag!" she said. She plaited, and she plaited, and she plaited, and she plaited. She plaited until she reaehed a place where she could stop, and then she pUit the bag aside. "Wait, Miwirpic, my back is so tired; my back's brea}{ing; the bag 's too big, wait! 1'11 finish it tomorrow," she said.

288

The following day, just as the sun had risen, the man took his bow and went into the forest. He looked at it: there it stood, looking as usual, like a huge cloud of ashes! a "Ho, my most beautiful one! Many times shall I return home, filling the house (with your sago)". The wife was busy from early morning, continually at it, and finally she finished the huge thing. When she'd eompleted the top, she fastened the headband to it. From one si de to the other the bag was enormous. He went to the forest to look at the sago palm and when he returned he shot a large sow, with a heavy arrow. It was though he'd killed a tamed sow. b Immedial1:ely he took it to the house and laid it on the ground. "Tewér, are you there?" "Yes, I'm here." "This large sow, I'"e shot it with an arrow." "Ah, plenty to eat", she said. "Have you done the bag?" "Yes, the huge thing hangs up there. I've already fixed the large headband to it." "Fine, deeorate the bag with red and white," he said. She put stripes of red ochre on it, she put the jirik design on it;' and whi,te lime. It hung there, a fine sight. He eut up the sow and took it inside. To her sister she said: "Come, turn yourself round (towards the fire), my husband 's killed a large sow. You must roost the entrails of the sow." "Oh, it's your sow, your husband killed it for you, so you eat it yourself," she said. "I want the jaw of the pig and the baek part," he said, "the head is for my little wife, and a forel eg and a hindIeg". "Go on, put it down for her," she said. He put them down for her, a hindIeg, a foreleg and the head. He put everything together for her, but to no purpose. Her sister nagged her,

287

jó fajamsér, "Tewéra, amás ken mekenéc", inim aer in. ar ém amás ken émkeneitmar in. anakátipic, amus afimtiwer in. amus cenám, afimtiwer in. ar ém, óf asitiwer in. án afétiwer in. amás ken esé aówor in. "Miwirpicá, ná amás kená, a amás nat ucim emáwcom". "ä, erná, a wasén, pók armá jis árawá, masim ati" , inim er in. a nát amás mawpór pak in. amás opák in. a pók amás cowák araw uno a enám amás cowák araw un, nawér araw uno ar amus arám, amás ken átewer in. áomómisér, áomómisér, "Miwirpic na nát ucim pok émcomè, na nát amás nat pók ánmom aráw. na inim as memáji pów", inim aer in, ar ém. "ëma ni, erna ni, ëma ni". inim apór, "Tewéra, a óp manmák pémtomtómpori" inim er in. ar ém inim apór, "ä, Miwirpica, ucim as ám", inim er in. "ëmá, amás aráw new, amás aráw new ëmá, ni jaka si ar á" inim aer in. aématámor in. a amás wut, aématamor in. apumomer in, jówomic wut nim, nesén awajimtiwer in. máitmár, máitmár, ánijámtiwer in.

• See § 284, note a.

288

ájaperér, om ténakap in. "Tewéra, amás aráw. amás om amás In ajámtewérmi aráw" inim aer in. "ä, ja amás pen éwa, na nát amás nat ánmom aráwa" inim aer in. - a nát a pók amás cowák araw uno aósiocinér, ténakap in aósiócinér ténakap in aósiócinér ténakap in. "á, mariw, amás juruw kor umu mopán májamseráw ni wowuc in fácimopcár" inim aer in. anuk atemtémer in. anuk, aktiwér,l ájitámernémor in. fafémtiwer in, manmák mamcup ajitnemor in. awumnemor in. "jáka amus ará amus cenám a éspet musumtewi. a éspet apák asumteweracém inim erémtewi manám masnim ájikapmuc" inim er in. "ä, nomsóm pow". "hè" inim aer in. anakátipic espét apák asUmtewerac in, espét apák asumtewerac in, áeremtéwerac in amus cenám manám armá jikápmor in. amus cenám a amus ak ájatmápmor in. a amás nes atiwsakámor in. amás nes atiwsakamór cowák, ajáwtiwer

TEXTS 211

as usual, until the sun set, and then the girl turned round to rooSlt a little bit of the pig's flesh and to eélJt it.

28'7

When the sun had risen, he said: "Tewér, eollect up the implements for getting sago." His wife eolleoted up the sago-making implements. The man made the handle of the sago seraper, and the head of the sago scraper. His wife plaited the strainer for ,the sago and stitehed up a trough for the sago. She filled the bag wioth the implements for getting sago. "Miwirpie, but our implements, how do we get the sago with them?" "\Vait a moment! In the foreSlt you'll see for yourse1f, just you wateh earefully!" he said. They didn't know how to serape sago. There had never been sago. Their food had been only things th af live in the water; fish had been the only food they ate. The younger sister taak the implements too. He went with them to the forest; he went with them to the forest. "Miwirpic, what are we to do? For food, we usually eat things that live in the water. Sueh a thing we've never done," she said, his wife. "Patience, just eome with me, just come with me," he said to them. When he saw it, he said: "Tewér, take a good look above." His wife looked. "Hey, Miwirpic, what's that?" she said. "Have patience! PerJ1aps it's sago, perhaps it's sago! Wait a bit! Come, hand me that axe," he said. He began to chop it down; he cut down th3lt huge palm. He chopped the bark off it. He made it (the sago mea1) fly out like a grewt: mass of ashes:' he chopped, and ehopped, and he toppled it over.

288

He made a test hole in it; he stuek the digging stick into it a bit. "Tewér, it's sago! Look, I pull out the digging stick and there's sago on it!" he said. "Hey, is that rea1ly sago? Now we'll eat sago!" she said. For food they'd had only things that live in the water. He moved towards the top; it was near the surfaee; a again he moved towards the top; it was near the surfaee. "That's enough, the palm's very tall, the top and the botJtom ean wait. Come, let's open up the middle," he said. He climbed up onto the growth (on the tnmk). He chopped away the growth, and then he made cuts across the trunk. He began to strip oH the bark; he marked off three sections. b He wrenehed the bark off downwards. "The head of this sago seraper, you must pull out a young sago palm shoot for it, and when you've pulled out the young shoot, you must split it and then tie it (the head) with it," he said. "Oh, I in. aJawocmer umu, ájawócinér mopán. po ámersuwémer in. "a mu mawsemuc, amás po mu majircaw.2 mu mawsemuc" inim aer in. ar ém mu ajawsémor in. anakátipit pó, ásasakámtiwer in. jéc mifim un áomómer in. "Tewéra, jéc afimtiwmi", inim aer in. jéc fimtiwér,3 sis ajirmemor in. "a sis jirmemami" inim aer in. apim atitiwer in. jee átitiwer in ep átitiwer in. cowó átewerac in, "já omá makámtewér pen", inim aer in "ä, nar omá makámtewer namsóm pow". ar mó oma kámtewer in. manám ajikémor in.

• i.e., the bark of the sago palm is rather thin; the farinaceous pith starts just below the surface of the bark.

bOften, the whole trunk is not c1eared of its pith at once and 50 that the scraping out can be done on different days, the trunk is marked oH into sections. The bark is then removed only from one section at a time and the pith beneath it scraped out.

• See sketch p. 366.

d The gutter for washing the sago pith is made out of four of the central ribs of the fronds of the sago palm. See sketch p. 366.

• The omá is a kind of rope made from the leaves of the sago palm and used to tie together the sticks placed on either side of the sump trough to hold it in place. See sketch p. 366.

289

"ni apim mitiwumuc" inim aer in. "á, emá atow mémtamporén, namsóm pak", inim er in. anakátipic "hè hè" jac in, apim atiwtewérac 1 in a án, a pó atitiwac in mu ajirtewérac in awumnemor in. "apim jirè inim memjic" inim aer in. apim, apim, amás nak nesén ajamésnier in. "Tewéra, a pó mopori amás nak ájamésnimár, amás aráw! ja enám amás, pé amás néwirum. já amás jáka majipor pak, a amás aráw amas ánawérmom", inim er in. ar ém inim apór "ëj, Miwirpic, inim mopórem un, jiwis átuwomséfenem newá. a amás moporómtewer pémanem éwa" inim er in. - amás os nát opák in a cowák wut jitémer in -. mu pitimsemór, afámasmór, "a mu mafámami", inim aer in. amás mák wut in anijamámser in. "Tewéra, amás aráw. mari majic, amás mak in ániamismár aráw a mu pitimsemá jawerém, a ép mu inim enáwfamá wunám owuapmá inim mómjawiri" inim aer in. "ë Miwirpic, cáj akát nak émem áw", inim er in. ar ém arám, atiwumor in. arám, arám, arám, mu apitimsemor in, afámasmór, jéc wut, ép wut komén wut, jee mák am aniámser in amás. aótiwumór, aótiwumór, a pimnakap átemetótaper in. "á, Tewéra, amás po awut kor ni esé tápomcár", inim aer in. "á, mariw", inim aer in. "nó cowó mokóm-

TEXTS 213

don't know how to do it!" "All right," he said. The man pulled out the young shoot, split it, and he himself tied the head on the sago seraper. C He fastened the head on the handle. Then he began to serape out the sago pith; he seraped until it was all out. He scraped to the top; he seraped to the bottom. He went to make the washing trough to wash the sago in. "Dig a water-hole here; water for the sago has to be seooped into the trough; dig a water-hole," he said. His wife dug a water-hole. The man eut midribs of the fronds of the sago palm and went to make the sump trough." "Tewér, I'm making the sump trough," he said. He finished the sump trough and he put in the support. "Now, I put in the support," he said. He put in a plug of sago pith, he put it in the sump trough, he put it in the end of it. He fetehed sago leaves and said: "Can you split them into binding material ?" "Oh, we don't know how to split them." Their husband split them into binding material. He bound it.·

289

"Come, pour water over the scraped out pith," he said. "Give me time. do it for me, I don't know how to do it," she said. "All right," said the man. He took the scraped out pi th in a trough, put the sago in the washing trough, fetched water and poured it over it. "The pulp here, you must squeeze it out like this," he said. [He squeezed out] pulp, more and more pulp. The pure sago flowed downwards. "Tewér, take a look in the washing trough, the pure sago is flowing down: that's sago. We always ate fish and crabs for food. This sago we didn't know. This is sago, sago we'll eat heneeforth," he said. His wife looked at it. "Hey, Miwirpie, maybe you moved house with me because you wanted to do this. Maybe you wanted to look for this sago!" she said. - There were no sago palms, there was only this big one growing. He let it [the su mp trough] fill up with water; he let the water run away. "Now, I let the water run away," he said. A thiek layer of sago layat the bottom. "Tewér, this is sago! Now you must squeeze out the sago. There's a layer of sago in it. You must keep filling it up with water and then you must let the water run away at the end, and then you must plug it up again, and this you must do again and again," he tewér", inim aer in. "cowó nat udm emcómè" "a, ëmá jokón jiemit", inim aer in.

1 atuwtewerac.

290

- má, amás mi mopór pak in, á piri aruwomsér a enám amás cowák a pé amás cowák araw uno á Siréc, a ós wa cowák araw uno amás opák in -. cowó efá okómtewerac in, "ni a esé okón akmomic" inim aer in. esé okón ajákmomac in, anakátipic cowó, atówopmor in. "cowó inim ará inim owápma 1 inim moméc, cowó owápmami" inim aer in. amás átewerác, esé amas armá, nanasimapmor in. "maré atowópmami aráw amás aráw esé tawowuc" inim aer in. amás esé, ar ém, amás esé, amás esé, "Miwirpicá, a amás esé kor maré mipitijamapmóp!" "á, cowó cirim siotémtow! amás nat nani in mam émaném", inim aer in. ese jép araw un, jép araw un, a mów esé nucur. "cowó cirim siotemti! é cowák wut mámesasesémeroniawér". "á, Miwirpicá, inim paká, amás esé awUt nák wutá esé nemét emára. er á cowák wut cowó cirim masiótemet máji aráwa amás wun esé am ára" ajipor. "ó cowák aráwan. 0 nát cowó cirim asicow", inim aer in. a cowó cirim siotémtamár, a esé najitipit, anijnakáp nim áemápmor in, a wun cowuc am arám ar amás esé atápmor in.

• or cowák aráw an; Literally: are you alone, are you the only one?

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said. "Oh, Miwirpic, this is a good idea you have," she said. And his wife began to pour water [over the scraped out pith] and kept on doing it. She filled up the trough with water, then she let it run away. There was much sago in the sump trough; from the one end to the other there was a thick layer of sago. And again she poured water over it, and again. It rose almost 11:0 the edge. "Hey, Tewér, there's an awful lot of sago in the washing trough, come, let's fill up the carrying bag," he said. "Yes, let's do that," she said. "I'11 go and get sago leaves," he said. "What do we do with sago leaves?" "Have patience and be quiet," he said.

290

- No, they'd never seen sago. On the coast from which he'd departed with them the only food they'd had was fish and crabs. By the Siréc there was only the ordinary forest. There were no sago palms. When he had quickly fetched sago leaves, he said: "Come, hold the top of the bag wide open." She held the bag open and the man lined the inside with sago leaves. "That's what the sago leaves are for. You must always put the sago leaves in like this. Now I'm lining it with sago leaves," he said. He took the sago and he himself spread it out in the bag. "Now that I've put it in for you, you must put the sago in the bag," he said. His wife put the sago in the bag, and more sago, and still more sago. "Miwirpic, the huge bag is already filled to the brim with sago!" "Is that so! Now you must plait a band made of sago leaves onto the top of it. Do you want 1:0 waste sago!" he said, - the bag stretched from here to there, the enormous fibre bag - "Plait a band made of sago leaves onto the top of it! Such a big one,I'Il carry back in stages." "But, Miwirpic, that's nat possible, the sago bag is much too big, a smaller one would he better. It's easy for you to say that a sago leaf band must he plaited onto the top of it! Anather bag would do as weli!" so she said. "Are you giving the orders' ?" he said. "You muSit plait a sago leaf band." She plaited a sago leaf band onto the top of the enormous bag, the sago which she then put in the bag was like a morsel! The other wife also put her sago in the bag.

291

"What do we do now with this bag, Miwirpic, what do we do with the bag?" she said. ''!'Il go ahead and walk back with it; hang it on my back," he said. He tried to carry the enormous bag on his back; his wife tried to help him to stand upright but it only wobbied about araw1 uno "Miwirpicá, emétawamia amás esé asép nim matápom atakám emétawamia!" "a emá, camnim caemápci jiná onók" inim aer in. jiná onók inim aótapac in ar ém a esé macir jipiromic araw uno asumutumémor in. anakácowuc máp aemémer in. ar mó a fá sormómer in. é ar amus maserim asép nak in. fá ieic in. áomónierésë, mé, me japjónimár 2 araw un a pók fek fén. ánierés anierés anierés anierés anieres, maré e iwnim, "a pów asisimar aráw arán nim suwemic" inim aer in ar ém. "ós a jirew" inim aer in. ós pu inim manisuwem in máj akin atapómakmamár, maré a esé wut apcóm 'm! Miwirpic maré copó nesen niapér cowák. "ä, Tewérawucá, masumutumcén! no jif maniorsópmi amás esé awut", inim aer in "ä! esé awut moe ciropánem áw" inim aer in esé mipor efá wiásmac in a ómomer esé, mátewer in, émporámar "ä, emá matewer pák a jif masiasmuc" inim aer in. ajif, a jif, ajif anakátipit nát a esé apcóm tep tep jónimár araw uno a jif, mátewer in emá jipór, masómit in emá jipór. a nát esé apcóm tep tep jónimár araw uno a jif, a jif, masómit in emá jipór, a nát tep tep jónimár araw uno

• Contrary to custom, Miwirpic himself carries the bag with the sago in it. Normally, it is the women who always carry these bags. Moreover, Miwirpic is carrying a jirik bag (see § 286, note b), which is synonymous with woman. The situation is, in my opinion, significant: Miwirpic is al ready carrying the woman who is to he put on his head when he later becomes a sago palm.

292

maré manmák in anifesáper in, jif. "á, Tewérawucá, maré manmák in nifesaprni, anijic" inim aer in. ar ém maré mót se mów arów pu animuámser in. mót se mów poperiomatamár, poperiomátamár, poperiomátamár, ofóm efa tiwsiritewerac in, ar amus cuwuc emic empámor in. ar amus, "e, anáfcená, no jursewiri arawá, newét aw, inim ajáfcen", inim aer in. ar amus. ar amus cámemerémemór, wunám, mót se mów, mót se mów, "á, Tewéra, maré no sinakap cin anijic! jó manimemerápma cém jok nim nifiwic, cáj pacák eapi", inim aer in. "e jimsip onoká, ónok mómjitnótewi",l inim aer in. aémnierés moe ám ajatámnierés, ajatámnierés. máj se mu ánipirimac in, cern móc am ajiwátmaper in. op ják atitiwer in, "Tewérawut, jimsip, ónok jitnotewi, newét májmiremic. jo ucucumesawérmar a óp apori ják titiwmá" inim er in. ar amus e jimsip ónok ájitnótewer in. ónok, tám pepepepe emtáw-

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on the ground. "Miwirpic, I've said all along, I've said all along that the bag should he only half fuIl!" "Wait, let me get in the right position on my knees," he said. First he knelt down; his wife stood holding the bag, she helped him to stand upright. The wife set out, walking in front, her husband followed her and her sister walked at the back, a little distance behind them. They walked back with it; staggering he walked back with the huge thing.· They walked, and they walked, and they walked; arriving at the river's edge, she, his wife, said: "Here's a deep bog. Go upstream a little. Here's a tree trunk," she said. But as soon as he put his foot onto the tree tronk to cross to the river, splash! there sank Miwirpic with the huge bag, right to the bottom, with a heavy thud. "Hey, Tewérawuc, help me out, I've sunk up to my chest in the bog, with the huge sago bag," he said. "Huh, so now it's you complaining about the huge bag!" she said, and she flung down the bag, the bag that she carried, and tried to haul him out. "No! Wait, don't haul me out, dig the ground away!" he said. Earth, earth, and more earth [she dug away] but the man sank farther and farther down with the bag. More earth ... again and again she tried to haul him out; again and again she tried to stand up with him, but he sank farther and farther down with the bag. Earth, earth, and more earth [she dug out] ;again and again she tried to stand up with him, but he sank farther and fal'ther down with the bag. Earth, more earth [she dug out], again and again she tried to stand up with him, but he sank farther and farther down.

292

At last he had sunk down up to his eyes in the bog. "Hey, Tewérawuc, I've sunk up to my eyes now, go home!" he said. His wife threw herself in the mud near him, wailing. Wailing, she rolled over, and over, and over. She quickly picked up a small digging stick and struck her sister who stood there. She, her sister, said: "Go on, hit me, I've always been in the wrong! Oh, husband! Go on, hit me." She thrashed her sister soundly and af ter that she threw herself wailing into the mud, as before. "Come, Tewér, go home now you and my little wife! The sun has juSl!: passed its highest point, you should arrive home early in the aftemoon. My situation is hopeless," he said. Wailing, she went home. "Get a beam for the door. Presently shut it with a beam," he said. They walked back; wailing, they walked back. Af ter she had washed the mud off her feet, she stayed in the house, wailing. High utumár, anakácowut nat móc mináf. anakácowut nat móc.

1 momjitnóteweri.

293

porów jó inim tiamismár, fó fefefefefefefe tiwémor in. maré mér kasé atiwémor in. wur a capinmi nesén aniámser in marl. anakácowuc "a, Miwirpic, Miwirpic, Siréc, jó pin popomismerénè, Tewérawuc káwi kawimtewerawér inim, ó jursómewérmerénem áw newét akát, ár awun ájmirémic áw". maré móc mamóc pak in. te 'm! jók ewniemér cowák. mér kasé tiwemá jesmar wur. anakátipie, a amás esé niopér jipit, 'm, mariw in amás os, e óp worworworworworwor ájitemtésmar. inim áemesmár, inim áemesmár e Siréc pi ri atáwnemesmár e arán e wasén, é mu pu nak am ánitáwpiptimesmar ców. tam jó inim apumár tajtajtajtajtajtaj ajiémer in. a amás e wuán wut cáwuawer araw 1 un Siréc, pin wut arán wut, é pomán wut, é wasén wut. anakátipit nát, a os wá nat cenés ajimnemor in. anakácowuc, jimsip ápajimór, arán manmák, pin manmák, pomán manmák, wasén manmák, "ji, Tewéra, majispori, newét, orów jursópeném aráw, maré amás kUaworésmar. ar ápo, Siréc 2 os wá cowák okorésawér ará amás ucim pemésmar éw, ców ar ápori", inim ajifamutmar in.

1 aw; 2 Sirát .

• The sago palm is still acting as a human being.

2fM

ar amus inim apór "é, Miwirpic noromómè nó jursópen awá, cáj nak éwiripunè" inim er in. "ni, newét iwijisporasin ucim pemésmar éw", inim aer in. áiwiómisér, áiwiómisér, á cenés aporpór opák in. anakátipic usis in afajáper in a óp. mie wut in. mie maworémkurum pak in, inim atémtapésmar in. "á, tó arásen aráw a uciè, a uciè!" "á, 0 Tewér ená" inim aer in a óp. "ä, Miwirpic 0 ucim emésmemá! Miwirpic tó a jif nisiápfem áw ucim emésmemá" inim er in "á, noromóm, nor

TEXTS 219

in the sky dark clouds pi led up. "Tewérawuc, fix the door tightly with the beam, a calamity has overtaken our husband. A violent stonn is going to rage all n1ght. Look at the douds piling up there in the sky!" she said. Her sister fixed the door finnly with the beam. In the af ternoon, she drew tight the rattan on the beam. The woman only thought of wailing; she kept on wailing.

298

In the evening just when the sun had gone down, the wind rose in squalls, vivid lightning flashed, the thunder was so heavy it seemed to lay on the earth. "Oh," cried the wife, "Miwirpic, Miwirpic, wasn't I always with you on the coast, near the Siréc! By always wanting Tewérawuc as a second wife the way you did, you did me a wrong! My good man, now he's in trouble," and she stopped wailing. The rain, my! it feIl down continually from the middle of the day, the terrible lightning flashed constantly that night, and it thundered. The man, the one who had sunk down with the sago bag, lo! he became a sago palm; higher and higher he' rose during the night. That's what he did, that's what he did that night: he made rthe sago palms and he scattered them all along the Siréc, down to the sea. He filled up [the land] with them, upstream, landwards, and right to the edge of the water. In the morning, when the sun rose, it stopped gradually. Then there was a continllolls rustling of sago leaves along the Siréc: downstream, upstream, on the opposite side, in the forest. The man left the forest far below. The wife opened the door. She looked upriver, downriver, to the opposite side, and towards the forest. "Hey, Tewér, go and look outside! My man - you 've brought this disaster upon me - has changed during the night inrto a sago palm. Take a look here, along the Siréc! All night long, only the usual forest was there. How did he make those sago palms during the nighrt? J ust look at those sago palms!" So she spoke as day broke.

294

Her sister took a look. "Oh, Miwirpic, my dear husband, I've done the wrong thing by you. I would never have anything to do with you!" she said. "Come, let's both hurry to the forest to see what he bas done during the night," she said. Quickly she hurried with her 10 the forest ; she looked around below, but did not see him. The man up above smiled broadly. He had become a great sago palm, just about to flower, - no, he had not then completely' changed into a full grown sago áwapi aráw. áwemci nó emci no amás áworémesmi". maré a mopán amuámser in. - á, ar amus memtomis pak cém makán takámjiser in. anakácowuc aráp in. - se mów omitmár, ómitmár, amás, akáw opák in, pó opák in nesén, ócen témtemésmar in. é opák in. nesén é in. "êmá atów, nó sinakap ám, masim caáterén, arów jursómiwirin, manitewi" inim aer in. "hè" ájac in, áiwinier in. "á, Tewér noromóm, Tewéra, nor mó cowák emá" inim aer in. áemnierä, "Tewéra, newét ucim pemésmar éw ni, orám masim pati" inim aer in. ar amus in ánisiritewerac in aómomiser in. áomomisera, wunám, mót se mów ajismuámser in. mót se mówa, mót se mówa. anakátipic, "á, noromóma maréwa mu muemica" inim aer in. ar am us cin mót se mów. "mu muemic, ánicim, maré no amás kuáworémesmi. Miwirpic, Siréc arán, amás kuáworémer in. inim májawérnes".

295

" ,., ,." , ,., , . , amas aJaworemesml araw. cow araw un aemesml araw. sm Slaweraw ám, amás am manáwerés" inim aémjitmar in. "nó akáw opák é opák, pó opák, nesén orom ákonawésmupuj" inim aer in. "á, nej manitatepiapi", inim aer in. "manitatepiapi nó sinakáp matewi", inim aer in. "a, nó sinakáp sawnáka", ajipor opák in. "a, inim nat uciè, a nát aráw ajurusé aw", inim aer in. anakátipic kór tepteptepteptep ánijáper in. ánitátepiápac in a ár amus, kus 1 a anakát inim ajátmapmor in. fop. a kamtér jamnók masinerim, óp inim atemétowópmor in. a mán sep jamnók maserim, inim aemápmor in. a mán ef -, a amás a akáw a pó ajinemóm. Tewérawut, ar amus Tewérawucakáp, á inim akmapmár araw uno a á sájismar másinêrim. a sép inim apmár araw un man éf in, Tewérawucakáp man éf in, man éf inim asicimápmor in. atáwtermenápmor in. a pó, pipimtawá emom amás jipumewermom pó

TEXTS 221

palm, when he grew during the night. "Hey, yesterday he was here, where is he, where is he?" "Hey, is that you Tewér?" he said, high up above. "Oh, Miwirpic, what have you done during the night? Yesterday you sat here stuck in the ground; what have you done during the night?" she said. "Ah, my dear girl, here I sit, here I stay, I'm here. During the night l've changed into a sago palm." Thereupon she threw herself down beside his trunk. - No, she didn't take her sister to the forest; she left her at home, the first time she went. She was alone. - She threw herself down in the mud, she threw herself down in the mud. - The sago palm had no fronds, no ribs, it had nothing. Just like a spear it had risen up during the night. It had no leaves, without leaves it was. - "Wait, first my little sister must see me, she'salways acted in the wrong way towards me. Go back and fetch her," he said. "All right," she said, and she hurried back. "Oh Tewér, my dear girl, you're the only one for me," he said. And she ran back. "Tewér, come! You, .too, must see what our husband's done during the night," she said. After she'd hurried back and had fetched her sister, she took her to the forest. There she threw herself down into the mud and the water, wailing. Again and again she feIl into the mud. "Now, that's enough, my good girl, go and bathe," he said. She and her sister threw themselves into the mud. "Go and bathe, and both go home. During the night I've changed into a sago palm. 'Miwirpic changed into a sago palm on the upper course of the Siréc', that's what people must say about me from now on".

295

"During the night I became a sago palm; I've made sago palms during the night. They must henceforth . increase and people must also eat sago," so he spoke, as he stood there. "I've no fronds, no side leaves. no ribs; without anything, smooth all over, I've come into being here during the night," he said. "Oh, come! Come down from above," she said. "Come down from above, and take my sister." "Oh, have pity on my li.ttle wife," he said, but to no purpose. "Why [should I]? She's the one who's done wrong," she said. Lower and lower shrunk the huge man. When he'd come down from above, she put her sister on him, [ standing her] upside down [on his head]. N ext, she put her two legs upwards; her two arms she put - like this; her fingers, - we wash the sago in the ribs of the fronds of the sago palm -. Tewérawuc, the younger sister, little Tewérawuc. sits with her thighs spread out masirim, a á jamnók inim emór araw un, a máj ek, pó atáwtermenápmor in. a amás é masirim a man éf araw un.

1 kuwus.

• Here, the speaker indicates with her arms how Tewérawuc was sitting.

296

"maré, nó sinakap átowopmamin aráw, métmeti",1 inim aer in. anakátipic kór 'm, maré os wá cenés ajimnemor in. amás po mari, e wti atemétjomer ii "aráw manè, orpá memém pok awér, nó sinakáp aráw mómjursómiwirin maré inim áememców" 2 inim aer in. maré amás pó araw un e átemetwuemer in. anakácowut wunám mót se mów amuámser in. moe, moe, moe, "ä, marl nor mó cowak ém anijica" inim aer in. "Miwirpicá, no maré anici, no jiwis mattiwse, ów apcóm emár aráw noráp, nó sinakap ám marl jáka tówópmamin aráw" inim aer in "ä, nor mó cowak ém ëmá, jáka cém jimsip ememésmar amás, tó amás mómawnáwirl, jowun am amás momawni, êmá" inim aer in. "hè" inim aer in. "mi na ó mot ow pów", inim er in. móc in ájatámnierë, cém aniáper in. móc am, mócamár, moeamár jo timapér, porów ojisporér, móc ajismotiwér 3 ar mó, is in nipitamsér, tam áiwijiser in. "Miwirpicó, nó amás mawanó" inim aer in. "á, amás jaka cém jimsip ja omópomismem amás, inim amuc" inim er in. "amás nat ucim emamci". "amás ja si ará mopán anuk inim aknémacém, á momapómkomuc" inim aer in. "picin pumtewercém masnerim, é senén momás, e mi momás a ás am mómsasákamuc armá emwtisermár" inim aer in. "hè" inim aer in.

297

TEXTS 223

this way ft -, they are the branches which stick out; she sits with her arms - this way • -. Her fingers, the fingers of the small Tewérawuc, she spread out - like this - she put them separate from each other. - The ribs we always break off, the ribs in which we squeeze out the sago, are her two thighs; that was how she put her, and her toes, she put them separate from each other, as the ribs. The small leaves of the sago palm, those are her fingers.

296

"It's done, 1've put my sister there onto you, go upwards" she said. Lo! the huge man left the forest below him. The sago palm then had fronds. High up it stood, with leaves rustling. "That's fine, you must not stay alone. My sister always did the wrong thing by you. Now keep her," she said. Then the sago palm had ribs, with rustling leaves it stood there. Once more, the wife threw herself, wailing, into the mud, and into the water. She wailed, and wailed, and wailed - "Now, that's enough, you're a good girl, go home," he said. "Miwirpic, if I go back home, - 1'11 leave here, since there's no one with me. 1'm alolle, 1've already put my sister on you there," she said. "Oh, you're a good girl, wait! Tomorrow you must scrape out the sago from the sago palm which has grown in front of the house during the night, and the next day also, you must scrape out the sago. Be patient!" he said. "All right", she said. "No one will come to look for you here," she said. Continually wailing, she returned, and stayed in the house. She wailed and wailed, until the sun went down. In the afternoon, she went again to the forest to look at him. There, she moumed again for her husband. She retumed and went to sleep; in the morning she went to the forest. "Miwirpic, I am going to scrape out sago," she said. "Oh, that sago palm there in front of the house, the sago palm beside which you sleep and wake, cut down that one," he said. "How do I cut it down ?" "When you've chopped off the growth round the trunk with that axe, then start to chop it down," he said. "When you've chopped off the bark - chop it away at the left side and at the right side, - then chop through the pith, and it will topple over of its own accord," he said. "All right," she said.

297

She went back, inside she quickly got an axe. Af ter she'd quickly got the axe, she quickly chopped the growth off the sago palm that stood there, and -'. She chopped off the bark, she chopped at her right ápeperic, ja wowue tiwapéreem, já om mén, amás nee apcóm nesen érnisérmar. e umu am momápeperócini e mopán am momápeperócini" inim aer in. "amás, apcpéraeem anuk momtémtemie anuk akcém, pim ororómtiweem, e umu am mómjitnemue a mopán am mómjitnemue a wowue, e nám poman áfafémnemacém a nám pomán masirim amus maw nám pomán masirim á momáwmapmue. amus miserim a mómtiwkáfumue", inim aer in. "hè" inim aer in. áwiniér, wowue atiwaperer in. ténakap átewémor in. "m, amás aráw new" inim aer in. umu ásiocinér, ténakap in ásiocinér ténakap in. mopán, anuk in atémtemer in. anuk akérë.2 umu ájitnémor in, fafémocinér, mopán, manmák jamnók wut ájitnemor 3 in, ájawumnémor in. am us atiwkafumór cowák, amas nés, amas nés, amas nés, áwkurumtiwér,4 wunám wasén aiwijiser in. "Miwirpieó, amás nes eméawkurumpuj ucim emci".

1 Here one word is unintelligible; 2 akáre; 3 ájitmomer; 4 áwkurumtiwir.

• Here a word is not c1ear enough on the tape for it to be understood.

298

"á, a pó atówopmésmenem 1 pó aráw, ja pó anisicimtiwerem pó, é coworé momsasakámasmue, e eewi masnim sakámtewerá, sakámtewerá, mameup 2 inim mompimtiwie. a wun jee a mómafimue. a wun, sis aémteweraeém a mómjirmemue, e mómtakamjimtiwie. sis jirmémeem apim a mómtitiwie, jéc titiweem ep, maré manám mómjikemuc, eowu momáteremue. cieikimeem masirim ép a mómerwuápmue mimi am atiteweracém óf ajátmapmacém, á momtiwumue", lmm aer in. "hè" inim aer in. áiwiniér, pó mipipim un aniómer in. pó, efá sirimpipimtiwac in jee efá sirimfimae in, é ajimtiwer in. sis ajirmemor in. sis afimtiwac in, ájirmémac in apim atitiwer in. ácicikimtiwer in manám ajikemac in, óf ajátmapmor in mimi atitiwer in. atiwumór cowak. atiwumor cowák. mu fá amerémsemor in, wunám, wunám,

TEXTS 225

side, and at her left side, the pith, and finally she toppled it over. She hurried to the forest. "I went back and I've chopped down the sago palm!" "Fine! Now you must make the test holes. When you've made a test opening in the middle, then the digging stick will come out with nothing but raw sago sticking to the edge; then make the test holes towards the top, and af ter that, towards the end of the trunk," he said. "When you've made the test holes in the sago palm, then you must climb onto the trunk. When you've chopped oH the growth and have made the surface smooth, then make cuts across the trunk on the ~m~~~~~~~~~~~~&W~ you've stripped the bark oH the one half towards the bottom, then strip the bark oH that half, which is the one that has to be scraped out. Then begin to loosen the pith with the sago scraper," he said. "All right," she said. She hurried back and began to make a test hole in the middle. She thrust it [the digging SI1:ick] into it a little bit. "Ho, this is probably sago," she said. She moved up towards the top, testing - just under the surface was the sago -; she moved down, testing, towards the lower end - it was just under the surface ! She climbed onto the growth on the trunk. She chopped oH the growth. She made a cut across the trunk 00 the upper side. She stripped the bark oH towards the top; at the lower end [she did the same]; she divided it into two large sections. She wrenched the bark loose towards the bottom. Immediately she began to work loose the pith with the seraper. She scraped out more and more sago pith, until it was all out. Then she hurried to the fa rest. "Miwirpic, I've seraped out all the sago pith. What do I do now?"

298

"Oh, the ribs of the fronds you put on me last night, those ribs you put separate from each other, cut them oH near the top of the fronds and chop them oH at the base. Three of them you must cut oH. One pair you must make into the sump trough, but first you must get a supporting pole and stick it in the ground. First you must pull oH all the side leaves. When you've put in this supporting pole, rest the end (of the washing trough) on it; when you've put the su mp trough in place, you must make it fast. [Ta do this,] you must split the bark of the sago palm·. Wh en you've cleaned it, you must stop up the far end tightly, and wh en you've also put the filter in place, and the strainer, then you must start to squeeze out the sago in it." "All right" she said. Quickly she returned and went to chop oH the ribs of the sago palm

226 THE AS MAT LANGUAGE

wunám. amás apim jikurumór, po mu fowu émsemor in. anám, anám, anám, - opák a umu anám mé pak in - "amás po motowómsemém" inim aer in.

1 atówopmésmerawóm; 2 mamcip.

• Pieces of the hard bark of the sago palm are probably used to hold the sump trough firm (instead of the sticks, mentioned in § 288, note e). I have never seen this material used in the making of the trough for washing the sago. b Literally: trough, you're full of sago.

299

alwlsér, "Miwirpicó, amás, pó matowómser". "á, noromum esé tápomnL máj momátawuc, máj ses mómtiwurumuc. ja pó, apit tewéracem, máj, tatiwacem e sés mómtiwurumuc 1 áfcin teréw momfáfemasmuc. amás maj matáwacem". "no nát ucim emci amás awuj natá". "á, emá, tó am, amás nat takás emaném" inim aer in. "amás takás opák, anám ajpim new, ómus new é wun, memsémapmuj". "á, ja ómus mesmápmorém! já, émorem ánam aráw" "mopánakap ám awamis" "á, emá tó emtewnácema noromóm" inim aer in. esé tapmór, esé tapmór, máj atewér, máj atewér, máj atewér, cém ajujukumápmor in. amsesmár, jófaj tám, ánam ájisuwáper in ánam ajpim, ómus, mopan ájawumtiwac in nes nes, émtiwkurumac in, apim, asuwaper in. apim, apim, apim jikurumór, mopán, anám, takás, omusnakap iririmtiwac in. apim takas jukurumór, amás esé atájujukumápmac in máj am, cern ájujukumápmac in ar mó ákin ajákomiser in. "0 émcem én". "no emci". móc in atéwoséwer in. mót se mów ajismuámser in. "noromómo, maré mót se mówawerémo", inim er in. "amás tepaémnerém", "amás eméemanpuj, esé takás tájujukmapmuj 2 tó am ese tájujukmapmó 3 tnaj, cém mipacák nesén fer wáp. mani pen éw". "tó momtuwséc, mu já'n másormonicén. é konawamsá efom cém, niapá. jó timséacem, is esitá. tám tuwséa inim momjinijic" inim aer in.

TEXTS 227

fronds. Af ter she had quickly chopped oH the ribs and she'd quickly put together the sump trough, she pulled oH the side leaves [of the support pole] and she put in the support pole. Af ter she'd made the support pole and had put it in the ground, she rested the end of the washing trough on it. When she'd cleaned it, and had bound it together, she fastened the strainer to it. She put the filter in place and right away she began to pour water over the sago pulp. Straight away she saw to it that the water reached to the far end of the trough, and again, and once again [she squeezed out the sago pulp until the sump trough was filled with water]. She squeezed out all the pulp; she filled the trough up 10 the brim with water. Continually she scraped out the inner pith - no, she didn't work the inner pith on the side near the top end - "The trough's full of sago," she said b.

299

She hurried to the forest. "Miwirpic, the trough's fuII of sago." "Ho, my good girl, put it in the bag; take the raIls of sago and light a fire made of dry sago leaves. Take a dry rib of afrond, place the lumps of sago on it, and set the withered leaves alight. You must then peel oH the cooked skin while it is still thin, when you've taken the rolls of sago oH [the rib]." "How shall I do it, I have just squeezed out the sago!" "Have you worked up all the sago?" he asked. "Not all the sago; I've left the end of the anám (inner part of the pith), or is it the ólnus (the outer part of the pith) a?" "What you've worked up is the allám." "A small piece of the trunk is still to be done." "Wait! Tomorrow you must do that first, my good girl," he said. She filled a bag, she filled another bag; she took a lump of sago, and another, and yet another, and she put them all together in the house. At night she slept. The following day, in the morning, she went to the forest and began to work up the inner part of the pith, the last part of the inner pith, and the outer pi1h. She wrenched oH the bark from the trunk; pith - pith - she worked it all up and she began with the pulp. More and more pulp - she squeezed out all the pulp. At the lower end, she first scraped out all the inner pith and a small part of the outer pith. She squeezed out all pulp, and wh en she'd filled the bags full of sago and had stored away the raIls of sago in the house, she went straight to the forest, to her husband. "Are you there?" 'Tm here". She burst out wailing. Wailing, she threw herself into the mud. "Oh, poor thing, you mustn't be continually wailing and throwing yourself down," he said. "Have you gat the sago out, or not?" "I've gat [all] the sago out,

300

móc moeómewermár moeómewermár, "noromumo jó matimár anijica. cém niamsia" inim aer in. móc am ajatámnier in. cém anifiwer in. moe jó'n afamásmor in. tám aráw, aóriwiser in. mót se mów ajitmar, ajitmar, "0 ueiè". "no maré manwuwo" 1 inim aer in. "á, noromóm maré anijic. tó atáwtamfin aráw, já mowséc akónawamsá 2 efom cém, nifiwá inim moméc. tám maserim wunám otuwseá inim moméc. or ówtiw, ur isipis, cém a mómnitamuc", inim aer in. jiwis atuwor in. móc am, kómapmuc araw un jiwis pok ei, jiwis pok ei, jiwis atuwser in. jiwis atUwser in mu ja'n asormónier in móc am amótnier in. móc am ájatámniamár, móc am ájatámniamár, móc am ajatámniamár. jó tisér apór, arów konawámseres cém ánifiwer in. ámsesmárä. jó inim apumár, aóniuwor in. mu ja'n asormónier in, mu já, sórmoniamár, niamár, niamár, wunám, jó atimser in. jó timseér, arów konáwfiwerés 3 cern, eápmorés cern, wunám onifiwer in. ámsesmár, jó apuer in. jó inim tepumár, wunám ei oniuwor in. mu já'n sormóniamár, niamár, niamár, jó tisér wunám, máp nak konawápêres 4 cém, ánifiwésmar in - fiwitUmar in. ámsesmár, jó inim tépserimár "á, Miwirpicèj, maré takámtowómsefëném néw isipis náriw, nó sinopis, capinmi ewniómuwfenern, kónawomséspenem 5 cém amsésmupuj. ei nuwumiè, cém norpá manitájè, wówè", inim aer in. moc in ajatámser in. mót se mów ajitmár ajitmár ei aniuwor in sé'n ajáwniámar in.

TEXTS 229

I've filled all the bags right up with it; yesterday also, I filled the bags right up with it. The house is chock full of sago rolls, they're piled up everywhere. ean I go back now?" "Tomorrow you must set out, the current should take you to the sea. You must stop in the houses we came to and where we passed the nights. When you've rowed until the sun goes down, then sleep and then set out [again], continue your joumey in the moming; that's the way in which you must retum," he said.

300

She stood there, wailing, continually wailing. "Oh, POOI' thing, the sun goes down now, go home to sleep," he said. Wailing, she retumed and went into the house. She wailed until the day broke. In the moming, she hurriedly retumed to the forest. Wailing, she conll:inually threw herself down. "What do you want?" "I want to set out now," she said. "Oh, my good girI, that's enough now, go home! I told you yesterday what you had to do. You must enter the houses we came to and where we slept, and in the moming you must set out again. That's what you have to do. You must go to the house of your brothers and fathers," he said. She started to depart ; wailing she took the baggage 11:0 the canoe and set off. She set off. The current carried her to the sea; wailing, she went downriver. She wailed all the time; all the time she wailed. When she saw that the sun was going down, she went into the house where they'd slept. She slept the whole night, and when the sun rose, she set out again. The current carried her down; the whole day long the current carried her. Again she travelled until the sun went down. She travelled until the sun went down, and then again she went inll:o the house in which they'd been; the house they'd built. She slept the whole night, and the sun rose. When the sun had risen, she went to the canoe and set off again. The current carried her down, farther and farther. When the sun went down, at night - no, in the evening, she went il1lto the first house they'd come to and slept in. During the night she slept, and when it was light she cried: "Oh, Miwirpic, Miwirpic, now I've slept tonight in the house where you brought me first ; where you came and slept with me when you departed with me from the country of my parents, my brothers and my sisters. Now I'm going to get into the canoe and set out. Today, I'Il arrive home, alone." \iVailing she rowed on; wailing she threw herself into the mud, again and again. She went to the canoe and set off. She went back covered in mud.

230 THE AS MAT LANGUAGE

301

ar ówtiw ar lSlplS arám, manmák siri cuwuc áp. "ei napi cowák ápoperinimokómè" inim aeres in. "á, arána, Miwirpic, jiwis tuwséf aráw new in, ei napi é nimár araw un, e jó pu mu ja'n asórmonimár araw un" inim eres in. awunier in. anakácowut sé'n cuwuc awsé aw uno "m, á, Tewérawuc arpá asé aw, maré Miwirpic sonów emé, jópmak ów emécanes! á ar amus am opák arpá asé. sé'n ajáwse aráw" inim eres in. wuniá jamár, támnakap, nitamor in jok. "Tewéra, 0 ueim emfem, ja or mÓ ucè ja or amus ucè" inin eres in. "ä, arán makán jinimia, norow un tewnémamén namké mot se mów, sé ajáwnimia", inim aer in. "no mufán am ar ém un téwjipiromè", inim er in. amás cém cowák, ar ênéw a niwi, cém cowák. cém purpurpurpurpurpurpur ówerow wUt cepés wut tipus jiwi wut, atakám mapor in. e Miwirpic a jowów a tipuris e ar epucewes e ar ewucewés, e a terásepes, "a nát ucim as ám" inim eres in. "a ná amás aráw! já anmokóm nat amás majipór pow a nát enám aw pé aw, ánmopokóm. á amás aráw" inim aer in. "ánimár ara! Siréc epmák wow ám é wuan wu emá, é jo pim nak am, mu nak ám cakás, tinak ek mu iririawérma, akámonimár aráw. ánitápowesmár", inim aer in. awU mumu ján araw uno

su

"newét, ueim peme éw, newét ucim pemef éw newétè". "cáj pacák emé, áwamis ás aráw, áwamis ás aráw newét ar ás. esé at étamén mow armá jaktamfén. esé nam pomán aráw nám pomán aráw énakap nim cotiwporó opák. cowák wut jiwirtámtamewiri. esé asiasmó com ám topmóf, "arnas kén mekenéc" inim jomitpen. amás ken kéneóf, amás anititiwitè amás awámpom. a esé najitipic, asép rnatápom emporó opák. "cowó cirim siotemti" inim jampén. cowó cirim siotémtamó. mónor in émporamép, onór asomitéf akát, tówoniéf, oniéf, oniéf,l rnaré iwnim, os máj rnasuwem in, akin tapomákmamép a amás esé apcóm, esé najitipic, jif copo wU jamép, manmák in nifesopómitè. mátewer in a jif sioniporamóp. tepteptep jómpuamép. newét maré

801

TEXTS 231

Now, her brothers and fathers sat on the lookout. "Hey, you people come floating down the river in a white canoe," they said. "Hey," cried the people, "they say there upstream, - perhaps it's Miwirpic, the one who moved away -, a white canoe comes floating down! It's floating downstream with the current, there on the river I"~ Everyone went to the river. The woman sat in the canoe, covered in mud. "Hey, Tewérawuc is alone! Miwirpic must have been killed; the people upstream have eaten him! Her sister is not there, either. She's alone. She's covered in mud," they said. All the people went to the river. She arrived towards the end of the morning - at noon [to he precise]. "Tewér, what's happened? Where's your husband? Where's your sister?" they asked. "Oh, I left them upstream; he sent me back alone; ashamed and covered in the mud into which I threw myself, wailing, I return. He took a dislike to me, he only had thought for his [other] wife," she said. They took all the sago into the house, the house of her l110ther and father. Everybody crowded together into the house, men, women, and children, in great numbers, to hear the news. The family of Miwirpic, his sons and daughters, his older and younger brothers, his sisters, said: "What have you got there?" "That's sago. What you eat is not real sago, fish and crabs are what you eat. This is sago," she said. "It comes downriver; now there is a great rustIing of sago leaves on the upper course of the Siréc; on the banks, over the water, everywhere. Continually the fruit of the sago palm is raining down into the water which carries them to the sea, leaving them on the land on its way here," she said. The people struck themselves on their breasts with amazement.

802

"Just what has happened to your husband? Just what has happened to your husband?" they said. "A calan1ity overtook him. This stuff that lies here, is his! He got me to make a bag for it. He himself fetched the roots for me. I plaited a bag, wide from there to there, not so big, but that wasn't any good. Only one, a huge one, I made for him. I plaited the bag and fastel1ed the headband onto it. "Get the implements ready," he said to me in the morning. I got the implements ready. We scraped out the sago palm he'd felled. I only wanted partly to fill the gigantic bag, but no! "Plait a band of sago leaves on top of it" he said to me. I plaited a band of sago leaves onto the top. He tried and tried to carry it on his back; [at last] he succeeded in carrying amás kuaworéme Siréc arán. erém a mér cowak wáritemtesmép. nó sinakáp akáwimopé maré". mu pó aniáper in móc. mót se mów ajámar in. ar isipis ar epucewes ar ewucewes a tipuris, a terásepés, mót semén araw un awér opák semén, aémit in. móc mocamés mocamés, "amás awamis aráw an", "a amás aráw, amás aráw" inim aer in. a amás jis tówopmá eres, amás acin inim tówkopá eres mó kawós in. ná eres "áw, átar enám amás pók amás pé amás néwirum néwa, amás aráw newá amás akatés aporia", ajámes in. amás atáwtominomaser 2 in. Siréc, Miwirpic amás kuaworémer in. ár picirim áw.

VII

sos

net, Mis, Misimit a erén éweséf. erén, erén eweséf masnim, Pajámpari am arám, Fiti, fér serapómfes in. fér serapómfes masnim, éren éwemef cowák, a Pajámpari am arám ar mó cin, fér serapómfes in. Pajámpari am arám, ar mó Safán cin fér serapómfes in. fér serapómfes masnim, áserápmarés maré eren átepfes in. éren átepfes cowák. ar mó makán ajiésef in, a Safán atéptowópmare 'no a nát, a tiw am, á puris arp, - a tiw makán ef in. Mesók, ámetosef in. a mi nat, a niwi mi nim ájaworémef 1 in. anakácowuc aráw, a cenés ajapésfes in. á, Mesók cin ájapesfes in. Mesók cin ájapesfés cowakä, fér enám am arám, mu awut kor in. mu awut kor. "Mesókä, fér men mu misi páka, mér amércasina" inim aef in. "mér amércasina" inim aef in. a nlwi am arám, a jó minkum, pisuwa'n ájimomare'n, mákpin inim cuwuc 2 émef áw uno mákpin inim cuwuc 2 émef áw uno Pajámpari am arám, á Mesok ám, póman in. Pajámpari nesé in. Mis am arám, nlwi mi nim ajáworemef in. niwi mi nim áworeméf, inim aporéf, Pajámpari pé okómteweraré'n, jumus, jireméf jireméf jireméf pé mokómtewer

TEXTS 233

the heavy load on his back; he went back with it, farther and farther [he went]. Then, at the river, he tried to step onto a tree trunk, but as soon as he set foot on it, splash! there he sank into the bog with the bag, the gigantic bag. There he stuck, af ter he had sunk down up to the eyes. I dug away the ground to try to haul him out, but he sank farther and farther down. Now he's been changed into a sago palm, on the upper course of the Siréc. He grew right up during that one night; my sister was joined to him. That's what happened." The people went in a crowd to the water, wailing. Wailing, they threw themse1ves into the mud, his parents, his older and his younger brothers, his sons and his daughters, his sisters - in a long row they stood [the women] and wailed, without their awér ft. They wailed and wailed. "Is this sago, this stuff that lies here?" "That's sago," she said. Every time they put the sago on the fire and every time they ate the baked crust, they vomited b. Every time they ate it, they said: "Oh, what we always ate before was perhaps fish, and crabs! Perhaps this is sago! Look! This is very nice food!" From then on, they ate sago. On the Siréc, was Miwirpic changed into a sago palm. That's the story.

VII

SOS

A spirit, Mis', Misimit b, came here· from upstream. When he came from upstream - also Pajámpari - on the Fiti d - they put down a fish trap. When they'd put the fish trap in place, he (Mis) came straight from upstream - Pajámpari and her husband put down a fish trap. Pajámpari and her husband, Safán, put down a fish trap. They put the trap in place, and when they'd put it in place, they went upstream. They rowed straight upstream where she left her husband bebind and returned. Af ter she'd dropped Safán upstream, then she and her son - Mld her daughter; she left her son behind -, she brought Mesók back with her here e. He [Mis], had changed his face into that of father t. The woman rowed down here. She and Mesók rowed straight here. She and Mesók rowed and rowed . " N ow about the fish in the trap, the water was still too high [to get at the fish]. It was still too high. "Hey, Mesók, the water's not yet run out of the trap, let's both go and catch crabs," she said. Father • was also there, at the mouth of the river; he stood there with his arms crossed, a

234 THE AS MAT LANGUAGE

jumus jireméf jireméf, inim aporéf, "ä, Manéfakat 0 ucim minip pumomnéma, á, ]omót ewenáwanemá" inim aef in.

1 ajorèmef; 2 cuc .

• Every river is the domain of a supernatural being, a river spirit. Mis, or MisimU, is the master of the ]iniw (see map p. 363). The master of the ]omót is Jomótsimit; of the Fiti, Antásimit.

b Names of mythological and historical personages often have the suffix -simit. I get the impression that this suffix has an honorific value in these cases.

• here = downstream, towards the coast.

d See map, p. 363.

• Towards the coast.

• i.e., Manéfakat, Wominén's father.

I i.e., Mis, in the form of Manéfakat.

SM

Intm aporéf Pajámpari "áw, nó nat ó moporómtewer, pók mer nór a pók mer ajákakapipumuptijè" 1 inim ef in. "ó moporómtewer ajakakapipumia, cáj ecéna" inim ef in. anakátipic aráw "á, nám pok mer emémi, no ó mopor pák", inim ef in. anakácowl1C aráw, "efamuc" a jl1wur nani nim emnánimár araw uno "efamuca, efamuca!" "sawnáka, emá memic" ajiporéf. "sawnák emá memic" ajiporéf, "á, memémêrém" inim aef in. ániporémapef in. m, ásumtumare'n, anakátipic aráw, "no ów asmótipic opák, no nétipic emci, no nétipic emci Manéfakat mi nim áworemi" inim aef in. "eä, eméajmirámpunè, eméajmiramino! Manéfakat mi nim áworemitém awè!" anakácowuc aráw, námun áemémef in. "Mesókä", inim aef in, a Mesók "á" inim ef in. "maréä, fér musumtewercára mu akumára" inim ef in. fér na enám pak in. fér enám pak in. asumtewerarés,2 mare mér amer pák, a umuc nimirsemá nimirsemá nimirsemá, enám, fo mufum pak in. enám ep nám mukurumtewér pak in. "á, maré enám ep nám mukurumtewer pák maré, atépca" inim ef in. "mu mukumár" inim aef in.

1 ajákapiplÎmuplÎjè; 2 aslÎmterarés.

• Coïtus is effected in a sitting position.

S05

"mu akumára", fér in asumtewerares 1 in maré eren atówotépfes in. átepfes in. átepfes cowákä, pó jitepfés, pó jitepfés, ar mó "enám kor nim, fér in áserapmácokom, minimir kór norpá aptákasameweréjipuruwa enám jó kor awer áw, enám kor awer áw fér masumtewer fér atakám kor táwuntmcepokom porów aporérmokom" inim aef in. "enám kor awer áw enam jó wut awer áw" inim ef in. maré, enám nat, Safán nat, Safán inim émtawaré, "enám nat jipis eawérmokom

TEXTS 235

dagger stuck in his armband. With his arms crossed, he stood there. Pajámpari and Mesók were on the opposite bank - no, Pajámpari was on this side. And aIso Mis, who had changed himself into father. He had changed his face into thart: of father. He saw her: Pajámpari was catching crabs, she continually stooped to catch crabs. She caught sight of him. "Hey, Manéfakat, what are you thinking about me? Have you come here from the ]omót?" she said.

304

When Pajámpari saw him, she said: "Oh, just to look for you I'm out catching crabs, I always go out alone to catch crabs. To look for you', I aIways go out on my own; come and couple with me," she said. "WeIl, I'm also out hunting. I wasn't looking for you," said the man. "Do it quickly," said the woman, and she stood there whimpering like a bitch! "Quickly, now; quickly, now!" Please, stay where you are, stay where you are," he pleaded. "WeIl, since you are there," he said and he went and sat' by her - mmmm - When he'd helped her up, he said to the woman: I'm not a man, I'm a spirit, a spirit man. I've changed my face into that of Manéfakat." "Oh, and I've just committed adultery with you; I've just committed adultery with you. But you'd changed your face into that of Manéfakat!" The woman kept her secret. "Hey, Mesók, she called. "Yes," Mesók replied. "It's time now, let's take away the fish trap, there's no more water," she said. But there were no fish in the trap. There were no fish in the trap. When they'd pulled it up, they didn't catch more crabs but looked for fish in the pools that had been left. They searched, and searched, but they didn't pull out any fish; not a fish's body or a fish's tail did they touch. "Enough of this, we can't get hoId of any fish, let's go upstream," she said. "There's no more water," she said.

305

"There's no more water." They pulled up the fish trap and took it with them upriver. They went upstream; they went straight upstream. They rowed straight up there. "You put down a fish trap as though there were plenty of fish, so that I went down the whole river on my own to feel about for fish ., but this river doesn't have any fish! There are no fish at all! All the afternoon are you taIking about Iifting it, and you are always going to have a look at it in the afternoon, but there

236 THE ASMAT LANGUAGE 1 asumterares.

aráw eitumcemokóm ara, jipis efokóm ar masnim aserapómfenom áw. enám caj euruw nakó" , inim aef in. "enám eaj euruw nakó" inim aef in. anakáeowue am aram nám, akin atépakámsef in. nám Fiti opés opés opés opés, maré, ámetótnawfés. metótnawfés masirim, metótnawfés, jófaj, ápampés, jófaj apampés, jófaj maserim maré ju ájamép. ju emépë emép emép emép emép emép. jófaj jófaj jófaj maserim maré, erém ákamiamséf. erém ákamiamséf maré.

• One of the ways of catching fish is to search for them in the pools left in the beds of the small streams as the tide ebbs.

b here = the village of J epém.

806

a Jiniw eren ów am arám arów matewér, 'm, pomót wut, sokmót wut, Jiniw eren ów ajitare Fiti eren ów ajitare, Fiti enáwkapuéf. Fiti akápuaré, J ómot énawkapuéf. J omót epmák. a J omót masnim, Piapipin aráw, wu, Jomót ap in. Jomót, tákajap in e Jiniw Piapipin 1 atakajéf eowák a Jomót, tamus emef in. ów nat ájurupumés. á Jomótsimit masnim, a Piapipin 1 minkum, a okór emic in. á okór emic in. - pomót wut, mi pané wut, sokmót sok fin wut, sok fin wut téwawumésmep. Jomót nat samsamsamsamsamsamsamsam ájiesmép. enésjamséf, enésjamsef in. Sajmós a tiw, - juwus namsóm pakó -, po sé'n ajirimkuare'n majistewer masnim áiwisef in. áwijisaré, euwue amséf maré atiwsiriteweraré, mare ei aniómuwfes in. ei aniómuwares in maré, x, e Jomót erén po so'n awájotepfes 2 in maré. inim emfés cowák, Jiniw erén, Jomót aeirá, Mow acirá, Jiniw acirá, Fiti acirá, Mów acirá. Mów eren ów, mare eiri émtewerfes in. Pajámpari Mow, Mów awáp in. Mów atewérfes 3 in. Mów ow eét atewérfes in. Mów eren ów, Uwusakap eém awáp in. a Jiniw eren ów asunfes in. Jiniw eren ów asunfes masirim, Mów ow masnim eet átatewérfes 4 in.

TEXTS 237

are no fish, this river doesn't have any fish!" grumbled her husband. And he spoke to the fish, like this: "You fish, you're aIways darting to and fro, in the aftemoon! You daIlted to and fro when we put down the trap for you. One never knows what you fish are going lO do!" he said. As soon as the woman had gone upriver she became iII. They stayed with her on the Fiti; they stayed, and stayed, and stayed, and finally they brought her here b. When they'd brought her here, then - they stayed at home the foIIowing day; the day afterwards they stayed at home, and the day af ter she began to scream. She screamed, and screamed, and screamed, and screamed the whole day, and yet another day, and another day, and the day af ter that, until finally she died in the night. In the night she expired.

308

The ghosts on the upper course of rthe Jiniw' then wanted to take her. "Oh, [they had] many feathered paddIes, many feathers in their hair; the ghosts from the upper Jiniw set out for the Fiti, the ghosts from the upper Fiti set oUlt; the Jiniw ghosts set out and arrived at the Fiti where they joined up with them; they joined up with the Fiti ghosts and arrived here so thart they could joon [those from] the Jomót, at the upper course. - There, on the Jomót, is the Piapipin, the short cut to the Jomót. It goes across to the Jomót; the Piapipin runs from the Jomót rto the Jiniw. It forms a link with the Jomót. The people usuaIly go aIong it. J omótsimit keeps guard on the bank where the Piapipin branches off -. [They had] many feathered paddIes, many nose shells, many bird's feathers stuck in their hair; great numbers of feathers they put in their hair that night. In rows close together they came that night over the J omót; they all came here. The son of Sajmós - I don't know his name '- stuck his paddIe in the mud and landed. He went ashore quickly so that he could get her. Quickly he went ashore, picked her up where she lay, and they carried her off in the canoe; and, singing, they took her right to the end of the upper course of the J omót. Like this they all did: the ghosts from the Jiniw snatched at her; the ghosts from the J omót snatched at her. The ghosts from the Mow snatched at her, the ghosts from the Jiniw snatched at her, those from the Fiti snatched at her, those from the Mow snatched at her b, finaIly, the ghosts from the Mow grabbed her. Pajámpari remains on the Mow; the ghosts from the Mow grabbed her, the ghosts from the Mow won her. She stays with the ghosts from the upper Mow, she's in the house of Uwusakap. The ghosts from the

VIII

307

net, is tamesmóp a ji pu cowák ara. is tamesmóp a ji pu cowák. nám, wasén animcukóf, pák mer wu mer ariwtepfom. wu muju ariwtepfóm, wu muju ariwtepfóm. no jowów nat, a iwnim pim nim ámesemfés. awun, nór masirim a wasén pim nór awun ájisakápiemof. wasén pim nór awun ájisakápiemóf. e, Jomótakap a puris am arám, a puris am arám, áw apcóm uno áw apcóm, émemef in. a owér, porów tetamfés. anakácowut maserim, "ä, inim owér no pu naká, nam ásmat ów owéros pen éw mopórjar emia, emára", inim aef in. nám, wu muju, a wu muju cuwuc emóf. arám, a niwi kor am arám, firkóm mawér, firkóm mawér, cuwuc apef. séj awérfisef in. séj awérfiséf maré, "ni a no owéros pen éw mapárjarawér 1 emio" inim ef in. "owerós pen éw mapórjarawer émi" inim ef in. é eren éwemef cowák. mokót win ásasakájesef in. mokót win sásakajeséfë, sasakajséf sasakajséf, ásasakájesef in. no ná, Tówmi á, - e, Tówmi emi ara -, Siwinmak á, Siwinmak. wu aurumteweraró, - wU asér awáp aráw. a wu asér, murumtewer, áurUmnemaró a cenés masnim musum cuwuc emóf.

1 mapórarawér.

• jowów, here translated with 'people' refers primarily to people belonging to one and the same ceremonial house; it can also mean people who are of the same village.

308

musum cUwUc emóf masnim, arám, anakácowuc ám arám, a WU Jan, aporéf maré, manmák cenam wu ájesef in "no namós araw mané, nó namós aráw mané", inim aef in. awiesef cowák awiesef cowák. inim aporéf, mijisóm pak in, manmák in aorómef 1 in. "ów mi akát nak áw! ów mi akát nak áw", inim ef in. "Jomót eren ów nat, mi motamu kor win, mi motamu kor win", inim aef in. "nor mó araw mán" inim aef in. anakácowuc aráw, mán ses in asowemaré, erén áwitepef in. erén áwitepefë, "niwiá, nor, - cém cuwuc apéf, a niwi atepámef in "ó ucè" inim ef in. "nij, jipit cowák man sés sowemuj, awemit. wu musum óp tomtómer, aemic. ow mi akatés cowák, apori" inim ef in. "ä, êmá, ja owerów, am pák mer, amás, pák mer wu mer, páwuawér-

TEXTS 239

the Jiniw were worsted. The ghosts from the Jiniw lost, and the ghosts from the Mow won the con test.

VIII

807

I dreamt about ghosts, and it happened just that way. What I dreamt actually happened. I, I disappeared in the forest; we went upriver with one canoe to hunt and to get edible tops of the sago palm. We went upriver to get the edible tops; to get the edible tops we went upriver. M y people' Sltood there near the water' s edge, but I stood alone at the edge of the forest. I stood alone at the edge of the forest. The daughter of J omótakap, his daughter was also there; already she had breasts. She had breasts; she stoOO there. In the evening they had given her in marriage, but the girl had said: "No, I don't want such a marriage! I want to look around and see if there's not a human man who can be my husband, wait a bit!" I was there getting the edible tops. As for her great father, he sat there sharpening long arrows. She went outside, slipping out behind his back. When she'd gone outside behind his back, she said: "Father, I want to go and see if there's not a husband for me; I want to go and look for such a man." And straightaway she went off from the upper reaches. She passed one sago garden af ter another on her way here; she passed one af ter another ... Now, I went to the Tówmi, - the Tówmi, I say ... the Siwinmak, the Siwinmak. I got an edible top and, - there stood a young palm, a wU asér. In order to pull out the edible top, I toppled it over and I stood there pulling it out.

808

As I stood there pulling it out, the girl heard the noise and with shining eyes she came there. "That's fine, that's fine," she said. She came quickly towards me and looked at me. She didn't come out of the forest to meet me, she just peered at me. "What a handsome man this is! What a good looking young man," she said. "The ghosts of the upper reaches of the Jomót have broad flat noses, every one of them," she said. "That's my husband," she said. The girl siniply raised her hand· and quickly went upriver; she walked and walked. "Father, I ... " - he sat at home; she went to her father, - "What's it?" he said. "Come, I've raised my hand to a man; yonder he stands, he stands on top of [the trunk] busy getting out the sago top. There he is, mar. no cepés namós 2 témjoméno owerów namós 2 mijóm pow!" inim ef in. anakátipic firkóm mirám un atiwjimare'n, átowoséf, a fa'n ajastámosef in. fa'n ajastámosefe. inim aporéf, "a émesi" inim ef in. inim aporéf "awemic aráw. épnam áj ap, áj ap" inim aef in. á waséc kor masirim, nesén, oméw ten in, amitw omew in. ápumasméf cowák, anakácowuc inim aporéf, arám, arów aporéf, - jimámuc in emi ara emi ara -, inim aporéf, ápumef cowák maré nam ápumokopomfén.

• This gesture is an act of magie. As the girl raises her hand she casts a spell on Wominén whieh so slows down all his movements - though he still thinks he is working normally - that she can take her time fetching her father knowing that she will find Wominén on her return just where she left him. b Male ghosts are always out to seduce human women. Their favorite haunt are the banks of the rivers when the tide is in. There they lurk in branches of the overhanging trees, on the lookout for canoes with women in them.

309

ápumfes cowák, maré nam ápumokopómfenes nor aráw, maré mér nim "ä" cenés inim ájamsóf. maré, "a emá arp{tka, arpitka emá, man mi tiwoterém. emá, a tów cajaric" 1 inim aef in. emá emá emá emá emá emá emá emá, anakátipic aráw, ják asé eméomoméf, tiwotfén. ",ä" ajamsóf. "ä, udm omnémè, no udm ar' amè, no udm ar' amè, udm eminè" inim ajóf. "emá, man mi tiwoterém" inim aef in. man mi inim tiwótmepen ják, ják asé'n aráw, ájatmapóm ájatmapóm, a kUs ajátmapóm inim aef. "ä" jisitóf. jisitóf masnim, nor, "0 cá jipic ám". no nát atakám mataw pák, atakám mataw pák. maré, átakam pá.k cowák. "Jomót áwse aráw, a Jomót teté, a Má teté, Jtiwotep pit awamis aráw, maré no mokot pit aráw", inim aéf. fa'n ájastámteweréf cowák, Jomót erén. "maré ja matawér pak, já matawér pak maré, pit amis aráw" , inim aéf. á camák, wos kór inim eméf cowák, Má mu anijukumef in. é a mokót pu maserim, cém onow mák kor oméw' cuwuc apéf. inim aporóf, "cém onow mák áwamis aráw, cém onow mák áwamis aráw" inim aéf. inim aporóf, jtimus in ajiremóf. arám, a cepés am arám amás wut, tów wut, wit jimin wut, áj amás akát amás, án co sisimampés, ásisimampés ásisimampes ásisimampes. cém ko niapóf. cém amán inim aporóf pok có maré cepés pok có asisimomséf. ar mó aráw "ä, atów ca mé jipit aráw an! no owerów namós 3 majóm pak no cepés namos 3 jomófa. matéwtakám emi mari memawér pak marl. cém emapacáw maré".

TEXTS 241

a very handsome man, look now!" she said. "Oh, wait, he's a married man, they usually go out to hunt, to get sago and edible tops [the married men]; I only like the women', I dislike the married men," he said. The man took a bundie of large arrows and took it with him, following her. He followed her. She looked round. "It was here that I walked a moment ago," she said. "A young pandan tree stands there on either side," she said. In between there was a wide open space, overgrown with hanguana reeds. She trod them down; the girl looked, he looked also: I continued to work busily. She looked. She trod them down, and caused them to touch me on the body.

809

They trod it down and, doing so, they caused them to hit me, and I, "ah!" I cried, and like a flash of lightning, I feIl to the ground. "Wait, stand aside, keep off! Wait, don't touch him with your fingers ! Wait! Let him come round first," he said. They waited and waited, and waited. The man had a magic piece of charcoal with him. He touched me with it. "Oh," so I lay, calling out. "Oh, why are you here with me? Wha1's happening to me, what's happening to me?" so I cried. "Wait, don't touch him," he said. And he touched me with the tips of his fingers, and dabbed me here and there and there, and on the head, with the magic charcoal. "Ah," I cried, standing up. When I stood up, I said: "Who are you?" - No, I said nothing, I didn't speak, I said not a word. - "Here's the Jomót. Between the Jomót and the Ma lies the path along the J uwotép, that's the path through my sago garden," he said. And he took me with him, walking behind me, to the upper course of the Jomót. "It's not so far, it's not so faro Here's the path," he said. There, behind the house, he'd made a large clearing which reached to the river Ma. And there, near the sago garden, lay the house, with a big roof, in an open space. I looked up. "There's the roof of the house, there's the roof of the house," he said. I looked up. I was walking with bowed head. They, his wives, were busy filling one trough af ter another with much sago, many sago grubs, many sago sticks, mixed with the edible top of the sago palm; with new, fine sago. I went to sit on the front gallery. I took a look inside: there were the wives filling troughs with food and they brought them out16

• When a woman offers a man food, it can he a sign that she wants him as her husband. This is probably the case here.

SlO

nó jowow 1 ám arám, a pók jimamuc in aJampes, ajásmampés. no emei akat nim. "ë", - a puris nat cém amán, mot midc ajirmár araw un -. "niwiá, no owér jursllc 2 ememia maréwa, owér jursllc 2 ememi marè májperáwa". "á, ur isipisnakás" "0 ueim as ám, 0 cá jipic ám, 0 cá jewmopánipic ám, 0 cá a tiw, 0 niwi com ám" emár aráw. no nát, atakám mataw pák cowák, inim apitóf. jó, aémapef 3 masnim, "tá, ná Wominén anicukasit cowák arawá, si jen, óm jen opáka", inim aéfes in. nám, ei, - "pó meteweri, matákmatám. nesén omómati, nesén omómati" inim ef. anakácowuc nat móc, matákmatam maré, jók nim ámetosfén. ná jowów am arám ei aninukámseres mi amnu. memámtewer in. a pó na pó a pó na pó, ei pinim inim aporéf, nesmin asén ajáwewerémkumfenés.4 nesmin asén ajáwewerémkumfënes. 4 a nát, x jo amánakapiriw teteté jicukufés. a nát maré, inim aporfés "ä, na Wominén ewemic arawl e jipic ueim ás emutl uä". a cowut ownés asakámtamfén, uwku átetamfén. "0 á uwku aráw, nór, a uwku tatmamin, a ownés tatmanin, paras tén aráw, mómwiénawut. or eput Sumuj, OT epuc Sumuj aráw, jewéw 5 canfés jipic arnw, a Jiniw erén aráw, a Jiniw ewáp ara sé minakap. nó a cém matákfiw worwós nim matákfiw emi. a uwkU masnim, 0 jófaj enáwcem uwkU am matawér emin", inim aéf.

811

TEXTS 243

side a. "Hey," said their husband, "is he your playmate? 1 dislike the married men, 1 only liked the women. 1 want to let him go. He can't stay here all the time. But for the time being he must stay in the house."

310

Now, my people were all busy searching for food, they were all engrossed, as though 1 were safe and sound. Ah! in the house his daughter cried her eyes out. "Father, 1 want a man so much, please, 1 need a man, let him stay!" "No, they are your smal! fathers [the human men]". "What do you want? Who are you? Which ceremonial house do you belong to? Whom are you a son of? Who's your father," she said. But 1 said not a word, 1 just sat there. When the sun began tosink, they [our people] said: "Hey, our Wóminén has disappeared! We can't hear the sound of his digging stick or his axe a!" Now, about me, he [the ghost] said: "Take a paddIe and go with him downriver, go with him without doing him harm." Crying, the girl went with me downriver. 1 t was early in the aftemoon when she accompanied me here. My people also had all got in the canoe, and they set out in the opposite direction, so that we should meet. They rowed, and we rowed, they rowed, and we rowed . .. When she smelt b the canoe [of my people] they hastily put me ashore just anywhere. They hastily put me ashore and, flash! disappeared into a small side stream. When they saw me they called out: "Hey, there's our Wominén! Whalt's he done! Oh, ho!" - The girl had cut oH a piece of her long knitted hair for me and had given me a crochet hook, a crochet hook made from a pig's bone. "1 give this crochet hook, 1 give you a length of kni,tted hair. By and by, come to me, along the dune-ridge. Your el der brother, Sumuj, who was eaten by the enemy, lives on the upper course of the Jiniw; there by the Jiniw he lives on a small spit of land. 1'11 go to his house. 1'11 go inside as though 1'm eloping. 1'11 knit your hair with this crochet hook, if you come on the fol1owing day," she said.

311

Our people, our people held a feast, the feast of the sago troughs. They were busy with the feast of the sago troughs, the an feast. Father had gone that day to the sea with the canoe to fish. Ówpacákipic [was at home] with a wound in his foot. During the day everything went wel1 for me, the whole day, and in the aftemoon 1 brought out the crochet am, ownés am tátmorés, kapák sek esé am óp aráw", inim efes in. "ä, Wominéna karuwa, inim as mempór pak! fin, nét fin masakámtampór pak" inim aefés. nór aráw, "nám omómi" eóf eóf porów masnim, x mó kawós, x mó, x jak ám aóromésmop. niwi nát moe, mócesmép. 'm, mó kawós nim kámamóp jok, porów kawós nim kamamóp kamamóp kamamóp kamamóp. - niwi aráw Patépo cuwuc opéf aráw. Patépo enim ]iturcem cuwuc opéf aw. a, Patiém nat jepnakasá. enéw nat, Patiém. ]iturcem enim Patépo móc amócampés. nór aráw, apóf apóf apóf apóf apóf apóf apóf apóf maré manmák is ajápmeof. niwi maré pók masakám, inim emép. "á emá, 0 népnakapiriw, net, áwiomatámes. na, ná majsás pak, inim emitóm. jisin jimi atawór masnim, a jisin capinmi akát masnim, atémtemér. á jisin óp ara néw, nét e jisin óp ara néw, arásen ew pewesánes éw, a erén éw pewesánes éw. nét aráw, á eren éw pewesánes éw. á jisin óp ara néw asuk new, jisin asuk new, nét, ]omót eren ów ara néw", inim aefés .

312

na jowów J1Wl, nó mapór a cém jiwfuemfés. "emá, 0 népnakápiriw, emá, cuomatómités. nám mopor pák, nár emic akát nim, ti mu, ei jiwiri nat arów ememér, na nát wasén, nám pomán inim emerom", inim aefés. Menákpic a cém ewiséf "á, jáka jipic araw, fin am, uwku ám inim tátmores in. porów jépnakas ájasamópmar aráw, inim asamópmar masnim inim ajismar mó kawós inim akámtiwmar aráw. mó, a jemésten éwotewér, e jew masnim cowák motiwér, ár masnim áwikunáwmar", inim aef, Menákpic. "atów tatakáj jiwi in, tatakáj jiwi, pok mér jirmuc majirimpor pák, átatakájmar, jen in jopit, jen in jopit!" inim aéf. amsóf amsóf amsóf, ufu amup inim émfenes, ufu amup empórfenes empórfenes, "ä", - nór aráw, Menákpic aráw, cemsén, tesén ewsiréf cowák. "\Vominén, nó 0 niwi aráw, no Menák", inim aef. "ó", jisitóf, a nát Mipic, a mi nip nat Mipic minip, ápupumesmóp. jo fá omér ajesmóp ájesmop ájesmop ájesmop ájesmop, jo fá, ájamsof niwi am is mes pák, enewam is mes pák. jo'n áfamópfenes. cern áfuamséspes á na jowów jiwi ám. wunám, jófaj, arów metmát emóf, is. niwi am arám enám fawesmép, omót kus, enám nes jimin

TEXTS 245

hook and the hair. When the children of our people saw that, they said: "Hey, folks, Wominén is standing there on his own; they gave him a crochet hook and hair; a knitted tress! And he also has aparcel of shag in his bag," they said. "Oh, \Vominén, that's dangerous! You mustn't do that! The ghosts should not cut oH their hair for you," they said. "No," I said, "PIl keep it," said I, again and again. When it was evening I began to vomit, and vomit. The whole night I emptied my stomach ! FaJther cried, all night long. Lo! all the day I wanted to vomit, all the aftemoon I wanted to vomit. Father was at that time married to Patépo; to Patépo and ]iturcem. Patiém has only recently come, Patiém, [my present] mother. ]iturcem and Patépo wailed the whole day, and I just sat there, and sat, and sat. Finally, I became dizzy. Father wanted to break everything we had ft. "Hey, wait, your sm all son has been kidnapped by ghosts! We didn't go away, we have heen there all the time. And he searched for the fruit of the jisin tree. He gathered the jisin fruit, and he went to the high hard ground on which the jisin trees grow. Up there, in the jisin tree, there might have been ghosts; perhaps it was from here that they'd come there, perhaps they went there from the upper course. Perhaps it is the caterpillars up there in the jisin tree, the caterpillars of the jisin tree, which are ghosts! Perhaps they're the ghosts from the upper ]omót!" they said.

312

The children of our ceremonial house all came together into the house to see me. "They've taken him with them secretly, we didn't notice it, we thought he was safe and sound, the waJter was very high a, he stood at the extreme end, near the canoes, and we stood on the other side, in the forest," they said. Menákpic came out of his house: "They gave this boy hair and a hone crochet hook. A few moments ago, in the aftemoon, he took them out of his bag, and as he took them out, he went outside and began to vam it. He retched all the way from the landing stage until he reached the ceremonial house. And af ter that he came quickly here," so said Menákpic. "A playful child, a lively child should not always he sent away to search for food. He's very lively! Listen then, listen then!" he said. I lay th ere, just lay there. They treated me with hot shells, b they tried out hot shells on me. Oh! - Menákpic came hurriedly from outside, from the front of the house, and said to me: "Wominén, it's me your father, Menák." "Oh!" I cried, standing up. I thought, he was the gial1it Mipic! The whole night I was afraid; I lay until the moming, afraid. My father didn't sleep

246 TUE ASMAT LANGUAGE

nitiwtámporfenés, nó man pák. Ówpacákipie maJ noso eém makan aefés. enéw am jim maré sén atakéf enéw mes. no nát, arów metmát emóf. is, jinic acájkurumóf. Ówpaeakipie is nim putamismép, x parás ten káku aiwinióf .

8lS

parás ten káku inim winiamop, Mitewer aráw asép ewsirief 1 eowák. mácir kápu émtewerfén.2 "ö, Mitewéra emá no, jitakám mijimir emi, jitakám mijimir emi", ajiporóf. a nát ájimotnawfén, ájimotnáwaren, á jowów am maré jim takás, eepés am ówerow ám maré, pók mer takás piri á. no nát arásen efá wiesaró, jew kór ará Jepémcewi am Apoków am Mapiw am, jámeret e sén cuwue ámsef áw. inim aporóf a eém afiwá, a eém afiwá a eém afiwá a eém afiwá, amás tewená tewená tewená, amás masnim maré tawanóf amás masnim, mu efá niómpuwaró, mu am setná, jóp nim jitakitó a mu. mé, a amás nat mé pipi jap aráw, jáp aráw jáp aráw jáp aráw jáp aráw maré sén jewsén, Menákpic euwue apéf "a, mókonawuea, nia mókonawuca, noromóma, pók eowák a óp jirá maneasina", inim aef. nór aráw, nór aráw, "óm or áso nám amás emétawnio" inim eóf. "nám amás emétawnio" inim eof. "amás matáwni" ájaró, tuan 3 kuri 3 a mewsén, Ufénees euwue emef áw. Ufénees euwue eméf ásep tuan kuri aráw. jemésten óf nim inim áparisearó jináf jináf jináf ajukóf. maré, tuan kuri wápu mu masnim, már atów emfes asén, wápu mu masnim, mé anásmamóp. "a", - tuan kUri - "a, Wominén, nor mó cowák em ni, a eém mu a jiráw, té mu mani, nási a jiráw, manie".

TEXTS 247

either, my mother didn't sleep either. They sat with me until the morning. And also the children of our people slept round me in the house. Then, on the following day, I fooled them and acted as though I were still asleep. During the night, father had speared fish and they put down beside me the head of an omót fish, and a stick of sago mixed with fish, but I didn't eat. They left Ówpacákipic at home, the one who had a wound in his foot. Mother went to the sea with the fish net, mother and her companions. Then I fooled them and acted as though I we re fast asleep. And wh en Ówpacákipic fell asleep, Iran away along the dune-ridge.

313

But when Iran along the dune-ridge Mitewer straightaway came af ter me and grabbed me. "Oh, Mitewer, wait, I want to catch jitakám fishes, I want to catch jitakám fishes !" I said, but in vain. He brought me here. Wh en he brought me here, our people had already gone to the sea; the women with the nets, the men to catch crabs. I walked quickly here - to the big ceremonial house common to Jepémcewi, Apoków and Mapiw' which, at that time, lay at the downstream end (of the village). I looked around. I went into one house, into another, into still another, and still another, to get sago, to take away sago, and sago. And th en I went quickly into the river with the lumps of sago I'd taken away. I dipped ,them into the water and ate them; drifting on my back I went downriver, my mouth was chock full of sago. There, in front of the ceremonial house downstream, sat Menákpic. "Hey, there, come onto the land, come! come onto the land! You're a good boy. Let's bath have a bite to eat up here," he called out, but I said: "It's your food, I've already gat sago, I've al ready got sago, I've already gat sago." The penolong b stoad by the landing place. J uventius stood there, the farmer penolong. I lay stretched out, like a dead man, by the landing stage; crawling, I went ashore. After that, I drank from the rain-water pools near the house of the penolong, the pools of water on the football field. "Oh," cried the penolong, "oh, W ominén, good boy, come, there's water here in the house, drink some tea! Here's rice, eat it !"

S14

"ä, óm or ás pacákap mán! óm or ás pacákap man nó nat akát pok momani", ájamop. 'm! wapu mu mé, 'm, wá mu nákurumsémcemop wunám wun ás, "wuá ja ják awut aporia" ájamép. Owpacákipit nát no mót, cém amán ájamesmumujaramép, máj noso. "wuá, ja Tatépia mopórporia Wóminen" jamép jamép. "0 nát is escowó 0 nát nosó" ájumá jamóp. "nám asén akát emámsió, no inim, ja ponów 1 as én pacáko, nám a ponów 1 opák asen áwamsi aráwo", inim eof. 'm, nákurumás masnim, jim ei inim sajespés masnim, mare cém ajiwóf se apcóm kor. "niwi, no asén akatés cowák emámsiti, asén pacák nucur wor!" "uá" emés ará. jófaj, ámsesmóp, jófaj masnim wunám, Jiniw awinióf. Jiniw a parás ten, mu efá kojiraro ów mapor pók ajaró, - no nát jéw amsésmop, ów mopor pók efá jaró, pomán mu cáka efá jiraró, Sumuj mes, cuwuc emfés, Sumuj cuwuc eméf aw. a puris, - net, Sumuj, nor epuc, Uwusopis 2 ájmirimfés jipic ará, Uwusopis ájmirimfés, inim aporéf, "ä, niwi mánam ow opák, mofasic! ucim as emémerem" inim aef. a nát més pak in. a pó cuwuc ajimép nór masnim, ániemóf uno pó cuwuc ajimép nór masnim ániemof uno a nát, a Sumuj, a puns 3 jamnók "niwia, maréa, or ewttca, or ewót maré jén in mápaperimóp 4 ará maré nor mó aráwo", inim aéf, JUrurumawuc enim Owófawuc. cowut pak atá jinicaci jamnók. "maréwa, nor mó arawá", inim aefés.

1 katar loan-word from Malay; 2 Usopis; 3 tipuris; 4 máperimop.

• W ominén is the only living son of Manéfakat and must look af ter him when he is old.

b "turn his ears round" : let him forget the world of men 50 that he will stay here. e A woman is beautiful in the eyes of the Asmat people when her body is free of any deformity, but especially if she has an unblemished and rather light colored skin.

S15

a Sumuj araw "má, jajmir naká, ca nismit aráw, ca nismit, mánet ow opák. nó ememóf aráw, nó ememóf ér aráw, cá niwiakap aráp, wun ca niwiakap am jiwi, jiwinakap. ca nismit mánam ow opák. jók apáweraw, arám porów metewénem emi", inim aéf. maré cém ko masnim ájapamóp. á na jowów am arám, a jéw jem mopów emfes ów jicop ei pé makán, Jiniw a. Jiniw, pé makán jicóp ei kó ajanwtepfés. inim ariwtepmepés, nám wasén ewkukuóf cowák, x Jiniw mu caka ajipuóf. "ä", sir ow otonimop ow, "ä, a jipic ucim emór, a jipic ucim emor" inim aporfés, "uá, á jipit a jéw éwenawut jitakám mijimir,

314

TEXTS 249

"Oh, keep your bad food, keep that nasty food of yours! I'm just eating nice food," I said. And I drank the water out of the pools. As soon as I'd drunk one dry, I began on another. "Ha, look at his swollen belly," he cried. Ówpacákipic, with the wound in his foot, cried over me, shuffling around the house. "Oh, Tatepi, come, and look at Wominén," he cried. "Go to sleep you, you've a wound in your foot," I said again and again to him inside. ''!'m lying here in a good place, I don't want to lie in such a dirty place! I'm lying in a nice clean place," I said. When all the rain water had been drunk, and the canoes with the fish nets returned, I went into the house covered in mud. "Father, I've been in a lovely place. This is the nastiest of places!" "Ha!" they cried. The following day, - at night, I slept -, the following day I went to the Jiniw, along the dune-ridge. I crossed the river [Jiniw] quickly. I crossed quickly, so that the people shouldn't see me. - At night I slept in the ceremonial house -. I went quickly, so that they wouldn't notice it. I went into the water with a splash and swam to the otber side. Sumuj and bis family were there. Sumuj was there, and his daughters, ghosts. Sumuj, my elder brother, the man who was killed by the men of Uwus. The men of Uwus killed him. When he saw me, he said to me: "Hey, there's no one to give food to father'! Go back! Why did you rome?" - she hadn't yet arrived. She was still on her way wh en larrived. She was still rowing and I'd already arrived. The two daughters of Sumuj each said: "Oh, father, please let your younger brother be my husband. Let him stay with bis ears tumed round b". They were Jururumawuc and Owófawuc, they were too beautiful • to he true! "Come, let him he my husband!" they said.

311S

But Sumuj said: "Oh, no! you fools! Your grandf~ther, your grandfather, no one shall care for him. Were I still there, were I still there, then all would he weil, hut your little father is alone, moreover, your little father is still a child. He's too young. Your grandfather bas .no one to give him food! Today, he eau stay, hut in the evening I'1l take him home." And I stayed sitting on the front gallery. Now, our people, who'd fetched the bark for the floor covering for the ceremonial house also went to the Jiniw in a large war canoe to catch crabs. They went up the Jiniw in a large war eauoe to ~tch crabs. \Vhen they went inim er erém emkojér". e wun ow aráw, Sasák aráw, "s! a jipic aráw ar epuc apóref in Sumuj. Sumuj apóref in". inim aef. "mä, nám, jim ei awsés aráw jim mampiawér emi, ei mapsapu emi", inim eóf. wunám, na jowów jiwi am arám, no jursut no jursut, cuwuc jiniwenampés, nór ara pów mopán, mokóp ájamsaró, éw ji nim ámesjenóf. wun ow pów mopán, pé mopor in, cuwuc emfés, inim aporfés "jiä", inim ajisitfés, "jáka jowówa Wominén a jiráwa", atewérfënes cowák maré atówomfënés. átowómfenes cowák, maré, á wun ów, Jiniw parás ten ániapfés na nát, maré áwienfóm Sokoréw aráw nór aráw, Ewén aráw, áwienfóm. cém masnim maré enáwapfom. inim emóf, maré opák.

IX

316

á niwi aráw, jinwic enám, Mani mopór aniéf. niwi jinwic enám mopór, ánief. amás man pák maré tám ewsówsitesmép. é Sinak wu inim ániémare, á jinwic enám am arám, mu opák cowák, jinwic enám am arám, atéwjiniwámsitè, x áfawásmamep x áfawásmamep x áfawásmamep, á Sinak wu emniéf maj jóf, póman, Sinák wu aémnief maj jóf, nijukUmtiwef in. ájukumtiwaré 1 masnim erén masnim awitepéf. erén awiteparé, átewjiniwaritmep ás, x x átewjiniwaritmep ás x. - Jiniw eren ów am arám, Mis, Wok, jicop ei, pomán am ájirkuámsaré'n a nét aráw. a jó afó - jó setnakáp pakajáp aráw, ápumés araw afó apumés, afó apumés aráw, pár asuw un e Ásewec nim inim empucemes in - arám pomán am ájirkuámsaré, Cepésmi enim Okórmi nát, purumuc mamót, okón jo cuwuc seésmepés aw uno a niwi am arám, enám fawá, arásen jukumtiwá, fáfawá arásen jukUmtiwá, arasén afáfawá jukumtiwá, ámesjótepef ámesjótepef ámesjótepef. maré, a Napu masnim atépeméf in. Napu masnim x áfawutmep x áfawutmep x áfawutmep x áfawutmep maré. á erén purumuc kokó cUwUc amésjesmép inim aporéf, "uój, nét jicóp ajtéra" inim aef in. "ucim ar' ámè" inim aef in. - arám manmák apcóm -. á Napu jisin

TEXTS 251

upriver, I dashed straight out of the forest and sprang with a splash into the waters of the Jiniw. "Ho!" - they stood with their spears at the ready. - "Ho!" what's the boy done, what's the boy done?" They looked at me. "Oh, that boy has come here from the ceremonial house to catch jitakám fishes, he said, he went away at night." But another man, Sasák, said: "No, the boy saw his elder brother Sumuj. He saw Sumuj." "Come to the canoe, come to the canoe, come to the canoe !" "No, there are the canoes of the fishing women, I want to join them. I want to guard their canoes," I said. The children of our propie, Ionging to see me, were on their way there, but I lay on my beUy among the mangroves and crawled in the direction of the village, just Iike a crocodile. At that moment th ere were people searching between the mangroves for crabs; they saw me. "Ho!" they cried and started towards me. "Hey, people, here's Wominén!" Straightaway they picked me up and took me with them. Straightaway they took me with them. Now, a part of the people went to stay on the Jiniw, and we went quickly towards the viIIage: Sokoréw, and land Ewén. We went upstream and arrived home here. That's what I did. That's aU.

IX

316

Father ft went to the Mani to search for shoals of fish. Father went there to look for shoals of fish. He hadn't eaten; he started out qui!te early in the moming. First he went along the connecting river, the Sinák b. There was very little water in the channel and the shoals of fish had started to swim. He speared, and speared, and speared. He took the path along the Sinák, on ,the other side, he went along the Sinák, arnd he put the fishes together in a heap on the path. Af ter he'd put the fish down, he went quickly upriver. He wenJt upriver, and the fishes which swan1 there in shoals [he speared]. N ow the ghosts of the upper Jiniw, Mis and Wok, aIso set out on a hunting party, [the line of] their canoes stretched from shore to shore. The river was broad; in fact, the river is narrow everywhere, but when the ghosts are on it, it's wide, then it's wide. They usuaUy row on it as though it were the Asewéc. So they stretched from shore to shore, at the Cepésmi and the Okórmi. They were approaching, singing with their moUJths wide open. Now, father walked farther and farther upstream along the bank of the river, spearing fï'sh and putting them together where he'd speared them, here, and there, and there. Finally, he arrived at ,the mopán, jisin, tamuw kor jemés kor nim inim pariemic. á jisin tamuw masnim, inim amésakájipirémef in.

1 ajukiimtiare .

• i.e., Manéfakat, the father of the speaker.

b The Sinák is a small stream that joins the Jomót and the Jiniw together.

317

arám, jieop ei sen maták pak in. 'm, Napu enésturumef in. "ë" fik nim, emturuméf eowák. Napu turuémtiwef in. "ueim ar' am éw efamue, ucim ar' am éw" inim efes in. "á, N ápu pé wut, makáp wut, sisit wut, májisaweráw enám wut májisaweráw umue enám wut májisaweráw", inim efes in. "maré man, purumue aráw Napu, a Napu purumue, fáfsiaweraw" inim efes in. arám, W óksimit ám arám, eamuw asuwémare'n wasén, inim aesémef in, inim aporéf maré niwi euwue eméf, maré apórmef in. inim aporéf, "á, jipic eowák awemeém" inim aef in. maré, a niwi aráw manmák pasés, "ts, majmireméspunè inim májmiremewérpunè" inim aef in. arám, makáp euwut áp eájomatmép. a niwi aráw maré, "á, ni, ów puk kór a Napu minkum afáfasimar wut aráw" inim aef in. átewérare'n maré inim aporfés, "a, ja Jisaworémakap á emica" inim efes in. - a juwus ara Jisaworém. "awuja cá jowow méwa ü, ájä, inim memjár akát aráwa". a niwi Jisaworémsimit, arów aporéf, inim aporéf maré manmák eenám eenés aturumef in. "a, no tiw aráw man! ucim emitem éw, majmiremánem éw" inim aef in. áteweráres in eenés anitowopómfes in. "ó ueè" inim efes in. atakám otáwfes in. "nó, erém ewémsirésió, car pisnakaseré, enam mót mocampés aw tó, jinwic enam fáwampés. móe mocámpes aw. enám mapór erem éwemsirésió. enám fáwjukmapmuj, Sinák wu emnipuj Sinák wu, enám mapór aniempuj. Jiniw aráw, erém aémsirésió" intm aef in.

318

TEXTS 253

Napu, and thart: morning he speared fish near the Napu. Then he heard it: there, upstream, they were all coming in his direction, singing. "Ho, the ghosts are abroad! What am I to do now!" he said. - He has second sight -. On the Napu, there was a jisin tree, a jisin tree with huge buttresses, like shields, stretching on all sides. He kept close to those butiresses of the jisin tree.

317

But they didn't go to the sea in the canoes. They went to the Napu and lined them up [the canoes against the bank]; screeching like fik birds, they lined them up. They lined them up by the N apu. "What'll we do, what'll we do, let's gel: on, what'll we do," they said. "The Napu should provide many crabs, many makáp', many sisit·, many fish out of 'the remaining pools," they said. "Fine, then here by the Napu we'll sing, by the Napu; [sitting in a circle] we'll sing in turn," they said. W óksimit then set out on foot, in the forest, and came towards him. He looked [about him] and there he saw father, standing there. "Hey, people," - no, when he saw him, he said: "Hey, someone's standing there!" Father's eyes began to itch. "Ho, tonight I took the wrong path; I always take the wrong path!" he said. - Father carried with him agreat quantity of the makáP that were there. "Hey, come, the people are sitting there in a circle in a huge clearing on the bank of the Napu, singing," he said. He took him with him, and when they saw him, they said. "Hey, there's the young Jisaworém! - Father's name is Jisaworém b. - "Ahoy! Who are you? oh yes, you've done right to come here!" His father, the old Jisaworém, looked at him, and when he saw him, his eyes nearly popped out of his head. "Hey, that's my son; what's happened to you? Are you dead perhaps!" so he said. They took him and made him sit on the ground. "What do you want?" they asked him. "From early this morning I've been walking here; your little grandchildren were wailing for fish. Yesterday they [the others] speared fish; they [the children] cried for fish. I set out on my way here early today to search for fish. I speared many fish and put them down together. I went along the Sinák, looking for fish. Along the Jiniw, I came here in the early morning," he said.

318

"Ho, my good man!" The others wanted to take him upriver with them. But Jisaworémsimit, his elder namesake, spoke: "No, he's my son, usually, I visit him." Then the canoes with the fish nets arrived;

ei aráw" inim aefes in. inim aporfés J ésircém, mWI mi inim aporéf "ä" - J ésireém - "niwia Manéfakatá, Manéfakat noromuma ueim emeréma!" "nam, pók meró erém éwsiresi, tipuris enám mot moeámpeso enám moe amocámpesá, enám mapór masnim erém émsiresi" inim aef in. anakátipie aráw, a Mis aráw, \Vóksimit ám, "ni, tiw eren métotepcá, tiw erén a" inim efes in. "má, erén pak, maré. enám, pók mer emémer, atakám un atawue" inim efes in. anakátipie aráw, afáwjukumtiwef enám, a W ók tetám a Mis tetám é niwi ko tetám, inim aef in. jó'n aémtiméf. jó'n emtiméfä, arám, máj, tiwpoporémampes in. arám, popujaramép popujaramép popujaramép popttjaramép. jó inim sapiamismép masnim, tiamismép masnim enám, fé enaré, wuwu. e fáwtiwef enám, tewerá tewerá tewerá ajamesjótakef ájamesjótakef ájamesjótakef ájamesjótakef. Sinák wu masnim, wu awuéf in, eów, ájisakámteweraré wu awuéf in.

• J esircem is the name of a deceased daughter of Manéfakat.

819

wu awuéf, áwuaré'n, maré, a niwi kor Jisaworém "apák no á jipic, jó'n emtimcemar, kawi net máj mumu jómewérmes" inim ef in. arám asuwemaré'n akeá iwitak. euwue emismép aw un, inim aporéf, mák in apámusmef in "á, nor mó, 0 ueim emitém! kawi net máj mumu jómewérmenesá, máj pupurumomewérmenesá", inim aef in. "wuá, emétawuja nor móa", inim aef in. anakátipie a enám wuwu kor atéweref in. amás to méten emitè. 'm "jó ueim asén sapiámseráw, jó ueim asén sapiámseráw, ueim asén sapiáms.eráw, ueim asén sapiámseráw!" Fiti aniémfes in. Fiti niemfés, J omót inim emfés eowak; maré Jomót masnim, Jomót jó pim masnim maré, na jéw ajpim kor masnim animatámef in. "no porów aráw, porów aráw ja ájmirmómewérmenes nét mopórporemi, orpá maniómeemnés nór masirim, mák am matitiemi" inim aef in, niwi am arám manmák is maré kási aniamséf. móe ajuómispés maré sisiri pák eowák. 'm, móc ajuomispes ájuomispes. camán a fó kokokó emár aráw, a fó kokokó emár aráw. jo'n émfafamfés, jó'n fafamfés, jófaj aráw, jófaj ápamép. porów, jók nim emár masnim, mapór cepés purpur ájamep. a nát mistém nim inim ásitemaré, pók éreremamép éreremamép éreremamép éreremamép asámtiwá asámtiwá asámtiwá asámtiwá asámtiwá asámtiwá, á emamséf pok inim átewer-

TEXTS 255

all the beautiful women arrived: the river was covered wi,th canoes. "There are the canoes with the women," they said. They looked - ]esircem· saw her father's face, - "Oh," cried ]esircem, "father, Manéfakat, Manéfakat, dear father, what's happened to you?" "I've been fishing. Early in the moming I took the path here. The children cried all day long for fish. They cried all day long for fish. Early in the moming, I came here to look for fish," he said. Mis and Wok said: "Come, let's take your son upstream, our son must go upsil:ream !" "No, not upstream; but he's been fishing, take his fish first," [the others] said. He gave the fish he'd speared and put together; to Mis, to Wok, and to his father. He stayed there until the sun went down, he ... - they made him walk in a cirde, he was always coming back on his own tracks; he walked in a cirde, in a cirde. When the sun had nearty gone down, he put the fishes on a string; he packed them in sago leaves. - Again and again he picked up the fish he'd speared and put down; doing this he went downstream along the bank, farther and farther. Finally, at .the Sinák, he packed them in a basket made of sago leaves; he went into the forest, cut afrond from a sago palm and made a basket.

819

He made a basket of sago leaves, when he'd done this, his father ]isaworém [there upstream] said: "No, this young man of mine, he'll walk until the sun goes down and st range ghosts wilt take him on the wrong path!" He, too, went on his way, to go with him downriver. He [father] was walking there, going to the forest. He saw him: he [father] tumed his back on him, going to the forest. "Oh, my good man, what have you done? Strange ghosts wilt take you on the wrong path, they'll make you walk round in a circle!" he said. "Ah, it's just as I said, my poor man!" he said. He [father] carried a heavy basket with fish, he was also feeling hungry. "Where shall I he when the sun goes down, where shall I be when the sun goes down ... ?" They walked to the Fi.ti, and then they walked straight to the ]omót. He []isaworémsimit] went with him to the ]omót, to the shore of the ]omót, at the far end of our ceremonial house. "This evening I wanted to see whether the ghosts were taking you on the wrong path; if you're alone, they'll join you, so I followed you," he said. Father hecame dizzy and suddenly feIl down. They [the ghostsJ grizzled all night; it was serious. They grizzled, and grizzzled, and grizzled. Under the house, the ghosts whistled; wheeyee! they whistled, until the sun rose. The following are 1 maré aniteweméf. manitewer nim inim titeweraré a jismák, atiwteweraré,2 áj iwénam áj iwénam, "ü" émar ará, "ü", tesén, apájisef.

820

anakátipic ócen átiwsiriteweraré maré erén, x "wuä, jak áporia ja Manéfakat jóca, tó majmirimomewérpesä" inim aefés. cepés wut ówerow wut, jiwi wut ás mimis acumásmamép! 'm, jiwi a mu nisécêpes ás, i op tepómporsémcepés. i op tepómporsomá inim cowák ajásmampés. póman ákojiréf, póman ákojiraré, áwieséf, áwiesefë. cém masnim áemamséf. cém masnim, mánmak is, enésamséf. arám, mot, moe, mot, mot, porównakapiriw masnim maré atakám afásmapéf. nét nat camán njonjonjonjo emár araw un njonjo emár araw uno porów jo inim tiamismep maré maré fó aráw. ar ewut Mewerósakát am arám, ék mu jók ewtowópmutè, ék jis towópfes. ék mu jók ewtowópmutè, x x fajásmep, áfajásmamep. arám ar epucewés, arów metéwer in. Afujè, Wók aráma, Sumujè, ]ópakipicè, Nokópè, ei inim ariwésfes in. arów metéwer in. 'm, a ei kor ajariwesfés cowák camán mimi, anésmapomfés maré. "emá maré Manéfakat metewér emóm" inim aefés. "maré Manéfakat mitiwismuc maré Manéfakat metewér emóm" inim aefés. "narám am naráp ow somót emcóma" inim efés. ar ewuc Mewerósakat aráw inim emtáwamepés, ek masámtewer mm inim asámteweraré, jismák jokmén inim ájatámteweraré, ei, Nokóp emic aráw, ]ópakipic emic aráw, e Afuj emic aráw ]ópakipic ewemic aráw titur asép, maré ei ák 'söh!' emésmep. 'm, maré opák cowák. opák cowak in maré. maré eméf masnim mare jó'n, nét opák jó'n emfaméf. inim eméf maré.

x

821

Kajè enenm ]epém, Mani cowkán aemaperes in. Ajkum a tiw Acuwnam, aruw 1 aporómores in. Mani nám Mam ájumóperes cowák.

TEXTS 257

day, he stayed at home, and just wh en the afternoon had begun the women crowded together to see him. He got up as though he wanted to go away, and started sorting out things [in the house], pushing them all over the place; he picked up the things th at lay there and put them down again casually; th en he picked up pieces of burning wood and threw them to both the ends [of the house]. "Lo!" they cried. "Lo!" they all fled outside.

320

Quickly he picked up a lance and dashed upstream. "Ho, look there now, Manéfakat is mad! Yesterday they made him loose his way!" they said. The many women, men and children, they let their shit go freely. The children, who, as usual, were [playing] in the water, just let their shit and piss go, they just let their piss go; so they all did. He swam to the other side. Wh en he'd gone to the other side, he came here quickly. He came ... and he lay down in the house to sleep, he lay down in the house, dizzy. They [the women] cried and cried and cried. Finally, when it was nearly night, he told them what had happen ed. The ghoSits screeched under the house, they were continually screeching there. In the evening, wh en the sun had gone down, they whistled. Now, in the middle of the day, his younger brother Mewerósakát, had put down a large stone. They laid it in the fire, at the middle of the day they'd put it in the fire. Tt glowed fierce1y, fierce1y it glowed a. His older brothers th en wanted to fetch him: Afuj, and Wok, Sumuj, Jópakipic and Nokóp, they all arrived in a canoe and they drove it under the house until it stuck b. "Now, we want to take Manéfakat with us," they shouted. "Bring Manéfakat outside, we want to take Manéfakat with us," they said. "We, too, are an independent group," they said. While they we re thus talking, his younger brother, Mewerósakat, took up the stone, picking it up casually, as though without purpose ; he took up the stone from the fire with the tongs. The canoe in which Nokóp stood, and Jópakipic, and Afuj - Jópakipic stood at the end of the row -, there beside the canoe - swoosh! [he threw it in the water]. And they vanished, all of them vanished. When he'd do ne that, there we re no ghosts, until the break of the day. That's how it happened.

x

321

The people of Kajé and Jepém lived together on the Man! a. They [the people of Jepém] then practised magic against Acuwnam, the son of

Jómot am ájarópêres in. Jomót, "Ajkum a tiw, Acuwnam musumutumuca! J épema, Ac6wnam musumutumuca!" amésfacamár araw uno ar ënéw nat cUrUw moe fá ni animár araw uno moe awllt mamóc pak in, cUrUw moe fá ni animár araw uno Jépem nát tenfoj in. Jepém mopores in curuw moe fá ni animár araw uno curuw moe fá ni animár araw uno mariw, Tawerit nat inim áporac in, aj cém mu atakámanémor in. Acuwnam, AjkUm a tiw Acuwnam nám awamis araw un áj cern. cém jëró kor araw uno cém jëró kor araw uno sipám, op aráp sipám un cenés aráp sipám un amás memánemér. cém akat ájiwapmór masnim maré amás, x aémtewtumor in. a nát, J épem nát, ár amás, pók man okonép in jáp araw uno Tawerit nat, Tawerit nat amás, Tawerit nat x amás maré e óp jukáp. e óp acir, e óp acir, e óp acir. "má" aner in wil, wu, wu, e cenés acir worém wut, worém wilt, mesám mesám amás nat ópak in worém wut, mipor emsamemamár araw un máj kor, póman kór. wu am wutiwpára emár araw uno

822

J épem nát a nát tenfój. a nát a cém wut, cern jóf opák in! á cenés matáw 1 memsém acáciomér cowák. é cenés, matáw memsém ácimomér cowák. é wasén jëró kor, é wasén jëró kor, worém wut póman wut máj wut, makámtatiw 2 emár araw uno esé cówo apcóm, esé cówo apcóm mapómjim acáciomér cowák. tén matáweném, tén matáwenem, tén matáweném, tén mataweném, tén matawenem, tén matáweném. nám cokó nesén jiemér cowák opák cimin nim. mare Acuwnam akámiésmar in maré. "e, Jépemá, maré Ajkum a tiw Acuwnama, curuw moe fa ni niómewirir 3 emékamiésmar in" inim eres in. "haháh! a Jépemá, Jepém, Jómot amás carpá manáwer, no tiw aruw, tés nak ajisowpénokom" áner in, mót. mót nak ópak in uc in emócamár araw uno ar omusëwes, a tipuris mót, arpá amotmés araw uno "á, ow nák anisá, mót mocájipuruwa", emár araw uno amás, x worém kor cuwuc

TEXTS 259

Ajkum. They [his mother and his father, Taweric] were staying with him on the Mani when they made him ill. They went with him to the Jomót. "You," cried the men on the Jomót, "hey, make Aruwnam, the son of Ajkum, weil again [make him able to stand up]. Hey, men of Jepém, make Acuwnam weil again!" He just lay there becoming emaciated. His mother wailed in secret and danced the buttock dance b. She didn't cry loudly; secretly she wailed and danced the buttock dance. The people of Jepém didn't know about it. His mother, Ajkum, wailed and danced the buttock dance in secret, so that the people of Jepém wouldn't see. In secret she wailed and danced the buttock dance. When Taweric saw that, he first built a new large house. A new house for the son of Ajkum, Acuwnam, who lay sick. It was a very wide house, it was a very wide house; there were a separate row of collarbeams above, and a separate row of collar-beams below; - he stored the sago on them. When he'd built a weIl-made house, he began to gather large quantities of sago. And they, the people of Jepém, they just sat there, right opposite, and went on eating their sago and their fish! Taweric - Taweric [fetched sago], Taweric [fetched] sago; it lay there above in large quantities, on the platforms there above on the top set of coIlar beams. "That's not enough," he said. Sago in sago leaf bags, more and more [he put] there on the lower platforms; and large lumps of sago, large lumps of sago. There were no small lumps of sago. Large lumps of sago, he piled them up at random, and maj of sago, and pomán of sago C ; and again, and again, he packed sago in sago leaf bags.

822

The people of J epém knew nothing about it. There was no space left in his large house. He went on, putting them on the floor, along the sides, neatly in rows. He heaped them up along the wide back-wall of the house: many lumps, pomán, and maj. Carrying bags lined with sago leaves, he put them neatly in rows, and on top of them, he put other rows, and 011 those, and on those, and on those, and on those - he was in high spirits, as though nothing were afoot. Then Acuwnam died, at night. "Hey, men of Jepém, Acuwnam, the son of Ajkum, over whom she wailed secretly and for whom she secretly danced the buttock dance, died last night," thej said. "Hey, men of Jepém, you're not rthe only ones who eat the fish and the sago from the Jomót!' You've dared to practise magic against my son!" she said, weeping. - She didn't really cry, she stood there laughing. Only all his younger amis, Acuwnam nám, átiwáwsimamár 4 araw un! amás mi, ei mi wut nim, ei mi wut nim, ei mi wut nim, Acuwnam mewór wut nim wá aémtiwer in. "no namós aráw manè" aner in. apin, ár takas 5 in, tákas 5 in. mi ei mi e ei wut nim inim amsit cowák. "Ajkuma, atów nesén pok emamós na ueim emcawóm aw" jininimar araw 6 uno "Jépem ów poric amás metewerásmosá, jaka nim as emutokóma! AcUwnam nám amséwirir amás mawnámosá jak ápori" áneres in. "ä, cá momómirsefokóma" aner in.

1 matá; 2 makámtà.ti; 3 aniomirir; 4 átiwájsimamár; 5 cakás; ij aw.

a It is not clear to me what is meant by this expression.

828

sé asimés araw uno se, se, se, se, siápmorés, amás worém kor atiwtewer cowák, x a sé amán, x a sé aman, x a sé amán, a sé amán, a sé amán, a sé akápmores sé. "eweráw man" áner in. matówomiseres ám aráp amás, mi nim cómismár araw uno wów jimómismár araw un wów jimómismár araw un wów jimómismár araw un wunám a sé amán wunám a sé amán wunám a sé amán. Acuwnam inim tiwimamés, wunám ten wunám ten wunám ten wunám ten, maré a amás se amán, apcóm apupurumucumtiweres 1 in maré. sé apcóm aápterémtiweres in maré. amás, x x Jépem, x x aruw pok emamár, x jófaj amás atiwkukumor in. amás amás amás amás amás, arám, afin am njénjer emár araw uno maré amás afin ásowaper in. njómo njómo njómo njómo, afin oróm nim étiwamár nat, amás nat maré, anémsoper in maré. amás mer emporés, "wè, na ueim ar'ám na ueim ar'ám" awemés araw uno Tawerit nat emsókmemér, máj ni'n animar araw uno emporés, x x émporés, x x émporés, x x maré wu makanám atéwenémores 2 in, enám sew ám. jiwi kor ajismár araw {m, cémi ákmot cepes kór ajismár araw uno mot jóptom jóptom emár araw uno inim jipit inim cowuc a puris a tiw amás to'n maré manmirafmor in. moe áomimés araw uno mot jóptom jóptom emár araw uno

824

TEXTS 261

sisters and his ehildren eried. "Oh, you mustn't ery, he wasn't much of a man," she said. Sago, - a large lump that lay there - she smeared on the body of Aeuwnam. Sago meal - as mueh as the lime for [painting] a canoe. She made him glisten like a large mewór eockatoo. "Now I'm satisfied," she said. His thighs - here and here - [she smeared] every part with sago meal; as mueh as the lime for a canoe, he lay there like a large eanoe. "Ajkum, please praetise magie whieh isn't harmful! What are you going to do to us?" everyone said. "Think of the people of J epém! You should have got sago! And now you have done a thing like this. All the time that Aeuwnam lay sick, you should have got sago; and look now! [at the waste]" said the propIe. "Oh! it's your fault," she said.

328

They dug a pit; they dug out more and more earth. Straight away she fetehed a large lump of sago and strewed it in the pit, and more of it, and more, until she covered the mud with it. "That's all right," she said. They took their own sago outside and she strewed it about like lime; making patterns, she went with it outside, and again [she strewed] it in the pit, and again, and yet again. Then they put Aeuwnam in it, and thereupon [they put] sago on top of him, and more, and more, and still more, and finally they filled the whole pit with sago. They eovered iil: up with mud. [They were getting] sago - the people of J epém - while she was praetising magie, and the next day, too, they all went out to get sago. Sago, sago, sago, sago - as for AcUwnam: the maggots were devouring him, and they also began to eat the sago. They ate, and ate, and ate, and ate - when the maggots had eaten him clean, all the sago had disappeared a. They tried to get sago, but in vain. "Oh, what must we do, what must we do, what must we do?" they said. Tawerie, who had spoilt it, in the meantime, just dangled his feet. They tried, and tried, and tried to get sago but in vain. Finally, they put the edible tops of the sago palms on the raeks above the fires, and also smoked fish [they ate]. The very smal I children died, the very old women died; everywhere there was wailing. A 5On, a daughter of this or thait man or woman had already died of hunger. They mourned over them; everywhere there was wailing.

824

The wives of Tamuw and Ker, men belonging to the eeremonial house Mos, took a sly look at the house of Taweric; they had a feeling about maré. si juruw, fanénakap si matewér pak in si ép araw uno "a udm as ám! si akát nak áw". "a tipuris, amás to, eiptow nim tunampés, cowákseré pen éw menéstewer empuj". "aw, aw, aw, minip pacák nakö. na nát neséno, máwtewer asén emár aráwo, opów", inim aer in. ar mó mi wad emtámor in. worém ko cUwUc amis, námun áemtámor in. atówotákeres in. jófaj, curuw akakanimomséeres cowák. Jépem a jéw mamcup nat mapór pak in. Mós nat, amán in ajpamá emár araw uno Mós nat, mesám mesám pok opák in enám teweréwere jimero,l tów pewere jimero 2 si ám araw uno curuw, póman apámtiweres in. mi, tótewar ás emár araw uno mi nesen asámteweres in. "wè", - inimpit, amás to nák, maré makmiámismar in, - "wè, Ajkum emá, atówa téntaj pók nim emámosá", emporés, emporés. Mani, Mow, Jómot, cofó ajiemér cowák, Jépem wut Kajé kor, Mismám, Éwer kór, Suru kor Majit Jinit Pér kor Uwus kor, "na ueim ar'ám, wè na ueim ar'ám, wè, na udm ar'ám, wè, na ueim ar'ám". Tawerit, atakám ajisémer in maré. ów pomán jiwi pomán cepés pomán pápujkurumór apor maré atakám ajisémer in. atakám jok éwemit cowák. atakám jok éwemit cowák, "tóa, to cépes ám, ówerow 3 ám, ówerów enmum mer ará, cépes jim ará" ajitamor in maré.

1 téweréwere j érmero; 2 péwere j érmero; 3 oweréw; used everywhere in place of owerów.

825

"na nát amás to ucim ar'am, pó memji pow ják nat, or wés am, 0 niwis am 0 porówer ám, 0 tarásepes ám, a sé jee ewerom ucim pok tewawércomè" ajitumes in. "enám at etámerawómè" inim eres in. "sén ewéscokóm jicóp ei ám jim ei ám, ca cemsén setájcokom ei mi'n, no cemsén cowáka" inim aer in. pók tewértotoramár, enám tewértotoramár, juwur ó camár, amésnowomóteper 1 in. "tó nawlc wut atakám jismutmép, - jismutumep atakám tawutumép, ueim, minip pupumemé ew" inim eres in. cemsén asémsirimor in. amás cém a wasén etámor in. cern nák tári cém nat nes én ememer in, kawénak inim emer in. amás aráp cern etámor in. já matatáw ernár araw un, awamis tarijipic mómoniér e camák. er én Jiséw metéptewerawér. á cemsén cowák atépsirimamár armá emkumar araw un ám wut omót wut, usir wut sowót wut. 0 kór, pé kor juwur ó cajitmar.

TEXTS 263

it. They fetched a stone axe and presented it to Tawerie. Tt was a long axe, they didn't take a short one. 1t was quite a long axe. "Hey, what's thalt? What a splendid axe!" "The children - are like dried up sago palms through hunger. I come here and would like to get 50me [sago] if there are still same crumbs left." "Oh, ho, you're quite wrong! We've nothing, there's really na place to get sago from, there's nothing," she said. Her husband gave her a sign by lifting his head; a large lump of sago lay there, she gave it to them on the quiet. They took it downstream [to their house]. Again on the following day they got it and secretly took it away. The people of the many ceremonial houses of Jepém did not notice it; it was only known in Mos. The people of 1\10s [gave] no mere trifles ; they caught many fish every day, they gat many sago grubs every day, and [they gave] axes also: they took away a part [of the sago], not a big part, only a very small part of it. "Woe," --- a man had alreacly clied of hunger - "Woe, Ajkum, please clo sOll1ething about it," they asked, and asked. On the Mani, the Mow and the Jomót, all the sago was spoiIt. The numerous people of Jepém, the many from Kajé, the Mismám people: [those from] Ewér, SurU, and Majit-Jinie; the many people of Per and Uwus [they all cried]: "\Vhat must we do, what must we do, oh, what's to be done, what's to be done?" Then Tawerie went outside to speak. Wh en he saw that a part of the men, women and children had died, he went outside to speak. From midday he stood [there] caIling out. "Tomorrow, tomorrow, the men and the women must go out to fish, every man in his own canoe, the wamen with the fish nets," he told them.

325

"\Ve're hungry, how can we? \Ve can't row because of hunger; [we] your 5Ons, your sisters-in-Iaw, your married daughters, your sisters, if we have to walk through the mud to look for fish, how can we catch them?" they said all the even ing. "WeIl, you've told us to get the fish," and they gave in. "When you come here from the sea with the war canoes, and with the canoes with the fish nets, and arrive in front of your houses, th en direct all the canoes towards my house," he said. The whole day everyone looked for food, everyone caught fish; the whole day they hunted pigs with dogs; in battle array they ra wed upriver with everything. "Yesterday evening our father came out and spoke; what did he have in mind?" so they spoke. They assembIed 011 the river in front of his house. He'd made a house for the sago in the forest. The rea I house, the aId house, was empty, only the people were

"á, no nát ueim pok émeinè, nó ueim pok tetámein no ueim tosów ecemánokom" emár araw un utsis nat fajáp araw uno "erna ei maurumni ará pak erna inim mempori" inim aer in. "J épem cewi, cár amás awamis aráw matewi" inim er in. ei jomátamár, á jomátamár, á jomátamár a ei win ei win ei win ei win cepés ei ám owerów ei ám, maj j ófnakap nesén fifi emémer in.

326

"éwamis, Apoków car amás asi éwamis aráw matewi" inim aer in. "éwamis Mapiw ow amás asi éwamis aráw", inim aer in. "ér, Dfun enerim Jiwin car amás e jiráw" inim aer in. "Muká car amás éwamis aráw, Kosér car amás éwamis aráw, Mós car amás éwamis aráw. ér, Mituropis car amás éwamis aráw. ér, Ow se cár amás éwamis aráw". ei nat, maj jóf opák in. e minakap nesén asámteweres in á par piw nat, mémcimtewér 1 pak in. op wUt nat, mémcimtewér pak in. amás tó ewerérmero,2 e si araw {m, e porów si ajiwmar in. porów si, jók apawérmero 3 si ajiwmár araw uno wasén namicukewérmero 4 tów mirám ajiwmár araw uno sén takawérmero,5 enám ajiwmár araw uno máwkam un émporés, "ja ueim pemo éw jak áporwuj", émimár araw uno op wut nat maeimtewér pak in. emá a cenés fapiw miwpomór. ei mi jipin apinmár araw un moporómtewen asén emár, amás mer ajisasér 6 máwtewer asén emár araw un, cófo jiémkurumór cowák. x máwkam un, x empór, máwkam un, máwkam un, máwkam uno a cenés aómirismár araw uno á cenés aómirismár araw uno a cenés aómirismár araw un, a cenés aómirismár araw {m. "no miwis em, no ja ueim pemof éw, carmá pori!" emár araw uno "wè, Tawerit noromóm, Tawerit noromóm jiw ná moméweri" jininimemár araw un cépes ám ówerow ám.

TEXTS 265

in it. He made a separate house for the sago. He kept going to it; the sago, which had lain there a long time, he brought it back home along the path behind the house. He didn't go upstream to get sago at the Jiséw [his sago garden].

Everybody went upstream to his house. Everybody went ashore: many am fish, omót fish, rays, sawfishes, large pigs, huge crabs; pigs which had been hunted that morning with dogs. "Oh, what can I do for you? What shall I give you? What will you give me in return," he said, and he smiled broadly. "Wait, don't go again to the canoes, wait a moment," he said. "Jepémoewi', your share of the sago lies over here, take it," he said. They took ÏIt to the canoes, to one after another, to those of the women as weIl as those of the men. [In the canoes] there was only very little room for them to stand.

326

"Apoków, your share of the sago lies over there, take it," he said. "That part there, Mapiw, is yours," he said. "Over there, - Ufun and Jiwin, over there's your share," he said. "Muká, there's your sago; Kosér, yours is th ere, yonder. Mos, your saga's over there, people of Mitur, your saga's over there. Owsé, yours is over there." There was no place in the canoes to stand! And still they had taken away only a tiny part from the far end; they didn't take it away from the huge main mass. They didn't take it from the huge quantity above. Every day, when they were hungry, [they gave] axes. In the evening they made them a present ofaxes, in the evening. Day in, day out, they sat, doing nothing, they just presented them with axes. Day in, day out, they went to the forest [to get sago grubs]; and [then] presented them with bundies of sago grubs. Day in, day out, they went to the sea, and then presented them with fish. They didn't succeed in using it [the sago] all up. "How can I have done it, look at it I"~ sa he said, time and time again. He didn't take [sago] from the supply above, only from the sago he'd put on the floor. There was a coming and a going of people; there was na [other] place where they could get sago. - They wem away in search of sago, but there was no place where they could geil: it! There were no sago palms with sago meal in them. He didn't succeed in using it up; first he busied himself with the sago below. "Oh, good people, take a look yourselves. How can I have done it!" he said. "Oh, Taweric, good man; Taweric, good man, long may you live!" so everyone said, the wamen, and the men.

266 THE AS MAT LANGUAGE

32'7

ei mi jipin apinmár araw uno máwkam {m empór, máwkam un empór, êmá eenés, a jo win fafujér a eenés, a eenés támesmór, a eenés támesmór, a eenés támesmór, a eenés támesmór, a eenés támesmór. worém mak ám tatámenemór worém omirismar in esé apcóm mapomtewér pak in. esé japuw apómjimór mapómtewér pak in. "e worém tákamómirisic, e máj tákamomirisic" inim aer in. maré a eenés awakámkurumor in maré, worém wut máj wut áwakámkurumor in maré esé apcóm euwue áp. ájapómeimores in maré, esé máwkam un empór, esé máwkam un empór, esé máwkam un empór, esé máwkam un empór, esé máwkam un empór. "carmá pori ja ucim pemof éw" emár araw uno ar amótipic nat máj ni'n emnimár araw uno ar amótipic nat máj ni'n emnimár araw uno máwkam un empór, máwkam un empór, máwkam un empór. maré esé apcóm awakámkurumores 1 in maré. maré a cenés sipám anamicimór, a jimsip aóteweres in. x x x x awakámkurumores in maré. wowut nat mémcimtewér pak in. emporés, ják manáfakam un emporés, - wasén amás memtém aw, jak fék mawór ará -, áj nat ajismár araw {tn, x x x óp acir, worém wut máj wut, póman wut, mak ám tatámenemór áwakamkurmores in. e óp, sosót temétowtopmór acir atemetjimores 2 in. e óp x e óp e óp x e óp xe óp e óp e óp, mariw, wu cowak ápimóperes in maré.

1 bikin apis emorés. bikin apis = Malay: bikin habis; 2 atapómjimores.

328

maré, Seréw, piri amás cofó jemér atakám maré Mecemup kawénak nim ákukuaser in maré. Pisim enerim Wasi, Jépem nés jipie jamnók in, tés jisémeres 1 in. "Pisim enim Was ia, cá jowów amás to jis nim jómatmés aw una! amás namir afmés aw una!" inim eres in. - Sisnám cowut akátipic a Sakán jep, jipit tes nim ajismóperes in -:-. tám anuwutmames in, Wasi enerim Pisim. Áw araw néw Ninim araw néw arewsámores in. pómot có'n eámar in. Jómot móc in ajatámsieres in, cemsén mimis jen in áemamar in. J épem nát jiwis pok "pok manám ajkic" ji nak nim. mot ámotjáramámes in. porów purumuc, aciroperes in. purumut ni ániomitumes in. jisin animár araw un, pók manám ajikmés araw uno ei sés mosów amun ptt jáp araw uno "tó em máemsaweráw, ear wie jamnók newét jamnók jowun mápecés" inim eres in. tam jó inim puamismár nat, jiwis pok nat ei aówonier in. Pisim enim Wasi nat cém wapés araw uno "á ja 'tó em' inim efom áwa!" "á, ca nát em éawiria" aneres in. tam jururu ániámser in maré. Mani

827

TEXTS 267

There was a coming and a going of people. He couldn't use it up, he couldn't use it up. Day in, day out, he put [sago] on the floor, along the walls, more, and more, and more, and more. He only bothered with the large lumps, which he'd piled up; he didn't take the full bags, he clidn't draw on the big mass of bags of sago he'd stored. "First deal wit the rolls of sago, first deal with the large lümps, first deal with the maj," he said.

Finally, he'd used up the sago below: the many lumps of sago and maj of sago were used up. But the full bags stilllay there. They began to take some of those, he tried to use up the bags, continually, he tried to use them up. "Look for yourself, how can I have done it I" he said. The rich man dangled his feet, he dangled his feet. Again, and again, and again, he tried to use it up - Finally, they'd used up all the bags of sago. Then they began to fetch it from the lowermost collar-beams. They took it away from near the door. They used up all of it, but the l11iddle part he'd not yet removed. They tried to eat their fill, but in vaill - [only] wh en you go to the forest to get [fresh] sago, [will] your belly he satisfied -. Part of the people died. The many lumps, rolls, half roUs he'd put down in rows on each other, there on the platforms above, they used them all. They took away the sago from the platforms he'd hung up on the ridge heam: more, and more, and more - finally, only the bags made from sago leaves were left.

828

In Seréw - the news that the sago palms on the coast didn't contain any meal had spread like wildfire around the regions of the Mec - [in Seréw] there we re two men, Pisim and Wasi, blood kinsmen of people in Jepém; they were great warriors. "Pisim and Wasi, they carry [the dead] of your family like firewood I !t's said they die of hunger because of the famine," the people said. - Sisnám was a very heautiful woman living at the mouth of the Sakán. She had as much tes as a man· I - In the morning, Pisim and Wasi started out. They went from the Aw - or was it the Ninim? They both had paddIes decorated with white cockatoo's feathers. Wailing, they entered the Jomót. In the village the sound of lime throwing rang out b. Jepém was astir, [the people were] packing their baggage as though someone had given the order: "Pack the baggage in readiness to move." Wailing, they walked round. In the evening, people began to sing for them; the whole evening they sang and danced to honour them. Meanwhile, the am, Kajè át etám nak nim, arám kukuku ániamser in. Mów am arám, Ewér Suru, Majit Jinit, Per, Uwus át ctám nak nim, arám jiwis po kukuku ániamser in. Jómot, ajiser in. Mani nat akápuamár nat, Siréc asier in. Mów am, Mów samát 2 manmák win manmák win jiskápuamár nat. mu pakénakap in. Jépem wun, Asewéc apájser in. Kajè wun Asewéc apájser in. wim Unir ar in, wIm Pomuc ar in. wun Momác ar in. Amorép apájser in, Áe apájser in, Miwár apájser in, Esin apájser in, Amisu apájser in Jów apájser in. Kawét, Cowéw, Jaméw, Micim Sosó, Ar-Nanim Atáml1c. Sérew apcóm ajápteremóteper in. memáp ow opák in.

329

Jómot, Ewnápo araw un, Cemnácuw araw lm, inim aerwáperes in. Mani, Minwuj enim Erák, makán ajiperes in. Mów, - Séper, ja Mów makan jiperes ów, l1cim ow ám -. Mani Amánpitsimit ám araw un, 1\1ów Jakajmówsimit, Kurum, makán ajiperes in. Korè, Jináe, makán ajiperes in J ómot ám arám ów kow lm Mani nat, Minwuj enim Erák cowák aráp in. amás nat, á makán eres ów jisiteres ów, amás, e óp juruw nat amás opák in. api e inimnakapiriw. inim amásnakápiriw ajápneres in. Mów a jismák sukmapá eres ów, a Mani jismák jártewerá, Mani a jismák sukmapá er es ów, a Mów jismák tewerá, Jómot a jismák sukmapá er es ów, Mani jismák pájtewerá, Kajè a jismák sukmapá er es ÓW Jomót jismák tewerá inim ajapámeres in. - inim emorés nat á cowák jó cowák a tárwápcares áw -, arám inim aemáperes in jir cómic in. mokót tewerit mokót memáp pak. Minimap, wasén jisápêres in. Jiniw aniakápêres in. Minwuj nat, apácinakáp ajapkámtakawérmero 1 cowák Mani jaká, Cemenosamin, minkum sé in ajitómiwmár

TEXTS 269

prople fetched coconuts and packed up their things. They were busy firing the canoes C. "Tomorrow the drums must be beaten, your two f3lthers, your two eIder brothers must depart on the day af ter tomorrow," they said. In the moming, just when the sun had risen, they took the baggage to the canoes. Pi sim and Wasi, who sat in the house [of their kinsmen], said: "Hey, there, 'tomorrow the drums must be beaten' so we said yesterday!" "Beat them yourselves, then," the prople said, and that morning they aH started out, one af ter another. On the Mani, it was the same: the people of Kajé, as though they had been ordered, aH went down the river, with paddIes thumping. And on the Mow, also, the people of Ewér, Suru, Majit-Jinic, Per and U wus were also O'n the move as though they had been ordered ; they all rowed down the river with paddIes thumping. They rowed out of the Jomót; the people from the Mani joined them, and they set out O'n the Siréc. The people from the Mow, one group af ter another, came out and joined them. The water swarmed [with the canoes]. Some Oof the people of J epém broke away and went to the Asewéc; some from Kajé broke away and went to the Asewéc; some went to the Unir, some to the Pomác, some to the Momác. Some went to Amorép, to Ac, Miwár, Ésin, Amisu, and Jow; to Kawét, Cowéw, Jaméw, Micim, Sosó, Ar-Nanim and Atamuc. The great mass of people went on their way to Seréw. Nobody stayed behind.

329

Only Ewnápo and Cemnácuw stayed together on the Jomót. On the Mani they left Minwuj and Erák. On the Mow - Sepér a, the people they left on the Mow, who were they? - On the Mani, Amánpitsimit also stayed behind. On the Mow, they left Jakajmówsimit and Kurum, Koré and Jinác behind. On the ]omót, also, there were still many people. On the Mani, only Minwüj and Erák were left behind. The sago, the sago of the people whom they'd left behind - up there [in the house] there was no sago. Look, such a little bit, only such a small piece did they have to eat. - The people on the Mow whO'se fires had gone out, went to the Mani to get fire; when the fires of the people on the Mani went out, they fetched fire from the Mow. When the fires of the people on the J omót went out, they I!:urned to the Mani to fetch fire; when the fires went out in Kajé, the people went to the J omót to get fire: so the give and take went on. - So they went on, but they would have done better had they come together on one river - so they stayed there, their spleens like sponges b. The aráw jewér kor, ei e jewér ak, inim jiskawimtiwawér eowák. a nát jewér, éw nim inim átajámser 2 in. enám inim akónawmesmá jermep, kámem sé maniapóm pak in. inim atakámtewerá ei, mipor émtitiwá, inim jewérmero 3 'n Mant. porów maserim jirmotepá jipuawér araw uno

1 ajakámtakéwere jérmero; :! átajamsár; 3 jéwere jérmero.

• Sepér: one of the listeners ; he came from the village of Uwus, on the Mow. b i.e., life was very difficult for them.

• He didn't miss once.

330

Sérew jéw mu aieimores in. Jispáripic ám arám, Kajè, Kamsópisipit ]ispáripit, Seréw, Jewérnamakát, jipit nim tés ajismóperes in. - a Sisnám tesmá eowut, Sisnám nat, mocóm opák. akát eepés mocómopawér. Sisnám ar mó Jiw in -. J ewérnamakát nat, eowuc akát apóres in. a Seréw, papis matam ów opák in. Mecemup, Ac in, ]akariweimsimit, "já Jewérnamakát, Seréw papis atámeokom já no papis eowut akát" inim eápmor in papis is arpá espómer in. maré Jispáripit nát, ei éwkuor eowák a J ewérnamakát manmák asamápmor in. apapis manmák wasé aráw, maré ten ájawerémtiwer in maré. áomiser in papis. jéw, apómkekemés araw uno jéw, apómkekemés araw uno jew, jew, jew, maré onów 1 atapómkekémores in maré. onów inim akómamés maré amás usi awuámser in. amás usi. "Jispáripieá, já Jewérnamakát Seréw, papis matám ow pák! e Jákariweim ar ém, Jákariweim manmák eskám ar omér! eemsén eowkán in, omér ajimap aráw. ám apapis arpá omismár". "jó eowkán emár aráwo" inim aer in. amás usi awuámser in.

331

TEXTS 271

sago palm gardens which had been passed down to them were no longer there. They went to live in the forest by the Minimap ; they went to the Jiniw and stayed there. Now Minwuj went down to the Mani each day in his smal I one-man mnoe and tied up his canoe to a huge je'wér tree which lay with one end in the mud, near the mouth of the Cémenosamin. He always pUIt his canoe alongside this jewér tree. Like a crocodile, he lay down on the trunk. Each time a fish swam close by he didn't stick the many-pointed spear into the mud' but he speared the fish with it; he pulled it in and threw it carelessly into the canoe. Then, in the aftemoon, he usually went up the Mani with a fuIl canoe.

sso

In. Seréw, they began the feast for the new ceremonial house. Now, Jispáripic, Jispáripic of the ceremonial house Kamus at Kajé - in Seréw, ,there was Jewérnamakát: full of tes she was, like a man. And Sisnám, the beautiful woman - they didn't hide Sisnám; you should keep beautiful wamen indoors. Sisnám's husband was Jiw. The people noticed that Jewémamakát was beautiful. She didn't have apaPis man in Seréw. He [her paPis man] was Jakariwcimsimit, from Ac in the Meoêmup. "You, of Seréw, are not allowed to enter into apapis relationship with Jewérnamakát, she's my paPis woman," so he spoke, and he alone went to lie with her as her papis man. Now, Jewémamakát caught the eye of Jispáripic as he stepped from the canoe onto the land. And forthwith he daubed the red paPis sign above her eyes a. - At that time, they were making the new ceremonial house, making it st rong. They worked constantly at it - at last they put the thatch on it and fastened it firmly. While they were getting the thatch, they all moved to a temporary dwelling place to scrape out sago. "Jispáripic, this Jewérnamakát has no paPis man in Seréw. She's the paPis woman of Jakariwcim, Jakariwcim with the bloodshot eyes b, of whom people are afraid! Even the people living in the same village with him are afraid of him. He only lies with her!" He [Jispáripic] said: But she's not from the same river [as Jakariwcim] C!" - They'd all gone to a temporary dwelling place to scrape out sago.

sn

- Now 1'11 take up the story agail1 - There, at the mouth of the Sepér, they drove a huge cacfw fish away from the share. Atáripic emápmor in. Cl kajkajkajkajkajkaj e jicemup, mak émseres ów ci, acákokorómseres in. áteweráces in Wasi enim Pisim ei awinemores in. Atáripit nat nám. akin ajisakámtiweres in maré. pakás kor néw. "Jakariwcimá, 0 papis cowuc Jewérnamakatá, Jispáripicá, piri éwitéa, papis manmák wasé ajiwiref in, papis omismar ina" inim aeres in. "a jó cowkán emár aráw, ám apapis cowuc áw" inim aer in. emér emér emér emér emér emér "á, no piri, Áw mu puawéra, Áw mu puawéra", inim er in. jicop ei kor ájarimutmar in. cém cakám uno cém cakám cuwuc amis, sén apém omén kor ajimásmores in. "Ác a ei korá!" "e cá omén am" "a Ac ei korá, Jákariweim emárimutmará" inim aeres in. Jispáripit nat pónakap ákamóper in. "Jispáripit, majti! 'Jakariweim' inim emés, apapis cowut, ó ajiwirfem. misti, manmák eskám" ajiporés. á na pó sejpá'n ápatmár araw uno ÓW nat opák in cém nat ÓW opák in. a jéw omóperes ÓW atáwporés atáwporés atáwporés.

832

anakátipic, pomót kor, inim ámesémjirmémac in, jeniwpa kór , wác apcóm kukár mi, éperak sé ar in mén in acápmomkuer in a wác in ajimomer in. Jispáripit nat pó sejpá atmár araw un, ápatmár araw uno asówfiwer in. jéw ko pó sejpá cuwuc 1 ápatmár, "Jispáripit, sinakap pototómcenó,2 Jewérnamakát papis manmák wasé ó etjiwirfenem inó" inim aer in. "no Seréw jaká cowuc papis manmák wasé majwir pakó, ja papis norpá ajiméspomio" inim er in. "Jakariweim sinakap patetámcená" inim aer in anakátipic, áj pim éwfiwer cowák áj pim áeméner in. a jeniwpa kór nat, épermák nesén apápcapipimar a mén in acápmomér cowák. áj pim amérfasiac in, inim emór, pó sejpá cuwuc ápatmár, mán am ápomosómor in. áteweráces in a jéw, kámu nim ájarimóperes in. maré a jéw amán ut nim, ut nim uc ájè ájè ájè ájè, nesén eiromáseres cowák maréw in. maré a jéw, tesén a mijispum pak in maré, 0 nim pinim un áfikmámes in mufum pak in. nów kus nat áteweráces in. Ac ei aniómuwores in. Jispáripit tówoferés maji pak in curuw anáperes in maré.

TEXTS 273

taak one [a harpoon] out of tbe eanoe and hit it. Quiekly the canoes of the people who'd stayed behind, in the middle of the river, pushed on - they ehased and killed the fish and hauled it aboard. When they seized it, they threw it in the eanoe of Wasi and Pi sim. Immediately af ter they'd put it ashore, Atáripie beeame ill. Perhaps he had a big ulcer. "Jakariwcim, your paPis woman, Jewérnamakát, Jispáripie came from the eoast and put the red paPis sign above her eyes; he has a papis relationship with her!" they said. "Oh, she's not from the same river [as I am], let her he his paPis woman," he said. He waited, and he waited, and waited - "WeB, I'm going to the eoast, to pay a visit to the Aw, to pay a visit to the Aw," he said. In the moming, he manned a big war eanoe. At that time the village [of Seréw] was deserted. At the downstream end [of the village] they raised a shout. "A big eanoe from Ac!" - "Who's shouting there?" - "It's a big eanoe from Ac that Jakariweim manned this morning," they said. Jispáripie, Jispáripie sat making a smaB paddIe. "Jispáripie, get away from here, it's Jakariweim! You've daubed his paPis woman [with red paint], get up! He's bloooshot eyes," so they urged him. But he just sat there making the paddIe with a chopping knife. There were na [other] people there; there was nobody in the houses. The men who sat in the eeremonial house tried to reason with him again and again, but in vain.

332

He [Jakariwcimsimit] put his huge feather adorned paddIe in tbe mud beside the canoe, and went ashore with a long lanee with a cassowary's claw like the beak of the kukár bird whieh he held at its point, dragging the end in the mud ft. He pulled it along, holding the cassowary's c1aw. Jispáripie just sat there working the paddIe with the chopping knife. He went inside - he sat on the gallery in front of the eeremonial house working witb the chopping knife. "Jispáripie, give me a small stone axe; it's said that you daubed the paPis red above the eyes of J ewérnamakát, instead of me," he said. "Jakariweim, do give me a little axe!" he said [Jispáripie]. The man at onee went inside, at the far end of the eeremonial house, and walked to the other end. The end of his big lanee swung to and fro; he held it only by the point. When he'd gone to the other end and had tumed round, this is what he did: with bath hands, he thrust the lanee into the body of the man who sat working the paddIe wi,tb tbe chopping knife. They picked him up; in the eeremonial house, they all made a terrible noise. It was as though

1 cue; 2 potómcen.

• This is a sign that his intentions are bad.

b According to cu stom the corpse should have been dipped in the river.

sss

Atáripit, a eém tówomiwér,l jipic am, ar mó, asé cepes in wárimomáser in a fá eowue, eém makán ajiper in. "newét, no sin arám ám aráw, nam eáj. eém manmák inim tuwopie" inim aer in. eém jok ów pok mer armá wuamismes maré, a Atáripie, eém fomiwér 2 jipic,3 makán jipér fá cowut tasmá, Atáripit manám afor in. a ar ém euwue áp, á apómkurer in. "inim eowueá", - Sorówsimit ara néw Opekátsimit ara néw -, "inim eowueá, nór, a newét, ják serémopóf, jemeés eemén akát. cáj máeeén", inim aer in. ásisióeinér, ásisióciner ar mó euwue amis atiwoter in. "no sin ueim atakám potáwmen éw" "atakám eowák ótawmen aráw, asówkonawfóm, ják seré japfen in. "át etámporén" inim er". "m, no ueim api!" inim aer in. "atakám minip pacák nak pumopêném" inim aer in. "á, efamut! eén man pák aporei aráw, newét setájeaw, "no Atáripie ókora ókoromfén", inim maji! Seréw áwuamsé, 0 pok mu amás pak, 0 nés matámjik in, amás usi wuamsé! eén maneén, musumutum emin", ajómewérmar Atáripit omér eporamár, omér eporamár, omér eporamár, omér eporamár, "á, musumutum emin, eén man pák aporein aráw" inim er in. a Atáripie ar ém kor, e jip ámeráper in. mariw, Atáripit maré a eowut tasmá, eém ajówmoper in. anér anér anér anér am ásumutumor in. "ór aráw, porów manémum emin. usi wów akájcema, erém manémum emin" inim aer in.

1 tówomiwir; 2 fomiwir; 3 ipit.

334

usi ajaréwkajámar in eém. ]ispáripit nát euruw nesén naperes eowák maréw in. amás eowu euruw aetámtewerés eowák. a Seréw, kurkurkurkurkurkurkurkurkur, 'm, ó nim, jak káju káju étotormár araw

TEXTS 275

there was laughter in the ceremonial house; - haw, haw, haw; - they simply cut him up in pieces b. They stayed in the ceremonial house, and did not go outside to throw him into the water. They made it [his flesh] smell like roasting pork; they kept it a secret. They took the head they'd cut off with them in the canoe to Ac. They told no one thaJI: they'd killed Jispáripic; in secret they'd eaten him.

888

The man who'd brought Atáripic into his house went off with all his co-wives; his chief wife he left at home. "My elder brother, and also my sister, are ill, keep an eye on them here in the house," he said. The people who'd been at home that morning had all gone away to fish. The chief wife of the man who'd brought Atáripic to his house, [the w~fe] who was left behind, had taken a fancy to Atáripic. She spoke about it to his wife, who was sitting there. "Hey, woman," - was it Sorówsimit, or Opekátsimit? - "hey, woman, I've taken a fancy to your husband. He has a beautiful young penis, let him couple with me !" she said. She drew towards him and nudged her husband, who lay there. "What has my sister to say to me?" "She's something to say to you. [She says] that when we arrived here, she took a fancy to you. She said [to me]: 'tell him that for me,' " so she spoke. "Oh, whaJI: can I do? What you say and what you're thinking of with regard to me is very bad," he said. "Be quick! If I see that you don't want to couple with me, then I'll say to my husband when he comes home: 'Atáripic has raped me!' All the people of Seréw are away getting sago, but [there'll be] no feast sago for you, your flesh will be packed in bundIes ! They're all away getting sago; if you couple with me, I'll let you go." She kept on saying that, and Atáripic became more and more afraid. "Corne, I'll let you go; but if I see that you won't couple with me, then ... ," she threatened him. At least, the wife of Atáripic went 11:0 sit at the far end [of the house] and Atáripic and the beautiful woman sat together in the house. He coupled with her ... he raised her. "You, I'll let you go this evening. Today the people return from camp, and tonight I'll let you go away," she said.

884

The people came home from camp in great numbers. Concerning Jispáripic, they had just eaten him in secret. Straightaway, they'd secretly brought the news to the place where the sago was being scraped out. The news flew from mouth to mouth amongst the people tin maré. "apák, maré amás, ków nak, maré na, maré ajnima ajnima" áneres in maré. ájarewfájpurtámar in sékakajámar in. amás eem fá asen opák in. "maré jew, tó jem ám, onók muri ám tó, onów jowtin mápurámseráw" inim aer in. jéw nat tów mamátiw pak in. cáj eméerés, piri só mopórjit, jéw aj icimores in. jéw amán mapórjurstim, jéw aj icimores in. jófaj, onók muri jém ei atáwjimirsémor in, onók muri kór aámjiwápmores in. jófaj masnim, tesén sa niesmár niesmár niesmár, tám onów un awitiweres in. tám, onów awitiwerés, maré pir só, jok ákurumápëres in. pir só, emá porów jirwtitumá jirwtitumá jirwtitumá jirwtitumá, maré, a Atáripic a eén anér eowtit, "newét, a eepés am, a tipuris ám erém mátepërés" inim aer in. maré ar mó kor ám arám, amán asów mipiei, euwtie amis jirporá jirporá jirporá akátipit. máj pakám wut nim anitewemtámor 1 in. omóeen kór anijimémtamor in. eeswén mirám kor anijimémtamor in "po fá asorómoenes ów, ánijimémtamamin, mómokómtiwic" inim aer in. maré Atáripie, erém, Áw erén ajirimtapmésmes in maré.

• When a new ceremonial house is completed, its strength is tested by all the men who take part in the feast, jumping up and down to a rythm beaten out by the drums. Should the house settIe as a consequence, then great is the humiliation of the group to which it belongs: their strenght is as that of their house.

335

niesmár niesmár niesmár niesmár niesmár niesmár mariw, jó'n afamásmores in tam ásakámores in. "maréa, amás tamä, e piri aréwfaj ówa jéw cowák ará" áneres in. Jépem, Kajè, Per Uwtis Mismám, Ewer Surti Majit Jinit, jéw eowák, jéw eowák jóf opák in. Tawerit nat cém apitmar in. Jakáj enerim Máspic a niwi Tawerit. "ja Tawerit ucè". amás, amás, e jéw jurtiw, piri nat a jóf opák in, ajiwtuwápmor in. Tawerit manmák siriáp araw tin. Tawerit manmák siriap araw tin. Tawerit, jemis jemis jemis asówsiter in. a wajir 1 fiwér aw tin, áj ariw áj ariw jarmár araw tin e óp manmák. e óp manmák onów serér mopór. a óp ara, maré e erén pim jipmtir onów karésnakap, inim apór, amán am omóeen am, makpin in inim amerómer in. e jipmtir. wasén nat tów wut nim mormormormormor ajesmár. Sérew

TEXTS 277

of Seréw. Then, their hearts began to thump like the hearts of wild pigs! "Hey! there's sago in abundance. Now it's our turn, now it's our turn [to take headsJ" they cried. They came together from all directions and reached the village. Because of the sago, there was no room in the houses to sit down. "All right, tomorrow the floor covering for the ceremonial house and also the rafters - the day af ter tomorrow the thatch must be on," they said. For [the feast for] the ceremonial house they didn't cut down sago palms to get the sago grubs. They wanted an excuse to murder the men from the coast, sa they began the feast. They began the feast for the new ceremonial house in order to kill them in the ceremonial house. The next day, they took the canoes to the water sa that they could fetch the rafters and the floor covering. They laid many large rafters on it. The following day, they danced the whole night and sang the tesén song. In the morning, they laid the thatch. They laid the thatch in the morning and then, at noon, they sat and sang the pir song - no, in the afternoon they sang the pir song - and they jigged up and down, up and down, up and down a. The woman with whom Atáripic had coupled said: "Our brother, his wives. and his children must go upriver tonight." Then her husband tried to bend a very large strong bow that lay there. He tried it, and again he tried it, - it was fine - and he put the bow down for him [with a thud] , as though he stamped his foot. He fetched a large spear from above for him. From above, he fetched a big bundIe of arrows for him. "I put them down for you," he said, "should the men pursue you, you must kill them." And when it was night they sent Atáripic away to the upper course of the Aw.

335

The whole night long there was dancing; they went on until daybreak and in the morning they stopped. "Enough, now! This morning the sago [must be handed round], all the people who came from the coast must go 1:0 the ceremonial house," they announced. The people of Jepém, Kajé, Per, Uwus, and Mismám: of Ewér, Suru and MajitJinie, all went to the ceremonial house. There was no room left! Taweric, however, just stayed in the house that morning. - Taweric, the father of Jakáj and Máspic. - "Where's Tawerie!" More and more sago [they gat together]. In the long ceremonial house they assembIed the men from the coast; there was na room left. They waited, and waited, on the lookout for Tawerie. Finally, after a long wait, Tawerie stood up. He entered the ceremonial house in the middle; he wut Epém wut Sakwus WUt. 2 á amás masé mapór, a Tawerit nat manmák pepe emár araw un, pepe emár araw uno maré, awón mopáces in, x "á Seréwa no só ajitmi ca pacák pén!" a wasén kor inim niamár 'm x x x Tawerit nat maréw, Jiw cin ar ewuc, 'm á onow mák jéten in átarifiser in marl. Tawerit arám ócen apcóm amán apcóm atépsowamár cowák ar ewuc cin mariw, a jéwsen tóko, énesjápêres in marl. a nát mariw, a jéw nat pipipipipipi tatakáj ow émsajcucukumár araw un, tatakáj ow emsájcucukumár araw uno maré erén cowák, airimteper in, maré.

1 wojir; 2 A listener interrupts: "e Tawerit nat atakám matáw an ew" - Did they teil Tawerit about it? Simni answers: "a ná amsóm un 1 a ná erám apcóm, or epuc kor na I" - He knew it 1 He had a magical power, that great-grandfather of yoursl

• Seréw, Epém and Sakawus: the three jew of the village of Seréw.

b They crawl through the forest, so that when the killing begins, they will catch those who flee.

SS6

Atáripit nat manw x, amás, "já mokót pu amás, mómaókmomit, erém momáwesi! e amás am, amás kumis jisá, amás kumis jisá, momawesi, amás kumis esé kor masnim a momsimomit. amás maj atáwcokom máj esé a, jismák am mi jis nim mómwuwumesi" inim ajitámor in, a cém towomir jipic.1 jismák kor ám mus jimis átowówac in, maré amás juwréw kor cuwuc emic át etamór, erém animomóperes in erém x erém x, a Atáripic asimotéper ów, x x amás x erém x erém x erém. maré a Tawerit am arám, Atáripit, erén emátepésmar ow, ji nak nim jitám nak nim, maré erém airimteper in maré. a cepés, inim cuwuc émtewjiniwmar, mariw, x Tawerit ar ewuc cin Jiw, Jiw cin, cococó aémfimsumores 2 in maré. "Atáripicä, - Áw mifis. pak áemutmár a Atáripic maré a cém jipic erém akserémtapmésmar in, Áw erén tepésmar in" aneres in. maré atiwkukumores in maré. a jowówpic ám arám anuwuwor in. "Atáripicä, 0 pémcem éwa, já tatmésmin amána, pómcem éwa, Sérew wut Epém wut ájumar áwa ór ar ina" inim er in. "já, newét car wie já atemár aráw, ca nát ajsi, ca ná ajsi" inim aer in. ajsér ajsér ajsér ajsér ajsér ajsér, maré, - Tawerit, ar ewuc Jiw cin ám, tépkawierés -, "ca nát ér nim jisemic, nór, amán matmómpor" inim er in. Atárpic apin asé inim atówopmor in. "wu Atáripicä, wu ja wuä ja Seréw já jumar aráwa" inim aer in. masirifis in, a ná mesopér, x "wä" nesén mapmór cowák! omócen

TEXTS 279

walked to one end and then to the other, looking up. He looked above, looking for a thin place in the thatch. At least, at the upstream end, he sawaplace where the thatch had not been laid on so thickly, and he went and stood there, with his lance and his bow, his arms crossed. There, at the far end. Many people from Seréw, from Epém, from Sakawus ft approached through the forest, crawling like a mass of sago grubs b. Taweric watched the sago being given out, looking sharply around him. There the killing started! "Hey, you from Seréw, do you want me to kill you!" [Taweric shouted]. Those in the forest then came back; they stabbed and stabbed. But Taweric and his younger brother Jiw, crash! they broke straight through the thatch, to the outside. Taweric sprang with his lance and his bow, right down from above, he and his younger brother, and with a thud they landed on the ground. In the ceremonial house the killing went on; the fleetest men all fled to the forest. The fleetest men all fled to the forest. Then they all fled to the upper course of the river.

336

Now, Atáripic had cut down a sago palm. "Presently, you must chop down a sago palm near the path through [myJ sago garden. You must scrape out the sago at night, and the sago, the halls of sago, you must roast; raast them tonight. Then put them into a big bag and take them with YOU. When you've fetched the maj of sago, put them in bags. A big fire, as for burning lime, you must light tonight," so he was ordered by the man who had brought him to his house. And he put a large piece of burning wood into an empty bamboo water container. That night, they feHed the big, full grown sago palm which stood there, the one he'd pointed out to him. The people whom Atáripic had brought upriver scraped out sago all night long. And also Taweric - Atáripic had already gone upriver at night - fled, as though someone had indeed ordered him to, upriver. J ust as all the women went on their way [af ter they'd washed the sago], there Taweric and his brother Jiw dashed out of the forest. - "Where's Atáripic? He didn't leave the Aw this morning. The man who had him in his house, sent him upriver . tonight, by a devious path. This night he went to the upper course of the Aw," they [the people of Seréw] said, and they set out in pursuit. His blood kinsman also set out. "Hey, Atáripic, are you there? Have you the bow I gave you last night? Many people from Seréw and Epém are on their way to you, yelling," he cried. "Hey, your brother,

280 THE ASMAT LANGUAGE j

aómosiron1er cowák. Serew nát, - "wu J epérna wu awupa" "ü" émjiamar ]epém. Seréw jiná ji araw uno jiná ji ajáper in maré.

38'7

a nát mariw, anémwerer in maré. kuwus in ásakámteweres in maré. tówoper ów kor mari iriri nesen émoper cowák maré. maré aemtéwjiniwer in. Siréc arán áiriméner in. a nát jiwa nesén jiwa emár araw un wunám a wasén parsámcukumór ow moáf uno arán, e, N ówit jép, Máj jep Cáka jep amérpapujer in. a nát, a nát omá nesén jitjarmés araw un á Seréw nat ju emar araw uno a nát mapájuru pák. "emá mápapuj ará pak é ei sés amán, é ei sés amán". Siréc jo pim maniém pak in. a Méc juwut, a Siréc juwut, óma nesén jitjarmés araw uno Seréw nat a jó pim, matakáj inim apor. wásen is esjarmés araw uno Jiw nat ar ém moe, micuwan mm emár araw un ar epUt, "0 nát Jomót tepapém" aernár araw un karern emá. a nát micuwán,l purumut micuwan ï ernár araw uno Tawerit na "'m" aernár araw uno maréw, atáwpacájer ów, Ac, Micim Sosó, Esinkom, Ar-Nanim, Amiw Su, Atámuc, Kawét, Cowéw Jaméw, táwpacamóper ów, Esinkom, "Seréwa, tó apómjirsómamep ina", ajipores "á, am aráp samáta, nó, Mecêmup, jokmén no apesawéra no cém mieicimpór paká! ám aráp samát pacákap mán!" jipakajapér cowák atáwpacajóper ów now opák in. maré a Seréw cowák, arpá acáporsomóper in. ám Jispáripic ájmirimtiwér.2 - a nát amás awtámcar áw, wunám piri fajmuc am totápowcar. Jewérnamakát ájmirimor -.

TEXTS 281

your father is caIling yonder! Go to the forest, you, go to the forest!" he said. One af ter the other they went to the fa rest [the wives of Atáripic]. Taweric and his brother, Jiw, joined them, going upstream. "You must wait alt a little di stance in the fa rest. I'm going to try the bow," [Atáripic] said. And he placed his legs wide apart, firmly. "Look out, Atáripic, look out, the people of Seréw are pursuing you [his kinsman] cried. They [the people Oof Seréw] wanted to rush out [from their cover] but he stood there on his guard. Thump! - "Oooow." - he'd just struck one with the lance he was holding at the ready. "Ho, Jepém, good oh! That's a hit!" "Hurrah!" cried the people of Jepém. The people of Seréw crawled [back] on their knees; they fled, crawling.

BBIJ

And the others hurried on; they cut off the head [of the man they'd killed]. - The people they [Seréw] caught, [in the ceremonial house], not one of them was left. - And they went on their way, they all f1ed in the direction of the upper course of the Siréc. The others tried in vain to surround them, to kil! the people still scatiered about in the forest. They made a circling movement towards the mouths of the Nowit, the Maj, and the Cáka. They [Atáripic, etc.] went forward cautiously, while the people of Seréw started yel!ing. They couldn't be seen. "Don't make detours, go straight on, beneath the dead ribs of the sago palm fronds" [Taweric said]. They didn't go down to the banks of the Siréc. Between the Mee and the Siréc they wel1lt forward cautiously. The people of Seréw pee red round to see if they should make a break for the banks of the river, but they went on, passing the night in the forest. Jiw bemoaned his wife. "Ooooh", he groaned under his breath. "Shsh! why didn't you stay on the Jomót!" so spoke his e1der brather again and again, to keep him quiet. But he just moaned under his breath, crying, oooh, oooh! "Shsh," said Taweric, again and again. The people who dispersed to Ac, Micim, Sosó, Esinkom, and Ar-Nanim, to Amisu, Atámuc, Kawét, Cowéw and Jaméw, - conceming those refugees - the people of Esinkom tossed up a small balI: "Yesterday, it was the people of Seréw who kil!ed them, it's said ... " "They, the people of Seréw, are an Ooutside group; I, of the Mecemup, am powerful·, I have no need of the rustling [of ghosts] in my house b. They, the people of Seréw, are an outside group, they are weak!" so spoke everybody, and the refugees were not slaughtered. Only the people of Seréw killed them. - It was the fault of Jispáripic! They would have scraped out sago for them, and af ter that they could

338

wasén ajarmés araw un, e ei ses amán. Siréc efá maniém pak in. "ëmá jurwucaw jurwucaw jurwucaw cém otásiápêraw masirim, Siréc jo pim ániemcowuj" inim er in. Amorép, Warsé, Sumuj, Jaméw, táwpacájoper ów, Méc ow, táwpacámoper ów, nów opák in. ja Uswut a niwi, Juruwpitsimit, Jin enerim Nosó, a jowówpit jamnók in, cém camán nicomtlwites in. Seréw matowóf un arewfájporamár opák in. "no Jina, no Nosó" ajémites cowák. Uswut a niwi Juruwpitsimit ará. cowuc, Cáman aráw, Jecám aráw, e camán aniásimomsëres in. Pokás aráw, Eréw ar enéw Pokás. Kamémemak a niwi, e, ar enéw, Námewfáksimit. Sisnám cém nesén towóperes in. pér nesen áteres in cápakamóperes in. Amiw, Jámew, Sisnám matowóf er, pirkawór araw un, juwur sis, tari si, mutlwtamór. pirkawór akát apor juwur sis akát apór, cesén aótpemusumtamor in a cowut tesmá. téwer nim aémkomámes in Sisnám. Amiw cowak ámtewéneres in. Sisnám, Sisnám cowut akát ami amésfajer in.

339

cém oSlaper ururu apórkurumór masnim, mariw, "semi emár nów mináf amopmár maré, taju emár" inim aéres in. maré a Ninim cakám, Taweritsimit nat, ei moporómtewer ónmer inim onmermár araw un map. Siréc akám jokós kor ámitémer in, maré juwur kor, ep wut eimen wUt araw un, mokóp in emtópmores in. jewi, ei, pacákseré ei mosokóm, - emár araw, ei tari moskóm pak. a ei jipin firimtlwporá firimtiwporá firimtiwporá firimtiwporá a erén a se tén maré a juwur kor cuwuc atepic atapomfámores in. "er aráw man, a cowák wut, a maémariwces mán" inim aer in. pó jipin aporómtawamár, "no miwis em". omócen wut nat mán kipmomic araw uno akám akám akám, wu, wu, "Siréc, ákajnapuésawiri no miwis em" inim aer in. Jiw nat mót micuwan jï emár araw uno a nát, a omócen kor sir 1 ám otomá emár araw uno "0 cém arásen emémaném! 0 nát tépacoapém! micuwan jï

TEXTS 283

all have gone back to the coast in peace. He was to blame, because of J ewérnamakát.

338

Meanwhile, they went through the forest, under the dead ribs of the sago palms. They didn't go down to the Siréc straightaway. "Wait, first let them search, first let them search, and when they're all gone back to the village, th en you ean go down to the bank of the Siréc," said Taweric. The people of Amorép, Warsé, Sumuj, Jaméw and the people from the Mee didn't kill those who had taken refuge with them. - The father of Ûswut, Juruwpitsimit, was hidden away under the house by Jin and Nosó, his two blooel kinsmen. The people of Seréw came to try to kill him, but in vain., "I am Jin; I am Nosó!" they shouted at them. The father of Ûswut, Juruwpitsimit, and a woman, Cáman, as weIl as Jecám, lay hidden together uneler the house. And Pokás, Pokás, the mother of Eréw, anel the father - na, the mother of Kamémemak, Námewfáksimit. They took Sisnám into the house. They took her to wife; [the others] they'd killeel. Then the people of Amiw and Jaméw wall'ted to kill Sisnám: triton shells, neeklaces made of dog's teeth, aid axes, they paid these for her, anel because [the people of Seréw] saw that the shells were fine and that the dog's teeth were fine, they pushed her out of the house, the beautiful woman. They took her as alle picks a tewér flower, Sisnám the beautiful woman. It was the people of Amiw who got her, to eat her. Sisnám, the splendid woman, like a flame, she lay th ere.

339

At last, when the pursuers had all gone back to the village, one af ter another, they said: "H's quiet now, now they're only thinking of the heael-hunting feast, it's over." Anel Taweritsimit went quickly ahead of the others to the aid eleserted village [of Seréw] on the Ninim, to look for a eanoe. A long rib from a nipa palm leaf pricked him, by the Siréc. [And la and behold!] a huge eanoe of jllwur wood, from stem to stern huge, had been turned up si de down. A canoe of the enemy, a useless eanoe, broken up - na, they didn't break up the aid canoe - they tried to turn the truncated • eanoe over, they tried and tried again, and finally they turned it over and pushed the juwur wood eanoe off the high bank on which it was lying, at the upstream end of the village. "That's fine! In this big one here, everyone must go aboard," he said. They searched for broken paddies. "My good people ;" he stood with lmm ja ewénnero, wów!" jomatmár araw ttn. erén, wasén apamés apamés apamés maré jó inim sapisemar, ei aniporómjiwiseres in maré. Tawerit nat máp atakmár araw un, Tawerit nat máp, Tawerit nat máp, Tawerit nat máp. arán am piri am fifimkurumac in, "maré ów opák, maré". Áw jo pim aniémac in mariw, "eméururutes nów mináf aámopmár aráw" inim aer in. maré Siréc apijináwores in maré. ei nat póm apcóm un pó metéwji pak in repés wut owerów wut mak ám tatemáp 2 araw uno Mow jép, Mow jép, ei jicemup a pájnijis, "jów sirifiserár" maji pas in maré misin ké aemápmesmar in maré.

1 sur; 2 tátemamáp.

• truncated: sometimes a canoe splits at one end, due to the working of the wood. When this happens, the damaged portion is cut right off. The remaining good part is made seaworthy by placing a barrier of c1ay across the open end.

840

"na cá jo ápfamutmanomè, maré Siréc, pomán omér ja emátewirum maré, na jó jemám enáwapesmóm emá ueim jo ar'am éw! tam jó puteráw apórca" inim eres in. tam aráw jó'n apumáperes in. "na Mówakap jép arawá" inim eres in. "Mówakap jép apóma" inim eres in. tám masnim, muwu mu a enám nisarámesmár, misin ten enám áfawutmes in. mu wá konáwkapumár maserim maré, ámsenáwores in. wá aotmenáwores in. Jómot, cém ateptájeres in. Jiwsimit "Jómota misi no jawerá ajimiáji ju cafá anafiriáji maei ju cafa anafiriè" ajikuer in mari, Jiw ara. Tawerit nat maré cemsén x ei kor cuwuc emic, ákin ájakómer in maré. mariw, Ewnápo, Cemnácuw, coápêres ow am arám, ja Nét wasén jaráp ara, Samtm emáp ara Ufit tepáp ará inim apjipueres in. maré a Nét wasén cuwuc apés, á, Tawerit, Jomót asésier in. maré a ei jan káju káju erés, curttw apawerjótakeres in. curUw atakómeres in. otmámtewerés masnirim, akapmámteweres in. Mów am arám táwpacamóper ów, arám Mow apcóm ajaptérsier in. Kajè arám Mani ajáptersier in. a Jepém cowák, arpá jursumóper in. á, Kajèa, a JUrUwpic, ar wés am acepés am arpá amkawieres in. a tarásepes ám. ów nat ám Esin, cém cowák ar in Ac cém cowák ar in, Amiw Su Mieim Soso Ár-Nanim, cém ar in. a ei jipin kor, éren ów kapmópaces in a ei jipin kor, jocór ajápewere jérmero'n, Tawerit nat

TEXTS 285

the long lance in his hand. Nipa palms [they chopped open], edible tops [they took]. "Eat them tonight on the Siréc when we're on our way, homeward bound, my good people," he said. Jiw cried Wlder his breath. Again and again he threatened him with the long lance. "Is your house here? Why don't you hide yourself? Day in, day out, you're crying under your breath, he careful!" so he spoke, walking round. During the day they stayed in the forest, and when the sun went out in the sea they all got into the canoe to move oH. Taweric went ahead downriver. When he'd searched about everywhere downstream and upstream, [he said:] "Fine, there are no people." At1ter he'd also gone to the side of the Aw, he said: "They've all returned, they're only thinking of the head-hunting feast." Then they crossed the Siréc to this side. The canoe was full to overflowing; they couldn't row. Many men and women sat there, packed tight. When the calloe had drifted downstream and out to sea near the mouth of the Mow, they said: "Let's cross quickly over the sandbank," but they couldn't do it, they stuck on the sandbank that night.

840

"On whose side of the river do we have to wait until the morning? We've gone a long way, full of fear, on the other si de of the Siréc; tonight we've arrived at our side of ,the river, but on which [side] river are we? In the morning, when the sun rises, we'll see," they said. They stayed there until the sun rose in the morning. "\Ve're at the mouth of the Mówakap," they said. "We're by the l\1ówakap," they said. In the morning they speared the fishes that had been left behind on the sand that night by the ebb tide. And when the water had risen to the forest, they came here. They came here, brushing close past the edge of the forest. They came up the J omót and reached the houses. Jiwsimit stepped ashore, wailing: "Alas, from now on I'm alone on the Jomót, I shall cry loudly every day •... " Taweric immediately went to a huge ei tree which stood by the houses and chopped it down [to make] a canoe. N ow, Ewnápo ood Cemnácuw had kept themselves hidden there; usually they stayed either in the foresrt near the Net, or near the Samun, or upstream, near the Fiti. At that time, when Taweric went rowing up the J omót, lthey were in the forest by the Net. They heard the sound of the ei tree being felled, and they walked quietly downriver, following the river but out of sight. Quietly they went downstream to meet them. When they met each other they joined up. The refugees ów cem mlm apéwere jérmero'n. "ów mapcájkukuasé, ów mantám, piri emseawér cowák ará" inim aer in.

• The language in which songs are couched, is very different from that of everyday speech. My stay in the Asmat was too short for me to make a study of it. The words of this fragment are not included in the word list.

341

Jaméw am arám, Jaméw kapmóperes ów am arám, Jum éwiserés, - És aráw new J um ara néw -, És awiserés "piri mér pemerawéra" inim eres in maré a Omawer jép, Jákarew jép Akámjow jép jim emeres aw uno ci emséeres ów am arám, a Má nesé, ájinawsirimkueres in. camuw masnirim, - ci new Camtlw new, a Jómot ów camuw a petéwmanes éw -, á Asewet éwnieres 1 ów ei'n, Jómot éwemeres 9w, camuw uno pówo mopán cirin enám áfawéner a Jómot éwemer jipit. á, Asewéc éwiserés, jipit, ei, ci emseres jipic jamnók arám animés araw uno arám ja atmár araw un, arám ja atmár araw un, arám po ájinimés araw uno jaká, akám jof, jitakám ser, apán ájatámurumór cowák. maré a ci cemén anicimsemor in. a ci jipic jamnók okón waksés aw uno "á com ám, á apán cá wimá, ja apán a ép ow wianém" inim aer in. maré ememér jipit, "á, ja apán nor apán winémami" 2 maré ei ám apapirómkueres in maré. - ci akát kor in, a ci kor mán aósmoper in Tawerit. cia, ákin ákomer cia, ajáksemor in sirimáksemor in, ci taksém akát.

1 éwnerés; 2 jimi.

342

mariw, ak mi komén cómic aámewermés. a Ásewec éwnieres jipic jamnók am á Jomot éwemer jipic cowák am. ju omewermés, "na ucim atakám atéwercóm, na ucim inim ar'am, ca ucim emfokóm!" "nar mariw, Seréw akpufóm ow, Pisim enerim Wasi jokmén nim

TEXTS 287

from the Mow all entered the Mow together, in battle array. And all the people from Kajé entered the Mani in a line. Only the people of Jepém we re ovel'ltaken by the disaster. Of the people of Kajé, only Jurtiwpic and the male members of his family, as weIl as his wives and his sisters [all of whom had stayed behind] joined them. The people of Kajé had gone to Esin, Ac, Amisu, Micim-Sosó and Ar-Nanim. In the large truncated canoe, - when the people from the upper reaches had joined them, Taweric went each day in the large truncail:ed canoe to the river mouth. Each day he stayed th ere in the lookout post. "When people scatter themselves about, there must always he someone on the look-out at the sea," he said.

sn

The people from Jaméw, the people who had joined up at Jaméw, went out of the Jum - was it the Es, or the Jum? - they went out of the Es. "Let's go to the sea and fish," they said. And they fished with the nets at the mouth of the Ömawer, the Jákarew and the Akámjow. The men in the canoes crossed over to our si de of the river, and went to land near the Ma. Then they went farther on foot. - By canoe, or was it on foot? Or was it the men from the ]omót who set out on foot? - The people who came from the Asewéc went by canoe; the people who came from the Jomót went on foot. The man who came from the ]omót was spearing fish in ,the strip of mangrove along the coast, and the men who came from the Asewéc - by canoe - two men in a canoe, rowed downstreanl. The one just walked and walked, while the others rowed. There, from the path between the nipah palms, he shot at jitakám and ser fishes with a many-pointed arrow, until he shot it [an arrow] into the water near the stem of the canoe. The men in the canoe stood gaping in wonder! "Hey, who is that who shot that arrow? Did you shoot that arrow from behind," he said [the foremost man]. The man who stood there [on the shore] said: "Hey, I shot that arrow!" They turned the canoe round and went ashore to meet him. - A very beautiful canoe it was, the large canoe on which Taweric set to work, the canoe he immediately began to make. He finished it quickly. It was a beautifully made canoe.

S42

WeIl, they licked each other's faces, the two men who'd come from the Asewéc, and the man who'd come from the J omót. They stood there screaming with joy. "What shall we say now? What must we do now? How are things with you?" "We, the people who joined up with the járteweréjipuruwa maré eméjursumeawós, maré, mátakam pák! ná atakajfóm ównakapinw, Atáripit, erém atakámsomeukmespés, nár masnim, jéw amán so ájteawós, ápaeájfom. Tawerit enim Jiw, matáwsimfawós, Atárpie, erém tepésmep, atépkawifóm, atéwjiniwemom ówerow ám eepés am, cakás. ów nat maré matakám pak, ju mameup kor setajóm.1 Jómot áapom. maré erén eoapfés jipie mámeup ám, emákapumtewfom awapóm. eá nat ucim ar'am éw", inim aámeres in. "ä, nar, erna miminip nat mapic. á om mén, mu asetáeokóm, amás a om mén arámtiwic.porów masnirim, a J épem ótewerá otewerá otewerá momjitumut "nar, mu amás kor, Má jep, simtiwésmár, tó, usi tapin in átewérear jowun, amás ajáwcar, átojowun jumenáwcar" inim momée. óm men amás armapmue, "mu amás kor, pó sasakámtaw nim, mapepértaw emóm" inim momjitumue" inim er in maré. a amás óm men ájaramáees in toróm ten ájawerémtiweres in, jó poké atiwpomámar in.

1 setajém .

• i.e., as though we had nothing to fear from them (see § 337, note a).

348

téweramés, á mer ów, áfasiéneres in. jimin am aeneres in, pó maji nát warák opák in. "tó cowáka máwkuw pák! nar, Tawerit !nIm atakám apómkurueóm". "aJép jep cuwue asecaw nák aráw Tewtén jep". inim ajitámores in. a ei ow, mér jim émores ów am inim inim maji pak in. "á, amás akát nak ucim amás am!" "á, ja mu amás kor, fá apcóm kor juwréw nueur! áj ei mi nim nesén jismá paw kor inim eowór! máwkuw pák, amás sinák majirsé pok nár, usi tapin in memtémtewer enám memtémemán, atéenáwmom" inim eres in. "na pók atakám akát naká nor mó jamnók emá" aemés araw uno teré ni am ájataméneres in. Es ámersieres in. eém apêres ów, porów poknakáp ánapaees in man inim inim mukukure atewémeres in. mukukure a eém towómiwer ów, "na tó, amás mu amás kor, Má jep, kupoporemápmesmár, pó jitamértaw nim, amás óm apcóm nesén kawuámsesmar née apcóm! tó, nee ápomáwsimá japom, ós májiririmsemorom tó, náriw am nó sinopis ám usi tapin mitiwtewér", inim eres in. Jaméw "á, amás awue, amás awueo" inim eres in. "erém ara a jó awnám atamcáw aráw, jó, pin manifam Jép jep", inim eres

TEXTS 289

people from Seréw - Pisim and Wasi came to fetch us, as though they were jokmén men B, but they slaughtered us! There was no escape, we got away with only a few people. They let Atáripic flee in advance, at night, but they murdered us in the ceremonial house, we fled in all directions. Taweric and ]iw took us with them when they fled, and we joined Atáripic who went upstream at night. 'Ne went away, men and women, everybody. The others didn't escape. Only three heads of family came back [Taweric, ]iw and Atáripic]; we're on the ]omót. We also let the three men who had hidden themselves on the upper course join us, so we stay there. "Howare things with you?" they said to each other. "We ... wait, stay here to think up something. First, you must stick the point of the digging stick in the water and then smear it with sago meal. Then, this evening, you must say to all the people of ] epém : 'Last night the water washed ashore a huge sago palm at the mouth of the Ma. Tomorrow, let's take the sleeping mats to make a camp and the day af ter tomorrow let's scrape out sago, and the day af ter that let's return here.' So you must say presently. Smear the sago meal on the point of the digging stick and in the evening, say: 'The sago palm which has been washed ashore is huge, we shall make test holes until we have to cut off the fronds!'" So he spoke. Af ter they'd rubbed the point of the digging stick with sago meal, they placed it [in the canoe) on a couple of supports. The heat of the sun dried it.

848

The people who were out fishing caught many fish; they returned upriver, content they went upriver, they rowed with ease. "It must he tomorrow, don't delay. We must teIl it to Taweric" [the man from the ]omót said]. "He rea1ly must wait there at the mouth of the ]ep and the Tewtén," so they urged him. They said nothing about it to the people in the canoes and the women who'd fished with the nets. "Hey, that's splendid sago. How did you get this sago?" "Oh, there's a huge sago palm in the water, complete with roots; an enormous full grown sago palm, it [the sago] comes out like lime off a [newly painted] canoe B • It's as large as a mangrove tree. Don't wait! The palm muSltn't get cracks [in the bark]. We've come here to teIl [everyone] to get the sleeping mats as weIl, [so that we ean make] camp; and also to bring fish as food." "This one is ours! That's good news! You're two fine fellows," they said. Dancing for joy, they rowed up river. They entered the Es. At night, af ter they'd had a bite to eat, they went on their way so that they could teIl the people. They went into the houses and said to the people: "Yesterday, we ... a sago palm, there's a huge sago in. JÓInot am arám, mariw, Tawerit cuwuc áp áwiokópmores in maré. "a mari enamuc po sis man ám", inim aer in. "atépcar" inim aer in. pok cém jis awni" inim er in. Taweric am arám jó inim sapisemár, mari asirinuwuwor 1 in ei mu awiásmor in, op átepomparémor in, apipis jiwi nim, atiwtemsémor in. J ép jep aeicin in.

b i.e., a sago palm of which the trunk has farinaceous pith weil up to the top.

344

kukurámitumár, kukurámitumár kukurámitumár, Jaméw is nim páamismár mari anijirimuwor in marl. mariwáp 1 ow opák in. Jaméw jipit, Seménterésimit ám arám, "nam nám ar a pé mámkomána" inim aer in. "á, mapi, mapio, mapio, narpá, na mi cowóra" ajipores. nám pe mámakanó", inim aer in. Asewét mu pakénakap ajisamser in páman ájirkunier in, apcóm kor in. páman kor pájener in. muwu mu eamár, mu'n cuwuc okmónimár maré, Jép jep. Tawerit nat maré, asiripiaper in. "já Tawerit pináwma néw, ájinawmá 0 cáma" áneres in. "á, no Tawerita" inim aer in. "0 ucè" "caráp an, éknakáp mokómomsé ow opéna" inim aer in. "ów opów, na mi owá, a newét wutá, Seménterésimitá, arpá niomuwpoma, áwomsémar áwa" inim ·aeres in. "uc'áwase uc'áwomséokom!" "áwaséc jiráwa" inim eres in. ei awuamsés araw un, jeten in inim áterémsemac in, cuwuc emic x, ei pim atówopmóper in. "ä Tawerita a newét wut sawnáka", ajipores. "ja mósókom ÓW opáka" ajipores opák in. "á, ca nát mapi!" Jómot fu pu'n ajatámsiómer in. Sérew am átowoferés, a Seréw acómeres, nów kus ám arám, ós mopán afajumores in. wunám a Jaméw aókajumores in. Sisnám purumuc ámocemés.

TEXTS 291

palm; the water rolled it at night OI1tO the land at the mouth of the Ma. Such a palm that the fronds must be cut away to make the test holes b. The digging stick lies there in the house, covered in raw sago. Yesterday, every time we stuck it [in the tree] the raw sago came out; we stuck poles in the water [to prevent it from rolling back]. TomoITow, our brothers and our sisters will take the sleeping mats to make camp," they said. "Good, go and scrape out sago, get sago," the men of J améw said. "Tonight it must he, before the sun has risen. We'Il wait for daybreak downstream,at the mouth of the J ep," they said. The people from the Jomót in their turn, told Taweric. "All right, let's go," he said. "But, first, all take a rest," he said. "Let's go upstream," he said. "Roast food in the houses," he said. Now, when the sun went out in the sea, Taweric went quickly to the canoe to set out. He put the canoe in the water; he turned it the right way up on the high bank, the canoe, slim as a young gaba-gaba staIk, and put it in the water, so that he should he at the mouth of the J ep hefore the others.

344

The whole evening they were telling each other, and wh en all the people of Seréw were as leep, they all set out in the canoes. Nobody stayed behind. A man from Seréw, Seménterésimit, also went with them. "I, also, want to go and catch crabs," he said. "Oh, stay at home, srtay <l;t home! We want to go alone, only with our people," they said, but in vain. "I, also, want to catch crabs," he said. They all went out to the Asewéc, the river was full of canoes. They covered it from side to si de, going down, the main mass of canoes. A part went more upstream. It was night and the ebb, and the current carried them to the sea, to the mouth of the Jep. Then Taweric quickly crossed the river. "Here comes Taweric, perhaps! He's coming here! Who are you," they called out. "1'm Taweric," he said. "What do you want!" "Are you alone? Is there someone with you," he said. "There are no other people, only our greart brother Seménterésimit came with us," they said. Where is he? Where have you put him ?" "Here he is," they said. He pushed forward between the canoes that lay there to wh ere he [Seménterésimirt] stood, and - rthud - he killed him on the edge of the canoe. "Oh, Taweric! have pity on our great brother," they cried. "He's not a bad man," they said, but in vain. "Stay you!" With the bamboo horns booming, they rowed into the J omót. The head of the man of Seréw whom they'd killed, they flayed under a tree·, and af ter that they also flayed the head of the man of Jaméw. They still sing the lament of Sisnám b.

v

WORD LIST

This list is a complete record of the Ásmat words that occur in the texts and in the grammar. The words are arranged alphabetically: e follows e.

When a word has been discussed in the grammar , reference is made to the relevant paragraph or paragraphs. The number following the verbal forms belonging to categories 8-24 denotes the paragraph where the paradigm can be found.

Occasionally, the paragraph of the text where a word occurs is shown by quoting the number of the paragraph in brackets. This has been done when: 1. a word has a form which deviates from the one that would be expected according to the mIes given in the grammar ; 2. a doubt exists with regard to the correctness of the word-form given; 3. a word has a specific meaning in a particular context; 4. there is incertainty about the correctness of the meaning given.

In the few cases in which a substantive only denotes one thing or person, or a number of things or persons, [s.] and [pI.] respective1y are used. In the other cases, as a mIe only the translation of either the singular or the plural aspect of the meaning of the substantive is given.

The following terms are used:

singular; plural.

subject, = verbal subject; object, = verbal object.

aquatic, lying, sitting, standing, above cye level: these terms refer to the five position-c1asses as discussed in § 71, note. Aquatic and above eye level are preferred here to swimming and flying. Thus e.g. 'aquatic subject' means: the subject of the verb belongs to the aquatic class of things.

The following signs are used: -+ see. < from. the same as. stands for the catchword. [ ?] indicates that the correctness of the word-form or the meaning can he doubted.

A ácoPáwerém < copawer, 125. acóp01nit (285) she was continually busy a 1 exc1amation: hey, oh, ah! with plaiting < cop [?j. a 2 -+ ar 2. acmnásmaméP < cumasam, 152. a 3 branch, thigh, hind leg [of a pig j. ACtlwllam personal name. aámcej < am 7; 116. ACII,wnal1la < ACII,wllam, 34. aámeres < ame, 155. ár.mamár < cmawer 1, 2; 144. aámewérmes < amewer, 136. áemamséf < emaIllis, 162. aámjiwápmores < amjiwapon, 155. aémapef < emap, 162. aámopmár < amop, 144. aemápi!res < emap, 155. aáncow < an 3; 120. ácmápmor < emapom, 155. áapom -+ áwapom. aématál1lor < cmatam, 155. aápterémtiweres < apteremtiw, 155. aématmac < ematam, 165. áemémcow < emem 1; 120. Ac name of a village on the Mec. acaciáperes < caciap, 155. áeméml'f < emem 1; 162. acáciomér < caciom, 155. áemémer < emem 1; 155. acájkurumóf < cajkurum, 162. áetnéller < eml!n 1; 155. acákokorómseres < cakokoromse, 155. acmés < e 4; 144. acán advice. áemesmár < emes 1, 2; 144. aemésmi < emes 1, 2; 144. acáPmomér < capimom, 155. acápmomk!Ier < capimomku, 155. aémfimsumol'es < emfimsllm, 155. acáporsomóper < caporsomop, 155. acmlc -+ awemic. aemit -+ awemic. aeic, aeic - all kinds of. ácicikimtiwer < cicikimtiw, 155. aémjitmar < emjit, 144. acidn beforehand, in advance, ahead. aémkomámes < cmkom, 144. aémnier < emlli 1, 2; 155. ácimomér < 'cimom, 155. acimtiwer < cimtiw, 155. aémnierá < aémnier, 34. acimuj < cim, 155. aémnierés < emni 1, 2; 155. aémor < em 4; 155. aein 1 -+ tap. aein 2 baked crust of sago. aempórmero < empor 2; 174. áciomiweres < ciomiw, 155. ahltsiresi < emsires, 155. aémsireslo < aémsiresi, 33. adr small platform on the collar beams of a house, used for storing sago. aémsiter < emsit, 155. acirá < ciri, 109. áemtámor < emtam, 155. ádroperes < drop, 155. aémtewcracém < emtewer, 165. acóaper < coap 1, 2; 155. aemtéwjiniwer < emtewjiniw, 155. acomápmores < comapom, 155. aémtewtûmor < emtewtllm, 155. acomeres < com, 155. aémtiméf < emtim, 162. acomómor < comom, 155. aémtiwey < emtiw, 155.

afimtiwmi < fimtiw, 144. áemutmár < emut 1; 144. aémwllar < emwu, 155. afin maggot. afiwá < fiw, 109. aénerl's < en 3; 155. afiwomiwcemes < fiwomiw, 136. aef < e 4; 162. afmár < af 1, 2; 144. aefés < e 4; 162. afmés < af 1, 2; 144. aer < e 4; 155. áeremtéwerac < eremtewer, 165. afó brood, wide. afór < af 1, 2: 155. aerés < e 4; 155. afse to die in the water. aerwáPeres < ariwap, 155. áfuamséspl's < fuamses, 152. aesémef < esem, 162. Af tij personal name. aésumtUmor < esumtum, 155. áetamór < etam, 155. Aftljè (320) = Afuj [in an enumeration of personal names]. aetámtcwl'rés < etamte-wer, 155. afûn air bubbles. aetéper < etep, 155. af 1 to strike, to kill. aicimores < icim, 155. áiriméner < irimen, 155. af 2 manám - to Iike, to take a fancy airimtcper < irimtep, 155. to, to be in love with; mi - to throw áiwiénac < iwien, 165. Iime; namir - to die; omóp - to beat. áiwijiser < iwijis, 155. afáfasimar < fafasi, 144. afáfawá < fafaw, 109. áiwijiseres < iwijis, 155. áiwinier < iwini, 155. áfafémnemacém < fafemnem, 165. áiwinióf < iwini, 162. afafémomasér < fafemomas, 155. áiwiómisér < iwiomis, 155. afafémor < fafem, 155. áiwiséf < iwis, 162. afajáper < fajap, 155. áfajásmamép < fajasam, 152. áiwisér < i'wis, 155. áiwiseres < iwis, 155. afajûmares < fajum, 155. afámasmór < famasam 1, 2; 155. aj 1 irrealis marker, 256. afamásmores < famasam 1, 2; 155. aj 2 new, young, the other day; je-w - áfamopfenes < famop, 162. the feast for the new ceremonial house. afámsemáces < famsem, 165. aj 3 side, half. ajä exclamation: hey I afámtiwit = afámtiwic < famtiw, 116. afán < af 1, 2; 15.~. ájac < e 4; 165. afáni < af, 1, 2; 155. aJaces < e 4; 165. afániè < afáni, 33. ájafac < af 1, 2; 165. áfasiéneres < fasien, 155. ajáfcen < af 1, 2; 116. ajákakapipumi < akakapipu, 144. afásmapéf < fasimap, 162. áfawásmamép < fawasam, 152. ajákakaPiPumia < ajákakapipumi, 34. áfawellér < fawen, 155. ajákakapipumupttj < akakapipu, 144. afáwjllkûmtiwef < fawjukllmtiw, 162. ajákakapipumupUjè < ajákakapipumupuj, áfawutméP < faw!!t, 152. 33. áfawûtmes < fawut, 144. ájakápiemic < akapiem, 176. afcin skin or cru st of roosted sago. ajáker < ak 2; 155. afefémtawor < fefemtaw, 155. ajakmápmor < akmapom, 155. afefémtaworés < fefemtaw, 155. ajákmomac < akmom, 165. a/cm (278) to ruin, to make inedible. ájakómer < akom, 155. afemór < afem, 155. ajákomisér < akomis, 155. afes to buffet all night long. ajáksemor < aksem, 155. afésmar < afes, 144. ajámar < eawer, 144. afétiwér < fetiw, 155. ájamép < eawer, 152. afM < af 1, 2; 125. ajámes < eawer, 144. áfikmámes < fikimawer, 144. ajamésmumûjaramép < amesmumujar, afimtiwac < fimtiw, 165. 152. afimtiwer < fimtiw, 155. ajamésnier < amesni, 155.

ájamésnimár < amesni, 144. ájatámniere· < ajatámnier, 34. aJamesJ~nler < amesjini, 155. ájatámnierés < atamni, 155. ájamesjótakef < amesjotak, 162. ajatámser < atamse, 155. ájamestámor < amestam, 155. ajatámsiërés < atamsi, 155. ájamop < eawer, 152. ajatámsiomér < atamsiom, 155. ájampes < eawer, 152. ajatámteweraré < atamtewer, 165. aJamsaró < eamis, 165. ájatámurumór < atamurum, 155. ájatmáPmac < atamapom, 165. ájamsó/ < amis, 162. ajámfewérmi < amtewer, 144. ájatmapmór < atamapom, 155. ajámtiwer < amtiw, 155. ájatmapóm (309) < atamapom, 107 [?]. ajámuwésmar < amuwes, 144. Possihly: áj atmopóm, i.e. a core, ajaPámëres < apam, 155. preceded by a demonstrative pronoun ájapamóp < apawer, 152. aj, < a 2. ájapállëres < apan 2; 155. ajáwcar < aw 6, 7; 120. ajáper < eap, 155. ájawerémtiwer < aweremtiw, 155. ájaperér < aper 2; 155. ájawerémtiwërcs < aweremtiw, 155. ajápiJrcs < eap, 155. ajáweu'erélllkl/mfenés < awewerelllkum, ájapésfes < apes 1; 162. 162. ajáPewere < apawer 1; 175. ajáwniámar < aWlliawer, 144. ajapkámtakawérmëro < aPkamtakawer, ajáwllimi < awni, 144. 174. aJawlllmla < ajáwllimi, 34. ajápmeóf < apme, 162. ájawócinér < awocin, 155. ajápmorcs < eapom, 155. ajáwor < atll 6, 7; 155. ajápllëres < apan 2; 155. ájaworémef < aworem, 162. ájapómiwer < apomiw, 155. ajáworemésmi < aworemes, 144. ájapómkekémorcs < apomkekem, 155. ajáwse < awse 2; 176. ájapómcimorés < apomcim, 155. ajáwsemor < awsem, 155. ájapotáwmanëném < apotaw, 144. ajáwtiwer < awtiw 1, 2; 155. ajápteremótcper < apteremotep, 155. ájawllmné11lor < awumllem, 155. ajaptérsier < aptersi, 155. ajawûlIltiwac < aWlfmtiw, 165. ájarámaces < aram 2; 165. ájè interjection reproducing laughter. ájarewfájpl/rtámar < arewfajpurtawer, ajémites < eem, 168. 144. ájesef < ees 1; 162. ajaréwkajámar < arewkajawer, 144. ajesmár < ees 1, 2; 144. ájarimóperes < arimop, 155. ájesmóp < ces 1, 2; 152. ájarimutmar < arimut, 144. aJlalllar < jiawer, 144. ajarîwesfes < ariwes, 162. ajicëmpés < ji 5; 141. ajariwtepfés < ariwtep, 162. ajiémer < jiem, 155. a/árjirimópmar < jarjirimop, 144. ajiémërl's < jiem, 155. ajárkikimómser < jarkikimomse, 155. ájiesmép < jies, 152. ajarmés < jar, 144. ajifamutmar < jifamut, 144. ajaró < e 4; 165. ajikapmtic < jikapom, 116. ajarómer < jarom, 155. ajikaró < jik, 165. ájarópërcs < jarop, 155. ajikcëmpóm < jik, 141. ájasamópmar < asamop, 144. ajikemac < jikem, 165. ájasamopóf < asamop, 162. ajikemór < jikem, 155. ajikmés < jik, 144. ajásmamPés < easam, 152. ajastámosef < astamos, 162. ajikonáwor < jikonaw, 155. ajastámosefë < ajastámosef, 34. ajikoniac < jikoni, 165. ájastámteweréf < astamtewer, 162. ajikolliér < jikoni, 155. ájataménëres < atamen, 155. ajikuer < jiku, 155. ájatámniamár < atamniawer, 144. ajikurunwr < jikurum 1, 2; 155. ajatámllier < atamni, 155. ajimásmores < jimasam, 155.

ajimép < ji 5; 152. ajismotiwér < jismotiw, 155. ajimespomio < ajimespomi, 33. ajismuámsl'r < jismuamis, 155. ajisokómtiwerés < jisokomtiw, 155. ajimespomi (332) I sleep with her [dialect of Ac], < jimespom. ajisowpénokom < jisow, 155. afistipsrr < ,iistipsl', 155. ajimnemor < jimnem, 155. ájimómare < jimom, 165. ajisl07t'ópmor < jistowopom, 155. aJlmomcemes < jimom, 136. ájisuwáPer < fisltwap, 155. ájitámac < jitam, 165. ajimamer < jimom, 155. ájimotná1varén < jimotnaw, 165. ajitámemémor < jitamernem, 155. ájitámor < jitam, 155. ájimotnawfén < jimotnaw, 162. ájimsomicemes < jimsomit, 136. ajitámores < jitam, 155. ájimsomitmes a. < jimsomit, 144; b. ajitaré < jit 1, 2, 3; 165. ájimsomicemes, 51, 60. á/itemtésmar < jitemetes, 144. ajimti1ver < jimtiw, 155. ajitmar < jit 1, 2, 3; 144. ajitmi < jit 1, 2, 3; 144. ájinawmá < jinaw, 144. ájinawsirimkueres < jinawsirimku, 155. ájitnémor < jitnem, 155. ájitnótewer < jitnotewer, 155. ajinl'móm < jine, 144. ajitómiwmár < jitomiw, 144. ajin.émor < jinem, 155. ájinimés < jini, 144. ajitûmes < dtum, 144. ájiwapmór < jiwapom, 155. ajiniwnimés < jiniwni, 144. ajiper < jipe, 155. ajiwátmaper < jiwatamap, 155. ajiperes < jipe, 155. ajiwemapómcemes < jiwemapom, 136. ajipirsámores < jipirsam, 155. ajiwiref < jiwir, 162. ajipor < jipor, 155. ajiwirfem < jiwir, 162. ajiporá < jipor, 109. ajiwmar < jiw 2, 3; 144. ajiPoréf < jipor, 162. ajiwmesóper < jiwmesop, 155. ajiPorés < jipor, 155. ajiwóf < jiw 2, 3; 162. ajiporój < jipor, 162. ajiwsiritl'wer < jiwsiritewer, 155. ajipllóf < jipu, 162. ajiwtuwápmor < jiwtuwapom, 155. ajlpuor < jipuw, 155. ajkie < jik, 116. ajirl'móf < jirem, 162. Afklim personal name. ajirimkuaré < jirimku, 165. Ajklima < AjMm, 34. ajirimtapmésmes < jirimtapmes, 144. ajkl/ll younger brother (term of address). ajirimtáPmorés < jirimtapom, 155. ajmirmt'l'r to be wrong, guilty; to commit adultery (304). ájirkuámsaré < jirkuamis, 165. ájirkunier < jirkllni, 155. aj11lire11l to have lost one's way, to be ajirmár < jir 3, 4; 144. in trouble; to be dead (317). aJlrmémac < jirimem, 165. aj11liremes to take the wrong path here ajirmemor < jirimem, 155. [the place where the speaker is]. ajirtewérac < jirtewer, 165. ajmire11ll'wer to take always the wrong ájisakámteweraré < jisakamtewer, 165. path. ájisakámtiwifres < jisakamtiw, 155. oJll1lremic < ajmirem, 176. ájisakápiemóf < jisakapiem, 162. ajmirim to kill, to bring disaster upon; ajisamser < jismnis, 155. to be to blame (377). ájisáper < jisap, 155. ájmirimfés < ajmirim, 162. ajisasér < jisas, 155. ájmirimór < ajmirim, 155. ajisátmor < jisatam, 155. ajmirimtiw to have killed, to have brought ajisémer < jisem 1, 2, 3; 155. disaster upon. ajiser < jis 3, 4; 155. ájmirimtiwer < ajmirimtiw, 155. ajisitfés < jisit, 162. ajmirnwmewl'r to accompany someone ájisjápifres < jisjap, 155. and make him loose his way. ajismár < jis 3, 4; 144. ájmirmómewérmenes < ajmirmomewer, ajismópëres < jismop, 155. 136.

ajnim now. ajllima < ajnim, 34. ajó! < e 4; 162. ajóml!r < com, 155. ajómewérmar < eomewer 1; 136. ajówmoper < owmop, 155. ajpamá (324) known. ajpáw fine! ajpim the far end [of a house]. ajsér < jis 3, 4; 155. ajs! < ji.f 3, 4; 116. alSle < jis 3, 4; 116. ajsirér < jisir, 155. ájteawós < jit 3; 162; ajtér < jit I, 3; 155. ajtéra < ajtér, 34. ajtûr having a high degree of a particular quality, e.g.: atów - playful; aknim - hot-tempered. ájujukumápmac < jujukumapom, 165. ajujukllmápmor < jujukumapom, 155. ájlljukumapómtampór < jujukumapomtampor, 155. ájlljukumsomiteres < jujukumsomit, 155. ajukóf < jiku, 162. ájukumtiwaré < jukumtiw, 165. ájumá < jum, 109. ájumar < ju 4, 5; 144. ájumóperes < jumop, 155. ájuómisPés < juomis, 152. ajllrsewirin < jursawer, 171. ájurupumés < jurupu, 144. ájltYltsè < jurus I, 2; 162. ak 1 'curved side - surface' , cheek, beside; amus - the handle of the sago scraper; ei - side of the canoe, beside the canoe. ak 2 to chop or strip off along a curved surface, to scoop up; anuk - to chop the growth off a tree; ei - to make a canoe; ókon fin - to shave; pe - to catch crabs. akájcbna < kaj, 136. akajmós < ak 2; 113. akájmosó < akajmós, 33. akájnapuésawiri < kajnapuesawer, 116. akájniéf < kajni, 162. akakanimomse (324) to get [sago] and take it away in the canoe [?]. akakanimomseerés < akakanimomse, 155. akakapipu always to go out alone. akám nipa palm. ákamápmores < kamapom, 155.

WOlm LIST 297

akamár < akawer, 144. akámci < kam, 125. akami < akawer, 144. ákamiamséf < kamiamis, 162. akámiésmar < kamies, 144. Akámjow name of a river. akámonimár < kamoni, 144. ákamóper < kamop, 155. akámtiwmár < kamtiw, 144. Akámumu personal name. aká71 shoot of a palm or tree; progeny, offspring. akan. pc - to catch crabs for food. akapiem to stand on one's own. akapmámtewerés < kapllmamtewer, 155. akápmaper < kapimap, 155. akáPmores < kapim, 155. akápllamár < kaPllawer, 144. akápuaré < kapu 2; 165. akát good, fine; awut - very large (269). akatés very nice, very good. akátipic very beautiful, excellent. akáw frond of a palm tree. akawer, eamuw ei - always to go on foot in stead of by canoe; ei - always to make canoes; jisin - to gather many coconuts ; mow - to chop off many roots of the pandanus tree. ákawérmerkóm < akawer, 174. akáwimáPmorl!s < kawimapom, 155. akawimoPé < kawimop, 162. ákawimtewérmin < kawimtewer, 144. akcá together. akcém < ak 2; 125. akér < ak 2; 155. akére· < akér, 34. akes, pI! - to catch crabs at night. akesawer, pe - all night long to catch crahs. ákikiwkómaser < kikieukomas, 155. ákikirákllrûmores < kikirakurum, 155. akin immediately after, as soon as [always preceding a verb of which the core contains an element ak]. akirimellPuj < kirim, 136. akit, jisin _. to gather coconuts in the morning; pc - to catch crabs in the morning. akitawer, jisin - to gather coconuts all the morning. akitmes < akit, 144.

akitum, jisin - to gather coconuts in the aftemoon. akmámcro < ak 2; 175. akmap,·a - to sit with spread-out thighs. akmapmár < akmap, 144. akmapmór < akmapom, 155. akmápmorés < akmapom, 155. akmapom to cause to sit with open mouth = to kill someone. akmát old. akmom to hold open [a bag]. akmomic < akmom, 116. akmót -+ akmát. aknem to chop oH downwards [growth of a tree]. aknémac < aknem, 165. aknémacém < aknem, 165. aknim cross, bickering. ákojiraré < kojir, 165. ákojiréf < kojir, 162. akom, akin - immediately af ter [having arriverl] to start to work on something. akómamés < kom, 144. ákomer < akom, 155. akomis < akin - immediately af ter [having got up] to go to the forest to meet somebody. akónawamsá < konawamis, 109. ákonau'ésmupuj < konawes, 144. akónawmesmá < konawmesem, 109, 182. ákonawór < konaw, 155. akpés tatoo-mark. akpufóm < kapu 2; 162. akse, okón - to gape in wonder [aquatic subject]. aksem, ei - to make a canoe until it is finished. akseremtapmes to send someone upstream at night by a devious path. akserémtapmésmar < akseremtapmes, 144. aktam, mow - to fetch roots of the pandanus tree for someone. aktiw, anuk - to chop off the growth until it is al off. aktiwér < aktiw, 155. ákukuaser < kukuas, 155. áklmlmáperes < kurumap, 155. am 1 unidentified element, 260. am 2 question marker, 254. am 3 also, and; 248. am 4 < ar 2; 217. am 5 kind of tree.

am 6 kind of fish [Malay: kakap]. am 7 to chop, 99. am 8, com - to fasten the headband to a carrying bag; nani in - to waste; onów-to cover [a house] with thatch. áma (273, 291) < am 2; 34. amakan· also to catch crabs. amamewawer to keep on telling each other to do something. ámamewámes < amamewawer, 144. amamtam, si - to share out [sago]. amamtámcemés < amamtam, 136. amán 1 bow. amán 2 the inside; inside, in, during, beneath; em - the inside of the drum; ccm - in the house; ei - in the canoe; pok mu - during the feast; ei sés - beneath the dry sago palm fronds (377). amán 3, jo - side stream. A mán name of a ceremonial house in Amánamkáj. amána (336) < amán 1; 34. amánakapiriw < aman 3; 188. Amánamkáj name of a village. Amánpitsimit personal name. amapom to cover [with thatch]. amápucrés < mapu, 155. amás sago, food, sago palm; enám fish for food; pe - crabs for food; mil - sago palm, washed ashore by the sea. arnásnakap < amás, 185. amásnakapiriw < amás, 187. amè (309) < am 2; 33. ame to say to each other. amer, mer - to catch crabs. ámeráper < memp, 155. ámerátmor < meratam, 155. amércasin < amer, 120. amércasina < amércasin, 34. ámerémer < merem, 155. amerémsemor < meremsem, 155. amérfasiac < merfasi, 165. amerómer < merom, 155. amérpapujer < merpapJIj, 155. ámersicres < 11Iersi, 155. ámersuwé11ler < mersuwem, 155. amesakájipirémef < mesakajipirem, 162. ámesemfés < mesem, 162. ámesémjirmémae < mesemjirimem, 165. amesfae to become emaciated [a sick person]. amésfaeamár < amesfaeawer, 144.

amesfacawer to become more and more emaciated [a sick person]. amcsfaj to lie burning. alllésfajer < amesfaj, 155. amesjen, éw ji - to crawl upstream like a crocodile. ámesjenóf < amesjm, 162. amesjes to come in great numbers which/ who are doing something else at the same time [e.g. singing]. amésjesmép < amesjes, 152. ameSJl1lI to go to the river in great numbers, which/who are doing something el se at the same time. amcsjotak - mesjotak. ámesjótepef < mesjotcp, 162. amesmunll/jar to shuffle around [subj ect Iying]. amesni' to flow downwards, to crawl downwards. amesnowomotep to bring upstream in many canoes in battle array. amésnowomóteper < amesnowomotep, 155. amestam, jan - to make noise [subject Iying]. ametóciner < me/oein, 155. ámetoséf < metos, 162. ámetosfhl < metos, 162. ámetótnawfes < metotnaw, 162. amewer, ak mi komén cómic - continually to lick each others faces. ami all, without exception, nothing but, only; akát - splendid. amis to lie down. Amisu name of a village. ámitáPmaci < mitapom, 165. ámitápmaces < mitapom, 165. ámitémer < mitem, 155. amiterém < mit, 155. Amiw one of the jew of the village of Amis1l. amjiwapom, onók muri - to put the rafters on a house. amkawi to join. amkawicen < amkawi, 116. amkawimapom to join someone to .. ; to rnarry a woman to a man. amkoman, pe - also to go to catch crabs for food. amnu turned to each other; mi - face to face; mak -, fa - back to back. amo, owén - to fight with each other.

amócamár < mocawer, 144. amócampés < mocawer, 152. amocámpesá < amócampés, 34. amócemes < moe 2; 136. ámomatmi < omomat, 144. amómorómtiwer < momoromtiw, 155. amop, minM - to be engrossed. amop1llár < am op, 144. amór < am 7; 155. Amorrp name of a village. ámorés < am 7; 155. amorés < amo, 155. amotmés < moe 2; 144. amó til ier < motni, 155. ámotjáramámes < motjarawer, 144. ampiawer also to go fishing [withanet]. a1llsawcr to tie down all the time. amséf < amis, 162. ámsenáwores < amsenaw, 155. amses 1 to sleep [at night]. amses 2 to come towards, swimming [ fish]. amses 3 with many people in canoes to come towards. ámsesef < amses 1, 2, 3; 162. amsesnlár < amses 1, 2, 3; 144. ámsesmárà < amsesmár 34. ámsesmése· < amsesmés, 34. amsesmés < amses 1, 2; 144. ámsesmóp < ams/?$ 1; 152. amsésmllpUj < amses 1; 144. amshllirir < amsawer, 171. amsit (322) he was lying down. amsóf < amis, 162. amtakcs also to go downriver at night. ámtakesmár < amtakes, 144. amtawkcncmtiw to fit up [the trough for washing the sago]. ámtawkCllémtiwér < amtawkenemtiw, 155. amtewen also to get food. ámtewéneres < amtewen, 155. amtewer, amás om - to pull a digging stick out of the sago pith, with sago meal sticking to it - aPér. amtiw, com - to fasten the headband to a carrying bag. amuámser < mI/amis 1, 2; 155. amllc < am 7; 116. amun vapour, steam, smoke, haze. amllór < mu 4; 155. amuorés < mu 4; 155. amup hot; nam - having fever.

amus 1 younger sister [s.]. amUs 2 sago scraper [see sketch p.366]. amus 3 also to go to the forest. amusewes younger sisters [pl.], 190. ámutámcemes < mutam, 136. am"w kind of reed [Hanguana Malayana], growing in and along rivers where there is Iittle or no current. lts roots intertwine, forming a floating layer 50 that a river can be wholly overgrown by this plant. Traditionally this is the place where the children· of the ghosts play. amuwes also to depart at night [by canoe]. an 1 question marker, 252. an 2 small trough made of the leaf-case of the frond of the sago palm. an 3 to eat, 99; eemén - to have sexual intercourse with a man [said of a woman]; een - to have sexual intercourse with a woman [said of a man}; mu - to drink; sis - to take a rest. ána < an 1; 34. anáfeen < af 1, 2; 116. anakáeowue the said woman, she [anaphoric}. anakáeowutnakápiriw < anakáeowue, 188. anakát 1 very, really: akmát - really old; fum - c1ear as cristal [said of water}; moeó - wet through. anakát 2 tronk [of a man or an animal ] . anakátipie the said man, he [anaphoric]. anakátow the said people, they [anaphoric}. anám the inner pith of the sago palm: the part of the pith which is scraped out first, by people standing outside the trunk [see sketch p. 367]. anamieimór < namicim, 155. ánapaeés < nap, 165. anáperes < nap, 155. anásmamóp < nasam, 152. ánawérmom < nawer, 136. anawtep to be bent upstream [top of a tree]. áneemes < an 3; 136. áneom < an 3; 125. anem, mu - to make a quantity of anything, to make a large object. anémo,. < nem, 155. anémsopir < nemsopi, 155. anemlic < anem, 116.

anémwerer < nemwer, 155. anér < an 3; 155. anér < e 4; 155. áneres < e 4; 155. anésmapomfés < enesmapom, 162. aniakáperes < niakap, 155. ániamismár < niamis 1, 2; 144. aniamséf < niamis 1, 2; 162. ániámser < niamis 1, 2; 155. alliáper < niap, 155. ániapfés < niap, 162. aniásimómseres < niasimomis, 155. ániáweráper < niawerap, 155. ániea < ni 4, 5; 120. aniei < ni 4, 5; 125. állici1ll < ni 4, 5; 116. anici11lsemor < nicimsem, 155. á'lic01ll < lIi 4, 5; 125. aniCltkasit < anicukas, 168. aniéf < lIi 4, 5; 162. aniémae < niem, 165. ánibnare < niem, 165. ániémcow# < niem, 120. aniémfes < niem, 162. ániemóf < niem, 162. aniempuj < lIiem, 155. anifámpumaci < nifampum, 165. anifesáper < lIifesap, 155. ánifiwér < nifiw, 155. ánifiwésmar < nifiwes, 144. a./li,iamámser < nijamamis, 155. anijámtiwer < nijamtiw, 155. ánijáPer < nijap, 155. ánijáperes < nijap, 155. anijie < ni 5; 116. anijica < anijic, 34. ánijimémtamamin < nijimemtam, 144. anijimémtamor < nijimemtam, 155. anijirimuwor < nijirimuw, 155. anijnakáp amorsel, mouthfuL anijukmef < nijukum, 162. anijukllmapómtamor < nijukumapomtam, 155. animár < ni 4, 5; 144. animár (328), jisin - they fetched cocanuts. animatámef < nimatam, 162. animatiér < nimatiw, 155. animcukóf < animeukll, 162. animellká < animeuku, 109. animcuk!1 to disappear into the forest, to flee into the forest. animés < ni 4, 5; 144.

animomóperes < nimomop, 155. áomómisér < omomis I, 2; 155. ammurés < nimlt, 155. áomomiserä < áomómisér, 34. animlts to disappear into the forest. áomónierés < omoni, 155. aninukámseres < ninltkamis, 155. áomónierésë < áomónierés, 34. amomac < niom, 165. aómosiromér < omosirom, 155. OIûómer < niom, 155. aónillwor < ollillW, 155. ániomitlimes < niomitum, 144. aópae < op 2; 165. aniómllwarés < niomuw, 165. aorápor < orap, 155. aniómllwfes < niomuw, 162. aóriwiser < oriwis, 155. aniómllworés < niomflw, 155. aorómef < orom, 162. anióperes < niop, 155. aóromésmop < oromes, 152. ánipirimac < nipirim, 165. aósioeinér < osioein, 155. ánipóremapef < niporemap, 162. aósmoper < osomop, 155. alliporómjiwiseres < niporomjiwis, 155. aótapae < otap, 165. aótaworés < otaw, 155. allis not what it seems; similar to but not quite .. aótewerés < otewer I, 2; 155. allisá < anis, 34. aótiwllmór < otiwllm, 155. ánisájeres < nisaj, 155. aótmamserés < otmamis, 155. aniser . < nise, 155. aótmenáwores < otmenaw, 155. anisicimtiwerém < nisicimtiw, 155. aótpemusumtamór < otpemusumtam, 155. anisiriteweráe < nisiritewer, 165. aówoniér < owolli, 155. ánitáPowesmár < nitapowes, 144. aówor < ow 2, 3; 155. ánitátepiáPae < nitatepiap, 165. ap 1 kind of tree. ap 2 to sit; to be, to move [of a sitting alliteweméf < nitewem, 162. allitewémtamor < nitewemtam, 155. subject]. anitewsémor < nitewsem, 155. ap 3 to work loose, to split, [fibres oif anititiwer < nititiw, 155. the pandanus tree] ; tow - to get sago anititiwité < nititiw, 168. grubs by breaking up the pith of the allitowopómfes < nitowopom, 162. sago palm with digging sticks. allillwor < niuw, 155. áPaeájfom < paeaj, 162. aPáei small one-man canoe. ankós centipede. amnokóm < an 3; 144. apácinakáP < aPáei, 185. ánmom < an 3; 144. aPájfiráper < pajfirap, 155. ápajimómser < pajimomse, 155. ánmopokóm < an 3; 144. anpiw within reach; straight away, ápajimór < pajim, 155. without delay. apájisef < pajis, 162. apájscr < pajse, 155. anlik growth of mosses, ferns and prickles on the bark of the sago palm; layer aPák 1 interjection, expressing discontent : no I oh! of charcoal on the bottom of a canoe aPák 2 the raw core of a bali of roasted when it has been fired, - ses. anltwutmames < nuwut, 144. sago; budding leaf. áPaméP < apawer I, 2; 152. ánuwmvóf < nuwuw, 162. ánllwllwór < nUWIIW, 155. áPamés < apawer I, 2; 144. aókajumores < okajum, 155. áPampés < apawer I, 2; 152. aókmores < okom I, 2; 155. apámtiwerés < pamtiw, 155. apámllsméf < pamllsum, 162. aokómorés < okom I, 2; 155. áomatmár < omat, 144. aPán 1 many-pointed arrow used to kill small fish and small birds. áomimés < omi, 144. aómirismár < omiris, 144. apan 2 to have something to eat; to sit áomisér < omis I, 2; 155. and eat. áomociner < omoein, 155. apápeaPipimar < papeapipi, 144. aómomáter < omomat, 155. apapirómkulrés < papiromku, 155. áomómer < omom, 155. áParisearó < parise, 165.

apat to sit working something up with a chop ping knife.

ápatmár < apat, 144.

apawcr 1 to sit all the time, to sit the whole day.

apawer 2, mow - to work loose many fibres of the pandanus tree.

aPáweraw < apawer 1, 2; 125.

apawerjotak, cl/ruw - to walk quietly downriver keeping close to the bank [but out of sight], in order to meet someone.

áPawcrjótakerés < apawerjotak, 155.

apaz('érmero < apawer 1, 2; 174.

apáwuwumár < pawuwu, 144.

apcóm with, supplied with, having; totally, wholly, the bulk, the main mass [of canoes, people] ; aw - having breasts, marriageable; manmák - having second sight; esé - filled bag.

apéf < ap 1, 2; 162.

aPém the upstream or downstrearn end of a village.

áPemtakmór < pemtakam, 155.

apeper, apér - to make test holes in the trunk of a sago palm -+ apér 1, 2. apepéracém < apeper, 165.

apeperocin to make test holes towards one of the ends of the trunk of the sago palm, starting in the middle -+ aPér 1.

apePértaw to make test holes in the trunk of a sago palm.

apér 1 small hole made in the trunk of a felled sago palm in order to find out whether the pi th is farinaceous. A digging stick is pushed through the hole into the pith and if there is sago there it will be adhering to the stick when it is pulled out. Here translated with: test hole [see sketch p. 367].

aper 2, apér - to make a test hole in the trunk of a sago palm.

aperér < aper 2; 155.

aperes < ap 2; 155.

apes 1 to come rowing towards.

aPés 2 < ap 2; 176.

apcsawcr, jokmén - to be powerful. ápesawéra < apesawer, 34. 302 THE ASMAT LANGUAGE

apl'séj < pese, 155.

apéwrrc < apawcr 1; 109, 175.

apfamlll to stay tmtil the morning.

ápfamutmanóm < apfamut, 144.

ápfa11lulmanomè < áp!amulmanó11l, 33. api 1 look! listen! Interjection, used to drawattention. aPi 2 < ap 2; 176. ápierés < pi 2, 3; 155. apijináwol'es < pijinaw, 155. apim scraped out pith, sago pulp; the part of the sago-was hing trough in which the pulp is squeezed out. ápimóperes < pinlOp, 155. aPin the back of the thigh. apiJlmár < pin, 144. apipis the soft inner part of the midrib of a sago palm frond. apipis jiwi thc midrib of a young sago palm frond. apirimac < pirim, 165. aPit 1 aId, dry frond of the sago palm; po -- aId, dry rib of afrond. apit 2 to remain sitting [?]. apit 3 to sit, stay, during the morning. apitimsemor < pitimsem, 155. apilmar < apit 3; 144. apitmomésmar < pitimomes, 144. apitof < apit 2; 162. apjipu to do habitually during one's stay. apjiplÎeres < apjipu, 155. apjit to grow [subject sitting]. apkamtakawer always to row downstream alone. apmár < ap 2, 3; 144. apme, ma1l11lák is - to become dizzy. apnaf the wide apart stretched legs. llPnawer to have plenty to eat, to sit, eating continually. ápo, ar - look here! = ar ápori. ápoamiscemom < poa111is, 136. apoámsermóm < poamis, 136. apóf < ap 2, 3; 162. Apoków name of a jcw in the village of Jepém. apó11l 1 to rause to sit, to plant. apóm 2 < ap 2; 176. apóma < apóm 2; 34. apomawsim to thrust [a digging stick] into [the pith of the sago palm] and cause [the sago meal] to fly out. áPomawsi11lá < apomawsim, 109. ap011lci1ll to take away bits of, parts of. apomiw to go insidc to someone. apomjim to pull, drag [object sitting] ; to store [bags of sago]. apómjimór < apomjim, 155.

apomjirsom to kill, to bring disaster upon. apómjirsómamep < apomjirsom, 152. apomkekem, cem - to make a house, tying everything firmly. apómkekemés (330) = apómkekémamés < apomkekem, 144. apomkom to start to chop down [a tree]. apómkllrer < apomkuru, 155. apomkl/m to agree upon. apomoso1/l, mali - to thrust [a lance] with both hands into. ópol1losónwr < apomosom, 155. apomtewer to take [object sitting]. áPoperinimokóm < poperini, 144. ápopi!rinimokómè < ápoperillimokóm, 33. apór < por, 155. aporá < por, 109. áporác < por, 165. apórea < por, 120. apord < por, 125. apordPi < por, 125. aporérmokom < por, 136. aporrs < por, 155. apóreweré < pora'wer, 182. apori < por, 116. aporia < apori, 34. apórkasiáees < porkasi, 165. apórkummór < porkllYllm, 155. aporéf < por, 162. apórmef < porem, 162. aporóf < por, 162. aporómarés < porom 1; 165. aporómtawamár < poromtawawer, 144. aporómtawór < poromtaw, 155. aporpór < porpor, 155. apórserár < porse, 120. áPorwuj = apori, < por, 116. apotaw, atakám - to ask, to teil someone. apotim, atakám - to sit talking untiJ the sun sets. apótimór < apotim, 155. apsapu, ei - to guard the canoes of the women when they are fishing. [Generally this is done by children]. ápsirér < apsiri, 155. apsiri to break into a run. aptak to go on the way downriver. aptakasamawer to set out and go down the whole length of the river.

aptákasámeweréjipllruw < aptakasamawer, 114. aptakasámeweréjipuruwa < aptákasámeweréjipuruw, 34. áptaki!rés < aptall, 155. apt{'1/1ct to c1imb into a tree. aptl'rclIlotrp to go on one's way upstream to. aptrrcmtiw to cover up. aptasi to enter a river with the canoes in line of hattle. apteteremtaw to sit discussing with other people. áptctcrémtmt'ájpurûw < apletcrcII/law, 114. ápteterémtawájpllruwa < ápteterémtawáfpllruw, 34. ápteterémtawmós < apteteremtaw, 113. áptetcrhntm~/lIIósa < ápteterémtawmós, 34. aPllér < Pil 5; 155. aPll11ltlpercs < pl/map, 155. aPll1nár < Pil 5; 144. ápulIlasmé! < pl/1IIaSalll. 162. ápl/me! < PUlli, 162. áplllllés < Pil 6; 144. ápll1ll/és < pllm, 162. áplllllokópom!éll < Plllltokopom, 162. áPllmokopólllfëlles < Pllmokopom, 162. apûmomer < pI/mom 1, 2; 155. áPupûml'smóp < PIlPumes, 152. aPIlPul'lImucumtiwerés < pupurumIIcumtiw, 155. ar 1 -+ aráw. ar 2 a. he, she, it, they; him, her, them; his, her, its, their; 206-219; b. this, th ere, here; 220-222; c. to, in the direction of; 228, 229. ar 3 sawfish. Ar name of a jew in the village of Surû. ará 1 -> aráw. ará 2 < ar 2c; 34. arám 1 < ar 2a; 215. aram 2 tn rub in with. aráma (320) = arálll 1 [in enumeration]. aramapom to smear with, rub with [object sitting]. aramtiw to smear with [object Iying]. arámtiwic < aramtiw, 116. arán upstream, the upper reaches [of a large river].

arána < arán, 34. aráP < ar 2a; 214. arásen here, this place. aráw emphasizing word, 245. ará~c'a < aráw, 34. aráwo < aráw, 33. arcér main stream. arewfaj to assembie [many people]. arC'wfájporamár < arewfajporawer, 144. arewfajporawl'r to come together in great numbers to try t~. arewfajpurtawer to come together from all directions. arewkajawer to come home from camp in great numbers. arl'wsam to start out from. arewsámores < arewsam, 155. arim to man a canoe. arimop, kámuto sit together, making a terrible noise. arimltt to man a canoe in the morning. ariw 'arrived at', 230. ariwap to stay together with a number of people. ariwes to come towards in a canoe fu11 of people. ariwésfes < ariwes, 162. ariwtep to go upriver in a canoe full of people. ariwtepfóm < ariwtep, 162. ariwtepmepés < ariwtep, 152. armá < ar 2a; 213. armapmûc < aramapom, 116. armótipic the owner, rieh man [s.]. Arnallim name of a village. aró < ar 2c; 33. arów < ar 2a; 216. arpá < ar 2a; 214. arpuk out of the way, at a distance from. aruw magic. as 1 caU, used to urge on dogs at a pig hunt. as 2 something, a thing; beast (272); 'wun - another. as 3 soft inner part of a stalk or stem; the pith. as 4 faeces, shit. as 5 'friend': when an Ásmat child is still young, its parents will show it its as, another child or a youth of the same sex. [I don't know how this relation is established]. The two boys

or girls are expected to become close friends; in childhood they are playmates and regularly exchange food. In puberty, a homosexual relationship seems to have been regularized. After marriage, the as relationship ends as far as the girls are concerned; with the boys, the relationship from then on involves the exchange of women. This is caUed pap is. When one of the as dies, the other takes his place in his family and also takes his name.

ása < as 2; 34. ásakámores < sakam, 155. asakámtamfén < sakamtam, 162. ásakámtewerés < sakamtewer, 155. ásakap < as 5; 196. asákmor < sakam, 155. asam, tosów - to decorate. asamápmor < asamapom, 155. asamapom, mallmák - to cast a look at, to catch sight of. asamop to bring something out and sit with it. asamópmar < asamop, 144. asamtewer to take away, to take out of, to pick up from. asámteweraré < asamtewer, 165. asámtewerés < asamtewer, 155. asamtiw to push away [object Iying]. asámtiwá < asamtiw, 109. ásasakájesef < sasakajes, 162. ásasakámtiwer < sasakamtiw, 155. asawtam, tosów - to decorate oneself for. asé 1 the side of the smaU of the back, lumhar region ; 0 - the loins of a pig; aPillthe legs wide apart; -+ cowuc. asé 2 undergrowth. asé 3 jak - piece of charcoal which is used in the practising of magie. ase 4 < se 2; 176. asécaw < se 2; 125. ásefasiac < sefasi, 165. asemármor < semaram, 155. asémsirimor < semsirim, 155. asén place; fa - place to sit down, room to sit down. aséP 1 at the back [of a row], next [of a date]. asép 2 half fuU. asépl'res < sepe, 155.

asér, Wil - young sago palm of which ásosówomér < sosowom, 155. the edible top is taken for food. asów, amán - a heavy bow, a bow áseráPmac < serapom, 165. which is difficult to bend. áserapmácokóm < serapol1l, 165. asówaci < sow, 165. áserápmarés < serapom, 165. ásowáPer < sowap, 155. áserápmor < serapom, 155. asowémaré < sowem, 165. áserapómji!nom < serapom, 162. asowemuj < sowem, 155. asés < se 2; 176. asówjiwer < sowfiw, 155. asesá hot to the taste, painful. asówkonawjóm < sowkonaw, 162. aseSJer < sesi, 155. asówsiter < sowsit, 155. asetácokóm < set, 165. astamos to follow someone, coming towards. ásetájcemom < setaj, 136. Asewéc name of a river. astamotak, fán to follow someone Asewét -+ Asewéc. downriver. asi share. astamotep, fa'n to follow someone asiac < si 3, 4, 5; 165. upriver. asianerémtiwer < sianeremtiw, 155. astamtewer, fa'" - to kidnap someone aszasmó < siasam, 162. and walk behind him. asicimápmor < sicimapom, 155. asûk caterpillar. asicow < si 3, 4; 120. asllmór < Slllt!, 155. asienaw to come together at. asumtewérac < sumtcwer, 165. asier < si 3, 4; 155. aSlimtewéracém < slImtewer, 165. asimés < si 3, 4; 144. asumtewerarés < sumtewer, 165. asimotep to bring upriver [a group of ásumt!lmare < sl/1IIutl/m, 165. people]. asumutllmémor < SII11l!/tumem, 155. asimotePér < asimotep, 155. asuml/tUmor < sl/mutum, 155. ásiocinér < siocin, 155. asunfes < SI/n, 162. asirmeser < sirimes, 155. aStlw very; par - very wide; fek - asirimsamlk < sirimsam, 116. as hard as stone. ásirimtakerés < sirimtak, 155. ásIIwacés < suw, 165. ásirimteperés < sirimtep, 155. asltwémaré < SI/wem, 165. asmnllwuwor < sirinllwllw, 155. asûwl/wóres < SIlWIIW, 155. asiripiáPer < siripiap, 155. at 1 urging, ordering, promising; -+ ásirmóteper < sirimotep, 155. etam. ásirmóteperä < ásirmóteper, 34. at 2 ceméw - to abuse; ja - to move asiroPén, eaj - I gave in (283), on [walking, rowing], to cover a distance; masim - to watch carefully; siropfen [?] < sirop. ásisimampés < sisim 1; 152. per - to have as a wife; sejpá - to asisimar < sisi, 144. work up with a chopping knife. ásisiócinér < sisiocin, 155. atá -+ atár. asisimomséf < sisimomis, 162. átajámser < tajamis, 155. ásitemaré < sitem, 165. atájlljukllmápmac < tajujltkl/11lapom, asitiwer < sitiw, 155. 165. ásmat human. atákajéf < takaj, 162. ásmot -+ ásmat. atakajfóm < ta kaj, 162. atakám speech, language, talking, story, asmótipic a mortal man, as distinct from a ghost-man, -+ nétipic. news. asmuc < asam, 116. atakámanémor < takamanem, 155. átakamás first, as the first. áso < as 2; 33. asomitéj < somit, 162. atakámsomcukmespés < takamsomCllkllmes, 152. asormomer < sor1ll0ni, 155. atakámtewerá < takamtc~lIer, 109. asórmonimár < sormoni, 144. asorómcenes < sorom, 125. atakéf < tak, 162. 20 atákjiser < takjis, 155. atakmár < tak, 144. atakóméres < takom, 155. atákseáces < takse, 165. atáktitiwer < taktitiw, 155. atam I, jó awnám - to have not yet risen [sun j. atam 2, papis - to have apapis relationship with. atamapom to put something on something e1se, to fasten something on, to fix on; to dab on. atamcáw < atam 1; 125. atámcokom < atam 2; 125. atamen, teré ni ám - to row upstream, while dancing for joy. atamjik, nes - to wrap up meat [mixed with sagojin a nipa leaf to form a long stick -+ jimin. atamni, móc am - to go back home while crying. atamniawer, móc am - to go down· river while wailing all the time. atamompor, amán - to try a bow. atamse, móc in - to row while wailing. atamsi, móc in - to enter a river while wailing. atamsiom, fu pu'n - to row into a river with bamboo horns booming. atámtewer, jókmen - to take up something with the tongs. Atámuc name of a village. atamurum to shoot arrows, as one is walking. atáper < tap, 155. atápmor < tapom 1, 2; 155. atápmores < tapom 1, 2; 155. atapómakmámar < tapomakem, 144. atápomcemó11l < tapom 1; 136. atapomfámores < tapomfam, 155. atapó11lkekémores < tapomkekem, 155. atapómterémores < tapomterem, 155. átar there, this, that; 226. átarifiser < tarifis, 155. Atáripic personal name. Atáripic4 < Atáripic, 34. átatakájmar < tatakaj 2; 144. atatámores < tatam 1; 155. átatewérfes < tatewer, 162. atatmór < tetam, 155. atátmores < tetam, 155. átawác < taw 1, 2; 165. átawatic < tawat, 108.

atáwcimém < taw 1, 2; 136. atáwcokom < taw 1, 2; 125. atawer < ja - to move on and on, to go a long way; uwku - to crochet hair all the time. atáwjimirsémor < tawjimirsem, 155. atáwmopokóm < taw 1, 2; 144. atáwnemesmár < tawnemes, 144. atawór < taw 1, 2; 155. atáworés < taw 1, 2; 155. atáwpacájer < tawpacaj, 155. atáwpacajóper < tawpacajop, 155. átawpácamápmor < tawpacamapom, 155. atáwporés < tawpor, 155. atáwtamfin < tawtam, 162. atáwtermenápmor < tawtermenapo11l, 155. atáwtominomasér < tawtomino11las, 155. atawuc < taw 1, 2; 116. ate to call. atcenaw to come upstream to call. áteenáwmom < ateenaw, 144. atemar < ate, 144. átemétjamémer < temetjamem, 155. atemétjomer < temetjom, 155. átemetótaper < temetotap, 155. atemétowópmor < temetowopom, 155. atemétsowáper < temetsowap, 155. átemétsuru11lor < te11letsurum, 155. atemétwaniócer < temetwanioc, 155. átemétwasiáPer < temetwasiap, 155. átemetwuemer < temetwuem, 155. atémtapésmar < temetapes, 144. atémtemér < temetem, 155. atePá < tep 1; 109. atéPakámsef < tepakamis, 162. atépca -+ atépcar. atépcar < tep 1; 120. atépeméf < tepem, 162. átepfés < tep 1; 162. atePic < tep 2; 176. atépkawifóm < tepkatlJi, 162. atepómef < tepom 1, 2; 162. atepómser < tepomse, 155. atépsier < tepsi, 155. atépsirimamár < tepsirim, 144. atépsowamár < tepsowawer, 144. ateptájëres < teptaj, 155. atéptowópmare < teptowopom, 165. áterémsemac < teremsem, 165. átetamfés < tetam, 162. atetapom to send someone upriver to call people.

atéteremápmor < teteremapom, 155. atewémeres < te'wem, 155. átewemór < tewem 1; 155. atéwenémores < tewenem, 155. átewér < te'!t'er 2; 155. átewérac < tewer 2; 165 áteweráces < tewer 2; 165. átewerámar < tewerawer 2; 144. atewéraré < tewer 2; 165. áteweráres < tewer 2; 165. átewércar < tewer 2; 120. atewércaw < tewer 2; 125. atewércokom < tewer 2; 125. atewércom < tewer 2; 125. atéweref < tewer 2; 162. atewérer < tewer 2; 155. atewér/iJnes < tewer 2; 162. atewérf!!s < tewer 2, 3; 162. atewérfin < tewer 2; 162. atewérmar < tewer 2; 144. átewermára < atewérmar, 34. atéwjiniwámsitè < tewjiniwamis, 168. átewjiniwaritmep < tcwjiniwarit, 152. atéwjiniwemom < tewjiniwem, 162. atewoséwer (299), moc - she burst out wailing [< tewosew ?]. atewsémor < tewsem, 155. aterés < at 2; 155. ati < at 2; 116. atimser < timse, 155. atiteweracém < titcu)er, 165. atitiwac < titiw, 165. átitiwer < titiw, 155. atiwamár < tiwawer, 144. átiwanimac < tiwanim, 165. atiwapérer < tiwaper, 155. átiwáwsimamár < tiwawsim, 144. atiwémor < tiwem, 155. atiwjimaré < tiwjim, 165. atiwkaj!tmor < tiwkajum, 155. atiwkukumor < tiwkukum, 155. atiwkukumores < tiwkukum, 155. atiwoter < tiwot, 155. atiwpomamár < tiwpomawer, 144. atiwsaka1llór < tiwsakam, 155. átiwsiriteweraré < tiwsiritewer, 165. atiwtaremár (282) < tiwtarem, = atiwtarémamár, 144. atiwtemsémor < tiwtemsem, 155. atiwtewer < tiwtewer, 155. atiwtewérac < tiwtewer, 165. atiwteweraré < tiwtewer, 165.

atiwumór < tiwum, 155. atmár < at 2; 144. atmokóm < at 2; 144. atmokóma < atmokóm, 34. átojojáj in four days' time, four days ago. átojowun in three days' time, three days ago. átomér in five days' time, five days ago. atopómciJ1nes < top om, 136. atów 1 interjection, expressing an earnest appeal: wait, please. atów 2 play; -+ e 4. atówa < atów 1; 34. atówoj < towoj, 107. átowó/iJres < towoj, 155. átowóm/iJnés < towom, 162. atówomiwtámcemes < towol1liwtam, 136. átowomsér < towomse, 155. átowóniér < towoni, 155. atowópmami < towopom, 144. átowopmamin < towopom, 144. atówopmóper < towopom, 155. atówopmór < towopom, 155. átuwoséj < towos, 162. afówotákeres < towotak, 155. atówotépjes < towotep, 162. áfowówac < towow, 165. aturumamár < turmn, 144. atûmmej < tumm, 162. atllrumtiwer < tllrumtiw, 155. átuwomsé/iJnem < tuwomse, 162. atuwomsér < tuwomse, 155. atltwor < tuw, 155. atuwser < tuwse, 155. áurûmnemaró < urllmnem, 165. aurumteweraró < urumtewer, 165. aurumfcwéres < flrumtewer, 155. aw 1 -+ aráw, 261. aw 2 subjectivity marker, 257. aw 3 interjection: oh! aw 4 breast [of a woman]. aw 5 to roast, to cook, to hoil water. aw 6 to scrape out sago. Aw name of a river. áwa < aw 1,2; 34. awajimtiwer < wajimtiw, 155. au:ájotépfes < wajotep, 162. áwa.kámkllrllmór < wakamkllrllm, 155. awakálllkurtimorl's < wakamkllrum, 155. awamár < awawer, 144. awamés < awawer, 144.

awamis < amis, 178. awámpom < aw 5, 6; 152. awan 1 to roast sago for a meal. awan 2 to scrape out sago. awáP < ap 2; 178. áwaPi < ap 2; 176, 178. áwasé < se 2; 178. áwaséc (344) = áwasé. awawer to scrape out much sago, to scrape out sago continually. awcóm < aw 5, 6; 125. awè < aw 2; 33. awemcém < cm 3; 176, 178. áwemci < em 3; 176, 178. awemés = aemés < e 4; 144. awemic < em 3; 176, 178. awemit -+ awemic. awér 1 (305) but not [?]. awér 2 a pubic covering worn by the married women. It consists of a plaited waist-belt made of grasses from which hangs a fringe of young leaves of the sago palm. This fringe extends from hip to hip and is approximately 2 ft long. When the awér is to be worn the fringe is gathered together, passed between the thighs, to rest closely against the pubes, along the perineum and up over the top of the belt where it is tucked in [see sketch p. 365]. awer 3 to sharpen. awercmtiw to smear a stripe [of paint 1 on; to put in a row [bags of sago]; to lay down on supports. awerfis to go outside by passing close to. awérfiséf < awerfis, 162. awes to scrape out sago at night. áwewerémkltm to put ashore in a hurry, just on the edge of the water. awewerjar to walk across something narrow, e.g. a duckboard. awiásmor < wiasam, 155. áwienfóm < itvien, 162. awiéscf < iwies, 162. áwiésefë < awiésef, 34. áwijisaré < iwijis, 165. áwijisér < iwijis, 155. áwiklllláwmar < iwikunaw, 144. awinemorés < iwinem, 155. áwiniér < iwini, 155. awiniof < iwini, 162. áwiokópmores < iwiokopom, 155.

áwiomatámes < iwiomatawer, 144. áwiserés < iwis, 155. awitéParé < iwitep, 165. áwitepéf < iwitep, 162. áwitéPefë < áwitePéf, 34. awitiwerés < iwitiw, 155. awjis roasted [?]. áwkurumorés < awkuru1ll, 155. awkurum to scrape out all [pith]. áwkurumór < awkllrum, 155. awkurumtiw to scrape out sago pith until it is all out. áu'kurûmtiwér < awkllrumtiw, 155. awkuw to delay [a departure]. awnám -+ atam. awnawer to scrape out much sago for food. awni < awan 1, 2; 116. awniawer, se'n to go downstream, covered in mud. awó all right, yes. awocin to scrape out sago pith in the direction of the top or the bottom of the tronk. Awók name of a jew in the village of Amánamkáj. áwomsémar < omsc, 144, 178. áwomséokom < omse, 177, 178. awón stroke, blow; -+ mop. Awór name of a jew in the village of SUrll. awór 1 kind of fish. awor 2 to become, to change into. aworéf < awor 2; 162. aworem to have been changed into. [subject standing]. áworeméf < aworem, 162. aworemes to change into during the night [subject standing]. áworémesmi < aworemes, 144. áworemi < aworem, 155. áworémitem < aworem, 168. aworemkllrltm to change completely into [subj ect standing]. aworés < aw 5, 6; 155. aworse to change into [a fish]. aworséc < aworse, 116. awpor to try to scrape out sago, to know how to scrape out sago. áwse 1 < se 2; 176, 178. awse 2, se'n - to be on the river [in a canoe], covered in mud. awsem, mu - to dig a water-hole.

áwsemac < awsem, 165. awsés < se 2; 176, 178. awtam to scrape out sago for someone. awtámcar < awtam, 132. awtewer, amás - to get sago. awtiw 1 to roast and put down, to have finished roasting. awtiw 2 to scrape sago pith until it is all out, to scrape out sago and put it down. áwtiwerés < awtiw I, 2; 155. awtó kind of tree. awû breast [of a man]. áwuamsé < wuamis, 162. awuámser < wIlamis, 155. aWllmnsés < Wllamse, 176. aWl/ámsesmár < Wllamsi'S. 144. aWllápmor < wllapom, 155. áwuaré. < Wil 8; 165. m(lIlc < aw 5, 6; 116. awzico < awuc, 33. awuéf < wu 8; 162. awlÎj < aw 5, 6; 155. mUllja exclamation: hey! aWI/11! to flay. awumapom to strip [bark] oH a tree. awunmem to wrench loose groundwards [the bark of the felled sago palm]. awumnemór < awumllem, 155. awumtiw to wrench [bark] oH [the trunk of the sago palm]. awun but, however. awzinier < wuni, 155. awtlpa exclamation : that's a hit! aw!1t large, big, much [ water ], many [people], heavy [rain]. awtltpicim < awut, 203.

c

ca 1 who, whose, 232. ca 2 - car. caáteren < at 2; 125. cáemapci < emap, 125. caj 1 way of doing, customary behaviour; caj Cl/ruw unaccountable, mysterious [behaviour]. caj 2 plan, scheme, intention, purpose, idea, pretext, - cmc. caj 3 sexual intercourse, - c 4. caj 4 not willing, aversc from, - simp. caj 5, nam - ill; caj pacák calamity, disastcr, - cap.

cajaric (309), tow - let him come round first; < jar [?]. cajit to kill [pigs] in the morning. cajitmar < cajit, 144. cajkllYllm to pretend. cajomat to carry a great quantity of. cajomatmep < cajomat, 152. cáka 1 with a splash. cáka 2 pool. Cáka name of a river. cakám deserted [of a village 1. cakámkaj, focó - skinny. cakás - fakás. cakokorolllsc to chase, kill and haul aboard [a fish]. cam I, ca 1 + a1l1. 233. cam 2 < car, 217. cáma < cam 1; 34. camák 'behind the housc' ; path running from the back of the house into the forest along which people go to defecate, or when they are going to the forest. camán the space under the house. C áman personal name. camár < cawrr, 144. camnim the right way [as distinct from the wrong way]. camemeremem to give someone a sound thrashing. cámcmcrélllcmór < call1CllleremC/II. 155. call1llw 1 on foot, walking. cámllw 2 the sound of wood being choppedo can to kill and eat. canfés < can, 162. canllpir pelican. capakanwp to have killed. cáPakamópercs < capakalllop, 155. capilllotll to walk while holding [a lance] by the point. capilllo1llklt, och! - to go ashore, holding a lance by its point. capinmi ground, dry land [in contradistinction to jifl. caporsol1lop to have massacred, to sit with the massacred. car you, your [pl.], 206-220. cará11l < cal', 215. caráp < cal', 214. canná < cal', 213. carpá < cal', 214. case < to kill whilst on the river.

cásirimtakci < sirimtak, 125. cátcpapcóm < fcpap, 125. cátepapcó11la < cáfcpapcóm, 34. catiw to kill. catiwir = catiwér, < catiw, 155. cafiwfam to kill [a pig] for someonc. catiwfamán < catiwfam, 155. caciap to sit tightly packed [many people together]. caciom to be busy putting in rows [?]. caciw kind of fish. cawer to kill many [pigs]. cáwijisporin < iwijispor, 125. cawuawer to rustIe continually [Ieaves]. cem house; jiwis - a new house, built af ter having moved to another dwelling place; ow - look-out post: large house, in form similar to a ceremonial house [jcw] , situated at the mouth of the river on which a village lies. Here the men sit on the look out for enemies, especially when their women are fishing in the neighbourhood. cé11li - akmát an old woman. cémnakap < cem, 185. cé1l11lakápiriw < cem, 188. CCJI1llácllw personal name. cemsén the spare in front of the house; the village. cen vagina; -+ an 3. cenám 1 'that which is inside': kus - thc brain; mamnák - the eyeball. cenám 2, ces - the point of an arrow; amûs - the headpiece of the sago sc raper. ccnwis wife's parents. ccpés a wife, wives; a woman, women [but never: the wife, the woman]; cepés apcóm having a wife, wives; -+ cowûc. Cepés11li name of a river. cérccafó spurting; -+ cas. ces 1 arrow. ces 2 to pom down all night long [rain]. cesmár < ccs 2; 144. cesén -+ tesén. ccscûw skilled, clever. ceswén long arrow. cet -~ cic. cemén 1 penis. cemén 2, ci - Cl Cl1nen, -+ cimén. Cemenósamin name of ariver. cemew, abuse -+ (~t 2.

cëllés below, on the floor; downstream. cewi the base of the frond of a sago palm. ci 1 canoe; jim - a group of women who go out in a canoe to fish with the net; jicop - a group of men who go out in a canoe, e.g. to hunt or to guard the fishing women. ci 2 kind of tree, used for making canoes. ci 3 lower part of the midrib of the frond of the sago palm; ci sés the dead fronds of the sago palm. ei 4 to cut up. cia (341) = ci 1 [emphatic]. cic con test, match. cicimpor to make rustling noises in the thatch of houses [said of ghosts]. cicikim to wash oH, to clean. ciciki1l1ór < cicikim, 155. ciciki11lcem < cicikim, 125. cicikimtiw to wash, to clean [object Iying]. cikim to wash something. cim to shoot fan arrow]. cimén the stern of a canoe; ci - idem. cimin 1 temp Ie [of the head]. cim!n 2 imitation; just as, as though; ei - imitation-canoe; opák - as though nothing were afoot (322); a cimin cowák just as before (271). cimom to be busy with [?]. cimte1.c'cr to take away a part from. cimtiw to kill by shooting. cin 1 and, inclusive, both of; 251. cin 2 to cut up something for eating. ci01niw to cut up and take indoors, e.g. a pig. ciomiwamár < ciomiwawcr, 144. ciomiwawer to cut up much [flesh] and take it indoors. ciptow dried up sago palm. cir to snatch at. ciri snatching, -+ emtewer. cirim fence, partition; cowó - a band of sago leaves; jemés - a wall of shields. cirin the strip of tidal forest along the coast. ciromas to cut up in pieces. ciromáseres < ciromas, 155. cirop, moe - to start to cry, to complain about; purumûc - to begin to sing dir ges to honour a guest [this is done in the ceremonial house].

cirópanem < drop, 155.

co container; nest, trough; pok trough with food; an - small trough used to put sago in; pomót - 'a nest of feathered paddies', said when all the people in a canoe have feathered paddies.

coap 1 to plait [subject sitting].

coap 2 to stay hidden.

coaPér < coap 1, 2; 155.

coaperés < coap 1, 2; 155.

coapfés < coap 1, 2; 162.

cococó dashing forward.

cofó spoilt, unusable [said of sago palms].

cokó, nam - in high spirits.

com 1. -+ car, 232.

com 2 the headband of a carrying bag.

com 3, manam - to fall in love.

com 4 to hide [someone].

com 5 to kill and take along.

comá < com 3; 109.

comapom (324) to present something to [ ?].

comic young sago leaves, used like a sponge to soak up the water that has come into the canoe.

comis to go outside, throwing [sago] about.

cómismár < comis, 144.

comom, fe - to string [fish] on a rope and hold it.

comopawer to keep som.eone hidden [indoors].

cop -+ coap.

copawer to plait without interruption, continually.

copá with a thud.

copón young sago palm [oider than wasér] ; wu - a copón from which the edible top only is removed. [A copón is still 50 small that one can get the top out of it without cutting the tree down].

copu a young sago palm [older than a mikin, but younger than a wasér].

cotiw to plait something until it is finished.

cótiwér < cotiw, 155.

cotiwpor to try to plait something until it is finished.

cotiwporó < cotiwpor, 162. cow the sago palm [generic name]. cowák one, only, all; very; forthwith, straightaway [when cowák follows a verb] ; inim - and 50 on; opák - not in the least. cowáka < cowák, 34. cowákaseré little ones, crumbs, 191. cowáksere -+ cowákaseré. cowé -+ cowó. C owéw name of a village. cowkán together. cowó the side leaves of the frond of the sago palm. cowór flat, level, smooth; alike, the same. mi - among [our] selves, with only people of the same group. cowóra < cowór, 34. coworé the top of the frond of the sago palm. cowu 1 the bark of the sago palm. COWI! 2 the place in the forest where the sago is scraped out. cowuc woman, girl [5.] fa - chief wife; asé - co-wife; cowuc apcóm 'being like a woman', term of abuse, used with regard to men. cowuca < cowuc, 34. cowut -+ cowuc. CotlJutllakap < cowuc, 185. Cowlltpacak woman's name. wkem to he hidden [subject standing]. cllmáll a burn. wmasam to let go free1y [shit, piss]. Cltomatom to take someone away secretly, to kidnap. cuomatómites < clIomatom, 168. curujis to slither to the outside [fish]. curujisá < wrlljis, 109. curuw secretly. CIJCllm to make noise. wWlk at that moment, at that time. cuwllt -+ cuwuc.

E

e 1 interjection : oh I, no!.

e 2 -+ er.

e 3 leaf; amás - the side leaves of the frond of the sago palm.

e 4 to say, to do; anám - to work up the inner part of the pith of the sago palm; ajpamá - to be known (324): atów - to play; eaj - 1) to intend, to think of, to have an idea, 2) to have sexual intercourse ; jan - to hear; jee' - to carry a heavy load, to go forward with difficulty [e.g. across the mudbanks]; jimamue - to be very busy with; jipfs - to dart to and fro [fish]; jiwá - to surround; jll - to shout, to yell; karém - to cause someone to be quiet; makán - to leave behind; njonjonjo to screech [ghosts]; njernjer - to devour [said of maggots]; fosów - to make a gift in return; WIt - to rustIe [Ieaves]. e 5 - so 1. ea interjection: oh! eacóm < e 4; 165. eacóma < eaeóm, 34. eamis, mokóp - to lie on the stomach. eap to do while sitting, to speak while sitting; amun pit - to be busy with [preparations for departure] ; eáj pacák - to be in a hopeless situation; ják seré - to become enamoured of: jiná ji - to crawl on hands and knees; mé pipl - to have the mouth chockfull. eapam to do mutually while staying somewhere. eaPI < eap, 176. eáPmor < eapom 1, 2: 155. eáPmorés < eapom 1, 2; 155. eapom 1 to speak about [object sitting]. eapom 2, eem - to build a house. eapomkekem to build a house, tying it firmly. eas, eérecafó - to spurt out [of juice] easam to do all the time: jimamuc in - to be busy all the time, until completion. eawer to do continually, all day long, always; caj - always to be averse from; em - to beat the drums all day long; jipis - always to dart to ano fro [fish]. éaweri < eawer, 125. eawérmom < eawer, 136. éawiri < eawer, 116. éawiria < éawiri, 34. eawérmokom < eawer, 136. écem < e 4; 125. ecemánokom < e 4; 136. éeemè < éeem, 33.

écemés < e 4; 136. echt < e 4; 116. ecélla < eeén, 34. ecés < e 4; 125. eel < e 4; 125. eeó revenge. éeo kind of frog. écom < e 4; 125. cem to speak while standing up. ees 1 to do at night. ees 2, mormor - to come towards crawling in great numbers; mallmák eenám Wit - to come towards with shining eyes. eéseri < ees 1; 125. ef 1 twig; man - finger. ef 2 < e 4; 162. éfa quickly. efamue [do it] quickly! efamuea < efamlte, 34. efamut - efamue. efém < e 4; 162. efés < t! 4; 162. efokóm < e 4; 162. efóm < e 4; 162. eit to do in the morning eiteri < eit, 125. eitllln to do in the afternoon. citûmcemokóm < eifum, 136. éittlmci < eitltm, 125. eittimeolll < eitum, 125. ej 1 interjection : hey! ay! ('j 2 < e 4, 155. ek stone, fruit; maj - toe; tfnak - the fruit of the sago palm. ekeá - ckeó; ekeá jimá 'ar se child', misbegotten brat [term of abuse]. ekeó knot in wood, arse. ékllakap one [numeral]. ekurum, jirán - to become squashy. em 1 wife [s.]. cm 2 drum. em 3 to be [subject standing], to stand, to wait. cm 4 to do, to make, to work up [sago pith], to apply to; mar atów - to play football; mer - to catch crabs; jim - to fish with the net. em 5 you [s., pl.] are. Only in the set expressions : nor mó em, 110 miwis em, set' 236, note 41. emá 1 < e 4; 144. emá 2 < em 4; 144, 183.

emá 3 < em 5; 34. emasmawer, fawic - to make jokes all cmájpllruw < em 4; 114. the time. cmájpuruwá < emájpuruw, 34. emásmewérmes < emasmawer, 136. clI/ák bone. ematam to go and chop down, to begin c11lákapumtewfom < kapllmtew, 162. to chop down. emamár < emawer 2; 144. emátepésmar < tepes, 144. emámci < am 7, 8; 125, 179. ématepic < tep, 176, 179. emamis to!ie down. emátewirum < atawer, 171. cmamóp < emawer 1; 152. emátmor < ematam, 155. emáwcem < aw 5, 6; 125, 179. emal1lópä < emamop, 34. emamós < em 4; 113. emáwcom < aw 5, 6; 125, 179. emal1lósa < emamós, 34. emawer 1 to stay [subject standing]. e11lamséf < emal1lis, 162. I'mawrr 2 always to do. cmamsér < emamis, 155. emcawóm < em 4; 125, 179. emamsi < emamis, 155. emcém 1 < em 3; 176. emamsio < emamsi, 33. emcém 2 < em 4; 125, 179. emámsiti < emamis, 168. émcifmém < em 4; 136. emamtewer to meet each other. émcememá < é1llcbném, 34. émcemi < em 4; 136. emall,amás - to get food. emanem to store [sago] on, to fill [the émcepem < em 4; 136. platforms on the collar-beams, with emdl < em 3; 176. food]. I'mei 2 < em 4; 125, 179. émaném < em 4; 144, 183. emcimtewer to take away parts from. emap to sit, to sit down, to begin to go emcin < em 4; 125, 179. down [sun]. émcinè < emein, 33. emeio < em 3; 33. emápacáw (309) < emap, = cáemapcáw or emaPác, 130, 167. emcóm 1 < em 3; 176. emáPaces < emap, 165. emcóm 2 < em 4; 125, 179. emáPcema < emap, 136. emcóma < emcóm, 34. emáPem < emap, 155 [mood form]. eme, caj - to look for a pretext; mic emáperes < emap, 155. Wltt lIim - to he like a huge c\oud of emaPi < emap, 155. ashes [subj eet standing]. emapmá < emap, 144. emé < em 4; 162. emapmés, ke - to get stuck [on a emeáfores < af 1, 2; 155. sandbank] at night. eméajmiramin < ajmirawer, 144. emápmesmár < emapmes, 144. emeajlmramino < eméajmiramin, 33. emapmór < emapom, 155. eméajmirámpun < ajmirawer [?], 144. emápmores < emapom, 155. I'méajmirámpunè < eméajmirámpun, 33. emapom to cause to sit down, to put eméakéwiripuj < akawer, 171 down; to hit, strike [ with a spear, eméamûj < am 8; 155. harpoon] ; cem - to make a house; eméawkllrumpuj < a'wkllrum, 155. emécanés < can, 162. jirik - to paint the jirik design on. emáPoráperés < pomp, 155. émecemár < eme, 136. emár indeed not, no; 244. eméemanpuj < el/lOlI, 155. emár < I' 4; 144. eméf < em 3, 4; 162. emára 1 < ema, 34. eméfawóf < faw, 162. emára 2 < emár, 34. eméjistewéresmi < jisteweres, 144. eméjltrsuml'awós < jursllm, 162. emarimut to man a canoe in the morning. emékafumalles < kafum, 162. emárimutmár < emarimut, 144. emékamiésmar < kamies, 144. emárimutmará < emári1nutmár, 34. emem 1 to stand up, to start to walk. emariw to go aboard [ a number of émem 2 < I' 4; 144. people in one canoe].

314 THE AS MAT LANGUAGE

.!mémalllserem (266) 'since you are clllcwcr -. i'11Illwcr 2. c11Ic'wcréji11los < cmmc'cr 2; 113. there'; < em01nis. 155. émcmcf < emem 1; 162. cmc'wcréjipllrûwa < cmawcr 2; 114. cmémemerém (269) 'since you are élllc'wiri < C11lawcr 2; 171. cmerém < em 3; 155. th ere' : < i'1IIC11I 1, 155. ememér < emem 1; 155. clllcrema < emerém, 34. elllerés < em 3; 155. clIlemcs to grow up during the night [tree]. emerom < em 3; 155. ememésmor < i'lIll'l1!es, 144. emfafam, jo'n - to do until the sun rises. emcmerenz < emem 1; 155. elllémi < ('//lC17I 1; 155. élllfafamfés < cmfafam, 162. cmc11lóf < cmc1ll 1; 162. emfam, jo'n - to stay until the breaking of the day. emen 1 to walk upstream; to walk to the far end of. cmfaméf < cmfam, 162. emfém < 1'111 4; 162. cmen 2 < cm 4; 144, 183. émenè < i'men 2; 33. i'mfés < cm 3, 4; 162. I!mfbzés < em 4; 162. emenér < cm en 1; 155. emenimatiwPllj < nimathc'. 155. emfimsllm to come out of [a hiding cménmctén rattan calf band. place]. cmé01ll0méf < omolll. 162. emfokóm < cm 3, 4; 162. emép 1 < e 4; 152. emi 1 to speak while standing. emi 2 < c 4; 144. clIIép 2 < cm 4; 152, 183. cmépanikajaPánokom < nikajap, 155. emi 3 < em 4; 144, 183. cmia < cnd 3; 34. emépapórán < por, 155. c111épapóranem < por. 155. emie < em 3; 176. cmépapóráneni'11l < por, 155. cmiea < cmie, 34. cmimár < emi 1: 144. emépapor//lánClzcm < por, 144. cméPasán < sa, 155. cmin < cm 4; 144, 183. cmépè < emép 1; 33. cminè < cmin, 33. eméporánblc1ll < por. 155. emio < emi 3; 33. i'mépori < por, 155. cm is to go outside, to go to the forest. cméPormáneni'm < por, 144. hnisérmar < emis, 136. cmér < cm 3; 155. emisméP < cmis, 152. cmes 1 to come walking towards. cmit - cmie. emes 2 to make something at night. cmitè < em 3; 168 [?]. cmés 3 < c 4; 144. emitém < em 3: 168. cm ésakajá1ll i < sakajozeoer, 144. clllifó11l < cm 3; 168. end'samep < sa 2; 152. cmitllm to be standing during the af ternoon, to stay during the afternoon. cmésctojér < setaj, 155. émesi < cmes 1; 155. emiw to go indoors. e1llésmcp < cmcs 2: 152. cmiwcr < emiw, 155. cmésmcm < cmes 2; 144. i'mjar to go, to walk. emésmemá < clIlésmc11l, 34. emji, po - to row [subject standing] ; C11léSIlSI/1/lá < SI/SU, 144. apim - to squeeze out sago pulp emétawami < tawllwcr, 144. [subject standing]. emétawamia < cmétawami, 34. émjiamár < emjillwcr, 144. emétawni < tawan, 155. emjiawer to keep on speaking, shouting emétawnio < cm étawn i, 33. [subject standing]. clllétawuj < taw 1, 2; 155. i'lIIkencit. ken - to start to collect up emétawûja < i'mé/mclûj, 34. [necessary] implements in the morning. cmétemerém < tem 2; 155. émkenci/11lar < emkcncif, 144. cméti'pakájapites < fi'Pakajap, 168. clI/koj to set out, to go away, walking eméllrllrûtcs < 1Ir11r11 2; 168. [subject standing].

emkojér < emkoj, 155. emkom to piek [a flower], [subject standing]. emku to go ashore, to step ashore. emk1l1llár < emku, 144. émkurmór < emkurum, 155. emkurum to make all, to make the whole thing. emnalli. lIalli - to stand whimpering. émnanimár < emnani, 144. emni 1 to (begin to) walk back home, to walk elownstream, to descend. emni 2, maj ni - to dangle one's feet. emnimár < emni 1, 2; 144. elmtipuj < enmi 1; 155. emócamár < emocawer, 144. emocawer,!tc - to stand laughing continually. cmóf . < em 3, 4; 162. emóm < em 4; 144, 183. emóm < e 4; 144. emop, iriri - to have left none, to have killed all (337). élnoper < emop, 155. emór < em 4; 155. émorém < em 4; 155. emotasisimawer -+ otasisimawer. emPám to hit someone with. emPámor < empam, 155. empepem, mallmák - to be on the lookout. empor 1 to try to stand; to want to stay; empori! please, stay! empor 2 to try to make something; to be able to do something; to want to do; enám -, pe -, amás - to try to get fish, crabs, sago. e11lporá < empor 1, 2; 109. émporamár < emporawer, 144. émporaméP < emporawer, 152. emporawer continually to try to do. empórcej < empor 1, 2; 116. emporés < empor 1, 2; 155. empórfenes < empor 1, 2; 162. emporó < empor 1, 2; 162. empu to be on the river, to row along the river. empucemes < enfpu, 136. empuj < em 4; 144, 183. emsajwwkll to flee, everyone individually, to the forest. émsajcucukumár < emsajcllclIku, 144.

emsajcuku to flee, everyone individually, to the forest. cmsakámtewerfém < sakamtewer, 162, 179. emsamem to pile up. emsamémamár < emsamcm, 144. emsawer, cm - to beat the drums the whole day (328). emse to be on or in the water. emsea1l1er always to be in or on the water, to stay in the water. cmséccs < emse, 176. emséeres < emse, 155. emsem, mIl lowu - to fill [a trough] to the brim with water. émsemor < emsem, 155. emsér < emse, 155. émsercs < emse, 155. elllsetájifrés < sctaj, 155, 179. emsires quiekly to come walking towarels. émsiresi < emsires, 155. emsiri to run away. emsit to grow up [subject standing]. emsokmem (323) to spoil [?]. hnsokmemér < emsokmem. 155. emsokmór < emsokom, 155. el1lsokmûn < emsokom, 155. emsokom to hit, to strike. rmtam, mi waei - to indieate assent by liftillg the head. emtámor < emtam, 155. emtampor to try to make or to do something for someone. emfaw to speak, to start to speak [subj eet standing]. emtáwamePés < emtawawer, 152. émtawaré < i'mtaw, 165. i'lIItmmwcr eontinually to speak [subj eet standing]. émtawéwiris < emtawawer, 171. cmlawmár < emtaw, 144. el1ltawmém < emtaw, 144. emtawlltll11l, tam pepcpe to draw rattan tight on something in the evening. emtáwlltll11lár < emtawutllm, 144. emtep to hang. emtetámcemokóm < te tam, 136, 179. cmtewen to go and fetch food. emtewer to go and feteh; ciri - to grab; kaP" - to catch hold of. émtC'werfén < emtewer, 162.

émfcwcrjés < cmfc~('rr, 162. 1'11Ifl'1('jilliw all to go on their way. émtewjiniwlIlar < CIl1ICH'jilli~(', 144. I'mfewnácem < ClIlI(7('CII, 165. I'mfewnáccma < clIlfcH'lIclCC111. 34. e1lltcwfu11l (321) to gather large quantities of [sago] [?]. c1uti11l, jo'l! - to stay somcwhere until the sun goes down, to walk until the sun goes down [subject standing]. clIltimcClIlOl' < ClIlfill1, 136. cmfiméj < 1'111 fil/l , 162. élllfi1l1cfä < {,1I1fim,;/, 34. cmtitiw to put [sevcral things] down. cmtifiwá < cmlitiw, 109. 1'1Iltiw, wa - to make someone glisten [object Iying]. cmtiwkuru11I to work up all [sago pulp]. é",tiwkurû11lac < cmlÏ7c'kllrlllJl, 165. cllltópmorcs < clIlfnpo11l. 155. cmfopom, 1/1okóp - to put lIjlside down [a canoe on the bank of the river]. emturulIl to line up [canoes against thc bank of the river ]. I'mturu11Ié/ < 1'11Ifur1l111, 162. emt/j < cm 4; 155. cmuf 1 to do, to make, in the morning. emllt 2 < elll 4: 168. clI/ulmi < {,1Iwl 1; 144. 1'IIl1llokóm < {,1/1 4: 168. (,l/1ufokó11!a < clIlufokóm. 34. rmutum to make something in the af ternoon. emwu to flee [a crowd of people]. {'11!WUS to topple over, to fall down with much rtlstling of leaves [tree]. {,lI/wûs('r1llar < ('IIHl'lIS, 136. en 1 -+ an 1. en 2 kind of fish. en 3 to go to the extreme end of: to go upriver on or along a large river [sec sketch p. 364]. en 4 [?], jc - to put on a string. énakap smalI, young. éllakapiriw very smalI, very young; < énakap, 188. enálll fish; 11111 - creatures that live in the water. encl11lllakap < enám, 185. CnalllllC come! let's go!. enaré < en 4 [?]; 165. ellaw to come towards [see sketch p. 364].

316 TUE ASMAT LANGUAGE

enawap to come towards and stay, -+ ClIUW. enawapes to come towards and pass the night, -+ ('11OW. cllclWapCSlI/ólI/ < CII<17C'ap{'s, 144. enclwapfom < cnmC'llp, 162. cnáwcaw < waw, 125. enáwCl'1II < ('lIare', 125. enáwlam to come towards and run [water] away. enawlamá < ellllwlam, 109. Cltawkapn to come towards and join up with. énawkapuél < elll17C'kapu, 162. elltlWIIlCS < ('11UW, 144. CII csa 111 is to cOl11e towards aJ1(1 lie down. c"hamsél < cllcsamis, 162. cncs.7alllis, samsam - to come in many canoes close togcther. cnés;alllsél < cllcsjomis, 162. enl'sjap, fóko - to land with a thud on the ground. éllesjáperl's < enl'sjap, 155. enl'smapom, mimi - having come towards. to cause to get stuck [e.g. a canoe on the bank of a river]. I'lIésmif grandmother. cll('sl('~('l'r to come in order to get. (!/I('sfuYl/m to come towards and line up [canoes against the bank of a river]. I'llésfllrûmcl < cncsfurum, 162. cllcrim and, 250. enim -+ enerl111. e1!mÛm -+ ml'r. eól < e 4; 162. com to speak while holding something. eomat to speak while walking around. e011lcwcr 1 to keep saying to. comcwer 2, 111aj 111Um!1 - always to take someone on the wrongpath. eomit to speak to someone in the mom ing. eompuawer, fep fep - to sink farther and farther down [in the bog] with. eomse to talk while rowing. eoni, lep fep - to sink farther and farther down. eos, moe - to come with [someone] while crying. ep tail; jce - far end of the sump trough; ei - the stern of a canoe; SI - a very long axe.

Epém name of a jew in the village of Seréw. eperák the bottom end of something long; the last one in a series. epermák = eperák. cpic elder sister [s.]. epicewes older sisters [pl.], 190. eP1llák the upper course of a river. epnám young pandanus tree. cporamár < eporawer, 144. eporawer, omér - to become more and more afraid; jis - always to try to raast [but in vain]. epuc elder brother [s.]. cpucewes older brothers [pl.], 190. eput - epuc. er 1 that, over there, 223. cr 2 < e 4; 155. Erák personal name. crám magie, - pok. erásen there, that place. crásenakapiriw < erásen, 188. erasi" < e 4; 120. erél1l 1 night, at night. erém 2 < e 4; 155. erem 3 to tear something. eremtew - eremtewer. eremtewer to split something. erémtewf < eremtew, 116. erén upstream, of a small river, a tributary. ererem to tear something to pieces; to sort out things. érerémaméP < ererem, 152. erés < e 4; 155. Eréw personal name. es 1 blood. es 2 to come towards, from erén or sen [see sketch p. 364]. es 3, is - to sleep. Es name of a side river of the Asewéc. esców < es 2, 3; 120. escowó < esców, 33. esé carrying bag plaited of grass or of the fibres of the pandanus tree. esem to come walking towards - es. Esf" name of a village no longer in existence. Esinkom = Esin. esit, is - to sleep and then set out. esitá < esit, 109. esjar, is - to sleep and travel on. esjarmés < esjar, 144.

eskám red; ma"mák - blood shot eyes. esomit, is - to sleep and then set out with .. esomitá < esomit, 109. espét young shoot of the sago palm. espét apák young leaf of the espét. A strip of the midrib of this young leaf is used to fasten the headpiece of the sago scraper onto the handle. espom, paPfs is - to sleep with apapis woman. espómer < esp om, 155. esumtll1n to pull oH [Ieaves]. etam to do something for someone; at - to point out, to give instructions to do something; cem - to make a house for .. ; jis - to raast food for someone. étamén < etam, 155. etámerawóm < etam, 155. etámerawómè < etámerawom, 33. etamór < etam, 155. etámores < etam, 155. etampor to try to do for someone [but in vain]. etamporawer, jis - always to try to roast food for someone. etál1lporén < etampor, 155. etámpormi < etampor, 144. étampormin < etampor, 144. étamporminè < étampormin, 33. etamtewer to take a message to. etep, jirá" - to ripen [fruit on a tree]. etiw, oróm - to make smooth, to eat clean [object Iying]. étiwamár < etiwawer, 144. etiwawer, oróm - to keep eating clean, cOlltinually to make smooth. etjiwir to rob on, to daub, for one's own bellefit. etjiwfrfenem < etjiwir, 162. etotor to say, to do, each person for himself. étotormár < etotor, 144. ew 1 dubitative marker, 255. ew 2 (311) from. ew 3 crocodile. ew 4 to finish plaiting. éwa < ew 1; 34. ewáp < ap 2; 176, 178. ewapomjim to pull [someone] away from. ewapómjimorés < ewapomjim, 155.

ewCltcurum, wasén - to slither down from the bank of the river [said of fish]. e'lIIcucllrllmorés < eWCllcurum, 155. ewe, tam - to do from morning. ewem, jok - to walk from midday, to stand from midday. éweméf < ewem, 162. éwemer < ewem, 155. ewémeres < ewem, 155. ewemés < ewe, 144. ewemic < em 3; 176, 178. ewemit -+ ewemic. ewemsires to come quic1dy from.. towards.. -+ es. ewémsiresi < ewemsires, 155. ewémsireslo < ewélllsircsi, 33. Ewétl personal name. ewenaw to come f rom, -+ en. ewenáwanem < ewenaw, 155. ewenáwanemá < ewenáwanem, 34. éwenawut < e"lvenaw, 168. Ewér name of a village. ewer -+ eawer, amás to - a1ways to be hungry; jiw - to live long, to become old. eweráw - man I that's good! all right! ewerérmero < ewer, 175. ewérmero < ewer, 174. ewes to come from.. towards .. , -+ es. ewéscokom < ewes, 125. eweséf < ewes, 162. eweróm < ewer, 125. ewfis to come outside from. ewfiw to go inside from. ewfiwér < ewliw, 155. éwiripun < eawer, 171. éwiripunè < éwiripun, 33. ewis to go out of [a river]. ewiséf < ewis, 162. éwiserés < ewis, 155. ewit to come from, start out from. éwitè < ewit, 162. étviteá < éwitè, 34. ewkekem to sew something up from a particular point; to be sewing from a particular point in time. ewku to step ashore from the canoe. e"lvkuku to dash out of [the forest]. ewkukuóf < ewkuku, 162. ewkuór < ewku, 155. E'lvnápo personal name.

318 TUE ASMAT LANGUAGE

ewni to go downwards from, to descend from, to go back home from. ewniem, jok - to fall down from the middle of t~ day [rain]. e"lvniemér < etVniem, 155. éwnierés < ewni, 155. ewniomuw to go down from [the house] and go aboard with .. ; to depart with [something] from [somewhere]. ewniomuwlenem < ewlliollluw, 162. ewokomtiw to finish plaiting and put [the bag] down. éwokómtiwer < ewokomtiw. ewomse to row from .. taking [someone] along. ewopomis, tam - to be busy with something from early morning [subject sitting]. ewór kind of crab. ewotewer, mo - to retch all the way from [?]. é'lt'siracém < ewsiri, 165. ewsiréf < ewsiri, 162. ewsiri to hurry from; asép - to run towards [someone] behind [him]. ewsiriéf < ewsiri, 162. ewsowsites, tam - to start out early in the morning. ew.rówsitesmép < ewsowsites, 152. ewtepkoér < ewtepkoj, 155. ewtepkoj, op - to fall down from above [ripe fruit]. ewtepsow, op - to spring down from above. ewtépsowor < ewtepsow, 155. ewtiw to finish, to get ready with [plaiting]. ewtiwtewer to take something out of [object lying]. ewtowópmlttè, ewtowopom, 168.' ewtowopom, jok - to put something in a place at midday and keep it there. ewtopomsirim to row strongly from. ewtopómsirimorés < ewtopomsirim, 155. ewlk younger brother [s.]. eWlicewes younger brothers [pl.], 190. ewuca < ewuc, 34. ewumsomit, wasén - to drive away from the shore [fish]. éwumsomiteres < ewumsomit, 155. ewut -+ ewuc. ewutnakap < ewuc, 185.

ë· onomatopoeia reproducing the screaming of a crowd of people, 35. bná oh, wait, have patience!; yes; in that case; but; 236. enéw mother .

enéwakap younger sister of father or mother, 195.

F

fa 1 buttocks, the underneath part; behind ; os - lowermost part of the trunk of a tree; -+ icie. fa 2, enám - spine of a fish. fa 3 (312), jo - until the breaking of the day. faeimop to prepare [the tronk of the felled sago palm]. fáeimopeár < faeimop, 120. facimtewet to marry again, to take as a co-wife. fácimtewtá < facimtcwet, 109. facin the skin of the cuscus. fafafa.. interjection, used to call tamed pigs. fafajim to smooth. fafam -+ emfafam. fafamfés < fafám, 162. fafasi to turn around and around; purumuc - to sit in a circle and sing in turn. fafaw to spear [fish], and again, and again. fafawá < fafaw, 109. fafem to strip oH [bark]. fafcmasam to peel off. fafemnem to strip off, wrench off, downwards [bark of a felled tree]. fafemomas to strip off [bark]. fafemocin to strip oH [bark] towards the top or the lower end of a treetrunk. fafémocinér < fafemocin, 155. fafemtiw to strip oH [bark] and put rit] down. fafémtiwer < fafemtiw, 155. fafsiawer to keep on turning around; purumuc - to sit in a circle and sing in turn, all day long. fáfsiaweráw < fafsiawer, 125.

fafuj 1 to peel [skin]. fafuj 2, jo win fafujér day in day out. fafujér < fafuj, 155. fait -+ fawic. faj 1 to burn. faj 2, mifán - to he averse to. fajamis to !ie burning; to have just risen [sun]. fajamsér < fajamis, 155. fajap to sit burning; to shine [the sun, shortly af ter sunrise] ; utsis - to smile broadly [subject sitting]. fajasam to glow fiercely. fajásmaméP < fajasam, 152. fajásmep -+ fajásmamép. fajfó cocoon. fajmllc in peace, in good order, undisturbed. fajpuw to s!ither into the water. fajum to flay a head by holding it in the fire until the skin can be peeled oH with ease. fak -+ fek 2. fakam to break, to damage. fakán a scream. fam 1 to run [water] away; to push, to shove. fam 2 to cause to burn. famasam 1, jo'n - to go on with something until daybreak. famasam 2 to run all [the water] away. famop to sit by someone until daybreak. famsem to run water away. famtiw to burn up [object lying]. fanénakap short. fapiw the beams forming the floor of the house. fasák white. fasien to return upstream. fasimap, atakám - to teil the story, to teil what happened. fasini to turn round and go back home, or downstream. fasiniér < fasini, 155. faw to stab repeatedly, to spear [fish]. fawá < faw, 109. fáwampés < fawawer, 152. fawasam to spear to the last one. fawawer continually to spear [fish]. fawen to go upstream while spearing [fish]. fawes to spear [fish] during the night. fawesmép < fawes, 152.

fawic joke.

fáwjukmapmûj < fawjukumapom, 155. fawjukumapom to spear [fish] and put [them] together. fawjukumtiw to spear [fish] and put [them] in heaps. fawtiw to spear [fish] and put [them] down. fawtiwéf < fawtiw, 162. fawllt to spear [fish] during the morning. fe 1 string made of rattan, rope; man - wrist. fe 2, onów - to make thateh. fc/emtaw to eolleet, to gather. fefémtawamés < f{'femtawawer, 144. fefemtawawcr to colleet mueh, many. fen, fek - very large, huge. fek 1 hard, stiff, solid, firm; jak - a full stomach ; man féka! hold tightly! ; po féka! row on strongly! fek 2 broken, damaged. iek 3 -+ fen. ier 1 fish-trap: kind of screen made of strips of the wood of the pandanus. The strips, plaeed parallel to eaeh ot her, are held together by an intertwined rattan binding. The trap is put in thc ent rance of a sma11 river whm the tide is high, so that the fish in this river is trapped behind it when the tide ebbs. fer 2 piled up. fére quickly. feró sharp; ei - a fast eanoe. iet kind of fish living in small holes in the mud. F et personal name. fetam, onów - to make thateh for someone, to help someone to make thateh. fetiw, an - to stiteh up a trough. fëfëfë.. the sound of the wind. fi empty. fic nail. fifi 'open, free': fifi emé11l to stand between piled up things [in a house, in a eanoe]. fifimkurllm (339) to seareh about everywhere [upstream and downstream] [?]. fifimkurûmac < fifimkllrum, 165. fik kind of wading bird.

fikikonaw to waft towards the land [a smelI]. fikim to eause to smelI. fim, jee - to make, to put in plaee, the sump trough. fillltiw to make ready for use [the sump trough, -+ jee]; to put into plaee [the support, -+ sis]. fimtiwér < fimtiw, 155. fimum to eause to go indoors. fjmllsllm to cause to eome inside, or outside. fin feathers, hair. fiomieëml's < fiwo1/liw, 136. firim to turn [upside down]. firimtiwpor to try to turn over. firimtiwporá < firimtiwpor, 109. fir ká kind of grass. firkóm long heavy arrow with a bamboo point, used to kill pigs. fis 1 kind of fish. fis 2 to eome inside, to eome outside. Fiti name of a river. fiw to go inside, indoors. fiwér < fiw, 155. fiwitum to enter [a house] in the af ternoon. fiwitûmar < fiwitu11I, 144. fiwomiw to take someone inside. fiwomiweemes < fiwollliw. 136. fa 1 wind, whistling. fa 2 -+ fum 2. foeó th in, lean. fofofo 'in erowds' -+ jitak. fomis to eome inside, or outside, with. fomiw to go inside with, or towal'ds someone. fomiwér < fomiw, 155. fop upside down. fowû full, fi1led to the brim, -+ e11lsem. fll bamboo horn. fuamses to pass the night, gathered al'ound someone. fum 1 cleal' [of water]. fum 2 to disclose, to reveal; fa - to bring out, to pull out. fusmá widow.

H

ha ah! 38.

hèhè sign of agreement, 38.

I

urine, piss. ie thorn. icie, fa - [at] a litde di stance behind. ieim, mI' - to begin with a feast. icimores < ieim, 155. ieipie father, 193. icitnakap < icie, 185. in 1 quotation marker, 258. in 2 unidentified element, 259. ina < in 1; 34. ino < in 1; 33. inim thus, in this way, like this; when, just as.. [when followed by a progressive form of the verb; 144, 152]; inim jipie inim eowue this or that man or wOm;ln; inim inim maji pak to say nothing about. ininmakap such a little one, 185. inimnakapiriw such a very small one, such a very little bit, 188. inimpie a certain man; Mr So-and-so. inimpit -+ inimpie. ir year bird. Irte spanish pepper [loanword from Malay, = rit ja]. irimen to walk upstream [many people] -+ en. irimtep to walk upstream [many people] -+ tep. iriri . . 1 onomatopoeia, imitating the sound produced by many small objects falling down. iriri 2 -+ emop. iririawi.'Y unceasingly to rain down [fruit]. iririawérma < iririawer, 136. iririm to brush small objects off, to scrape small pieces off. iririmtiw to break up smalI, to scrape out [sago]. iririmtiwae < iririmtiw, 165. is sleep; mallmák - dizzy. isipis parents [pl.]. isipisllakás < isipis, 187. iwena1ll to throw towards. Î'Wien to go quickly upstream, to go quickly to the far end of .. , -+ en. iwienaw to come quickly towards, -+ enaw. iwies to come quickly towards, -+ es., iwijis to hurry to the forest.

iwijis 2 quickly to go outside, to go out of a river. iwijispor to hurry to the forest and have a look at. iwijisporasin < iwijispor, 120. iwikllnaw to come inland in a hurry. iwitl-l'm to throw down. iwini to hurry back home, to go quickly downstream. iwillier < iwini, 155. iwiomis to hurry to the forest with. iwis -+ iwijis I, 2. iwitak to hurry downstream. iwitep to hurry upstream. iwitiw to lay on [thatch on the rafters]. iwni1ll the river's edge, the side of the river as distinct from the side of the forest.

J

j -+ ej 2; 182. ja that, there [with you], 224. ja 'movement, going'; mu - current; -+ at. ja < e 4; 109. jac < e 4; 165. jaees < e 4; 165. jajmir foolish. jak 1 -+ jáka. jak 2 stomach, belly, heart [as the seat of feeling]. jak 3 charcoal. jak 4 dark rain cloud. jáka there, 225. J akáj personal name. Jakajmówsimit personal name. J ákarl'w name of a river. J ákariweim personal name. Jakariweimá < Jakariweim, 34. Jakariwcimsimit < Jakariwcim, 195. jáknakap < jak 2, 3, 4; 185. jáknalwpiriw < jak 2, 3, 4; 188. jaktamfén < aktam, 162. jamár < eawer, 144. ja1llép < eawer, 152. jamép (302) = emép [?] < e 4; 152. jámeret joined together [two or more jcw sharing one ceremonial house]. jamés < eawi.'Y, 144. J amé'W name of a village. jamkollawa1./!Cr, po - together to come rowing all the way along.

jámkonáwewirum < jamkonawawer, 171. jamni to go down to the river, of a large animal, of a crowd of people. jamn6k two. jam6p < eawer, 152. jampén < eawer, 152. jamtep to hang, of a large object, or a bundie, a bunch of objects. jamtepit < jamtep, 176. jan -+ jen. japá < eap, 109. japftn < eap, 162. japjoni, me me - to carry back home, staggering [a heavy load]. japj6nimár < japjoni, 144. jap6m (343) = jampom < eawer, 152. japuw (327) big mass of [?]. jar to walk, to go. jarap to go and to stay; to have gone. jarjirimop, eem ós - to go and he busy putting up poles for a house. jarkikiomse to take along [in a canoe] to a narrow river. jarmár < jar, 144. jaró < e 4; 165. jarom to go and stand working at, being busy with .. jarop to go and stay by. jartewer to go and fetch something, to go in order to fetch something. jartewerá < jartewer, 109. jarteweréjipuruw < jartewer, 114. jarteweréjipuruwa < jarteweréjipuruw, 34. jaser < eas, 155. játakam myth. jawerém < eawer, 125. je exclamation: fie I jee the part of the sago washing trough in which the mea1 is aUowed to settle down: sump trough [see sketch p. 366]. I eeám personal name. jéfe -+ éfa. jem the bark of the juwám tree; used as a floor covering. jemám side, region; na j6 - our side of the river. jemcés new, still unknown, unexplored. jemé salty. jemér < jiem, 155. jemés shield. jemésten landing stage [loan-word from Malay, = djambatan].

jemis, jemis - after a long wait (335). jen sound, ear; -+ ji, jop. jeniwpa kind of spear. jenmák ear. jep side of an object [ese, fer]; part of the bank of a river where a tributary river flows into it. lep name of ariver. J epém name of a village. Jépemá < Jepém, 34. J ePémelwi name of one of the jew in the village of J ePém. jepén recent. jePénakap < jePén, 200. jepénakas < jepén, 200. jépnakapiriw < jep, 188. jépnakasá -+ jepénakas. jeréf < e 4; 162, 182. jérmlro < e 4; 175, 182. jermép < e 4; 141, 182. jermf < e 4; 136, 182. jermóp < e 4; 141, 182. jeróf < e 4; 162, 182. jerpóm < e 4; 141, 182. jesmár < ees 1, 2; 144. jesmi < ees 1, 2; 144. J ésireém personal name. jéten [through] the centre of; straight through.

jew a) ceremonial house, belonging to a group of people who claim descent from a common forefather. [The jew is a large oblong building in which every family bas its own fire place. These are situated near the back wall; to every fire place there is a corresponding door in the front of the house. In the middle of the row of fire places is the wajir, the ceremonial fire place, which plays an important role in the sociallife of the group: here the guests are received, and the drums are beaten. All the feasts given by a group are held in its ceremonial house. During the day the jew is the regular meeting place for men and boys; during the night the boys, the unmarried youths and any man who for some reason does not stay at home, sleep in it. Women are only allowed to enter it on some specific occasions during the feast for the new jew and the head-hunting feast. See sketch p. 365].

b) the group of people belonging to a ceremonial house. [This group is always divided into two halves, an "older" one [cewi] and a "younger" one [coworé], each of which occupies one half of the ceremonial house]. jeu'ér kind of tree. jewérmero < eawer, 174. J ewérnamakát personal name. J ewérnamakatá < J éwernamakát, 34. jewéw enemy, stranger. jewir visit. jéwmoPánipic man, belonging to suchand-such a jew. jewsén tOO space in front of a ceremonial house. jeri < e 4; 125. jéró broad, wide [of a house]. jéwi stranger, enemy. ji 1 onomatopoeia, reproducing groaning. ji 2 exclamation: ho! ji 3, ew - trail of a crocodile. jina - crawling on bands and knees. ji 4 preceding event, former happening, - pit; ji ow the primeval beings, the beings which existed before the earth was peopled. ji 5 to say, to do; apim - to squeeze out sago pulp; jen - to hear, to listen; makán - to leave behind; po - to row; pllrllmuc - to sing dirges. jiä cry of amazement. jiamár < jiawer, 144. jiawer, amás apim continually to squeeze out sago pulp. jicémûp the sea. jicóp head-hunting party; hunting party, consisting of men only. jicór the mouth of a river. jicllkll to nee shouting; tetete - to disappear in a hurry. jiclikltfés < jiCltku, 162. jicllkuá < jicuku, 109. jiem to speak while standing up; to walk while doing; to be in a condition of.. [standing subject] ; cofó - to be spoilt, unusable [said of sago palms] ; nam cokó - to be in high sprits; jokón - to be silent ; tajtaj . . - gradually to stop with [subject standing]. jiemér < jiem, 155. iiemic < jiem, 176.

iiemit -+ jiemic. jiemkllrllm, cofó - all to be unusable [sago palms]. jiémkurumór < jiemkurum, 155. jjes 1, samsam.. - to go at night in great numbers. jies 2, makán - to leave behind and come towards. iiewer continually to do. jiewérméro < jiewer, 174. ijf marshy ground, bog, as distinet from dry, firm soil -+ capinmi. jifamut to speak until daybreak. jifém < jj 5; 162, 182. jifó -+ jufó. jifóm < ji 5; 162, 182. iik, manám - to bind, to tie [up]. jikapmór < jikapom, 155. jikapom, manám - to bind, tie up [object sitting]. jikem, manám - to bind, tie up [obj ect standing]. jikonaw, fere - to edge quickly towards the land [the rising tide]. iikonj to wrap up something and carry it to the river, carry it home. jiktampor to try to tie something up for someone; jimin - to try to make a sago stick for someone [but in vain]. jiktampormin < jiktampor, 144. jiku to go ashore while saying .. ; jináf - to crawl onto the land. jikurum 1, aPim - to squeeze out all sago pulp. jikurum 2 to urge. jikurumór < jikurum 1, 2; 155. jikurumorés < jikt/rum 1, 2; 155. jim fish net consisting of a large rattan ring to which a net is attached. It is always hand led by two women, who scoop up the fish with it in the shallow water near the seashore or the river bank. jimá child. jimamûc engrossed in. jimap, omér - to be afraid of (someone). jimasam, om én - to raise a shout. jimespom [dialect of Ac] -+ espom. jimeró < ji 5; 174, 182. jimi the fruit of the jisin tree. iimin 'stick of sago'; sago, folded up in a nipa leaf and roasted. The sago can he mixed with fish [enám nes -], with sago gruhs [tow -] or edible top of the sago palm, [Wil -].

J~1mn content, fond of.

jimom 2 to pull along. jimomismár < jimomis, 144. jimselllamár < ji11lsCIII, 144. jimsip door; eem - in front of the house. jimsomleellles < jimsomit, 136. jimsomit to pull someone up. jil/wlr stake standing in the water. jim.tewcr to go out [the tide]. ji11ltiw to pull oH [leaves]. Jin personal name. Jina < J ill, 34. jillaw to come across the river. jine [?], amás - to wash sago (295). jinem to speak to someone who is below. jini to do while going back home, while going downstream; makán - to go home, leaving [someone] behind; po - to row downstream. jinie slack, !imp; nam - numbed; is - deep sleep. jinicä -+ jinicaei. jinicaei very beautiful. jinicacina exceptionally heautiful.

jimir to search for, to look for, to hunt for.

jimis, mus - empty water container -+ IlIltS.

jinlllem to pull downwards, to leave [the forest] below [said of a growing sago palm which rises high above the surrounding trees].

jimom 1, pisuwa - to stand with a dagger stuck in the armband or in the waistband.

jimomis, wow - to go outside while making patterns [by strewing sago on the ground].

jimsem to go out [the ti de ].

jilllotnaw to drag towards, to bring towards [pulling, dragging].

jiná knee.

J ináe personal name.

jilláf craw!ing.

jinawsirimku to come, crossing the river, and go ashore.

Jinie name of the eoworé of the jew Majit, -+ jew.

324 THE AS MAT LANGUAGE

jillimi < jini, 144. jinimia < jillimi, 34. jinimtewer to fetch many people. jinini everyone to speak. jillinimar < jinini, 144. jinillime everyone to speak. jillinimemár < jininillle, 144. J init -+ lillÎC. jinitnakap < jin ie, 200. jinitnakapiriw < jin ie, 201. Jinhu name of a river. jin iwenalllp és < jilliwenaw, 152. jiniwellaw to come all towards. jilliwelláwce11lóm < jiniwenaw, 136. jilliwjar to walk [many people together]. jilliwni to go to the river, to go home [many people together]. jillwie, - ellám shoals of fish. jip the far end of the house. jipakajap to speak [many people, staying together]. jiPakajapér < jipakajap, 155. jipe, makáll - to leave behind and depart. jipér < jipc, 155. jipëres < jipe, 155. jipi -+ porap. jipie man, boy [s.]. jipin truncated, broken; asé having tiredness in the back. jipir to c1asp [a large object]. jipirom, maeir - to hold something in both arms [standing subject]. jipiromic < jipirolll, 176. jipirsalll to wrestle. jipis darting to and fro [fish]. jip!t -+ jipic. jipitllakap < jipie, 185. jipmJir the far end of the house. jipor to urge, to ask, to try to persuade [without success] ; to know. jipll, mu eáka - to spring, dive, with a splash in the water; tik i - idem. jipllá < jipu, 109. jipllmt'er to do usually. jipumawer usually to squeeze out sago pulp. jipuIHcwérm01ll < jiplt11lawcr, 136. jir 1 gall, spleen. jir 2 -+ jur. j ir 3 to cross to the other side of a river.

Jir 4, 1111/ - to scoop up water; móc micic - to cry one's eyes out.

jirá - jiráw.

jiram!iw to enter a house in a hurry.

jirmnsimapom to assembIe [people in a house] in a hurry.

jirán ripe.

jirap, jumus - to sit with bowecl head.

jirapér < jirap, 155.

jiraró < jir 3; 165.

jiráw 'present': a - here it is; e - there it is; a óp - it is up here; a eém - it's here, in the house.

jiráwa < jiráw, 34.

jirè - Jlrau'.

jiré! < ji 5; 162, 182.

jirem, jmnûs - to walk with howcd head.

jireméf < jirem, 162.

jiréw - jiráw.

jirik special kind of design painted on carrying bags [see sketch p. 365].

jirikaj to return with full canoes [from camp].

jirim to send someone away [on an errand].

jirimem to put in the ground [standing object].

jirimku, po - to stick one's paddIe in the mud and go ashore.

jirimpor to can (may, try to) send.

jirimtapmes to send upstream at night. WORD LIST 325

jirillltap01ll to send upstream.

jiririm, ei to put many things in a canoe.

jiririmse/lt, os - to stick stakes in the water.

jirku to cross to the other side of the river and land.

jirkllamis to stretch to the opposite sidc of the river when setting out [row of canoes].

jirkuni to go downstream stretching from side to side [row of canoes].

jirmemami < jirimcnI, 144.

jir1llémeem < jirimem, 125.

jirmotep to go upstream with a full canoe.

jirmotepá < jirmotep, 109.

jirmflc 'sending' [on errandsl. 108.

jinló half burnt [firewood].

jiró! < ji 5; 162, 182.

jirpor 1 to try to bend, to pull, a bow.

jirpor 2 to try to cross to the other side of the river.

jirporá < jirpor I, 2; 109.

jirpu angry, furious.

jirse, sinák - to get cracks in the bark [sago palm which has been in the water for a long time].

jirtcwer, mu - to fetch water.

jirwutum to jig up and down in thc afternoon.

jirwutumá < jirwlltltm, 109.

jis 1 firewood, fire, roasted; amás roasted sago; mi - a big fire in which Iime is burnt.

jis 2 upper part of the back near the shoulders.

jis 3 to go landwards, to go inland, to go to the forest.

jis 4 to go out of [the river, the house], to ri se [sun, moon, stars]; to become c1ear, to appear; to die.

jisakamtewcr to go to the forest and cut off.

jisakamtiw, nam ákin - immediately af ter having gone ashore to fall iII.

jisakapicm to go outside and stand alone.

jisamis 1 to go inland and \ie down.

jisamis 2 to go out of a river with many people in many canoes.

jisamsá < jisamis 1; 109.

jisap 1 to go to live in the forest.

jisap 2 to go outside and sit down.

jisapeéj < jisap I, 2; 116.

jisáperes < jisap I, 2; 155.

jisas to go away.

jisásmcs < jisas, 144.

jisafam to go to the forest to chop down.

jisawer (317) to be got from in great quantity [?].

Jisaworétn personal name.

Jisaworémakap personal name, < Jisaworém, 195.

Jisaworémsimit personal name, < Jisaworém, 195.

jisem 1 to go inland and stay there.

jisem 2 to go and stand outside.

jisem 3, tes - to be a great warrior, to have much tes.

jisémcres < jisem I, 2, 3; 155.

jisemie < jiscm I, 2, 3; 116.

jisi" 1 coeonut, coeonut tree.

326 THE ASMAT LANGUAGE jisomas to go away to the forest with ..

jisin 2 kind of tree with large buttresses.

jisir to lay claim to.

jisis the edge of the fire.

jisisnakapiriw < jisis, 188.

jisit to speak and get up, to ery out and get up; makán - to set out, leaving behind [someone].

jisiteres < jisit, 155.

jisitó/ < jisit, 162.

jisjap to go on to the land and sit down to do something.

jiskapu to row out of a river and join up with.

jiskáPuamár < jiskapuawer, 144.

jiskapuawer to row out of the river and join up with.

jiskawimtiw to go landwards and put down something near .. , against ...

jiskawimtiwawér (329) = jiskawimtiwá er [?]: he always went to the bank and put [his eanoe] alongside [the jewér tree].

jismá < jis 3, 4; 144.

jismák burning wood, fire.

jismap, pir jamnók - to stay somewhere until two 'months' have elapsed.

jismop, tes - to have someone who is tI'S in one's midst.

jismotiw (296) to go to the forest and mourn for [?].

jismuamis to go to the forest and throw oneself down.

jismut in the morning to go and stand outside.

jismutmép < jism11 t, 152.

jismlltum in the afternoon to go and stand outside.

jismutumép < jismutum, 152.

jisokomtiw, ser - to drive ser fishes against the bank of the river, -+ wa.

jisokómtiwerés < jisokomtiw, 155.

jisom to go outside to meet someone, to do something.

jisomásmes < jisomas, 144.

jisow [f], aruw - to practise magie (322).

J isPáripic personal name.

JisPáripicá < JisPáripic, 34.

Jispáripit -+ Jispáripic.

jispor to go outside to look at.

jispormem to go to the forest to look at, to keep watch on.

jisporlllémac < jisponnem, 165.

jispum to go outside and throw something into the water.

jistewer to go ashore to get something.

jisteweres to go to the forest at night, and fetch.

jistipse to come out partly [said of a fish in its hiding place].

jistipseá < jistipse, 109.

jistipsér < jistipSi', 155.

jistowop01n to go to the forest to plant.

jisuwap to go to the forest to work up [pith of the sago palm].

jit 1 to start out, to set out, to ri se [tide] ; jicóp - to set out on a (head-) hunting party.

jit 2 to do in the morning.

jit 3, so - to kill, to murder.

jitak, /0/010 - to go downriver in crowds; jop - to go downriver drifting on one's back.

jitakám kind of fish.

jitáker < jitak, 155.

jitakitó < jitak, 168.

jitam to order, to teil to do.

jitamernem to make cuts across the trunk of the sago palm, marking off sections, -+ manmák 2.

jitamertaw to cut away to the top [fronds of the sago palm, in order to make test-holes, -+ apér].

jitem to grow, to he grown up [subject standing].

jitémer < jitem, 155.

jitemtlls, worwor.. to rise higher and higher during the night [a growing tree].

jitep, po - to row upriver.

jitePlés < jitep, 162.

jitjar, omá - to go forwards caustiousIy.

fitjarmés < jitjar, 144.

jUkaker kind of bird.

jitmomas to carry away while rising [subj eet: the water].

jitmllp -+ jicemup.

jUnem to mark off [sections] on [the bark of the sago palm] by making cuts across the trunk.

jitnotew -+ jitnotewer.

jUnotcu'i < jitnotew, 116.

jitnotewer to bolt [e.g. a door with a beam]. jitomiw, se'n - to Iie with one end in the mud [fallen tree]. jitum, pok - to throw things at someone, in the evening. jitUr heavy. Jiturccm personal name. jiw 1 long [of time], long-living; late. jiw 2 to go inside, to go indoors. jiw 3 to exchange goods. J iw personal name. jiwá -+ e 4. jiwamis, nam - to be sick. jiwamismeró < jiwamis, 174. jiwapom, a kó - to cause to sit down cross-Iegged; cem - to build a house. jiwapómcemés < jiwapom, 136. jiwatdmap, moe - to stay indoors, wailing. jiwemapom -+ jiwapom. jiwluem, cem - to come together in a house. jiwluemfés < jiwluem, 162. jiwlumtotor each person to take food to [the jew]. jiwi 1 child; -+ mu. jiwi 2, cem - the walls of a house. Jiwin name of a jew that was formerly in the village ol J epém. jiulinakap 1 < jiuli 1; 185. jiulinakap 2 smalI, young. jiwinakapicim < jiulinakap 2; 203, 204. jiwinakáPnakáP < jiwinakap 2; 200, 204. jiulinakapnakápiriw < jiulinakap 2; lOl, 204. jiwir to daub, to rub on. jiwiri as far as, up to; at the edge of [a group of people]; á jiwiri aráw that's as far as it goes [the story]. jiwirtamtamawer to plait [a huge bag] for someone. jiwirtámtamewiri < jiwirtamtamawer, 171. jiulis the moving to another dwelling place. jiwmesop to go indoors and sit down beside someone. jiwpuop usually to sit indoors, being busy with. jiwpuopá < jiwpuop, 109. Jiwsimit personal name, 195.

jiwsiritewer to go indoors and quickly fetch something. jiwsu -+ e 4. jiwtllwapom to assembie indoors. jiwus -+ juwus. jo 1 river; enám - river, abounding in fish. jo 2 sun, day. jo 3 space in the house between the front wall and the fireplaces. joe 1 crazy. joe 2 kind of bird. jó ca < joe 1; 34. jocóp -+ jicóp. jocór the mouth of a river. jol hole, gap, passage; maj - path; akám - path between the nipa palms. jólaj the next day. jólnakap < jol, 185. jöj exc1amation of surprise. jok the middle part of the day, between tam and porów. jokmén having supernatural power. jókmen tongs. jokón silent. jokós main-nerve of the side leaf of a palm frond. jomat to carry. jómatamár < jomatawer, 144. jomatawer continually to carry. jomatmár < eomat, 144. jomatmés < jomat, 144. jómewérmenes < eomewer 2; 136. jam, namós -, -+ temjom. jomttpen < eomit, 152. jomól < jom, 162. jómoPán bird of paradise. J omót name of a river. Jomótakap personal name, 195. Jomótsimit personal name, 195. jómPllamép < eompl/awer, 152. jomseá < eomse, 109. jop [Iying] on one's back. jop, jen - to listen [subject sitting]. J ópakipic personal name. J ópakipicè < J ópakipic [in enumeration]. joperés sweat. jopic < jop, 116. joP!t -+ jop!c. jopmák the upper course of a river. jóptom, jóptom - everywhere. joró wing.

jow sandbank. J ow name of a village. jowmóp to sit coupling with. jowomic ashes. jowów the people belonging to one's own jew; the pcople of one's own village. jowówa < jowów, 34. jowówPie blood kinsman. jowówpit -> jowówpie. jowsép baby. jowzin the day after tomorrow; the day befare yesterday. ju 1 shouting, yelling. ju 2 (342) head of family [?]. ju 3 tree-trunk in which the rough shape of the new canoe has been cut out. ju 4 to yell, to raise a war cry. ju 5, wu - to get edible tops of the sago palm. jll!ó cold. jllfzij small wooden trough for holding paint. jujukamis to lie down together. jujukllmapo11t to put things together. jujukumapomtampor to try or to want to put down together for someone. jujukll11tsomit to get up after having been stabbed or speared [many people sitting tightly packed]. jllkap to sit with many people together; to !ie together in great quantities [bags of sago]. jllkmntiw to lay down together. jllkumtiwá < jllkumtiw, 109. jukllrllm -> jikur1l1n 1. jum to speak to someone who 15 indoors. Jum name of a river. jumamtam to intend [a boy and a girl] for each other. jûmamtámerawós < jltmamtam, 155. jûmamtám!awos < jumamtam, 162. jumár < ju 4; 144. jltmcip -> ji1llsip. jll/ncnaw to come upriver with paddies thumping [sign of i oy af ter a good catch]. jumenáwcar < jumenaw, 120. jU1ll0p, nam - to stay with someone who has been made ill. jumus [with] bowed head.

328 THE ASMAT LANGUAGE kaj to return from camp [many people]. Kajè name of a village. Kajéa < Kajè [in enumeration].

juomis, moe - to grizzle the whole night. jur white cockataa. jllrsawer 1 always to long for. jursawer 2 to be always in the wrong. jûrsewiri < jllrsawcr 1, 2; 171. jlirsomawl'Y to act always in the wrong way towards someone. jllrsómcwcymerénem < jllrsomawcr, 174. jllrsommllrm < jltrsomawcr, 171. ;llrsop [?] to be in the wrong. jllrsópen (294) < jllrsop, 162 [?]. jursópencm (293) < jllrsop, 162 [?]. jllrsûe longing for. jursû1II to slaughter, to kil\. jurs1l1ll0p to have heen overtakcn by disaster. jllrsumóper < jursll 11l op, 155. jllrsût -> jllrsûc. juruPIl usually to go along a river. jûruru one af ter another. J ûr1trumawue personal name. jurus 1 to long for. jurus 2 to he in the wrong. jurûs1llem < jllrlls 1, 2; 144. jllrûsmc11lá < jllnismem, 34. jurûw 1 long. juniw 2 (338) to search for [?]. Jurûwpie personal name. Juruwpitsimit personal name, < Jurûwpic, 195. jurwûcaw < juruw 2; 125. juwa kind of grass. jllwálll kind of tree. juwréw a full-grown sago palm. juwllm to cause to marry. jllwur dog. jll'wûr kind of tree used for making canoes; canoe made of juwûr wood. j llWÛS name. jllwût 1 heron. juwût 2 between ; a M cc - a Sirée - hetween the Mee and the Siréc. jllWlIt to marry, to take as a wife, as a husband. Juwûtakap personal name.

K

ka/um to scrape out sago.

kajkaj .. onomatopoeia reproducing the sound made by the pad dIes thumping against the gunwales of the canoes when they are being rowed at great speed.

kajkumm to be just c1ear of the horizon [the rising sun].

Kájtno name of a village.

kajnapuesawer to eat at night on the river when on one's way home with many people.

kajni to topple over, broken [a tree].

kájlt onomatopoeia, reproducing a dull thud, the sound of footsteps, the sound of wood being chopped.

kakajum to knock on something.

káku running, hurrying.

kam, fakán - to give a scream.

kamák ginger.

kámamóp < kamawer, 152.

kamawer, mó kawós - to vomit all the time.

kamém many-pointed spear used to kill large fish and crocodiles.

Kamémemák personal name.

kamiamis to lay after having collapsed; to succumb.

kamies to succumb at night.

kamoni to tear away and carry downstream.

kamop, po - to sit making a paddIe.

kampomes to wash ashore during the night.

kampomésmar < kampomes, 144.

Kamsópisipic a man belonging to the jew Kamus, in the former village of Kajè.

kámter the legs, both legs.

kamtewer to split and take away.

lwtntiw, mo kawós - to vomit.

kámu loud noise.

kanit young shrimps.

kanpór kind of crab.

kap armpit.

kaPák tobacco [Ioan-word from Dutch = tabak, or Malay = tembakau].

káper ship, boat [Ioan-word from Malay, = kapal].

kapi c1osed, shut.

kapim to close.

kapimap, jimsip - to sit with the doors shut.

kápmapómcemes < kapotnapom. 136.

kapmópaces < kapumop, 165.

kapmóperes < kapumop, 155.

kapom to cover (up).

kapomapom to put on [e.g. c1othes].

káPu 1 - emtewer.

kápl4 2 to join up with.

kaPllawer to join up with.

kapumamtewer to join each other.

kapumop to he joined to.

kaplln'ltew to let people join one.

karém silent [?] - e 4.

karésnakap not thickly laid, laid far apart [thatch].

karéw much, many; po - raft made of canoes placed alongside each other: the paddIes are laid across the canoes to keep them together and to keep them stabie.

karji work [Ioan-word from Malay, kerdja].

karmák kind of snail.

kártu playing-cards [Ioan-word from Malay].

karuw dangerous, forbidden.

karuwa < kaniw, 34.

karwán dagger made of a crocodile's jaw.

kasé, mer - vivid Iightning.

kási suddenly, in a flash.

kawénak human being [as distinct from other beings].

Kawét name of a village.

kau/[ 1 strange, not belonging to one's own group or village.

kau>Ï 2 to add oneself to, to approach to, to get near to.

kaM 3 - kawitntl!'werawer.

kawim to add to, to join to.

káwimápmorés < kau>imapom, 155.

kawimapom to add [a co-wife].

kawimop to have been added [as a cowife].

kawimtewer to add [as a co-wife].

kawimtewerawer, kawi - always to want to add [as a co-wife].

kawós. mo - vomiting.

kawl/amses (343) to Iie down all night [ ?].

kawl/ámsesmar < kawuamses, 144.

ke stuck [e.g. a canoe on a sandbank].

kèkèkè onomatopoeia, reproducing the screaming of the joe bird.

kekem to sew something up.

ken, amás - the implements used for making sago: axes, digging sticks, scrapers, small troughs, and strainers. kená < ken, 34.

330 TUE ASMAT LANGUAGE

kikieukomas to go away with [someone] to a narrow place. ko 1, ko, ko, .. the sound made by drums. ko 2 platform; a - cross-Iegged; eem - the front gallery of a house. ko 3 -+ kor. kófo onomatopoeia reproducing a thud.. kojir to go to the other side of the river. kojiraro < kojir, 165. kojni to get loose and fall down [ripe fruit). kokoko.. onomatopoeia reproducing the sound of bamboo horns, of singing, of the whistling of ghosts. kokomtewer to break off and take along. kokomtiw to break off and lay down. kom, onów - to get sago leaves for thatch. kómapmue < komapom, 108. komapom, móe am - to wail [?]. komén tongue; part of the sump trough, -+ jee; mu - the edge of the water as it edges towards the land when the tide rises. komomse to take along in a canoe. komtewer to break off and take away.

kene, amás ken - to collect up the implements for making sago.

kéneóf < kene, 162.

Ker personal name.

kiki close together.

kikikikikikinakás < kiki, 200.

kikim to put close together.

kikillakap < kikt, ZOO.

kikirakurum to stop up all [holes in a wall].

kipmom, ócen - to hold a spear at the ready.

kipmomie < kipmom, 176.

kirim (138) to carve [?].

kokojniawer always to get loose and fall down [ripe fruit].

kokomtaw to piek, to gather [fruit].

kokómtawmés < kokomtaw, 144.

kokómtawór < kokomtaw, 155.

konaw to come towards the land, to come inland. konawamis to come towards the land in order to sleep there. kónawamsá < konawamis, 109. konawámseres < konawamis, 155. konawap to come towards the land and stay there. konawáperes < konawap, 155. konawes to come up or upwards during the night. konawfiw to come to the land and go indoors. konátvfiwerés < konawfiw, 155. konawkapu, wa - to come landwards until the forest is reached [the rising tide]. konáwkapumár < konawkaPIl, 144. konawmesem to come swimming close to the bank. konawomses to come ashore and pass the night with. kónawomséspenem < konawomses, 152. kor very, to a high degree, plenty of; too; awut - too large, too big; jiwi - a small child. korá < kor, 34. Korè personal name. Kosér name of a jew in the village of Jepém. K osór -+ K osér. kow many, much. ku, mu - to have dried up. to have run away [water]; to become dry [by rising above the water or because the water has run away]. kuap to go ashore and stay there. kuaworem to change into [on the land]. kuaworemè < kuaworem, 162. kuáworémer < kuaworem, 155. kuaworemes to change into [on the land] during the night [subject standing]. kuáworémesmi < kuaworemes, 144. kuawores to change into during the night [on the land]. kUaworésmar < kuawores, 144. kujurumap, eem - to go ashore, build a house and stay there. kujttrumáPeaw < kujllrumap, 125. kukár kind of bird. kukuas to spread Iike wildfire [a rumour].

kukuku.. onomatopoeia reproducing a) the thumping of paddIes against the gunwales of a canoe; b) the call of the ojum bird.

kukuramitum to agree upon something in the evening.

kukurámitumár < kukuramitl/11I, 144.

kukure to win over.

kumîs, amás - roasted bali of sago.

kuomis to go ashore and sleep with.

kuomsá < kuomis, 109.

kupoporcmapmes to roll onto the land at night [object sitting].

kupoporemápmesmár < kupoporemapmes, 144.

kuri teacher [loan-word from Malay, = glIru].

kurkur.. onomatopoeia reproducing the soUnd of many people talking together.

Kt/rum personal name.

kurumap to sit and beat the drums.

kurumtewer to touch and take, to get hold of.

kus head; now - head of a head-hunted man.

kl~wUs - kus.

M

m interjection: oh I hey I. 'm interjection, indicating a sudden start to an action. ma interjection by which disagreement or dissatisfaction is expressed: oh no 1 really 1 Ma name of a river. macatiw < catiw, IlO, 183, 239. maci < ei 4; IlO, 183, 239. macimtewer < eimtewer, IlO, 183 239. mácir an embrace. maciw kind of snake. maciwa < maciw, 34. máeeen < e 4; 125. maémarlwces < emariw, 125. máemsáweráw < emsawer, 125. máemtepeaw < cmtep, 125. máenaweáw < enaw, 125. máenawcáwa < máenaweáw, 34. máeseés < es 2, 3; 125. máescésa < máeseés, 34. maf < af I, 2; IlO, 183, 239. mafè < maf, 33.

mafafujcemaráw < fafuj, 136. mafámami < fam I, 2; 144. mait to chop in the morning. Mait _ Majit. máitmár < mait, 144. maj 1 foot. maj 2 roU of sago: a body of sago, cylindrical in shape, ± 12 inch long, formed by putting two pomán together. Maj name of a river. májamiscaw < amis, 125. majámseraw < amis, 125. majáperaw < ap 2; 125. májatvérnes < eawer, 125. maji < jj 5; IlO, 183, 239. majie < ji 5; 116. majiPor < jipor, IlO, 183, 239. majireaw < jir 3, 4; 125. majirimpor < jirimpor, IlO, 183, 239. májiririmsemoróm < jiririmsc11l, 155. májirporim < jirpor I, 2; 120 majirsé < jirse, 110, 183, 239. májisaweráw < jisawcr, 125. majispori < jispor, 116. majistewer < jistewer, 110, 183, 239. majit - majk. Majlt name of a jew in the viUage of Surt!. majmiremaném < ajmirem, 155. majmireméspun < ajmiremes, 155. májmireméspunè < májmireméspun, 33. májmirémewérpun < ajmiremawer, 137, note. májmirémewérpunè < májmirémewérpun, 33. májmiremk < ajmirem, 176. májmirimómewérpes (320) instead of májmirimómampes, < ajmirimomewer, 152. májmirimómewérpesá < májmirimómewérpes, 34. majom < eom, 110, 183, 239. májperáw < ap 2; 125. májpcráwa < májprráw. majsás < jisas, IlO, 183, 239. malslrer < jisir, 155. májsiréra < májsirér, 34. majti < jit I, 2; 116. majwir < jiwir, 110, 183, 239. mak back; amás - layer of sago in the sump trough [jee]; onów - the roof of a house. makámlewer < kamtewer, 110, 183,239.

makán 1 - e 4; ji 5. makáll 2 < akan 2; 110, 183, 239. makanám rack above the fireplace, on which firewood is dried or fish is smoked. makáP kind of shell fish. makawi < kawi 2; 110, 183, 239. makawic < kawi 2; 116. makawimop < kawimop, 110, 183, 239. makik fishline and hook. makmák piled up. makmiámislllar < kamiamis, 144. makoná~t'amsáji < kOllawamis, 112. mákpill with crosser! arms. mam < a11l 7, 8; 110, 183, 239. mámakán < amakall, 110, 183, 239. mámakanó < mámaká1!. 33. mamánem < manem, 110, 183, 239. mamátiw < 11latiw, 110, 183, 239. 111amcup th ree ; much. mamésasesémeroniawér < 1/Iesaseseml'rolliawer, 110, 183, 239. mamis < amis, 110, 183, 239. mámkomáll, < amkolllall, 110, 183, 239. mámkomána < mámkomán, 34. mamóe < moe 2; 110, 183, 239. mamót - ma111ÓC. mámpiawér < ampiawer, 110, 183, 239. mamllsájmos < a11111S 3; 113. man 1 emphasizing word, 247. man 2 hand. man 3 < all 3; 110, 183, 239. manáfakam < nafakam, 110, 183, 239. mánakap < man 2; 185. manám 1 < manám pok binding material: rope, string, rattan; - jik, jikapom. manám 2 in love with, - af 2. lIIallám 3 < lIam 5; 110, 183, 239. manamitamis [?] to prick each other, to scratch each other [said of fishes with spines]. mallálllitámser (279) < 11Ianalllitamis [?], 155. mallapór < lIapor, 110, 183, 239. malláwer < lIawer, 110, 183, 239. malláweres < twwer, 125. lIIánawerów < nawer, 125. mánllwerowè < 11lánawerów, 33. mánea < an 3; 120. málleasin < an 3; 120. lIIáncasinll < máneasin, 34. ma.lleén < an 3; 116.

manè < 1/1011 1; 33. Malléfakat personal name. Malléfakatá < Malléfakat, 34. maném to chop down, to cut down. lI1allémorém < mallWI, 155. mallémllm < nelllllll1, 110, 183, 239. mánet < liet 2; 110, 183, 239. man! < lIi 4, 5: 110, 183, 239. mani < all 3; 116. manie < 011 3; 116. 1IIalliém < niem, 110, 183, 239. /i.·ollifolll < nifalll, 110, 183, 239. 11111lli11l, lIIillip - to forget. /1/11llima < lIi 4, 5; 144. 11I11llimcemi < mallim, 136. 11I11llimemeráplll11 < nimclIIcrap, 144. 11111lliól1lcCmllés < lli0111, 136. 11l1ll!i()/'sópmi < lIiorsop, 144. mllllisllwcm < nisllwelll, 110, 183, 239. mallitaj < nitaj, 110, 183, 239. mallitájè < manitaj, 33. manitatcpiaPi < Ilitatepiap, 116. mallitl'wcr < lIitl!'1uer, 110, 183, 239. manitl!'1ui < nitcw, 116. 1Ilamnák 1 eye; 'Iooking'. manmák 2 section [marked off on the trunk of the feUed sago palm; of the roof of the jcw,' the owner of a firepi ace in the jew is also the owner of the section of thatch right above it. Hence probably: group, family (328) [see sketch p. 367]. lIIall1l1irafmor < namirafalll, 155. mantám look-out post; ow - a lookout. 1Ilanwtlw < IIIIWIIW. 110, 183, 239. 11Ianwuwo < mamollw, 33. maokmo11l to chop down and start to \Vork on [a sago palm]. 11Iáokomé11ltamclll < oko1llell1tdm, 116. map ahead, first, foremost. mapájfiraPi < pajfirap, 116. 1Ilapájl/YI/. < pajllrtl, 110, 183, 239. mapapájimue < papajim, 116. lIIapaPájimtit - mapapájimtlc. lIIáPaperimóp < paperilllop, 110, 183, 239. 11IaPáPuj < papIIj, 110, 183, 239. 11Iapeájkllkuás < pacajklllwas, 110, 183, 239. mapeájkllkllasè < pacajlwkllas, 162. mápecés < pe 2; 125. 1IlapePértaw < apepertaw, 110, 183, 239.

mapi < ap 2; 116. masnim - másinerim. mapic < ap 2; 116. masnirim - másillerim. mapio < mapi, 33. masomit < somit, 110, 183, 239. másormonicén < sormoni, 116. M apiw name of a jew in the village of Jepém. M áspic personal name. mápjit < apjit, 110, 183, 239. musumtewer < sumtewer, 110, 183, 239. mapmór < mapom, 155. masuml/tum < suml/tl/m, 110, 183, 239. mapnawér < apnawer, 110, 183, 239. maszlmutllmcén < Sll1nlltum, 116. mapnawérè < mapnawér, 33. maszlwem < suwem, 110, 183, 239. mapom to chop, to hit. maták < tak, 110, 183, 239. mapomjim < apomjim, 110, 183, 239. matakáj < takaj, 110, 183, 239. mapómkllrllcóm < apomkltYlt, 125. matakám < takam I, 2; 110, 183, 239. mapómtewér < apomtewer, 110, 183, matákfiw < takfiw, 110, 183, 239. 239. matákmatam < takmatam, 110, 183, 239. mapór < por, 110, 183, 239. matáknap < taknap, 110, 183, 239. mapórjarawer < porjarawcr, 110, 183, matákoweróm < takowerom, 110, 183. 239. 239. mapórjllrsum < porjursllm, 110, 183, matam < atam 2; 110, 183, 239. 239. Matámjen personal name. mapsapu < apsapu, 110, 183, 239. matámjik < atamjik, 110, 183, 239. mapu (274) usually to chop [?]. matápom < tapom 1; 183, 239. maPl1c < ap 3; 116. matátam < tatam 2; 110, 183, 239. mápurámseráw < pllra1llis, 125. matatáw < tataw, 110, 183, 239. mar ball [Ioan-word from Dutch, matátiw < tatiw, 110, 183, 239. bal]. matáw < taw 1, 2; 110, 183, 239. matáwacem < taw 1, 2; 165. maré - mariw. lIIaréa < maré, 34. matáwenem < tawenem, 110, 183, 239. maréw - mariw. matawér < atawcr, IlO, 183, 239. lIIaréwa < maréw, 34. matáunnemsém < tawmemsem, 110, 183, mari _ mariw. 239. mariw ready, finished, done; at last. matáwni < tawni, 110, 183, 239. matáwsimfawós < tawsim, 162. mariwáp < ariwap, 110, 183, 239. lIIasájwut < sajwllt, 110, 183, 239. maté rib of the frond of a young sago masakám < sakam, 110, 183, 239. palm [Malay: gaba-gaba]. maté < ate, 110, 183, 239. masakámtampór < saka11lta1llpor, 110, 183, 239. máteperes < tep 1; 125. masam to chop away. máterem to split by cutting. masámtewer < asamti'wcr, 110, 183, matetám < tetam, 110, 183, 239. 239. mátetamuc < te tam, 116. masamllc < sam, 116. mátetamuca < mátetamuc, 34. masé < se 2, 3; 110, 183, 239. mátetaplllllc < atetapom, 116. nzáserapóm < serapom, lID, 183, 239. mátetapmuca < mátetapmtic, 34. maserim - mási,~erim. matewer 1 to chop down and take away. masi < si 3, 4, 5; IlO, 183, 239. mátewér 2 < matewer, 155. masias11lzlc < siasa11l, 116. matewét < tewet, 110, 183, 239. 1IIasim - at 2. matewi < tew, 116. matéwtakám < tewtakam, 110, 183, 239. másinerim then, thereupon. masiótemcf < siotemet, 110, 183, 239. matimár < ti 3; 144. másiporáji < sipor, 112. matitiemi < titiem, 155. masirifis < sirifis 1, 2; 110, 183, 239. matiw to cut down; tow - to cut down masirim _ másinerim. a sago palm with the object of its being used as a breeding place by the caprimasllerim - másinerfm.

com beetle. [Af ter two months the grubs are then full-grown and are eaten]. matmómpor < atmómpor, 110, 183, 239. matowój < towoj, 110, 183, 239. matówomiserés < towomis, 155. matott'ómsejáw < towomse, 162. matowómser < towomse, 155. matuwse < tuwse, 110, 183, 239. mátuwuw < tuwuw, 110, 183, 239. maurumni < urttmni, 110, 183, 239. maw < aw 5, 6; 110, 183, 239. mawán < awan 1, 2; 110, 183, 239. mawáno < mawán, 33. mawér < awer 2, 3; 110, 183, 239. mawit star. má1t,kam < wakam, 110, 183, 239. máwkuw < awkuw, 110, 183, 239. mawllámos < awan 1, 2; 113. mawnámosá < mawná11l0s, 34. mawór < awor, 110, 183, 239. maworémkurum < awore11lkurtt11l, 110, 183, 239. mawór < awor, 110, 183, 239. 11lawsemuc < awsem, 116. < awtewcr, 110, 183, 239. 11láwtewcr me 1, me, staggering (291). me 2 mouth. me 3 < e 4; 110, 183, 239. M ec name of a river [Z uid Eilanden river]. M ecëmup the region on both sides of the mouth of the M cc; the villages lying in this area, i.e. Amisu, Ac, ArNanim, Atámuc, Cowéw-Jaméw, Esinkom [now extinct], J ow, Kawét, Micim-Sosó [now extinct], Miwár, Ománesep. mekenéc < kene, 116. mékurum < ekurllm, 110, 183, 239. memáji < cm 3, 4; 112. memámfewer < emamtc7C'cr, 110, 183. 239. mémamtewérpokom < emamtewer, 155. memán < eman, 110, 183, 239. memánemér < emanem, 155. memáp < emap, 110, 183, 239. memawér < emawer 1, 2; 110, 183, 239. mémcimtewér < emcimtewer, 110, 183, 239. memém < emcm 1; 110, 183, 239. memémerem 'since you are there', < emem 1; 155.

mem!c < em 3; 116. memjar < emjar, 110, 183, 239. memji < emji, 110, 183, 239. memjic < emji, 116. mémotásisimawér < emotasisimawer, 110, 183, 239. mémpePém < empepem, 110, 183, 239. mempór < empor 1, 2; 110, 183, 239. mempori < empor 1, 2; 116. mémsemapmuj < mesemapom, 155. mémtamporén < emtampor, 116. memtém < me tem, 110, 183, 239. memtémaw < metemaw, 110, 183, 239. memtémeman < metemema1l.110. 183, 239. memtémtewer < metemtewer, 110, 183, 239. memtomir < metomir, 110, 183, 239. memtomis < metomis, 110, 183, 239. memtótep < metotep, 110, 183, 239. men blade [of a paddie ], sharp edge [of an axe, knife, digging stick], point [of a spear, lance, needie] ; jer - the space directly behind the fish trap where the fish are caught. M e1lák personal name; abbreviation of Menákpic. Menákpic man's name. menáwmi < enaw, 144. menéstewer < enestewer, lID, 183, 239. mer 1 Iightning. mer 2 a day [period of time], time; to he or to go out on a day's (fishing etc.), thus: amás -; enmum -; makik -; os -; Wli-; mér cowák one day; all at once. mer 3, mer - to catch crabs. meramis to go towards and !ie down; to reach towards [subject Iying]. merámser < meramis, 155. merap to go upstream and stay there, to go towards and stay there. meratam to go towards to chop. M erauke name of a town on the south coast of lrian Barat. n!l!ra7C'l'r, mer - to fish, to catch crabs, all day long. merem to go to the far end of.. and stay there. meremap to go toward anel sit down. meremsem, mIl já - to make water reach a certain point. 11lerjasi to go to the far end of.. and turn round; to go upstream and turn back.

merjap to go towards and sit down while speaking.

merjaPá < merjap, 109.

merni to go downstream to look for food.

merom to go towards and stand by.

merpapuj to head off by going upstream.

mcrsi to row upstream [on a large river] and enter a side river.

mersuwem to go towards and begin to do.

merwuapotll to go towards and stop up. mes 1 companions, family; enéw - mother and her companions [the women with whom she usually goes out. to fish or to scrape out sago]; SumUj - Sumuj and his family.

mes 2 < es 2, 3; 110, 183, 239.

mesakajipirem to keep close to [subject standing].

mesam, mesám mesám pok trifles.

mesamis, cenés - to lie down on the floor; 176.

mesari [?] to come alongside [in a canoe].

mésarimár (273) < mesari [?], 144.

mesasesemeroniawer to carry back home in stages [e.g. a heavy bag].

lnesem to stand near something, along something.

mesemapom to put something against, along .. ; ómus - to leave the ómus in the trunk of the sago palm.

meumjirmem to put [a paddIe] in [the mud] beside [the canoe], [object standing].

mesenaw to come upstream along [the bank of the river].

mesép spittIe.

mesés < ses 2; IlO, 183, 239.

mesétak < setak, IlO, 183, 239.

mesjotep to go upstream along the bank of the river while doing something.

mesmáPmorém < mesemapom, 155.

mesnim smelI.

M esók personal name.

Mesókä < Mesók, 34.

mesom to stand beside .. , to stand guard by.

mesomic < mesom, 176.

mesop to sit by, keeping guard.

WORD LIST 335 metem, pok - to take care of the food. metemaw to scrape out more sago; to scrape out sago in addition t~. méten 2 (319) in addition, moreover.

mesopér < mesop, 155.

metám < etam, 110, 183, 239.

metamUj < etam, 155.

metememan to get more food.

metemtewer to fetch more; to fetch in addition t~.

meUn 1 arm-band.

metép < tep I, 2; 110, 183, 239.

metéptewer < teptewer, 110, 183, 239.

metewénem < tewenem, 110, 183, 239.

metewér < tewer 2, 3; 110, 183, 239.

métewerásmos (322) < tewerasam [?], 113.

métewerásmosá < métewerásmos, 34.

meteweri < tewer 2; 116.

méteweric < tewcr 2; 116.

metétvji < tewji, 110, 183, 239.

métiw the elder of two people; term of address to an elder brother or sister; cepés - an elder woman, wife.

metmát < temat, 110, 183, 239.

métmeti < temet, 116.

metoein to take upriver, to accompany

upriver, - en. metomir to accompany to the other side of the river.

metos to accompany someone here [coming along a side river].

metotep to take upriver, to accompany upriver, - tep.

métotepcá < metotep, 120.

metotnaw to accompany someone here [coming along a main river].

metótnawfés < metotnaw, 162.

mew < ew 4; 110, 183, 239.

mewá (317) < am ewá.

M ewerósakat personal name.

mewór kind of par rot with bright coloured feathers [red and green].

Mewórpic man's name.

mewsén 'duckboard': tree-trunk, fixed between stakes, laid down the bank of the river and across which one can reach the water when the tide is low without getting the feet dirty.

méwtiw < ewtiw, 110, 183, 239.

méwtiwáji < e'wtiw, 112.

mi 1 nose, extreme point of; face, outward appearance; 'of the same group':

na mi ow we are among ourselves; man - the finger tips. mi 2 lime. mi 3 (296) the right side [in contradistinction to the left side]. mia (286) < mi 2; 34. mie 1 full-grown sago palm, just aOOut to flower. mie 2 - jowomie. mide moss, seaweed; moe - a flood of tears. Midm-Sosó name of a village. mieieimpór < eieimpor, 110, 183, 239. micuwán groaning, mumbling, muff1ed sound of voices. mifán averse to. mi/is < fis 2; 110, 183, 239. mijimir < jimir, 110, 183, 239. mijisóm < jisom, 110, 183, 239. mijispûm < jispum, 110, 183, 239. mijiMmcenem < jitum, 125. mijitûmcenemó < mijitûmeenem, 33. mijóm < jom, 110, 183, 239. mikin young sago palm; Wlt - young sago palm of which only the edible top will be removed. mimi 1 filter, consisting of a plug of scraped out sago pith which is put at the entrance of the sump trough, - jee. mimi 2 pressing on, against; jammed. miminip to think, thinking. mimis, as - soft shit; moe - tears. mimiwtiwtam < miwtiwtam, 110, 183, 239. mimkam kind of liana. mináf thinking only of; moe - thinking only of wailing; now - thinking only of the head-hunting feast; jo - doing nothing but rowing. minakap < mi 1, 2; 185. Minimap name of a river. minimir < nimir, 110, 183, 239. miniP thought, thinking. minkûm snout; jo - the land at OOth sides of the mouth of a si de river. minó piece, lump. M'Înwûj personal name. mipaeák chock-full, full with. mipimá < pi 2, 3; 144. mipipim < pipim, 110, 183, 239. MiPie name of a mythical giant. miPici very large.

mipitijamapmóp < pitijamap, 144. miPor at random, carelessly. mirám bundie, small bag. Mis personal name. misá the root of the nose. miserim - másinerim. misi < si 3, 4, 5; 110, 183, 239. Misimit < Mis, 195. misin sand. misi < sit, 110, 183, 239. M ismám comman name of the villages Su ru and Ewér. mistém < sitem, 110, 183, 239. misti < sit, 116. misun abdomen. misur pole, flag-pole. mit to thrust, to stick. mitá nasal mucus. mitapmá < mitapom. 109. mitáPmor < mitapom, 155. mitapmtij < mitapom, 155. mitapmûn < mitapom, 155. mitapom to stick, to thrust [a spear] into. [obj eet sitting]. miem to stick, to prick [object standing]. Mitewer personal name. Mitewéra < Mitewér, 34. mititiwtameów < titiwtam. 120. mititiwtameówè < mititiwtameów, 33. mitiwismue < tiwisi11l, 116. mitiwtcwcr < tiwtcwer, 110, 183, 239. mitiwltmtte < tiWll1n, 116. mitur kind of shrub. Mitur formerly a jew in the village of lepém. MituroPis the people belonging to the jew Mitûr. M iwár name of a village. M iwirpie personal name. Miwirpieá < Miwirpie, 34. Miwirpieakáp < Miwirpie, 195. Miwirpieó < Miwirpic, 33. Miwirpitsimit < Miwirpic, 195. miwis husbands [pl.]. miwpom (326) to put down in rows [?]. miwpomór < miwpo1n, 155. miwtiwtam to spread [a sleeping mat] out for. ma 1 husband [s.]. mo 2 hole. mo 3 vomiting, - kawós. móa < mo 1; 34.

moá/ < oal, 110, 183, 239. momásienawut -. momásienawue. 1II0aplie < oap, 116. momátawlle < taw 1, 2; 116. momátercmuc < matcrclII, 116. 1II0aput -. moapue. 111 0 e 1 crying, wailing. momáteweric < tewer 1; 116. 1II0mátcwerit -. momátewcric. moe 2, moe - to cry, to wail; pllrumllc - to sing dirges. momáwesi < awes, 116. mocájipuruw < moe 2; 114. momáwmapnllic < awumapom, 116. 1110cájipuruwa < mocájipllruw, 34. mómaumaWlrl < aWllawcr, 116. mocamár < mocawer, 144. momawni < awan 1, 2; 116. mocamés < mocawer, 144. moméc < e 4; 116. mocamPés < mocawer, 152. mómemsmc < emsiri, 116. mocawer continually to cry, to wail. mómerwllápmllc < merwllapom, 116. mócesmép < moces, 152. moméweri < ewer, 116. mocó wet; wetness, moisture. 1Il01lljájemasmûc < fafe1llasam, 116. mocóaPi < coap 1, 2; 116. 1IIómjawm < eawcr, 116. mocóm < com 3, 4, 5; 110, 183, 239. mómjikemuc < jikc1ll, 116. moco1llewer continually to stand wailing. m01lljinijic < jini, 116. mocónzewermár (300) = mocómamár, mómjirmemuc < jirimclll, 116. < mocomewer, 144. mómjitnemuc < jitnem, 116. 1II0cómopawér < comopawer, 110, 183, mómjitnótewi < jilllotew, 116. 239. 1/I0llljiluml" < citllm, 116. mócoPi < cop, 116. momjUumut -. mómjitlll1luC, 116. móè < mo 1; 33. mómjursómiwirln < omjursomawer, mofasie < olasi, 116. 171. molasim < ofasim, 110, 183, 239. mÓlllniemic < niem, 116. mófasimtewer < olasimfewer, 110, 183, mómniemlt -. mómlliemic. 239. mómllitamuc < nitam, 116. mokokójnieft'eréji < kokojniawer, 112. mómokómtiwÎc < okomliw, 116. mokokóm < okokom, 110, 183, 239. m01llómirselokóm < omomirse, 162. 1II0kokómtewer < kokomtewer, 110, momómirselokóma < fllOlIIómirsefokóm, 34. 183, 239. 111ók01110111Sé < k01ll0mse, 110, 183, 239. mómolller (325) omómoniér, < mokómtewér < kOllltewer, 11e, 183, omom<Jlli, 155. 239. momóp < omop 2; 110, 183, 239. 1IIóko"awlic < konaw, 116. 111011l0romtiw to kill [a pig]. mókonawuca < mókonawuc, 34. momPllmtiwic < pllmliw, 116. 11l0msasakámasllluc < sasakamasam, 116. mokó"i < kojni, 110, 183, 239. lIIómsasákamlic < sasakam, 116. mokóp face downwards, on the stomach; upside down [a canoe]. mÓlllseáwiri < seawey, 116. momsi1l101llie < simom, 116. mokót sago garden: part of the marshy areas where the sago palms grow; 1nómtaka11lji11ltiwic < taka11ljimtiw, 116. owned by a specific man. momtémte11lic < temetcm, 116. momtetálllcin < tcta11l, 116. M0111ác name of a river [Le Cocq d' Armandville river]. mómtetámciná < mómtetámcin, 34. mómaiimue < fim, 116. mÓl11titiwic < titiw, 116. momani < oman, 155. mómtiwkáfmnuc < tiwkafll1n, 116. mÓlllaokmomic < maokmom, 116. mómtlwll1/lIiC < tiwlIm, 116. momáokmomit -. momáokmomic. mOllltiWÛYlI11111c < tiWlIYlIlII, 116. momápeperic < apeper, 116. mOl11tllwséc < luwse, 116. momáPeperócini < apeperocin, 116. mómwiénawllc < iwiellaw, 116. momapómkomuc < apomkom, 116. mómwiénawlit -. mómwiéllawllc. mómwllwulIIcsi < WllWlltIlCS, 116. momas to chop away. momásiénawllc < asienaw, 116. mónoy < onor, 110, 183, 239.

mónorómcen < onorom, 116. mop, awón - to strike, stab, to give someone a thwack [with). mopac < mop, 165. moPáces < mop, 165. mopán trunk of a tree, especially tbe lower part of it; kamák - the root of the ginger. mopánakap < mopán, 185. mopór < por, 110, 183, 239. mopórem < porem, 110, 183, 239. mopores (321) 'so that they wouldn't see' < por, 125 [?). mopori < por, 116. mopórjar < porjar, 110, 183, 239. mopórjit < porjit, 110, 183, 239. moporóm < porom, 110, 183, 239. mopóromomis < poromomis, 110, 183, 239. moporómtewen < poromtewen, 110, 183, 239. mopórporemi < porporem, 155. mopórpor' < porpor, 116. mopórporia < mopórpori, 34. mopórsaméwirir < porsamawer, 17l. mopórtewét < portewet, 110, 183, 239. mopów < pow 4; 110, 183, 239. mopówpor < powpor, 110, 183, 239. mormor . . interjection, indicating tbe crawling of a mass of sago grubs. morwót kind of duck. Mos name of a jew in the village of lepém. mósirimták < osirimtak, 110, 183, 239. moskóm -+ mosokóm. mosokóm < sokom, 110, 183, 239. M ósopis the people belonging to the jcw Mos. mosów < sow, 110, 183, 239. mot 1 -+ moe 1, 2. mot 2 < ot, 110, 183, 239. motamu broad and flat [said of noses). motaw < otaw, 110, 183, 239. motiw to retch. motiwér < motiw, 155. motjarawer continually to walk round wailing. motn; to go downriver while wailing, to go back home while wailing. mótowómsefaw < towomse, 162. motowómsemém < towomse, 144. mow 1 the young prop roots of the

pandanus tree; the fibres obtained from these roots. mow 2, mot se - to throw oneself in the mud while wailing. Mow name of a river. mówa (294) -+ mow 2. M ówakap name of a river, 195. mowawer, mot se - continually to throw oneself in the mud while wailing. mówawerém < mowawer, 125. mówawerémo < mówawerém, 33. mówerompór < owerompor 110, 183, 239. mowórse < oworse, 110, 183, 239. mowséc half-way; the middle of the journey. mowsécè (283) -+ mowséc. Mówsimit name of a river, 195. mu 1 water; period, season; enám the season in which there is an abundance of fish; jiwi - the period in which the tide is low at night and high during the day: ± February and March. Traditionally this is the season for warfare and head-hunting; muwu - the period in which the tide rises in the evening and starts to ebb during the night: ± April and May; pir - the period of moonlit nights; pu - high tide; ti - very high water in a river, caused by heavy rainfall; wa - pool of rain water, water-hole. mu 2 feast; pok - idem. mu 3 turtle. mu 4 large, much [?); ek - a large stone, -+ anem. mu 5, mu - to bathe. muä < mu 1; 34. muamis 1 to lie down [asleep) af ter bathing. muamis 2 (294) to throw oneself down [ ?). muapóm < wuapom, 110, 183, 239. mucucum < cucum, 110, 183, 239. mI/cm, mIl - to go and bathe. muemic < muem, 116. ml/emlca < muemic, 34. ml/ján -+ mifán. mulUm < fum 2; 110, 183, 239. mujsaw cumulus clouds. mujU < ju 5; 110, 183, 239. Muká formerly a jew in the village of lepém.

mltkáp < kltap, 110, 183, 239. mukukure < kltkl/re, 110, 183, 239. lIlukumár < kit, 144. mukurumtewér < kllrllmtewer, IlO, 183, 239. mumlt I, te - heavy rain, downpour; awu mumlt ján the sound made by striking one's breast [the striking of the breast is a sign of utter amazement]. mltmll 2 - eomewer. munakap < mu 1; 185. mupicin c1othes. mupu < pit 5, 6; 110, 183, 239. mupuawér < puawer, IlO, 183, 239. mupuawéra < mltpltawér, 34. mltri, onók - rafters. 1/Iurumtewer < Itrumtewer, IlO, 183, 239. mils bamboo water container. musum < Slim, 110, 183, 239. mltsumtewer < sumtewer, IlO, 183, 239. lIIusumtewereár < smntcwcr, 120. musumtewercára < musumtewercár, 34. mltsltmtewi < slim tew, 116. musumufrlm < SUml/tllnt, 110, 183, 239. 1/lllsumutmnrlC < sl/1/lufllm, 116. muSltntrltl/muca < tnusmnrit/lmue, 34. mltsrlwumomis < Sllwllmomis, IlO, 183, 239. mlltam to present someone with .. ; to pay for .. ml,tir octopus. mutiwtam to pay for. mutiu,tamór < mutiwfam, 155. mI/WIl - mu 1.

N

'11 - in I, 2; 258, 259. lIa - nat, 246. na 2 - nar, 207. uafakam, jak - to eat one's fi11. "aitmn to eat in the afternoon, evening. najitipic enormous, gigantic. najitipicèj enormous [emphatic form]. najitipit _ najitipie. /lak 1 true, real, pure. nak 2 don't [in sentences containing 3 mild reproof such as is kor nák don't sleep 50 long!; atakám nak now, stop talking].

naká < nak I, 2; 34. nakó < nak I, 2; 33. nakurum to eat up everything. nákrtrumás, mu - having drunk all. nakurumpor to try to eat up everything. nakurumsem to drink all up. nákurumsémeemop < nakurllmsem, 141. nam 1 _ nar, nor, 217. nam 2 body. 1Iam 3 ill. nam 4 - pomán. nam 5 to feed. náma < nam 1; 34. N ámewfáksimit personal name. nami in a bunch, with many together. namicim to take away from above [?]. namieltkewer all to disappear always in the forest. namieukewérmero < Ilamieukewer, 174. namin white ant. namir dead, perished, - af 2. namirafam to cause to die. N amkáj name of a jew in the village of Amánamkáj. Ilamké ashamed. 1Iamós pleased with, satisfied. namsóm we know it, I know it. lIamUj my brother-in-law [term of address and of reference among relatives]. námun on the quiet, secretly. IlmlUsimapom to spread out in, to put [sago] in [a bag] while crumbling it. tlanasimapmor < nanasimapom, 155. lIani 1 heap of objects, not packed together; loose, - am 8. nani 2, juwrlr - the whimpering of a dog. naninakas < nani 1; 187. twnwis shattered. nap to eat and sit; to have eaten. napercs < nap, 155. napi white, light-coloured. Iwpvr to taste, to try to eat, to want to cat. Napli name of a river. nar we, us, our; 207-219. 71arám - nar, 215. naráP - nar, 214. lIaráw shallow [of a river, when the tide is low]. náriw males of one's own generation ; 'brothers'.

nas [it' s] mine. nasam to eat up, to eat much. nád cooked rice [Ioan-word from Malay]. nat emphasizing word, 246. natá < nat, 34. nawer to keep on eating, to eat much. nè ~ nesén. nee raw. nej ~ ni 1. nem to faU down [rain]. nemeén angry, pugnacious. nemcénakas < nemeén, 200. ncmésnakap cautious. nemét (290), nemét emár not so bigl nemsá be carefull don't hurry I nemsánakap slow. nemsop to have disappeared, to have given out. nemum to let go, to aUow to escape. nemwer to hurry on, to take to one's heels. nep sun, child. néPnakapiriw < nep, 188. nes 1 flesh, meat; amás - sago pith; J ePém - jipic a kinsman of people in Jepém. nes 2 to eat at night. nesé this side of the river, our side of the river. nesén empty, without; without doing harm (320); with only, with nothing else but; just, without more ado; loose (332); in vain (337). neséno < nesén, 33. nesmin, nesmin asén, just anywhere. nésnakap < nes 1; 185. net 1 spirit, ghost. net 2 to provide for someone, to take care of someone. Net name of ariver. nétipic spirit-man, ghost-man. nétnakap < "ec, 186. new 1 postposition, 255. new 2 ~ nor, 208. newá < new 1; 34. newét elder brother [term of address as weU as and of reference, used among relatives]; husband [term of address as weU as of reference, used by a wife]. newétè < newèt, 33. néwirum < nawer, 171.

ni 1 comel ni 2 ~ niwi. lIi 3 dance; fa - kind of dance, performed by women when a child is seriously ill or dying. ni 4 to descend, to go down [celestial bodies]; to go downriver on or along a large river; to go to the river; to go back home [see sketch p. 364]. ni 5, ni - to dance. nia < ni 1, 2; 34. niakap to descend to and stay near .. niamár < niawer, 144. lliamis 1 to!ie down on the floor; to go home to sleep. niamis 2 to start out with many people in canoes; to row downstream with many people. niamsi < niamis 1; 116. niamsia < niamsi 1; 34. niap to sit down, to go home and stay there; to have gone home. niapá < niap, 109. niaPér < "iap, 155. lIiapóf < "iap, 162. niapom to put down [object sitting]; to stick [a spear] into .. niasimomis to!ie down together under .. niawer always to go downriver, to go to the river, to go back home; to keep on going downriver, to the river, back home. niawerap to descend and sit down on tbe edge of, on the extreme end of. niaworse to go into the water and change into. niáworséc < niaworse, 116. nicimsem to shoot an arrow into the water. lIicomtiw to hide someone urtder. nicomtiwites < nicomtiw, 168. niem to go below and stand; to have gone below, downstream, home [subj ect standing]. niemfés < niem, 162. nies to dance during the night. niesmár < nies, 144. nifam, jo - to wait downstream for daybreak. nifampum to push [a canoe] from the bank into the water. nifesap to be stuck; having sunk down [e.g. in a bog].

Ilifesapmi < lIifesap, 144. nifesopom [?] to siok down [in a oog] and be stuck there (302). Ilifesopómitè (302) < nifesopom, 168 [ ?]. nifiw to go home and go indoors; to go downstream and enter [a house]. nifiwá < nifiw, 109. nifiwes to go downstream and enter [a house] at night. nifiwlc < nifiw, 116. nij -+ lIi 1. nijamamis to lie down on the OOttom [a big thing]. nijamtiw to topple [a large tree] over; to fall down on something large [?] (266). lIijap to go home and speak; teptep. - to shrink down. nijimemfam to fetch from above and put down for someone [object standing]. nijirimuw all to set out in canoes. nijise, mu Wil - to go into the water and begin to waggle one's fins [fishl. lIijukllm to stretch to the river [a clearing in the forest]. nijl/kltmapomtam to put things down together for someone. nijllkumtiw to lay down together. nijukûmtiwéf < nijukumtiw, 162. nikajap all to have returned [e.g. from camp]. nim like, as though; a litde in tht direction of: er - a little bit to that side; arán - a little bit to the upstream side. nimár < ni 4; 144. nimatiw to go home and chop down. nimc11Ierap to begin to go down [sun]. nimémerapá < nimemerap, 109. nin/ir to look for. nimirsem to search for fish in shallow water, to feel about for fish. nimirsemá < nimirsem, 109. nimomop (336) to fell [a sago palm] and work on it [?]. nimlt, mu - to descend to the water and bathe. nimuamis to throw oneself down. nimltamsér < nimuamis, 155. nimus to disappear in the forest. nin daughter-in-law [s.].

11 in!, manmák - presenting a fine sight, a feast for the eyes. Nillim name of a river. ninukamis to get in the canoe with many people and set out. nin1vis daughters-in-law [pl.], 190. ItÎ011l to go down and stand by; to go home and start to work on. lIiomawer, ni - to dance in honour of [a guest]. niómewirir < niomawer, 171. niomitum, ni - to dance for someone during the evening. niompuw to go into the water with. niólllPuwaró < niompuw, 165. lIioml/w to go to the river and depart with .. [in a canoe]. lIiOlllllWá < Iliomllw, 109. niomuwcemes < niomuw, 136. niomuwpom < niomuw, 155. niomuwpomá < lIiomziwpom, 34. niop to have sunk down with .. ; to go home and sit with [something], by [someone]. nioPér < lIiop, 155. lIiorsop to have sunk down up to the chest with. nipirim to go to the river and wash. nipita1l1is, is - to go home and go to sleep. nipitamsér < lIipifamis, 155. lIiporemap to sit down with and have intercourse with. niporo1l1jiwis to get into a canoe in order to depart [a number of people]. nisaj to get into the canoes [many people]. nisajerés < nisaj, 155. nisaramcs to leave scattered at night. nisará1l1esmár < nisaralllcs, 144. nise to be be10w in the river. lIisécepes < Ilise, 141. nisiap, jif - to sit stuck in the bog. nisiápfcm < Ilisiap, 162. nisicimtiw to put things separate from each other. nisiritcwer to hurry back home and fetch. nismit grandfather. nisuwem to step on.. in order to descend to the river. nitaj, cem - to arrive home.

lIitam to go downstream and reaeh; to reach home. "itamór < nitam, 155. nitapowl's (301) to leave things behind on the land while coming here downstream [?]. lIitatepiap to shrink down, to become short [a tree]. nitawpiptiml's to fill something down below during the night. nitáwpiptiml'smar < lIitawpiptimes, 144. nitewem to put down [object standing]. nitcwemto1/! to put down for someone [obj eet standing]. nitewer to go home and fetch; to piek up. nitl'wsl'1/! to go to the river and put something in the water. nititiw to lay something down. nitiwtampor to try to put down for someone. nitiwtámporfenés < nitiwtampor, 162. nitowopom to go to the river and put something in [the canoe] ; to put something down on the ground. nitowópmores < nitowopom, 155. nil/w to go down to the river and set out [in a canoe] -+ n!lwuw. niwi father [5.]. niwiá < niwi, 34. niwiakap younger brother of father or mother, 195. lIiwis -+ nim,'is. njanjanja. interjection, suggestive of the action of nibbling or gnawing. njenjer -+ e 4. n)omo. interjection, suggestive of the action of nibbling or gnawing. njonjo.. -+ e 4. no -+ nor. Nokóp personal name. Nokópè (320) -+ Nokóp [in enumeration]. nomsóm I know it. non mistress, Mrs. [Ioan-word from Malay, = njonja]. nor I, me, my; 207-219. normá < nor, 213. noromóm interjection; good man! my dear one! 236. nor011l6ma < noromóm, 34. noromómè < noromó111, 33. /lorom';1/! -+ noromóm.

1I0rów < nor, 216. norPá < nor, 214. 1I0SÓ wound. N osó personal name. now head-hunting: person whose head is to be taken or has been taken. N ówit name of a river. lIott'ón near. lIfl.cllr 1 enormous, huge: very, to a high degree: awut - huge; pacák - very bad, most miserabIe. IIIICltr 2 ancient; ow - forefathers. nl/kumoml/w to take a number of people to a canoe and depart with them. nur -+ nor, 208. nuw -+ nuwfl.w. nuwltmamis to set out in battle-array [canoes]. nuwlimi < nIlWI/W, 144. IIIIWlll1He < II!/wumi, 33. nl/wut to start out [in a canoe] in the morning. IIUWIIU' to depart by canoe, to set out by eanoe. IIUW/lw/okom < Jl.IIWU'W, 162.

o

o 1 -+ or. o 2 grandchild [5.]. o 3 pig. oaf again to kill, to kill also aap again to splitt off, again to work loose [fibres]. ócen spear, lance. oe again to do. oerés < Ol', 155. of 1 dead wood, corpse; rotten. 0/ 2 strainer. ó/ajfs grandparents. o/asi to return, to go back. ó/asicemés < o/asi, 136. o/asim to teil, to inform. o/asimtl"w{'r to take up where one left oH [a story]. ófew blood-kinsmen bel on ging to a jew different from one's own. o/óm small digging stick. ojispor to go to the forest again to look at. ojisporér < ojispor, 155.

O}UIII kind of bird; it always begins calling when the night is nearly at an end, thereby heralding daybreak. ok egg. okajum (344) also to flay [?]. okap to stick to [e.g. rust to iron]. okmomse to follow [aquatic subject and object]. okmoni to carry away downstream [subj ect = the current]. oklllonimár < okmoni, 144. okmorés < okom 1, 2; 155. okokom 1 < ser - to drive ser fishes against the bank of the river. okokom 2 to rob with. ókokonisok in great variety. okom 1, ser - to drive ser fishes against the bank of the river. so - to start a song. okom 2, mi - to rub somcone with !ime. okomá < okom 1, 2; 109. okomemtam to roll something up fo,· someone. ókomémtamcin < okomemtam, 116. okomtewer to fetch something, breaking it off; pe - to catch a crab [breaking off the legs to prevent escape]. okómteweráe < okomtcwer, 165. okómteweraré < okomtcwer, 165. okomtiw to strike down, to kill [by shooting]. okólt jaw, mouth [of a bag]; singing loudly (316); - akmapom, akse. okonép opposite to, facing. okór 1 mute. okór 2 on guard, keeping guard. okorá rape, adulterv. okoresawer (293) to be alone the whole night long [?]. Okórmi name of a river. okorom 1, okorá - to rape. okorom 2, manmák - to flirt. okoromá < okorom 1, 2; 109. ókorómfen < okorom 1; 162. okós, pe - crab's pincer ; pir - crescent; 0 - boar's tusk. om 1 - or, 217. om 2 digging stick, made of the wood of the nibung palm [see sketch p. 366]. om 3 to stand by, with; to be busy with [subject standing]. omá 1 binding material made of strips

of tbe midrib of a frond of a very young sago shoot, - espét. omá 2 cautiously, - jitjar. oman to walk while eating. Ománesep name of a village. omas - momas [?]. omat to move on, working, while busy with; wos - to make a clearing in the forest. Omawér name of a river. omén shouting, yelling. omér afraid. ollléw open space in the forest, overgrown with grass or reed. olllewer, ju - to stand shouting with joy. omewermés (342) instead of omames, 114 [?]; < omewer. omi (323), moe - to cry about [?]. omiris (326) to busy oneself with [?]. omis 1 to sleep with, to !ie down with, to !ie down while doing .. omis 2 to go inland with, to go to the forest with. omiseres < omis, 1, 2; 155. omismár < omis 1, 2; 144. omit, se mow - to throw oneself in the mud in the morning. omitmár < omit, 144. omjursomawer (296) always to do wrong [?]. omkóe kind of insect. omku to go ashore with. omném < om 3; 177. omnémè < omném, 33. omóeen spear of which the top of the shaft is shaped like a digging stick. omocill to move upriver with. omom to stand with, by; to stand while doing; to carry [subject standing]. omomat to accompany someone ; to carry around; to visit (318). omómati < omomat, 116. omomér < omom, 155. omómi (311) < omom, 144 [?]. omomirse (322) to he at fault [?]. omomis 1 to go and tie down with, by. omomis 2 to take along to the forest, to go to the forest with. omomolti to go on the way home, carrying something. omoni to carry something back home, to carry something to the river.

omóp 1 a blow. omop 2 to sit by, with, while busy with .. ; to sit in a state of .. omópem < omop 2; 176. omóperes < omop 2; 155. omopfés < omop 2; 162. omopomis (296) to sleep and wake with, in the company of [?]. omópomismem < omopomis, 144. omót kind of fish. ompuw to go into the water with. omse to take along in the canoe, to be in the canoe with, busy with .. omsénom < omse, 177. ómus the outer part of the sago pith; this is scraped out by people standing in the tronk when the central part [anám] has been removed [see sketch p. 367]. omusewes -+ amltsewes. omusnakap < ómus, 185. on 1 shark. on 2 to share [food, tobacco] with. onéw -+ onów. oniéf (302) -+ tówoniéf· onifiw again to enter [a house] downstream. onifiwer < onifiw, 155. otlillW to set out again [in a canoe]. oniuwor < oniuw, 155. onmer, ólJmer - quickly to go ahead of. onmermár < onmer, 144. onók beam, support, staff; jiná - on the knees, kneeling. onoká < onók, 34. onór to carry on the back. onorom to cause someone to carry something on the back. OIJÓW thatch, made of sago leaves. op 1 above, on top of, [high] up. op 2 to sit with, by, busy with .. ; to he married to; cem - (283) to make a house [?]. oPáemamem < emawer 2; 144. oPáemór < em 4; 155. oPáfajfém < faj, 162. opák not, without; opák cowák absolute1y not; opák wut by no means; opák pak really, 240. oPáka < oPák, 34. oPáknakap < oPák, 186. oPánamár < nawer, 144. oPéf < op 2; 162.

OpekátsimU personal name. opén question marker, 253. opéna < oPén, 34. opés < op 2; 177. ópnakaw why not, not; 242. opów not, without; 241. or you, your; 207-219. orám < or, 215. oráp 1 < or, 214. orap 2 -+ oap. oremem again to stand up. oriwis hurriedly to go back to the forest. ormá < or, 213. oróm clean, smooth. orom, manmák - to peer at. oromes, jak - to empty one's stomach at night. ororomtiw to smooth something. ororómtiwcem < ororomtiw, 125. orów < or, 216. orowapom to press repeatedly on [object sitting]. órowapómclmes < orowapom, 136. orownem to cause to go downward by pressing repeatedly, [e.g. a pole in the mud]. orpá < or, 214. os 1 tree, wood. amás - sago palm. os 2 cough. os 3 to come towards with, while doing, while busy with. osasmawer, fawic - to come towards while joking all the time. ósasmewérmes < osasmawer, 136. óset cricket. osiap to have gone back home [many people]. osiáper < osiap, 155. osin -+ _nn. osiocin again to move a little .towards the end of something. osirimtak again to row steadily downstream. osisimtam again to push [a number of things] towards someone. osmop, man - to set to work on. óswuc mother, 193. ot to touch; mi - to pay a short visit t~. otap, jiná onók - to kneel. otapow to return with all the people. otasiap all to have retumed [in the village].

ofásiaperáw < otasiap, 125. otasisimawer to return home again and again, filling the house with. otaw to tell, to give advice ; to ask. otáwles < otaw, 162. ótawmém < otaw, 144. otawpor to try to give advice. otawporawer continually to try to give advice to someone, to exhort someone. otáwporéwirîn < otawporawer, 171. otáwpormîn < otawpor, 144. oferespaka; to topple over in the opposite direction to the cut [a tree]. otewer 1 to tell, to inform. otewer 2 (327) again to take [?]. ótewerá < otewer I, 2; 109. ótipic a woman's [classificatory] brother [s.]. otiwllin again to pour [water] over. afm<1 neap tide. otmamis to lie down while touching. otmamtewer to meet each other. otmámtewerés < ofmamtewer, 155. ofmenaw, wa to come upstream, brushing along the edge of the forest. ofom, sir am - to threaten a person with a lance. otomá < ofom, 109. ofoni < sir - to stand with the spears at the ready, pointing at something below. otonîmop < otoni, 152. ofpemllsumfam to push someone out [of the house] for someone. ofl/wse again to set out [in a canoe]. otl/wscá < otuwse, 109. ow 1 people, men, a man; erén - the upstream people = the ghosts; mer - the people who are [were, have been] fishing. ow 2 to fill. ow 3, at - to tell someone to do; to give . orders to do .. owá < ow I, 34. owapmá < owapom, 109. owáPmamî < owapom, 144. owapom to fill [object sitting]. owén struggle, fight. owér marriage; husband. owerés -+ owerós. oweréw -+ owerów. owerompor to return regularly to keep an eye on.

owerós husband. owerów grown-up men, married men. owmop to sit and have coitus with. ównakapirîw < ow 1; 188. ownés strings of crocheted hair. Owólawllc woman's name. owopîs people of a similar age. owores to change again into.. at night. oworésmop < owores, 144. oworésmopá < oworésmop, 34. oworse to travel to and fro [by canoe]. Owpacák man's name. Owpacákipic man's name. Owpacákipit -+ Owpacákipic. ówpenem < ow, 155. owpor, acán - to try to give advice. owpormin < owpor, 144. Owsé formerly a ;ew in the village of lepém. ówtiw a woman's (c1assificatory) brothers [pl.]. owuapmá < owuapom, 109. owuapom again to bury; again to plug up.

p

pa scale [of a fish]. paca; to flee in aU directions. pacá;cukor < paca;cuku, 155. paca;cuku to he scattered about far and near. paca;kukuas to scatter about [of people]. pacák bad, unfit; not willing, averse to. pacakáp < pacák, 202. pacákapiriw < pacák, 202. pacákaseré < pacák, 202. pacáko < pacák, 33. pacáksere -+ pacákaseré. pacáseancs < case, 155. pa; peace-making ceremony. Pa;ámpari personal name. pa;en to turn off or away and go upstream, -+ en. pájener < pajen, 155. pa;firap to turn oneself round [subject sitting]. pájfiraPi < pajfirap, 116. pajim to open [e.g. a door]. pajimáces < pajim, 165. pajimomse, ei mi arán - to turn the nose of the canoe upstream taking [people] along.

pajis all to go outside.

pajiwem to stand with the legs wide apart.

pájnijis to turn downriver and go out to sea.

pajse to turn off [a canoe].

pajtewer to turn towards in order to fetch.

pájtewerá < pajtewer, 109.

pajuru (337) not to be seen, to be invisible [?].

pák -+ oPák.

páka < pak, 34.

pakám to kick; maj - the stamping of one's foot.

pakajamis all to \ie down together, in great numbers.

pákajámser < pakajamis, 155.

pakajap to sit somewhere in great numbers; to sit everywhere; jo sétnakapthe river is narrow everywhere.

pakás ulcer.

pakajse to he in the water somewhere in great numbers; to be in the water everywhere.

pakó < pak, 33.

paké hard and old, stale [food].

pakénakap crowded with [a river with canoes]; covered with [a tree with flowers].

pamár < pawer, 144.

pamtiw to divide a quantity of goods into small portions ; to take away small parts from a quantity.

pamusem, mak in - to walk to the forest and turn one's back towards.

pané, mi - nose ornament made of a shell.

papajim to open [plural object].

papcapipi to swing to and fro.

PáPem < ap 2; 176, 180.

paperimop, .ien - 'to sit with the ears turned round', i.e. to have forgotten the world of men (314).

papes < ap 2; 176, 180.

paPi, ei - broad-based midrib [of a sago palm frond].

papiromku to turn [the canoe] towards and go ashore.

paPis exchange of women [this generally takes place between two as, and occasionally between men who are not each other's as, see 332, note a].

346 TUE ASMAT LANGUAGE

pápormem < por, 144, 180. papuj (337) to make detours [?]. papujkurum all to have succumbed. pápujkurumór < papujkurum, 155. par wide, broad. parás 'dune-ridge': low ridge consisting of crushed vegetable matter which has been carried by the rivers to the sea and then washed ashore. Found along the coast near J ePém. parem to turn something round. panem extending in all directions [e.g. a tree with huge buttresses]. pariemic < pariem, 176. parise to \ie stretched out in the water. parsá scattered about, dispersed; disorderly. parsam to scatter. parsameukum to scatter about, to cause to flee in all directions. parsámeukumór < parsamcukuln, 155. parwis daughter. pas in vain. pasés itch; manmák - itching eyes. pasték kind of grass. patámkllrmorés < pafamkurum, 155. patamkurum to fill right up with, to load full. Patépo personal name. patetámeen < tetam, 116. patetámeená < patetameen, 34. patewl'r, tow - to work loose the pith of the sago palm in order to gather the sago grubs. pati < at 2; 116. Patiém personal name. paw kind of mangrove. pawáneasin < awan I, 2; 120. pawer, tow - to get many sago grubs. pawuamis all to go away. pawuawer always to go out [to hunt] with people. páwuawérmar < pawuawer, 136. pawuwlt to wobbIe about. pe 1 kind of crab. pe 2 to depart, to move off [in a canoe]. pee < e 4; 116. peeár < e 4; 120. peeaw < e 4; 125, 180. peeém < e 4; 125. Péeemá < péeem, 34. peeokóm < e 4; 125. Pémanem < em 4; 144, 180, 183.

pémcl'm < em 3; 176, 180. pemé -+ peme/. peme/ < em 4; 162, 180. pemerawéra < merawcr, 120. pemésmar < emes 2; 144, 180. pemo -+ pemo/. pemo/ < em 4; 162, 180. pemtakam, manmák - to keep a sharp look-out downstream. pemtomtompor, manmák - to try to take a good look above; pemtomtómpori please, take a good look above. pémtomtompori < pemtomtompor, 116. pen -+ opén. penh, 0 - sow, female pig. pepe tightly bound; manmák - looking sharply around. pepepe .. onomatopoeia, reproducing the creaking of cane binding as it is pulled tight. per 1 mouse. per 2 -+ at 2. Per name of a village. pére interjection, indicating a sudden appearing and disappearing; a flash of light; a quick short movement. pese to row off. petém -+ pecém. petéw, aj - the newly wed coupIe. petéwmanes < tewem, 155, 180. petokóm -+ pecokóm. péwere < pafl'er, 109, 175. pewesánes < ewes, 155, 180. penakáw -+ opnakáw. perem -+ parem. pi 1 cassowary. pi 2 to fly. pi 3 to fish with the net. Piapipin name of a river. piein skin, bark; mi - the skin around the nose and upper lip. picirlm, ár - it's finished; that's the story. piewer to catch many fish with the net. piewérmi < piewer, 136. pijinaw -+ pinaw. pijisasérmokom < jisas, 136, 180. pik! broken [of any binding materiaI]. pim edge, side, brim; jo - the bank of the river. pimnakap < pim, 185. pimop to have left something. pimtiw < to cut off.

pin, ei jipin - continually to come and go [e.g. people in a shop]. pinaw to come crossing the river. pinawmá < pinaw, 144. pinim 1 the side where .. ; wasrn - the side where the forest is; iwnim - the side where the river is [in relation to the speaker]. pinim 2 smelI. pipi chockfull. pipipi.. interjection, indicating the actioll of stabbing. pipim to break off, to chop oH [pIttra! object]. pipimtaw to break oH and take away [plural object]. pipimtawá < pipimtaw, 109. pipmór < pipim, 155. pir 1 moon. pir 2 -+ so. pir, downstream [of a main river] ; the coast, the sea. piri deliberate misinformation. pirim to wash, to rinse. pirkawór triton shell. pis grandchildren [pl.]. Pisim personal name. pisis kind of grass. pisnakas < pis, 187. pisnakaseré < pis, 188. pis1lwá dagger made of a cassowary's bone. pisuwánakap < pisuwá, 185. pit python. pitamis to go to sleep. pitamsér < pitamis, 155. pitijamap to be filled to the brim. pitimsem to fill something with water. pitimsemá < pitimsem, 109. pitimsemór < pitimsem, 155. pitmomes to fill [a bag] one is carrying at night. piw, par - very broad. po 1 paddIe ; rowing. po 2 the midrib of the frond of the sago palm; the trough made of these midribs that is used for washing the sago [see sketch p. 366]. po 3 (302, 343) all. poamis, is - all to go to sleep, all to sleep. póamismár < poamis, 144. pok 1 let not, lest, 243.

pok 2 goods, things; edible animals that live in the water; nam - the entrails ; jiwis - baggage, taken along when moving to another dwelling place.

Pokás personal name.

poké, jo - the hot sun, the burning sun; the heat of the sun.

póknakap < pok 2; 185.

poknakás < pok 2; 187.

pom 2, póm apcóm 'full to overflowing' [said of a heavy-Ioaded canoe].

Pomác name of a river [Noordwest river].

pomán the other side, the opposite side; half-roll of sago: body of sago of which one side is curved and one side flat [see 267, note b; two pomán, put face to face on each other, form a maj] ; nam - one half of.

pomáteweri < matl"wer 1; 116.

pómcem < om 3; 177, 180.

pomót paddie of which the end of the shaft is decorated with a fringe of white cockatoos' feathers.

pomsefaw < omse, 162, 180.

Pomflc -+ Pomác.

pónakap < po 1; 185.

ponów dirty, dirt.

pom 1 harpoon. porsá -+ parsá. pow 4 to look for.

poperiomatamár < poperiomatawer, 144.

poperiomatawer to roll over and over [wailing].

popifl'ini to drift downriver, turning around and around slowly.

popomismerén (293) always I was with you < opomis [?].

popomismerénè < popomismerén, 33.

popUjaraméP < popujarawer, 152.

popujarawer continually to walk in a drcle.

por to see, to look at, to hear, to smelI; to know.

porá < por, 109.

porap, jipi - to have a presentiment.

porem 1 to see [subject standing].

porem 2 to intend to do, to want to do.

poreremtewer to choose [sornething] and take [it] away.

porerémtewerá < poreremtewer, 109.

pori < por, 116.

poria < pori, 34.

porjarawer to go around all the time looking for.

porjar to go around looking for.

porie < por, 116.

porjit, so - to plan a murder, massacre.

porjltrsum to plan to kill, to bring disaster upon.

porkasi to take a sly loot at.

porkumm (339) to see everything [?].

porom 1 to show someone something; to cause to see.

porom 2, aruw - to practise magic against.

poromtaw to search for until found [plural object].

poromtawawer to search for all the time until found [plural object].

poromtewen to look for food, to get food.

poromlewer to look for until found [singular object].

porów afternoon, early evening [the period from ± 3 p.m. until shortly af ter sunset].

porówer married daughter.

porównakapiriw < porów, 188.

porpor to look around for; to try to see.

porporem to go to [try tol have a look at.

porsamawcr always to thrust aside, always to spill.

porse to see, to look at [aquatic subject].

portewet to be on the look-out for a woman to marry.

poláwmen < otaw, 144, 180.

pototómcen [dialect of Ac] -+ patetámcen.

pow 1 -+ opów.

pototómcenó < pototómcen, 33.

pow 2 -+ powó.

pow 3 breadfruit tree.

powá < pow 1; 34.

powó kind of mangrove.

powpor to look for, to seek [but in vain].

pI" interjection, indicating that one finds something very beautiful or impressive.

pit 1, jll - the booming of bamboo horns.

pit 2 'a line running lenghtwise over the centre of a flat or curved surface' :

puk clearing.

jo - [in] thc middle of the river; mokót - the path running through the eentre of a sago garden.

pit 3 by, near, close to; on, aeross; ji - identical to a preeeding event, aceording to eustom.

pu 4, anll,n - busy with [said of people occupied in roosting food or firing eanoes in preparation for a departure ].

pu 5 to eome up, to rise [sun]; -+ mu. pI/. 6 to be on the river, to go by the river.

pI/amis to have just risen [sun].

puamismár < puamis, 144.

pl/amsá < pI/amis, 109.

pllawcr to stay on a visit for some time.

pI/cm, jirpu - to he angry, furious [subject standing].

pum to tread down [grass, reed].

pI/map, jo - to stay somewhere until the sun rises.

plllnasam to tread down [reeds].

pumemawer, minip - always to have in mind, always to think about [subject standing].

pumeméwirir < pumemawer, 17l.

pll1nokopom (308) to tread [reeds] down, eausing them to touch [somebody] [?].

pI/mom I, miniP - to he thinking about [subject standing].

plllnom 2 to stand chopping off [bark of a tree].

pumomném < pumom 1; 177.

pumomnéma < pumomném, 34.

pwnop, miniP - to he thinking about [subject sitting].

pumopeném < pI/mop, 177.

pumót spear [puw] of which the end of the shaft is decorated with a fringe of white cockatoos' feathers.

pumtewer, piet" - to chop bark off a tree [before cutting it down].

pupumem, miniP - to think about, to ponder [subject standing].

pupumemè < pI/pI/mem, 162.

PIlPumes < miniP - to think about at night; at night to he under the impression that.

PUPUpl/ .. onomatopoeia reproducing the sound of air bubbles.

pupurap to he covered with, overgrown with [path with jungle growth].

pupl/rmnomewer, maj - to walk with someone and make him keep walking in a cirele. pupurumomen'érmenés < pupurumomewer, 136. PIlPurumomewérmenésá < pupurumomewérmenés, 34. pllpurllllll/cl/mtiw to fill [e.g. a pit] up with. puramis to lie on [said of a cover, e.g. thatch]. puris daughter. purpur -+ e 4. purpurpl/r. interjection indicating the assembling of a crowd of people. purum to cover up. purumuc a traditional ehant in which the subject matter is the event leading to a person's death: lament, dirge. [The pl/rumllc is never sung with drum accompaniment]. pllrumllt -+ pllrumuc. pus -+ puris. put to rise in the morning [sun]. pIltamis -+ pitamis. putamisméP < pil/amis, 152. puteráw < put, 125. PIlW kind of spear.

s

s interjection: hey! I say! sa 1 dry, dried up; dead [of trees]. sa 2 to be dry. sa/án, jllruw - very long. Sa/án personal name. sajes to come [a group of people as a whoIe]. sajespés < sajes, 152. sajis to stick out [of branches generally]. sa}lsmar < sajis, 144. Sa.jmós personal name. sajui to return home [a group of people as a whoIe]. sajtakawer always to go downstream [a group of people as a whoIe; any category of people]. sajwut to marry, to take as a wife, a husband [when speaking in general terms].

sakaj to be broken.

sakaja'U'er, asé - to have a tired back. sakam to cut off, to break, to smash; to scrape out [sago]; to stop [any activity]. sakamóf < sakam, 162. sakamtam to cut off for someone. sakamtampor to try or to want to cut off for someone. sakamtewer to cut oH and take away [e.g. a head]. Sakán name of a river. sakllrllmawer all to be dried up [of trees, ... sa 2]. Sakwus name of a jc'/.(' in the village of Seré'U'. sam to dry something. samát group of peoplc forming the poptllation of a village. samáta < samát, 34. samop ... asamop. sal1lót ... samát. samsamsam.. in great nttmhers. samtewer ... asamtewcr. Samun name of a river. sanamikurum all to be dried up completely [sago palms]. sanamikllnllllor < sanamikllrum. 155. sapiamis to have gone out; to he down, [sun]. sapiámismép < sap iam is, 152. sapiálllsërmQ < sapiamis, 125. sapise to go out in the sea [sun]. sapisemár < sapise, 144. Sasák personal name. sasakajes to come towards while passing a numher of something [e.g. rivers]. sásakajeséf < sasakajes, 162. sásakajeséfa < sásakajeséf, 34. sásakajséf ... sásakajl'séf. sasakam to cut into pieces. sasakamasam to cut off, to cut away [plural object]. sasakamtaw to cut off land take along], [plural object]. sasakamtiw to cut off and put down [plural object]. saw ... sawnák. sawè < saw, 33. sawnák how sad! what a pity! sawnáka < sawnák, 34. se 1 mud, day. se 2 to be on or in the water. se 3 to share out, to distribute.

seawer to stay in the water. sus to come towards [aquatic subject]. seésmePés < sees, 152. selasi to turn round and go back [aquatic subj eet]. sej 1 shoulder. sej 2 iron. scjira'U'er, micie - to lie in the water so long that there is a heavy growth of seaweed on. sé jiréwirUp < sejirawer, 171. sejór kind of fish. sejpá chopping knife. sek shag [loanword] ; kapák - idem. sékakajámar < sekakajawer, 144. sekakajawer to return from camp with many people. semaram to strike about [aquatic ob· ject]. semén rope; long row. S I'ménterésimit personal name. Scméuterésimitá < Seménterésimit, 34. semi (339) quieto sClIIsirim (325) to assem bIe on the river [canoes] [?]. sen downstream [of a tributary river]. sméll elbow; the left side (296). seokor to float by. scokorá < seokor, 109. sep arm, foreleg; man - idem. sepe to start out in a canoe. séPeërés < sepe, 155. S éPer personal name. ser kind of fish. seramót, ser fishes [species of]. sl'l'ápmol'ém < serapom, 155. seráPmorémè < scrápmorém, 33. serapmuj < serapom, 155. serápmujá < serapmuj, 34. serapom, Ier - to put down a fish-trap. serapómfes < serapom, 162. sere, Jak - enamoured of. seremop, jak - to he enamoured of. serélllopóf < seremop, 162. serér, onó'U' - a th in place in the thatch. Seréw formerly a village on the river Aw. SCl'hcJa < Scréw, 34. ses 1 dry palm leaves; ei sés the firing of canoes, ... sow. ses 2, man - the raising of the hand [a magical gesture, see 308, note a].

ses 3 to stay in the water at night. sesák black. sesi to enter a river. sésierés < sesi, 155. set kind of wading bird. set to dip something [in water]. setaj to arrive [in a canoe]. setájcaw < selaj, 125. setájcemes < setaj, 136. setájcokom < setaj, 125. setajóm < setaj, 162. s.:tak to row downriver. seten to dip something in [water] and eat it. Setmát - Selmót. Setmót name of a jew in the village of Suru. setná. < seten, 109. sétnakap narrow. sew smoked. sesese.. onomatopoeia reproducing the hissing of fire as it is put out, or the sound of frizzling. si 1 stone axe. si 2 distribution, sharing out. si 3 to dig. si 4 to plait. si 5 to subside [of water]. sianeremtiw to plait until a certain point is reached and then to stop work (285). siapom, se - to dig a pit. siápmorés < siapom, 155. siasam 1 to dig away. siasam 2 to plait until completion. siawer, sin - to increase in number, to multiply. siawéraw < siawer, 125. sicimapom to spread out [object sitting]. sikaf kind of grass. sim to shift something, to shove. simom to fill and take along with [subj eet standing]. simsá scurf. simtiwes to wash ashore at night. simtiwesmár < simtiwes, 144. simtiwtam to push something towards someone. simtiwtámcemes < simtiwtam, 136. sin 1 'sister': term of reference used among sisters, among the wives of one husband and by the husband when referring to his wife [s.].

sin 2 [= si'n ?] - siawer. sillák 1 kind of lobster . sinák 2 crack [in bark, skin]. Sitlák name of ariver. sinakap 1 < si 1; 185. sinakap 2 < sin 1; 195. slnopis 'sisters' [pl.] -sin l. siocin to move up towards the far end of. siot~iporamóp < siolliporawer, 152. sioniporawer continually to try to dig out. siotemet to plait [a band] onto the top of [a bag]. siotémtamár < siotemtawer, 144. siotémtamó (302) = siotemtamóp, < siotemtawer, 152. siotemtawer to plait something onto the top of. slotemli < siotemet, 116. siotémtow < siotemet, 120. sipám collar-beams [weapons and food are kept on these]. sipor to try to plait. siporawer continually to try to plait. siporewérmes < siporawer, 136. sir - otoni, otom. Siréc name of a river [Eilanden river]. sin 1 quick, fast. siri 2 (301), mall1nák - on the lookout. siriá be quick I < sir!, 34. siriap, manmák - to sit on the lookout for. sirifis 1 to come rushing out of. sirifis 2 quickly to cross over [a sandbank], (339). sirifiserár < sirifis 1, 2; 120. sirimaksem quickly to make a canoe and launch it. sirimaksemór < sirimaksem, 155. sirimes to come rowing towards. sirimfim quickly to fit up, to make ready for use. sirimfimac < sirimfim, 165. sirimotep to row upriver with .. , to take along upriver [in a canoe]. sirimpipimtiw quickly to chop off [ribs of the fronds of a sago palm]. sirimpipimtiwac < sirimpipimtiw, 165. sirimsam quickly to dry something. sirimfak quickly to row downstream. sirimtakacés < sirimtak, 165.

sirimtep quickly to row upstream. siril1akap < siri, 200. smnuw1tW quickly to go down to the ri ver and set out. siripiap < quickly to cross a river. sirop, eaj - to give in [ta persuasion] sis tooth; support pole; jllwûr - necklace made of dog' steeth. sisi to exist as a depth [said of a deep place in the bag]. sisim 1 to fill [plural object]. sisim 2 to shift something repeatedly; to shift things. sisima111pés < sisim 1, 2; 152. sisimkakamimtiw to wash ashore and leave to die [fish]. sisimkakamÎmtiwér < sisimlwkamimtiw, 155. SISlmomlS to fill [troughs] and bring them outside. sisiocin to draw towards. sisiri, sisiri pak it was serious! (319). sisit kind of shellfish. Sisnám personal name. sit to get up. sitem to stand up, to have gat up. sitiw to plait and put down; to plait something until it is finished. Siwinnwk name of a river. so 1 song, generally sung with drum accompaniment; e - kind of song; pir - song, sung during the feast for the new jew; teséll - song sung outside the new jew during the feast on its completion. so 2 killing, murdering, in order to take heads. soh onomatopoeia, reproducing the russing of water touching a hot object. sok 1 grandmother [s]. sok 2 bird. sokmót head decoration conslst1l1g of feathers put in the hair. sokom to break up rand discardj; to kill (344). S okorhv personal name. somit to stand up with, while holding something. SOIllÓt _ samát. SOIlÓW - e 4. sopï interjection indicating the action of leaping high in the air [of a fish]. sorap to live alone, to stay alone.

soráPeres < sorap, 155. sormom, fa - to follow. sUr/numer < SVrIllUII/, 155. sormoni to go with [the current] downstream; to carry downstrcam [subject = the currcnt]. sórmollialllár < SO/'lIlOllia7c'cr, 144. sor11l0niawcr to carry downriver [subj ect = the current j. svr01ll, fa - to follow, to pursue. S orówsimit personal name. sos - ses 1. soso j is to go towards the land in leaps [fish]. SOSO}lsmar < sosojis, 144. sosót ridge-beam. SOSOW01ll (281) to stand up repeatedly with [?]. saw, ei sés - to fire a canoe; - 328, note c. sowap - sllwap. sowelll, man sés - to raise the hand to [magical gesture]. sowfiw to step on to [the front gallery of a house j and go indoars. sowkonaw to come ashore. soz,'ót saw-fish. Sml,plllll to launch a canoe. suwpulIleemi < SOWPIl1ll, 136. SII name of a jew in the village of A 1/1 is It. slIkll1ap, jismák -to stay somewhere, the fires having gone out. slt/llllapá < sllk1llap, 109. siÎku < kind of fish. 0511111 1 to pull out. SIUd 2, jal, - to get with child. SI/11I011/ to pull out all(l take al ong. Slll/lOmer < SIIllIOI/1, 155. slIlIIomis - SIlWlI1/1Olllis. SIIII101Ilsá < SII 111 0 111 is. 109. SIIIIlOP to allow to sit between [peoplej. sl/lIIópcrasÎn < Sllil/OP, 120. Sl/llItCW - Sl/lIItc7('cr. Sll 111 tcwer to pull out, to pull up. Sl/lll1ij personal name. SU1I1ujè (320) = SlIlI1Ûj [in enumerationj. S1Inllltum to make someone stand up; to all ow someone to escape (333) . SU1IIlItlimem to help somcone to stand up. slm to be worsted.

susu to be boiling.

susur kind of small bat. sllwem to begin with, to start to work at [subject standing]; maj - to step on t~.

suw -+ suwuw.

suwap 1 to begin with, to start to work at [subject sitting].

sllwap 2 to emerge, to rise up out of the water.

suwaPá < suwap 2; lO9.

s1ltvemic < St/wem, 116.

sltwumomis to allow someone to sleep between [people].

sllwmv to step into a canoe and set out.

T

ta hey I; interjection expressing surprise.

tajamis to lie down on a slope.

tajtajtaj. . interjection, indicating a graduaI ceasing [e.g. of rain].

taju over, stopped, finished.

tájujukmapmó < tajujllkllmapom, 162.

tájujukmapmuj < tajujllkllmapom, 155.

tajujukumapom, amás cse - to fill bags right up with sago.

tak to go downstream on or along a small river [see sketch p. 364].

takaj to be pierced through; to be holed; to make a break for something; to form the connection between [said of a connecting river, -+ wu].

takajap to form the connection with, -+ wu.

taká ko onomatopoeia, reproducing the sound made by feet squelching in thc mud.

takam 1 to send downstream, to cause to go downstream.

takám 2 to pierce through; to allow someone to escape.

takamanem, cém mu - to build a large house first.

takamjimtiw to pull off first.

takamjis to go to the forest for the first time.

takamnem to cause to go below through an opening.

takamsomeukmes to let [someone] flee in advance at night.

takamtewer to pierce through, and remove. takamtowomse to take along in the canoe for the first time. takámtowómsefeném < takamtowomse, 162. takás all, everyone. takawer continually to go downstream. takawérmero < takawer, 174. takfiw to go downstream and enter [a house]. takjise to speak while rowing downstream. takjukumapom to go downstream and put together. takmatam to accompany someone downstream. taknap to eat, having gone downstream. takokojir to go downstream and cross to the other side. takom to go downstream to meet someone. takowerom to go repeatedly back downstream to keep an eye on. takPor to go downstream to look at. takse to have gone downstream [in a canoe]. taksem weil-made [of a canoe]. táktetémapmá < taktetemapom, 109. taktetemapom to row downstream and ram [the canoes of the enemy]. taktitiw to go downstream and put something down. takwitiw to go downstream and throw something down. tam 1 moming, from daybreak until ± 10 a.m. tam 2 rattan, -+ tem 1. tamä < tam 1; 34. tames, is - to dream. tamesem -+ tawmesem. tamesmóp < tam es, 152. tamesmór < tamesem, 155. támiwcim early in the moming. támnakap < tam 1; 185. tamnám kind of duck. támsesaráj < amses, 132. tamus -+ wu; [Ioan-word from Malay, = tembus]. tamuw buttress [of a tree]. T amliw personal name. tanmá nonsense. tap, aein - to stick on t~.

taper < tap, 155. tapijiw to retreat inside. tapijiwá < tapijiw, 109. taPin sleeping mat, made of the dried leaves of the pandanus tree. tapmór < tapom, 155. tapom 1 to fill, to put into. tapom 2 -+ tepom 1. tapomakem, maj ákin - immediately af ter having put a foot on.. [ta fall down]. tapomákmaméP < tapomakem, 152. tapoman to fill [with food], to put [food] into. tápomcár < tapom, 120. tapómcom < tapom, 125. tapomfam to push [a canoe] off the high bank to the river. tapomkekem, onów - to lay the thatch on a house, fastening it firmly. tapom1/.i < tap oman, 116. tapomterem to cannon into something, causing it to split. tarásepes (c1assificatory) sisters of a man [pl.]. taráswuc (c1assificatory) sister of a man [s.] . tari aid, long ago. tan:jis to come outside by breaking through [e.g. a wall]. tarijipic very aid, very long ago. tm'ipicim < tari, 203. tarwápcares < ariwap, 132. tasmá -+ tesmá. tasmájipic -+ tesmájipic. tatafajimtiw to place neatly beside each other, 107. tatakáj 1 lively, swift-footed; atów playful. tatakáj 2 to he lively, swift-footed. tatakci -+ catakci. tatam 1 to give [plural object]. tatam 2 (284), a-ta branch; to get flowers [said of a sago palm]. tatamenem, mak ám - to piJe [bags] up in rows on each other. tatámenemór < tatamenem, 155. tatapom to put neatly in, to fill neatly; iilled neatly (107). tataw, ja - to go to fetch. tatemap to sit tightly packed. Tatepi personal name. Tafcpia < TatePi, 34.

tafewer, eet - to win a contest, to win the prize. tatiw to put down, to lay down [plural object]. tatmá nonsense. tatmamin < tetam, 144. tafmes to give at night. tatlllésmin < tatmes, 144. tatlllór < tetam, 155. tatl1lorés < tetam, 155. taw 1 to take, to seize [plural object]. taw 2, atakám - to speak; pUYllllllkto sing a dirge. tawá < taw 1, 2; 109. tawan to take or fetch in order to eat [plural object]. tawanóf < tawan, 162. tawat to take for oneself [plural object]. tawawer 1 continually to speak. tawawer 2, uwku - to crochet hair all day long. tawenem to piJe up [plural object]. T aweric personal name. TawerEt -+ TawerEc. Taweritsimit < Taweric, 195. tawjimirsem to take [canoes] to the river. tawmanin <taw 2; 144. tawmemsem -+ tawmesem. tawmesem to put things against something, along something [e.g. a wall]. tawnemcs to cause to go downriver during the night [plural object]. tawomewer, atakám - continually to speak to, to nag at [a person]. táwom.ewennár < ta'Womcwer, 136. tawow to put into [plural object]. tawowuc < tawow, 116. tawpa<,aj to scatter in all directions, to disperse. tawpacajop to stay with people, af ter having dispersed from .. ; to have dispersed to. táwpacájopcr < tawpacajop, 155. ta~c'pacamapom to scatter [people] about. fawpacamop to stay with prople after having heen driven away; to have sought refuge with. tawpacámoper < tawpacamop, 155. tawpor to try to reason with.

tawsim (342) to take a numher of people along with one [?]. tawtam to give advice to. tawtermenapom to put separate from each other [object sitting]. tawtominomas, amás - to eat sago from then onwards (302). tawutum to talk all the afternoon. táwutumeepokóm < tawutum, 141. táwutumép < tawutum, 152. te 1 rain. te 2, té mu tea [Ioan-word from Malay, = teh]. tem 1 rattan. tem 2, aw to have breasts, to be marriageable; nemeén - to he furious. temat to fooI [someone]. temér < tem 2, 155. temet to go upwards, to ri se. temetjamem to have grown large and high. temetjim to pull away from above. temetjimores < temetjim, 155. temetjom, e wu - to stand high up with leaves rustling [a tree]. temetotap, pim - to have risen to the brim [e.g. water]. temétowopmór < temetowopom, 155. temetowopom to hang up above, to put down on top of .. temetsowap, wasér - to grow up into a wasér. temetsurum to scratch one's head. temetwanioc to grow high up [trees]. temét'waniótma < temetwanioc, 144. temétwasiap to have shot up [plants]. temef'wllem, e - to stand high up with leaves rustling. temjom, namós - to like. temjomén < temjom, 177. te11ljo11léno < temjolllén, 33. te11ltapes to have grown during the night [subject sitting]. temtem to c1imb onto; to he high [subj ect standing]. temte1lles to grow up at night [subject standing ]. thntemésmar < tem tem es, 144. ten top, upper side of an object; on, on top of. thwkap < ten, 185. tenám throat. tenfó j unaware of.

téntaj, téntaj pók antidote used in magic. tep 1 to go upstream 011 or along a tributary river [see sketch p. 364]. tep 2 to he above, to hang, to be up in the air. téPaeoaPém < eoap, 176, 144. tepaémnerém < eman, 155. tepakajap to have gone upstream and sit there. tepakamis, akin - to lie down [iII] immediately af ter having gone upstream. tePákokójniewérmokom < kokojniawer, 136. téPamPiamem < ampiawer, 144. tepap to go upstream and stay there. tepapém < ap 2; 176, 144. tepapmés < tepap, 144. téPaporfem < por, 162. tépapóreemem < por, 136. tépaees < tep 1; 165. tépates - tépaees. tepátuwuwór < tuwuw, 155. tepe to hang in a condition of .. ; lIIallmák nini - to hang, presenting a fine sight. tepem to have gone upstream [subject standing]. tepemár < tepe, 144. tepes to go upstream at night. téPesájtakawérmokom < sajtakawer, 136. tepésmar < tepes, 144. tepésmep < tepes, 152. tepéwtiwerém < ewtiw, 155. tcpit to go upstream in the morning. tcpitméP < tepit, 152. tepjomséamcs < tepjomscawcr, 144. tepjomseawcr to speak to someone all the time whilc rowing upstream. fePkawi to go upstream and join. tépkawierés < fePkawi, 155. tepku to go upstream and go ashore. fepkuYlt to shout agreement upstream. fépkuruerés < tepkurII, 155. tcpokojir to go upstream and cross to the other side. fepom 1 to send upstream, to cause to go upstream. tcpom 2 to go upstream and stand by; to walk upstream to meet someone. tepomparcm to turn upside down [object above eye level].

tepomporsem, op - to let go freely from above, into the water. tepómporsémcepes < tepomporsem, 141. tepomporsom -> tcpomporsem. tepomporsomá < tepomporsom, 109. tepomse to take upriver [in the canoe]. tepomsér < tepomse, 155. tepor to go upstream to look at. tepseri to be shining [sun]. téPserimár < tepseri, 144. tepsi upstream to enter a side-stream. tepsiér < tepsi, 155. tepsirim to row upstream. tepsowawer to jump from above [fr om a great height]. teptaj to row upriver as far as .. teptcptep. interjection, indicating the action of sinking de eper and deeper, 237. teptl"luer to go upstream and take away. teptowopom < to drop [someone] upstream. tepu to have risen [sun]. tePllmár < tepu, 144. tcr -> tewer 2, 3. teré 1 rattan, leaf. teré 2 joyful, glad. tercmscm to split [aquatic obj ect]; to push through [canoes on the river J. teréw thin. termén split. tes daring, brave, successful, powerful; -> 328, note a. tesén outside. tesmá courageous, successful; beautiful [of women]. tesmájipic brave warrior, war leader. tetam to give [something] to. tetámcin < tetam, 116. tetámfifncm < tetam, 162. tetámfcs < te tam, 162. teté 'between' : a Jomót tcté, a Ma teté between the J omót and the Ma. teteremapom to put stripes [of paint] on something. tetete (320) interjection, indicating a sudden disappearing; 'in a flash'. tew -> tewer 2. tewawer to take, get, catch, much/many . tewawércom < tewawer, 125. tewawércomè < tcwawércom, 33. tewawll1nes to put feathers in the hair at night.

356 THE ASMAT LANGVAGE

téwawllmésmep < tewawumcs, 152. tewcm 1 to put down [object standing]. tl"luem 2 to set out [on foot]. tewen to take up, or fetch, in order to eat. tewená < tewen, 109. tewencm 1 to take along with upriver. tewenem 2 to put something on something. tcwér 1 the bright red flowers of a Iiana [mucuna Nova Guinensis: Flame of the Forest]. tcwer 2 to take, to seize, to fctch [sin·· gular obj ect] ; to rise [of the tide]. tcwer 3, cic - to win a contest ; atakám - to spcak. Tewér -> Tewérawllc [abbreviation]. tewerá < tewer 2; 109. T ewéra < T ewér, 34. tewerác < tewer 2; 165. tewéracem < tewer 2; 165. téweramés < tewerawer, 144. tl"l\Jerasam to take much, to get much [sago]. tcwerawer to get much [sago], to catch many [fish]. T ewérawuc personal name. TewérawllcakáP < Tewérawllc, 195. Tewérawlltsimit < Tewérawltc, 195. teweréwere < tewerawer, 174. teweric < tewer 2; 116. tewerit -> teweric. tewérmanéném < tewer 2; 144. tewérmem < tewer 2; 144. tewérménóm < tewer 2; 144. tewértotoramár < tcwértotorawer, 144. tewertotorawer all the day long to get [food], everyonc individually. tl"lvct to take for oncself; to marry. tewji, po - to start to row. tcwjinim to send on thc way [a number of people]. tewjiniwamis to start to swim [many fish]. tcwjiniwarit to start out in the morning with many. tcwjiniwjar to set out with many [people], with cvcrone. tcwjipirom (301) to think only of, to care only for [?]; to stand, embracing someone. téwjipiromè < tewjipirom, 162.

tewnem to send someone downstream, to send someone home. teumémaméll < tewncm, 144. tcwsem to put something into water. tewtá < tewct, 109. tewtakam to allow someone to escape. Tewtén name of a river. tërásëpes - tarásëpes. teráswuc - taráswuc. til -dl. ti 2 - mu. ti 3 to go down [sun]. tiamis to have gone down [sun]. tiamismár < tiamis, 144. tiamisméP < tiamis, 144. tiki onomatopoeia reproducing a splash. ti1ll!lp, jo - to stay somewhere until the sun goes down. timqPér < timap, 155. timeremap, jo - to sit until the sun goes down. timercmaPá < timcrclllap, 109. timse, jo - to row until the sun goes down. timséacem < timse, 165. timseér < timse, 155. tillák the inflorescence of the sago palm. tipim to cause to he just in front of, just on .. tipuris sans and daughters; children. tipus - jiwi. tirif letter, hook, writing; [laan-word from Malay, < tulis - to write]. tisc to go down in the sea [sun]. tisér < tisc, 155. titewcr to piek up [object lying]. titeweraré < titcwcr, 165. titiem (319), mák am - to follow someone [?]. titiw to lay down [something], to put down [sornething]; to pile up [of clouds]. titiwmá < titiw, 144. titiwcem < titiw, 125. titiwtam to put [sornething] down for someone. tHur row [of men in a canoe]. tiw son. tiwá < tiw, 34. tiwanim, amán - to take a bow from the collar-beams on whieh it is kept. tiwaper to make a test hole in the trunk of a sago palm, - apér.

tiwapércem < tiwaper, 125. tiwawcr to leave [object lying]. tiwawsim (322) to smear [sago] on [?]. tiwem, tefëfë to rise in squalls [wind]; to flash [lightning]. tiwemá < tiwcm, 109. tiwémor < tiwem, 155. tiwim (323) to put down in [corpse in a grave]. tiwimamés < tiwim, 144. tiwirum to send [e.g. a letter]. tiwirumfen < tiwirum, 162. tiwisim to bring outside [object lying]. tiwjim to pull along [object lying]; to pull a spear, bow or arrows oH the collar-beams on whieh they are kept. tiwkafum to scrape out [sago pith]. tiwkoj to go on one's way. tiwkojér < tiwkoj, 155. tiwkukllm to set out in pursuit ; amás - all to go out to look for sago. tiwot to touch, to nudge [object lying]. tiwótërém < tiwit, 125. tiwotfén < tiwot, 162. tiwótmepen < tiwot, 152. tiwpom (342) to cause to dry up [?]. tiurpoporémampes < tiwpoporemawer, 152. tiwpoporemawer, maj - to cause to walk in a circle continually [following one's own footprints]. tiwsakam to start to cut through; to start to scrape out [sago pith]. tiwsirimasam, manmák - to stare at. tiwsirimasmámes < tiwsirimasam, 144. tiwsirimawcr always to stare at. tiwsirimewcréjipuruw < tiwsirimawcr, 114. tiwsirimeweréjipuruwa < tiwsirimeweréjipuruw, 34. tiwsiritcwcr quickly to piek up something. tiwsiritewerac < tiwsiritC'wer, 165. tiwtam to put something down for someone. tiwtarem (282) to cause to he hot [?]. tiwtcmsem to put [a canoe] into the water. tiwtewer to take away [object lying]. tiwu1/I, apim - to wash sago: to pour out water over the sago pulp and squeeze it out. tiwltrum to light a fire.

to 1 yesterday; tomorrow. to 2, amás - hungry; mu - thirsty; kapák - longing for a cigarette. toá < to 1; 34. tóko onomatopoeia, reproducing the sound of a thud. tom tom to stand on top of something while busy with. tomtómer < tom tom, 155. toncán < on 2; 132. top to hang by, with, while holding something. topmóf < topom, 162. topom to put something on top of .. ; to fasten something on top of .. ; to hoist [a flag]. toróm 'support': pieces of wood or of the midrib of afrond, laid across the bottom of a canoe as supports for the baggage which has to he kept dry [often small leakages or water was hing over the gunwales make the bottom of a canoe wet]. tosó, 0 - tamed pig. tosów 1 decoration. tosów 2 all edible vegetable things obtained in the forest or out of gardens, such as fruit, the edible top of the sago palm, sweet sago pith, and sago. Since forest products are always given in return for edible animals [pok], mostly fish and sago grubs, tosów also has acquired the meaning of: 'gift made in return', independent of the things given. totápowcar < otapow, 132. tótewar, tótewar as a big part of. totepóm wild cucumber. tototo .. (276) interjection, indicating tht' steady rising of water. tow 1 sago grub. tow 2 (309) vital spirit [?]. toU'iJ < tow, 34. towkopá < towokop, 109. Tówmi name of a river. towocin to take upriver, -+ en. towocinér < towocin, 155. towof to kil!. towofá < towof, 109. tówojerés < towof, 155. towokop to eat, to swallow. towom to take along [subject standing]. towomér < towom, 155. towomir -+ towomér.

towomis to take outside. towomiw to take inside. tówomiwér < towomiw, 155. tówomiwtám to take something inside for someone. tówomiwtámceml's < towomiwtam, 136. towomkonaw to bring onto the land. tówomkonáwmem < towomkonaw, 144. towomse to take along in a canoe; to carry away [subject = the current]; to he full of water [said of a trough]. towoni to take to the river, to take downriver, to take home. tówoniéf < towoni, 162. towop to take and sit with; to have caught, taken. tówoper < towop, 155. towópfes < towop, 162. tówopmá < towopom, 109. towópmamin < towopom, 144. towopmes to put something onto something e1se at night. tówopmésmenem < towopmes, 144. towopmop (344) to kill [?]. towopmór < towopom, 155. towopom to plant, to put into; to gather [of clouds]. towos to corne here with. towotak to take along with downriver. towotep to take along with upriver. towow to put into. towtopmuc < towtopom, 116. tówtopmuca < towtopmuc, 34. towtopom to take upstream. ts interjection, expressing annoyance. tunampés < tunawer, 144. tunatver (324) to he emaciated [?]. turamis to tie down in rows. tltrllemtiw -+ turumtiw. turuémtiwef < turuemtiw, 162. turum to put in an orderly way; to put in rows; manmák cenés turuméf his eyes nearly popped out of his head [with amazement] (317). tUrllmtiw to lay down neatly, in rows. tuw, jiwis - to depart in order to go to another dwelling place. tltwomse to take to another dwelling place [in a canoe]. tuwomseá < tuwomse, 109. tuwómser < tuwomse, 155. tuwop, manmák - to keep an eye on. tuwopic < tuwop, 116.

tIlWSC, jiwis - to go off to arlOther dwelling place [by canoe]. tllwséa < tllwse, 109. tllwsél < tllwse, 162. tUWllt, jiwis - to go off to another dwelling place in the morning [by canoe]. tltwl4tmar < tllwut, 144. tllWIIW to step in the canoe in order to go to another dwelling place.

u

ii onomatopoeia, reproducing the shouting of a mass of people, 35. lIaexclamation of surprise, dismay. lIe' 1 - ucinak. /te 2 laughter. /te 3 iguana. /teè - ucinak. lid - ucinak. lIeiè - ucillak. ueim what, which, how, how many, how much; 232-243. lleil! the skin of the iguana. llcinak where; 232-234. Ilcip - /teim. IlCltellmeSawcr to rage all night long [storm]. uelleumesawérmar < ItCUeumesawer, 136. Ufénccs personal name [< Juventius]. 111ft name of ariver. ufu kind of shell-fish. Ufun formerly a jcw in the village of Jepém. IIm to cause to go aboard. lImu name of a feast. umlt the crown of a palm tree. umlte pools left behind in the beds of small streams when the tide ebbs. umunakap full. Iin - in 1,2. una < !tII, 34. Un{r name of a river [Lorentz river]. ua) exclamation of surprise. liP is - pis. IIpll coconut shell. ur _ or. urumnem, WIl - to topple a palm tree over in order to get the edible top.

Itrumni, ei to return with many people to the canoes. IIrumtewer, WIl - to get the edible top out of a palm tree. Itruru .. 1 inter;ection indicating the action of something slipping into something el se, or people following one af ter another. ururu 2 (339) all to return, one af ter another [?] . ItSawic banana. ud, amás - temporary dwelling place near the sago gardens. where one stays when large amounts of sago have to he scraped out e.g. for a feast; 'camp'. usi a tree fallen over a river. usir ray. IÎsis - utsis. U $Wut personal name. ut, aWlit - very large. ut - uc 2. utsis [sardonic] smile; - lajap. uw to go aboard. IIWU exclamation: oh! uwku crochet needie made of a pig's heel-bone. Uwus name of a village. UWIÎsakap personal name. Uwusopis people from the village of Uwus.

w

wa 1 inter;ection: hey! ow! wa 2 brother-in-Iaw [5.]. wa 3 forest; os - the trees, with exception of palm trees. - mu. wa 4, ei - half-circle of canoes, (271, l1ote). wa 5 shining, glistening. wac cassowary's claw. waei, mi - the lifting of the head as a sign of assent, - emtam. wajimtiw to cause to fall out of. wajfr the central fireplace in the jeu'. wajotcp to go to the farthest point upriver with. wáka inter;ection, indicating a scarcely noticeable movement [e.g. with the hand]. wakam to use up.

wakamkur14m to use up all.

waksés < akse, 176.

wáPu, wápu mu pool of rain-water. wè exclamation of distress: woe! oh 1 wémpa small stone axe. wétsimit < wet, 195. wimá < wi, 144. winem to shoot [arrows] downwards. winimop < iwilli, 152.

wap = awáP, < ap 2; 176, 178.

waPés = awapés, < ap 2; 176, 178.

warák without pain, feeling fine [rowing] with ease.

warát kind of bird.

nJarimomas to go away with a number of people in one canoe.

warlmomáser < warimomas, 155.

warimtemtes to grow right up at night [a tree].

wáritemtesmép < waritemtes, 152.

Warsé personal name.

wasé red ochre.

waséa < wasé, 34.

wasée middle part, room in hetween.

wasén the landside, the landward side, the bank of the river, the forest.

Wasi personal name.

wasér young sago palm, older than a wu mikin, younger than a copón.

watér kind of fish.

U? atér personal name.

wes 'sons': the wes appear to be the male members of a family [the head of the family, his brothers, sons, brothers' sons and sons' sons] who together form the crew of one or more jkop ei. wet name sake.

wétakap < wet, 195.

wi to throw, to shoot [arrows].

wianém < wi, 155.

wiasam to throw away; quickly to put into the water [a canoe] (343).

wiásmae < wiasam, 165.

wie father ; 193, note.

wies quickly to come towards.

wiesaró < wies, 165.

win all, one by one; 249.

winémami < winem, 144.

wiokopom (343) to tell [news] to [?].

wiomatawer to run away with, to kidnap.

wis sisters-in-law [pl.].

witep quickly to go upriver.

wo wave.

Wok personal name.

W óksimit < Wok, 195.

womák lau se.

W ominéll personal name.

W ominéna < W ominéll, 34.

wopis people belonging to the same category, e.g. of the same age, of the same household, of the same jl'w.

wor, nueur - very large, huge.

'ü'orém large lump of sago.

1I'orworwor.. interjection, indicating the steady growing of a tree.

worwós marriage, effected by the girl's e10ping to the house wh ere lives the boy she wants to marry.

wos 1 a clearing in the forest.

wos 2 mother ; 193, note.

wow 1 exclamation: he careful! [threatening].

7110W 2 today.

wow 3 [carved] designs, writing, letters.

wowè (300) < wow 2; 33.

wowtIc the middle of something.

wowut ... wowtIe.

Wit 1 inter;ection: hey!

Wit Z, eópo - with a splash, thud.

Wit 3 the edible top of the sagoand the nipa palm.

Wl4 4 sago-leaf bag; bundIe wrapped in sago leaves.

wu 5 watercourse forming a connection between two rivers.

Wit 6 rustling, waving [of leaves] ... e 4; waggling [of fins] ... nijise.

WIt 7 (308), mallmák eenám with shining eyes.

'WIt 8, WIt - to make a sago-Ieaf bag.

wlta interjection : ah 1 Wtl ja - hey there 1

wuamis all to depart by canoe.

wl/amlsmes < WItamis, 144.

wuamse [?] (344) to be on the river [many canoes].

wuamsl'S to go out at night with many people.

wuán [the sound of] rustling ... WIt 6.

wuápmor, wuapom, 155.

wuapom to bury.

wumnl'm 1 to pour [water] out over.

wumnem Z to wrench off downwards [bark].

wumnem 3 to topple [a tree] over.

wumomas to carry away many people [subject: water].

wun lother, others; some, part of; wun ow other people, some people, part of the people.

wun 2 (315) moreover.

wunám once more, again ; and then, af ter that.

wlmi all to go to the river.

wrmiá < wuni, 109.

wur thunder.

wut large, big; many, much; very; awut ook - enormous ; - oPák.

wutiwpor, Wil - to make bags of sago leaves.

wutiwporá < wutiwpor, 109.

wutotor, wu - each person to make for himself sago-leaf bags.

wuwu - wu 4.

wuwumes, jis - to light a fire at night.

MAP I

ASMAT new guinea DICUL 138°E. ASMAT ≤.5 AGATS cook bay flamingo bay 100 km. OTAKVA SEMPAN ASMAT AND RELATED LANGUAGES KAMORO te10k. ASEWEC arafura sea flamingo bay dialect OPO

... MAP IJ: = present-dey villages o former situotion of villages ........ I ow-water mark . _.-._.- homeward journey of the refugees of Je pém ( text :x:) .' 1. Jaméw; 2. Uwus, Mojrt,Ewér, Suru, Per; 3. KOjè,Jepém; 4. Serew;[!IOo yearsogq .. ' 5.Majlt [firstsettlementof M.inthis orea] 6. Jepém [recent post unti11957] ....... " ... 7. Ewér, Suru [! 40 yeors ogo] ~ __ ~.c~-=~~ __ 10 KM.

SKETCHES I

ASEWÉC SIRÉC MEC 1 14 1 to 4 or 0 2 2 24 → to go upstream/downstream to come upstreamdownstream 1. en 4.tep O. enaw 3. es, ens 2. ni 5. tak o 1 J I o J C o J 0> ,- o 'd' J (/) (l) o ) "'C ~ .- ,= 0 I '? ~""""""'''T' 0:: o I o I o 'd' I o I o I· apér anam ómus manmák manmák the scraping out of the scraping out of

the anam.

the ómus.

KONINKLIJK INSTITUUT VOOR TAAL·, LAND· EN VOLKENKUNDE

VERHANDELINGEN

29. E. M. Uhlenbeck, met medew. van J. Soegiarto, Aantekeningen bij Tjan Tjoe Siem's vertaling van de lakon Kurupati rabi. 1960. 30. E. M. Uhlenbeck, Het systeem der Javaanse pronomina. 1960. 31. Jan van Lohuizen, The Dutch East India Company and Mysore 1762-1790. 1961. 32. Han Bing Siong, An Outline of the recent History of Indonesian Criminal Law. 1961. 33. H. J. de Graaf, De regering van Sunan Mangku-Rat I Tegal-Wangi, Vorst van Mataram, 1646-1677. I. De ontbinding van het rijk. 1961. 34. H. Myron Bromley, The Phonology of Lower Grand Valley Dani. 1961. 35. J. C. Anceaux, The linguistic situation in the Islands of Yapen, Kurudu, Nau and Miosnum, New Guinea. 1961. 38. Tapan Raychaudhuri, Jan Company in Coromandel, 1605-1960. 1962. 40. C. Skinner, Sja'ir Perang Mengkasar (The Rhymed Chronicle of the Macassar War) by Entji' Amin. 1963. 41. Silvia W. de Groot, Van isolatie naar integratie. De Surinaamse Marrons en hun afstammelingen. Officiële documenten betreffende de Djoeka's (1845-1863). 1963. 42. P. Drabbe, Drie Asmat-dialecten. 1963. 43. S. J. Esser, De Vma-taal (West Midden-Celebes). Spraakkunstige schets en teksten. 1964. 44. J. C. Anceaux, The Nimboran Language. Phonology and MorphoIogy. 1965. 45. H. van der Veen, The Merok Feast of the Sa'dan Toradja. 1965.

36. G. W. J. Drewes, De Biografie van een Minangkabausen Peperhandelaar in de Lampongs. 1961.

37. J. P. K. van Eechoud, Etnografie van de Kaowerawédj (Centraal Nieuw-Guinea). 1962.

39. H. J. de Graaf, De regering van Sunan Mangku-Rat I Tegal-Wangi, Vorst van Mataram, 1646-1677. II Opstanding en ondergang. 1962.

When the deviating suffix is placed between brackets, this means that it alternates with, or is in complementary distribution to, the suffix given in the standard list.