Aneityum

v.a. pass over or through a country

Speaker: Romario Yaufati

v.n. go out

Speaker: Romario Yaufati

[ala] num. five

Speaker: David Nasauman

adv. aforetime

Speaker: Romario Yaufati

v.a. to ascend, to go up

Speaker: Inglis 1882, p. 62

[dama nadimi] phr. four men (there are)

Speaker: David Nasauman

v. respect

Speaker: Kirk Keitadi

v. to fish (by torchlight)

Speaker: Romario Yaufati

[et puarapuanan par lei] phr. he went there and he took it

Speaker: Kirk Keitadi

n. small tree, 1-2 m tall (collection: Gregory M. Plunkett #4020)

Example: 1. The name of this plant translates as bad tooth, and relates to its use as a plant used to poison others. If one wants to commit an evil act against another, he or she will rub the leaves together and squeeze them over the targets food. It will make their teeth rotten and fall off quickly. More information witheld.

Scientific name: Psychotria milnei, Speaker: Titiya Lalep

n. tree to 8 m, dbh 5 cm (collection: Michael J. Balick #4896)

Example: The young stems of this tree are used to make spears, either by sharpening the end or attaching several wires to the tip.

Scientific name: Alangium vitiense, Speaker: Natu Kenneth

n. terrestrial sedge, c. 1 m tall (collection: Gregory M. Plunkett #3496)

Example: Children pull out the young shoots of this plant and play with them as a spear to throw.

Scientific name: Gahnia aspera, Speaker: Titiya Lalep

n. Sabre squirrelfish

Example: Photo by Andy A. Lewis / Lizard Island Research Station, License: CC BY-SA 3.0 via Fishes of Australia

Scientific name: Sargocentron spiniferum via FishBase, Speaker: Jack Keitadi

n. kind of fish

Speaker: Romario Yaufati

n. kind of shellfish

Speaker: Romario Yaufati

n. kind of taro

Speaker: Inglis 1882, p. 119

n. kind of fish

Speaker: Romario Yaufati

n. type of seashell

Example: Photo by K. David Harrison, Dec. 2018, Aneityum island.

Speaker: Jack Keitadi

n. kind of fish

Speaker: Romario Yaufati

n. vine, growing in coastal forest. Fruits purple. (collection: Gregory M. Plunkett #3556)

Example: A man named Johnnie (Reuben’s grandfather) brought this vine to Aneityum to use it as a rope to tie objects. The ripe fruits are used to paint the face and hands and children make drawings from this dye.

Scientific name: Passiflora suberosa, Speaker: Wina Nasauman

n. bird

Speaker: Romario Yaufati

n. a convolvulus

Speaker: Inglis 1882, p. 120

n. Peacock hind

Example: Photo by Andrew J. Green / Reef Life Survey, License: CC BY-A 3.0 via Fishes of Australia

Scientific name: Cephalopholis argus, Speaker: Chris Nevehev

[inmejcop] n. Swamp Harrier

Example: Photo by birdsaspoetry / Flickr, License: CC BY-SA-NC 2.0 via Flickr

Scientific name: Circus approximans, Speaker: Jack Keitadi

n. kind of fish

Speaker: Romario Yaufati

n. species of pine

Speaker: Inglis 1882, p. 117

[intohoɣ] n. shell (for making music)

Example: Photo by K. David Harrison, April 2016. see more on Youtube

Speaker: Chris Nevehev

n. kind of shellfish

Speaker: Romario Yaufati

n. well branched tree, 6 m tall (collection: Gregory M. Plunkett #3202)

Example: 1. Young shoots are peeled and made into grass skirts. Scrape the stem and take the green part off, tie strips together and put under stones in the sea for retting, let sit 5 days in sea, but check these on a daily basis. When the fiber becomes soft, that is the time to take it from under the stones, clean off the excess materials, and hang it in the sun to dry for 3 days--this will bleach it and give it a whitish color, at which point it can be woven into a skirt. 2. The fiber can be used to make a small rope that is tied with shells and used for custom dances. 3. When the stems of this tree are older, the wood is very hard and it can be used to make the main frame that is arched for a cyclone house. According to Reuben these houses are not made much anymore on Aneityum Island. 4. To cook the intestines of fish that are eaten, take several leaves and put them in a small pile, making a wrapping, then use a local fiber to tie this together and cook on charcoal for as long as needed to prepare the fish parts. 5. In this area, sometimes knowledge of the plants and flowering are used as a calendar to indicate the time for planting of specific crops. Reuben will provide more details on a future trip. 6a. This species is an important "message plant." If a person is not home and you are visiting from the East--e.g. an Eastern part of the Island--that person can leave a 12 inch piece of stick in front of the door of the house so that the inhabitant knows that an eastern visitor (from Anawonjei district) has come by your home. The reason that person has come to visit is to pass an important message to you--good or bad "luck". The bad luck message might be a death, and is not told directly to the person. The good luck message might be a birth, or conflict that has been resolved. These messages are communicated using sticks--each district has a different species of plant. Reuben’s is the hibiscus. 6b. Message plant for Eastern people. If someone dies, use this plant, clip it in front of hem, in front of home, they ask “who” and you can tell them. In Eastern culture you cannot tell them directly. 7. When a person is too drunk with kava, take a branch of this and brush him with it to help make the effects go away. 8. Traditional plates for food.

Scientific name: Hibiscus tiliaceus, Speaker: Wina Nasauman

n. kind of banana

Speaker: David Nasauman

n. tree to 15 m, 15 cm dbh (collection: Michael J. Balick #4931)

Example: Use the wood of this tree for firewood.

Scientific name: Arytera neoebudensis, Speaker: Natu Kenneth

n. kind of tree

Speaker: Inglis 1882, p. 117

[ʧumasʧuma] n. Fork-tailed swift

Example: Photo by ozma/Flickr, License: CC BY 2.0 via Flickr

Scientific name: Apus pacificus, Speaker: Jack Keitadi

n. kind of banana

Speaker: Inglis 1882, p. 118

n. a plant from which an intoxicating drink is prepared

Scientific name: Piper methysticum, Speaker: Inglis 1882, p. 91

[laknu] n. Vanikoro Flycatcher

Example: Photo by Arthur Chapman, License: CC BY-NC-SA 2.0 via Flickr

Scientific name: Myiagra vanikorensis, Speaker: Jack Keitadi

n. kind of taro

Speaker: Inglis 1882, p. 119

[naŋɛsɛŋa ratha] n. sun god

Speaker: Ruben Nerian

n. kind of plant, grass, or fern

Speaker: Inglis 1882, p. 120

n. palm to 15 m tall, dbh 30 cm (collection: Michael J. Balick #4913)

Scientific name: Carpoxylon macrospermum, Speaker: Natu Kenneth

n. kind of flowering plant (collection: Gregory M. Plunkett #4771)

Scientific name: Dianella ensifolia, Speaker: Wina Nasauman

n. shrub, 1. 5 m tall (collection: Gregory M. Plunkett #3217)

Example: 1a. When traveling past a community you can place these leaves in a basket or walk with it in your hand. In this way people in the community know that you are traveling in peace and will cause no harm to people in that village. 1b. Message plant – if you go to visit someone and they are not there, you leave a branch of this on the door or somewhere they can see it and they know that some relatives have come and tried to visit them.

Scientific name: Dendrolobium umbellatum, Speaker: Wina Nasauman

n. tree, 4 m tall (collection: Gregory M. Plunkett #3533)

Example: People must not drink kava close to this tree. If you have any leaves of this plant with you when you drink kava you will not feel its effect.

Scientific name: Dendrolobium umbellatum, Speaker: Titiya Lalep

n. seed of a fig

Speaker: Inglis 1882, p. 150

n. kind of plantain

Speaker: Inglis 1882, p. 119

n. feathers

Example: Photo by K. David Harrison, April 2016.

Speaker: Romario Yaufati

n. kind of bird

Speaker: Romario Yaufati

n. kind of crab

Speaker: Romario Yaufati

n. tree to 15 m tall, dbh 40 com (collection: Michael J. Balick #4857)

Example: The wood of this tree is good for carving. The fibers go in one direction so it is easier to carve, for example, to make a kava bowl. In general, this is the species used to make kava bowls. If your kava is not strong, then making it in this bowl will make it stronger. The kind of bowl made from this tree has a handle on each side of the bowl and it is held with 2 hands. The place name Anumwmamlau is named after this tree. There are said to be two types of this tree--one with all green leaves (this specimen) and one with white and green leaves. If a person is going to a Tabu place and is concerned about spirits, they should take a handful of these leaves and wash the body all over with it--take a swim (bath) with it. Then the person can go to the Tabu place without risk. There are other unspecified spiritual uses of this tree.

Scientific name: Flueggea flexuosa, Speaker: Natu Kenneth

n. shrub to 2 m, flowers white. (collection: Michael J. Balick #4926)

Example: Use the leaves to make compost to be placed at the bottom of the hole where taro is to be planted, cover with soil and grow the taro in that hole. Serves as a fertilizer.

Scientific name: Scaevola taccada, Speaker: Natu Kenneth

n. kind of flowering plant (collection: Gregory M. Plunkett #4765)

Scientific name: Adenanthera pavonina, Speaker: Wina Nasauman

n. kind of tree

Speaker: Inglis 1882, p. 117

n. bean

Speaker: Inglis 1882, p. 127

n. a crop; fruit which grows spontaneously

Speaker: Inglis 1882, p. 96

n. tree, 3. 5 m tall (collection: Gregory M. Plunkett #3489)

Example: The fruits of this species are edible. Take the ripe fruits, squeeze coconut milk into the ripe fruits and cook in an earth oven. The leaves are used to wrap small fish caught in a net for cooking in an earth oven. For clothing, strips of bark are peeled and the inner bark removed, and this is used as a strap around the waist, and leaves are tucked in front and back. This is traditional clothing when other clothing is not worn.

Scientific name: Ficus granatum, Speaker: Titiya Lalep

n. the south-east wind

Speaker: Inglis 1882, p. 113

n. withered banana leaves

Speaker: Inglis 1882, p. 97

n. kind of tree

Speaker: Inglis 1882, p. 117

n. Phrynium giganteum (RPV #158)

Scientific name: Phrynium giganteum, Speaker: Romario Yaufati

n. kind of plant, grass, or fern

Speaker: Inglis 1882, p. 120

n. kind of tree

Speaker: Inglis 1882, p. 117

n. a species of thorn

Speaker: Inglis 1882, p. 97

n. yellow star

Speaker: David Nasauman

n. kind of taro

Speaker: Inglis 1882, p. 119

n. large tree, 15-20 m tall (collection: Gregory M. Plunkett #4062)

Example: 1. The trunk of this tree is used to make the body and outrigger of a traditional canoe. 2. The inner bark is used as a bandage for cuts and wounds. When the inner bark is grated it yields a sticky substance. The sap acts as a liquid stitch and reduced the chance of scarring. When this is dry one must use a knife to remove the residue.

Scientific name: Hernandia moerenhoutiana, Speaker: Wina Nasauman

n. shrub to 2 m, flowers pale green-white (collection: Michael J. Balick #4899)

Example: If a person chews the branches of this tree, their teeth will not grow or will fall out. Common name refers to "bad teeth.

Scientific name: Psychotria aneityensis, Speaker: Natu Kenneth

n. kind of tree

Speaker: Inglis 1882, p. 117

n. tree, 4 m tall (collection: Gregory M. Plunkett #4127)

Example: 1. This wood can be used to start a fire, where there are no matches. Two dried pieces of wood are rubbed vigorously together to create tinder. The tinder is then added to dried material in order to start a fire. 2. The wood of this plant is used as rafters in traditional houses.

Scientific name: Melochia odorata, Speaker: Wina Nasauman

n. hard outer shell of crab

Example: Photo by K. David Harrison, April 2016.

Speaker: Romario Yaufati

[neriseris] n. spider (house)

Speaker: Ruben Nerian

[ɲɛsŋa nɛmtan] n. eye

Speaker: Ruben Nerian

n. fruit (general term)

Speaker: Romario Yaufati

n. kind of tree

Speaker: Inglis 1882, p. 117

[netoʊhas] n. May (lit. bad sugar cane, not ready yet)

Speaker: David Nasauman

[niaŋ aɣin] n. August (lit. nasty wild cane)

Speaker: David Nasauman

n. kind of plant, grass, or fern

Speaker: Inglis 1882, p. 120

[niɣɛn nʊmʊ] n. fish tail

Speaker: Ruben Nerian

n. tree to 4 m tall, dbh 8 cm (collection: Michael J. Balick #4942)

Example: Wood is strong and light so used to build houses.

Scientific name: Melicope latifolia, Speaker: Natu Kenneth

[niŋeɣ] n. Mystery island (western, longer part)

Speaker: Ruben Nerian

n. tree, 8-9 m tall (collection: Gregory M. Plunkett #3655)

Example: If the preferred banana leaves are not available to wrap food for cooking, then use young leaves of this species and tie taro and fish for cooking. Take 4-5 leaves and wrap the food with the leaves. Tie a rope around the food and tie them all together using any strong vine. They can then be cooked over an open fire.

Scientific name: Dillenia neoebudica, Speaker: Titiya Lalep

[nijom araheθ] n. lit. "round house"

Example: Photo by K. David Harrison, April 2016.

Speaker: Ruben Nerian

[niprij ~ nipriʧ] n. Buff-banded Rail

Example: Photo by David Cook, License: CC BY-NC 2.0 via Flickr

Scientific name: Gallirallus philippensis, Speaker: Jack Keitadi

n. kind of crab

Speaker: Romario Yaufati

n. Dracaena angustifolia

Example: Leaf: cold maceration, emetic, taken internally against ciguatera poison

Speaker: Bradacs 2011, p. 444

[nitaʔto naretoʊ] n. an oven for baking bread; "nitato" to bake; "naruto" bread

Example: Photo by K. David Harrison, April 2016.

Speaker: Osiani Nerian

n. terrestrial fern, growing in primary rainforest. [in transect t9-3] (collection: Gregory M. Plunkett #3631)

Example: Use it to cover fruit of inm̃ap (Inocarpus fagifer) in earth oven.

Scientific name: Christella dentata, Speaker: Titiya Lalep

n. a sago palm

Speaker: Inglis 1882, p. 118

[nowataŋ] n. sky

Speaker: Chris Nevehev

n. corn

Speaker: Inglis 1882, p. 138

n. tree, 12 m tall (collection: Gregory M. Plunkett #3639)

Example: This tree is a good source of wood for house posts and roof rafters. Some people eat the ripe fruits of this species but even on the same tree, some of the ripe fruits have a sour taste, even though they look alike.

Scientific name: Syzygium nomoa, Speaker: Titiya Lalep

n. Orangespot surgeonfish

Example: Photo by Ian Shaw / iNaturalist.org, License: CC BY-NC 3.0 via Fishes of Australia

Scientific name: Acanthurus olivaceus, Speaker: Chris Nevehev

[nuʤaɣ] n. kind of shell

Example: Photo by K. David Harrison, April 2016.

Speaker: Chris Nevehev

[numra napo] n. the Southern Cross

Speaker: David Nasauman

n. a halo around the sun or moon

Speaker: Inglis 1882, p. 113

n. kind of tree

Speaker: Inglis 1882, p. 117

n. herb to 2 m, flowers white. Growing at edge of secondary forest. (collection: Michael J. Balick #4967)

Example: Peel the outer stem of this plant and weave two pieces of this together to make and armband to hold fragrant leaves for Kastom ceremony.

Scientific name: Donax canniformis, Speaker: Tony Keith

n. an open blossom

Speaker: Inglis 1882, p. 108

v. live

Speaker: Kirk Keitadi

n. herb to 0. 75 m, flowers yellow. (collection: Michael J. Balick #4891)

Example: If a person has the flu, collect the fruits and chew and swallow them. Chew 3 fruits in the morning for 3 days. Take a handful of leaves, still on branches, and boil them in a half liter of water, for 15 minutes. Drink 1 cup daily for 5 days or until the sickness "goes down."

Scientific name: Sida rhombifolia, Speaker: Natu Kenneth

n. a creeping plant

Speaker: Inglis 1882, p. 112