The Tolabwaga Sub-Clan and Their Sea-Faring Privileges

1 1 Bikugwo, He might be first ikapusi he fall down
(it is launched) siwaga their canoe Tolabwaga, Tolabwaga, boge already bimilakatile he might be clear bwarita. sea.

2 2 Igau Later on kumaydona all gweguya, chiefs, tokay commoner siwaga their canoe ikapusisi they fall down
(are launched) oluvyeki. behind.

3 3 Kidama Supposing takapusi we fall down, takugwo we are first bitavilidasi they might turn (on) us baloma; spirits; bitana we might go Dobu, Dobu, gala no tabani we find bunukwa pig soulava. necklace.

4 4 Makawala Alike yuwayoulo: (lashing creeper) bikugwo he (it) might be first isipusi they bind siwayugo, their wayugo lashing, iga’u later on yakidasi. ourselves.

5 5 Takeulo We sail Dobu, Dobu, gala no bikugwasi they might be first Tolabwaga; Tolabwaga; okovalawa on sea front boge already aywokwo. he was over.

6 6 Obwarita In sea tananamse we consider kayne whether isakauli he run taytala one (masculine) lawaga, his canoe, ikugwo. he is first.

7 7 Gala No bikaraywagasi they might command patile. canoe fleet.

8 8 Dobu, Dobu, gweguya chiefs bikugwasi, they might be first, biwayse they might come there kaypatile canoe fleet gweguya. chiefs.

9 9 M’tage Indeed Tolabwaga Tolabwaga boge already aywokwo he (it) was over sikaraywaga their command ovalu. in village.

The Tolabwaga sub-clan belong to the Lukwasisiga clan, and live at present in Kasi’etana. Only one man and two women are surviving.

10 10 Simwasila Their Kula magic siwaga their canoe migavala, magic his, vivila woman boge already iyousayse. they grasp.

11 11 “Datukwasi “Our magical property boge already kasakaymi we give you megwa magic kwaraywagasi you command lagayle!” to-day!”

Thus would they say on handing their magic to their male descendants.

Informant’s Commentary.

Commenting on verse 3, the expression, ‘bitalividasi baloma,’ my informant said:

‘Bitavilida’: ‘They might turn (on) us’: bilivalasi they might say baloma spirit “Avaka “What pela for gala no ikugwo he is first Tolabwaga, Tolabwaga, kukugwasi you are first gumgweguya; sub-chiefs; kayuviyuvisa sweepers of the sea Tolabwaga!” Tolabwaga!”

13 13 Tavagi We do gaga bad igiburuwasi, they angry ninasi mind theirs’ igaga, he bad pela for magisi desire theirs balayamata we might watch tokunabogwo long ago aygura. he has decreed.

The verbal translation renders word for word the individual meaning of every particle and root, according to a definite grammatical and lexicographical scheme which has been adopted for this text in common with a few hundred more. In this place, I cannot give the commentary and justification of the linguistic details, which will be fairly obvious to a Melanesian scholar, who might, however, find some new and even controversial features in my translation. To other readers, these details are of small interest. I have not included in this translation any distinction between the inclusive and exclusive first person, dual and plural. Of the two tenses which are to be found in this text, the narrative one is translated by the English verb in infinitive, the potential, by the addition of the word ‘might.’ In brackets underneath, the special meaning of a word in its context is indicated, or some comments are added.

The free translation of the text must now be given:—

Free Translation.

1 The Tolabwaga canoe would be launched first; by this the face of the sea is cleared.

2 Afterwards, all the chiefs’, the commoners’ canoes are launched.

3 If we would launch our canoes first, the spirits (of ancestors) would be angry with us; we would go to Dobu and we would receive no pigs, no necklaces.

4 It is likewise with the lashing of the canoe: first, the Tolabwaga would bind the lashing creeper and afterwards ourselves.

5 On our journey to Dobu, the Tolabwaga would not sail ahead, for their priority ends on the beach of Sinaketa.

6 On the sea it is according to our wish, and if one man’s canoe runs fast, he would be first.

7 They (the Tolabwaga) do not wield the command of the canoe fleet.

8 In Dobu, the chiefs would be first; the chiefs would arrive there at the head of the fleet.

9 But the supremacy of the Tolabwaga ends here already, in the village.

10 The Kula magic, the magic of the canoe, belonging to the Tolabwaga clan has passed already into the hands of their womenfolk.

11 (These would say speaking to their male children): — “We shall give you the magic, the magical inheritance, you rule henceforward.”

12 When the spirits become angry, they would tell us:— “Why are the Tolabwaga not first and you minor chiefs are ahead? Are not the Tolabwaga cleaners of the sea?”

13 When we do wrong, they (the spirits) are angry, their minds are malevolent, for they desire that we should keep to the old customs.