XVII

Another sample of a native text may be given here, as it is of especial interest, in that it throws light upon the previously given magical formula of the wayugo. It is the text I obtained trying to find the meaning of the word bosisi’ula, which figures at the beginning of the above-mentioned spell. According to two informants of Sinaketa, the word visisi’una refers to the belief already described, that the owner of a wayugo charm is liable to fits of trembling, during which he trembles as a bisila (pandanus) streamer trembles in the wind. He then should ritually eat some baked fish, and this is called visisi’una. Such a man would then ask somebody of his household:—

“Kugabu, kumaye, avisisi’una.”
“Thou bake, thou bring, I ritually eat.”

Or someone else would urge his wife or daughter:—

“Kugabu, kumaye, ivisisi’una.”
“Thou bake, thou bring, he eats ritually.”

Again, asked for a direct equation, my informant said:—

“Ivisisi’una — bigabu, tomwaya ikam.”
“Ivisisi’una — he bake, old man he eat.”

The following text contains a more explicit definition of the term, which I was trying at that time to make clear and to translate by an appropriate English expression.