Aneityum

affix in this direction; here; this

Speaker: Inglis 1882, p. 91

v.n. go forth

Speaker: Romario Yaufati

v. taro; yams

Speaker: Inglis 1882, p. 54

v.n. go to sea

Speaker: Romario Yaufati

v. to collect raw food, as sugarcane taro, for a feast of uncooked food

Speaker: Romario Yaufati

adj. made of branches

Speaker: Romario Yaufati

v.n. go alone

Speaker: Inglis 1882, p. 154

v. drip, as a bucket filled with water drips

Speaker: Kirk Keitadi

v.n. to rise up; to overflow as sea on land; to get ashore

Speaker: Inglis 1882, p. 78

[et elel] phr. is dripping

Speaker: Kirk Keitadi

v. to split leaves

Speaker: Inglis 1882, p. 80

n. Barringtonia edulis

Example: not used in Aneityum

Speaker: Bradacs 2011, p. 442

adj. stringy, watery, as taro; also "ede"

Speaker: Inglis 1882, p. 81

n. a place up or eastward

Speaker: Inglis 1882, p. 82

adj. happy

Speaker: Kirk Keitadi

n. tree to 4 m, dbh 10 cm (collection: Michael J. Balick #4928)

Example: The leaves are used for compost in the taro patch. Dig a hole, line it with the leaves of this species, cove with earth and plant taro. The leaves of this species are used to cover earth ovens.

Scientific name: Geniostoma rupestre, Speaker: Natu Kenneth

n. herb to 1 m, flower bracts yellow. (collection: Michael J. Balick #4921)

Example: Introduced species, used for decoration. Planted near houses and roads. Use the flower for decorating hair.

Scientific name: Alpinia purpurata, Speaker: Natu Kenneth

n. the candle-nut tree; also "inhaig"

Speaker: Inglis 1882, p. 85

n. Ocellated eagle ray

Example: Photo by Anne Hoggett / Lizard Island Research Station, License: CC BY-SA 3.0 via Fishes of Australia

Scientific name: Aetobatus ocellatus, Speaker: Chris Nevehev

n. kind of tree

Speaker: Inglis 1882, p. 117

[inʤap] n. sea

Speaker: Chris Nevehev

[iɲeθite anawanariɲ] n. a sand drawing

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

Speaker: Ruben Nerian

n. native petticoat

Speaker: Inglis 1882, p. 86

n. old coconut leaves

Speaker: Inglis 1882, p. 87

n. kind of breadfruit

Speaker: Inglis 1882, p. 118

n. a horse-chestnut tree

Speaker: Inglis 1882, p. 117

n. Foxface

Example: Photo by Biodiversity Institute of Ontario, License: CC BY-SA 3.0 via Fishes of Australia

Scientific name: Siganus vulpinus via FishBase, Speaker: Jack Keitadi

n. taro

Speaker: Kirk Keitadi

n. tree, 10-12 m tall (collection: Gregory M. Plunkett #3638)

Example: This tree is a good source of firewood, wood for house posts as well as sawn timber. The ripe fruit is edible but some of these are sour. Kids eat fruits – it is black. Pick only the most ripe fruits. This species grows commonly on river banks.

Scientific name: Syzygium gracilipes, Speaker: Titiya Lalep

n. kind of shellfish

Speaker: Romario Yaufati

n. kind of bush

Speaker: Romario Yaufati

n. two days ago or two days hence

Speaker: Inglis 1882, p. 141

n. vine running many meters long over clay soil and grassy area on hillside where the triangular wooden signs are that used to be a landmark for ships coming to the island. Sterile. (collection: Michael J. Balick #5008)

Example: This plant is the focus of an important legend on Aneityum. When the missionary John Geddie and colleaguse first arrived on the island in July of 1848, the Chiefs welcomed them but some of the people did not like the idea. So these people sent a basket containing a peeled coconut and a fish (nopom) to the Chief in Umej to ask him to support the idea of getting rid of the missionary that the Chief of Analcahuat had welcomed. If the Chief of Umej were to eat the fish and coconut meat, it would mean that he agreed with the opposition. The Chief refused to eat the food in the basket and he told the people a parable involving this plant. A person cannot find the tip of the stem or the end of the root in the ground. So if they were to eliminate the missionary, his activity would continue because of God’s power. As it is with this plant, it will continue to grow and flourish if you cut it or try to dig up the root. So he sent a message about this plant to the people in Analcahuat who objected to the presence of the missionary stating this parable. Those people in Analcauhat held a secret meeting and they chose a powerful and strong person to kill the missionary. During the night the person went to the missionary’s house while he was in the toilet. Returning to the house, the missionary found the person in his doorway, and that person lifted his club to strike the missionary. But at that point the attacker’s hands suddenly had no power and the club fell from his hands, and he fell over. The missionary told him to get up, and not come back. After that experience, the people of Umej realized that God’s power was great and they could not go against it. The Chief took the peeled coconut that was sent him and covered it with the skin of another coconut and planted it instead of eating it. This coconut grew and the missionary’s work continued to grow on the island. So this vine played an important role in communicating the power of God to the people of Aneityum.

Speaker: Tony Keith

adj. afar

Speaker: Inglis 1882, p. 121

n. kind of bird

Speaker: Romario Yaufati

n. shrub, 1 m tall (collection: Gregory M. Plunkett #3602)

Example: This plant produces an edible fruit, but it is smaller than the cultivated guava, and is considered the wild type. Firewood. Pinch 4 tops and chew and swallow for stomach ache and diarrhea.

Scientific name: Psidium guajava, Speaker: Titiya Lalep

[lawoñ] n. Vanuatu Scrubfowl (Used to live here, died out, now only live up north)

Example: Photo by Dubi Shapiro, IBC1406511. Photo of Vanuatu Scrubfowl Megapodius layardi at Palikulo Point, Vanuatu. Accessible on Internet Bird Collection

Scientific name: Megapodius layardi, Speaker: Jack Keitadi

n. a giant

Speaker: Romario Yaufati

n. kind of taro

Speaker: Inglis 1882, p. 119

n. giant

Speaker: Romario Yaufati

[nadimi desiiʧ] phr. three men (there are)

Speaker: David Nasauman

[naθran ɣap] n. smoke

Speaker: Ruben Nerian

n. a plant with white flowers; a lily

Speaker: Inglis 1882, p. 94

n. kind of shellfish

Speaker: Romario Yaufati

n. plant

Speaker: Inglis 1882, p. 172

n. tree, 8 m tall (collection: Gregory M. Plunkett #3613)

Example: Used to make small poles for house rafters.

Scientific name: Myristica fatua, Speaker: Titiya Lalep

n. species of palm tree

Speaker: Inglis 1882, p. 95

n. seed of a fig

Speaker: Inglis 1882, p. 150

n. kind of taro

Speaker: Inglis 1882, p. 119

n. scandent shrub, growing along strand in coastal forest. Flowers purple. (collection: Gregory M. Plunkett #3688)

Example: This plant is used to make head garlands as it smells very fragrant.

Scientific name: Vitex trifolia, Speaker: Titiya Lalep

n. tree, 7-8 m tall (collection: Gregory M. Plunkett #3582)

Example: Firewood, timber good for bush houses. Calendar plant – when it is in flower, the old people know it is time to harvest root crops, like yam and other vine crops, in the wild, as yet unspecified. Local names = INYAC, NOMODEJ TAL, NOMODEJ WOU, NOU LELCEI… etc.

Scientific name: Weinmannia denhamii, Speaker: Titiya Lalep

n. tree, 4-5 m tall (collection: Gregory M. Plunkett #3542)

Example: Some people use the dried leaves of this plant when there is no tobacco. Roll the leaves and smoke them. This is a good plant to lay under as a shade along the coast. Good firewood. The leaves are used with other leaves as part of a ceremony to calm the sea.* Burn leaves in a special place and toss ashes in the sea – sea will be calm.* When you are paddling to another island. Carry them with you and toss in sea as you go. Also goes with fasting and cleansing when traveling in this way.

Scientific name: Argusia argentea, Speaker: Titiya Lalep

[napat apeiŋ] n. black cloud

Speaker: David Nasauman

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

Scientific name: Adenanthera pavonina, Speaker: Wina Nasauman

n. terrestrial fern, growing in dwarf cloud-forest. (collection: Gregory M. Plunkett #3268)

Example: For performing a weather magic ritual to produce fog, this plant is fermented along with another plant (nirid u numu) in a hole in a sacred stone (called "Naemoso") at a secret location on Aneityum.

Scientific name: Trichomanes, Speaker: Natu Kenneth

n. well branched tree, 14 m tall (collection: Gregory M. Plunkett #3651)

Example: Poles made from this plant are used for house rafters and burned for firewood. To plant taro in a swampy area, collect the leaves of this species and put them in the hole where the taro is to be planted, mix with a bit of soil and then plant the taro on top of that. Leaves are a type of fertilizer. Used when baking with the earth oven. Hot stones cover the food and then the leaves from this plant cover the stones. The leaves stay on the branch.

Scientific name: Polyscias cissodendron, Speaker: Titiya Lalep

n. a calm, a smooth sea

Speaker: Inglis 1882, p. 114

n. trees; palms; figs

Speaker: Inglis 1882, p. 117

n. the east wind

Speaker: Inglis 1882, p. 113

n. the north-west wind

Speaker: Inglis 1882, p. 113

n. kind of banana

Speaker: Inglis 1882, p. 118

n. high mountain

Speaker: Inglis 1882, p. 166

n. firmament (astronomical)

Speaker: Romario Yaufati

n. kind of banana

Speaker: Inglis 1882, p. 118

n. terrestrial plant on forest floor, growing in disturbed forest. (collection: Gregory M. Plunkett #3483)

Example: 1. This is a "message plant" that signifies that there has been a death. The person holds it or puts it on their head, goes to another person’s house and hands it to the person they wish to convey the message to, without saying anything and that person knows that someone has died. It can also be handed to that person. The person receiving the message then asks "who" and is told the deceased person’s name. 2. Use it to produce more fog on top of mountain – use w/ another plant, nap̃at (GMP 3268) – put these in a hole on the sacred stone to ferment as it fills with water. After it rots there will be a lot of fog. Name of stone = NAEMOSO. So the fog helps keep the plants moist and growing well.

Scientific name: Selaginella firmula, Speaker: Titiya Lalep

n. understory tree, 2-3 m tall (collection: Gregory M. Plunkett #4050)

Scientific name: Schefflera neoebudica, Speaker: Wina Nasauman

[neijaŋ] n. coconut

Speaker: Osiani Nerian

n. tree, 8 m tall (collection: Gregory M. Plunkett #3214)

Example: This tree makes good wood for canoes as well as timbers that are cut for building houses. A decoration that is placed around the head, known as salu-salu is made from these leaves. If you wear it, people know you are from Aneityum. In the early 1950’s-1960’s, Aneityum was the main place for logging this species. Now it is rare and in need of replanting. A project from New Zealand planted pine trees in its place and they have thrived here. In the same way, the sandalwood tree was overharvested and is rare now. Timber, very resinous so good to start fire – branches good for fire. They are the ones that have the sap, if a person in in the bush and finds young tree – sapling – they will make headdress from the leaves to show they came from the bush. Also, this is a Kastom name.

Scientific name: Agathis macrophylla, Speaker: Wina Nasauman

n. kind of taro

Speaker: Inglis 1882, p. 119

n. tree to 8 m, dbh 20 cm (collection: Michael J. Balick #4916)

Example: Boil inner bark in seawater to treat scabies, a skin condition. Take one handful of bark and put in one liter of water, wash the affected area once daily for a week .

Scientific name: Geissois denhamii, Speaker: Natu Kenneth

n. wind-related term; no definition provided

Speaker: Inglis 1882, p. 114

n. kind of shellfish

Speaker: Romario Yaufati

[nepiŋ upni] phr. Good night. (greeting after sundown, last time to walk on the beach)

Speaker: Ruben Nerian

n. tender shoots

Speaker: Inglis 1882, p. 183

n. Barringtonia asiatica L.

Example: inner bark: ground, added to dug pools in the sea as fish poison

Speaker: Bradacs 2011, p. 442

n. terrestrial fern, growing in dense rainforest. (collection: Gregory M. Plunkett #4096)

Example: 1. The name means the border between two lands, or a landmark.

Scientific name: Nephrolepis biserrata, Speaker: Titiya Lalep

n. kind of sugarcane

Speaker: Inglis 1882, p. 120

n. brook

Speaker: Inglis 1882, p. 131

n. tree, 10-12 m tall (collection: Gregory M. Plunkett #4061)

Example: 1. When cooking "Naura" (freshwater prawns), the leaves are used to wrap them before they are roasted in a fire. 2. When making lap-lap (a traditional dish made of grated root crops), and the lap-lap leaf is unavailable (Heliconia sp.), use the large leaf of this species to wrap the taro.

Scientific name: Dillenia neoebudica, Speaker: Wina Nasauman

n. kind of plant, grass, or fern

Speaker: Inglis 1882, p. 120

n. grass to 1 m tall, florets brown (collection: Michael J. Balick #4973)

Example: This grass is used to thatch the roof of a traditional house. Tie bunches of the grass on a stick ca. 2 m long, using string from Pandanus or other vines. Lay these on the roof and tie these sticks with grass on crossbars to secure them. The flowers of this grass are harvested and put in bags to make pillows. The flowers are soft and easy to gather and make a nice pillow.

Speaker: Tony Keith

[nohos anu ziland] n. kind of banana (sp. from New Zealand)

Speaker: David Nasauman

n. raisin

Speaker: Inglis 1882, p. 176

[nombrɛ niʧinin] n. hair

Speaker: Ruben Nerian

n. grass

Speaker: Inglis 1882, p. 120

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. shrub, 2. 5 m tall (collection: Gregory M. Plunkett #3511)

Example: 1. Use the leaves to put in a hole where taro is being planted, as a sort of fertilizer--it rots easily and adds value to the soil. To protect a person from spirits if you are going to an unfamiliar place, take the young inflorescence and put behind your ear. This plant is a sort of "spiritual kava." 2. Flowers are put behind one ear, any side, to allow a person to pass through sacred places. For protection of the spirits especially if you are familiar with this place. On EAST SIDE, put one leaf under pillow before sleeping so that the lady spirit will not disturb the person. Only for men – spirit likes men, and wants to have sleep with them. If she gets pregnant, you must follow her to look after the kids in the spirit world so you leave this one (you die). 3. The small, straight stems of this plant are used as rafters to weave thatch. 4. Children make bows and arrows from the stems as well as spears for fishing.

Scientific name: Macropiper latifolium, Speaker: Titiya Lalep

n. kind of flowering plant (collection: Gregory M. Plunkett #4753)

Scientific name: Arytera neoebudensis, Speaker: Wina Nasauman

[nowoɣ] n. red clouds after sunset

Speaker: David Nasauman

n. meadow

Speaker: Inglis 1882, p. 165

n. vine, growing up trees in primary forest at edge of river. flower white. (collection: Gregory M. Plunkett #3675)

Example: This vine is collected, rolled in a figure 8 and put on a fire to soften it and used to tie posts. It is tied when warm, because when it cools it is very strong, "like wire." It does not burn on the fire, only become soft. It is said to be excellent for the construction of cyclone houses, it shrinks after heating to make a very strong rope.

Scientific name: Melodinus neoebudicus, Speaker: Titiya Lalep

[numu] n. fish (general)

Speaker: Osiani Nerian

n. tree, 8 m tall (collection: Gregory M. Plunkett #3624)

Example: Use the wood of this plant for roof rafters.

Scientific name: Syzygium myriadenum, Speaker: Wina Nasauman

n. seed

Speaker: Inglis 1882, p. 182

n. kind of tree

Speaker: Inglis 1882, p. 117

n. stem of coconut leaf

Speaker: Inglis 1882, p. 188

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

Speaker: Kirk Keitadi

n. Blackfin barracuda

Example: Photo by Jan Messersmith, License: CC BY-SA 3.0 via Fishes of Australia

Scientific name: Sphyraena qenie via FishBase, Speaker: Jack Keitadi

v.a. to pare off rind

Speaker: Inglis 1882, p. 110

n. kind of taro

Speaker: Inglis 1882, p. 119