Aneityum

v. cut

Speaker: Kirk Keitadi

adj. sun just down

Speaker: Inglis 1882, p. 48

adj. happy

Speaker: Kirk Keitadi

v.n. go out

Speaker: Romario Yaufati

v. drink

Speaker: Kirk Keitadi

pro. me

Speaker: Kirk Keitadi

n. tide flowing a little, begun to flow

Speaker: Inglis 1882, p. 72

v. to teaze, as cotton; also "ehyeiyihi"

Speaker: Inglis 1882, p. 76

[et emθan] phr. he is strong

Speaker: Kirk Keitadi

[itij] num. one

Speaker: David Nasauman

v. to swell, as reeds when near blossoming

Speaker: Inglis 1882, p. 80

n. kind of flowering plant (collection: Gregory M. Plunkett #4794)

Scientific name: Rivina humilis, Speaker: Wina Nasauman

n. fishing hook

Speaker: Romario Yaufati

n. kind of crab

Speaker: Romario Yaufati

[inhuboʊ] n. shell (helical shell, white with purple spots)

Speaker: Chris Nevehev

n. kind of tree

Speaker: Inglis 1882, p. 117

[inja] n. Red Jungle Fowl, all chickens

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

Scientific name: Gallus gallus, Speaker: Jack Keitadi

[inʤupara] n. evening (late afternoon)

Speaker: David Nasauman

n. night; quite dark

Speaker: Inglis 1882, p. 86

n. tree to 2 m tall,dbh 40 com (collection: Michael J. Balick #4877)

Example: To treat a local disease (that causes pain in the stomach) called "Namya," peel off the outer bark, collect 1 handful of inner bark, boil with 1/2 liter of water, drink warm, 3 cups/daily, for 3 days. At that point the person will feel that "the weakness is no longer in the body." After 3 days of treatment the pain in the stomach goes away. Wood is used for posts; leaves for compost for holes that people will plant taro in--line the bottom of the hole before placing soil and taro in it.

Scientific name: Acacia spirorbis, Speaker: Natu Kenneth

n. one of the best kinds of breadfruit

Speaker: David Nasauman

[inmoiʤev ʤupʤupura] n. the evening star, early star

Speaker: David Nasauman

[inmoiʤev anofomat] n. a bright red star in the former constellation Argo Navis, in the direction of where the islands meet on the horizon

Speaker: David Nasauman

n. shrub. Growing in the village. Cultivated. (collection: Ashley A McGuigan #26)

Example: 1a. To stay healthy while pregnant - grate 1 coconut with nekei leaves, about a handfull (8). And 8 inpa leaves and 8 niditau leaves. Pound all of this together and squeeze juice out and bath in this then jump into a clear river to wash it off. 1b. Handful of leaves mashed with grated coconut and put in a shell, heat stones and put in shell, then take hot liquid to rub on body of woman who have just delivered to make their bodies healthy again, back to normal – when they deliver they are in huts, then wash with this and then come out of the huts and rejoin family. 2. Symbolic plant for peace (name means peace). 3. Message plant – put small tips of leaves in hair or make hat out of it and people know you come in peace. 4. When giving a gift, put this leaf on the gift, as in a basket – people wear them they are happy and peaceful – it is symbolic of Aneityumese people – so even when the people leave the island they will grow this plant. 5. People bathe with this leaf, mixed with grated coconut and cover body and hair to smell good and be strong. 6. Mosquito repellant, build fire, put green leaves on top, smoke and aroma chases mosquito away. 7. Take top of leaf with 3 young leaves and put in hair as there is the belief that this plant symbolizes the trinity. So it protects people. If a person from the island goes elsewhere and is faced with black magic they bathe with a handful of leaves, boil them and bathe with the liquid to remove the spell. 8. Decorate people with this leaf day feasts, weddings, and other events – very sacred.

Scientific name: Euodia hortensis, Speaker: Wina Nasauman

n. tree. Growing near village. (collection: Ashley A McGuigan #13)

Example: 1. To cure toothache when pregnant - Take the inner bark from Intejed and boil it in a pot of seawater (about 1 liter) along with 2 leaves from each of inpoutnatmas, narayag, nahayag, and nelmaha. Boil until juice is visibly leaving the plants. Put this water into your mouth and hold it there for 2-3 minutes. Do this this with one cup in the morning, 1 cup in the afternoon, and 1 cup in the evening. 2. This plant is special and people grew it – use it after burial of a chief – wash hands with these leaves and water to cleanse the people who buried the chief. 3. Name means belongs to the spirit

Scientific name: Codiaeum variegatum, Speaker: Wina Nasauman

[intaʧi] n. notches carved into a tree, used as footholds for climbing tree to harvest coconut

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

Speaker: Osiani Nerian

n. coconut grating bench

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

Speaker: Romario Yaufati

n. high tide

Speaker: Kirk Keitadi

[intisjaŋɣe] n. flower

Speaker: Ruben Nerian

n. the day before yesterday

Speaker: Inglis 1882, p. 89

n. kind of sugarcane

Speaker: Inglis 1882, p. 120

n. liana climbing on Syzygium, growing along ridge in dense rainforest. Latex white (collection: Gregory M. Plunkett #4079)

Scientific name: Tylophora aneityensis, Speaker: Wina Nasauman

n. parasitic vine scrambling over Scaevola taccada, at edge of strand. Fruits green. (collection: Gregory M. Plunkett #3545)

Example: 1. Take a handful of vine, pound it and wash hair, like shampoo – makes hair curly and like rasta. 2a. This is a "message plant." If a person is walking through a village that is not his, people know that they come in peace. 2b. Message plant - if a group is discussing something and one person goes out and makes a head les of this vine, it means that there can’t be an agreement. 2.) If you are angry at a person, drop the vine at their door, in the case of a visitor or land dispute and they need to leave.

Scientific name: Cassytha filiformis, Speaker: Titiya Lalep

n. kind of plant, grass, or fern

Speaker: Inglis 1882, p. 120

n. tree, 9 m tall (collection: Gregory M. Plunkett #4053)

Example: 1. Timber is often harvested and sold from this tree. 2. Flying foxes enjoy the fruits of this tree. Hunters gather nearby this species when the flying foxes are hunted.

Scientific name: Sideroxylon aneityense, Speaker: Wina Nasauman

n. the flour, as of arrowroot

Speaker: Inglis 1882, p. 90

v. to gather beans

Speaker: Inglis 1882, p. 90

adj. afar

Speaker: Inglis 1882, p. 121

adj. ripe, as fruit; healed, as a wound; also "mah"

Speaker: Inglis 1882, p. 92

n. grass to 1 m, flowers purplish (collection: Michael J. Balick #4935)

Example: This grass is planted to protect a person’s farm from being affected by evil spirits.

Scientific name: Chrysopogon aciculatus, Speaker: Natu Kenneth

[maja] phr. yes

Speaker: Ruben Nerian

n. Vittaria lineata

Example: Frond: cold maceration taken internally against ciguatera

Speaker: Bradacs 2011, p. 443

n. the name of a prickly shrub

Speaker: Inglis 1882, p. 93

n. tree, 6 m tall (collection: Gregory M. Plunkett #3530)

Example: This plant grows in coastal areas, and is a good source of firewood. It can be used for house posts. The leaves are used as an unspecified medicine. There is a belief regarding the black and white sea snake, that represents a seawater spirit. Mix this with other unspecified leaves, mash together, squeeze into a bamboo tube and fill it. Give it to a woman to drink to keep the evil snake spirit away. The same preparation can be used to treat toothache, caused by the seawater spirit. "The spirit can trick you into going to fish every day."

Scientific name: Guettarda speciosa, Speaker: Titiya Lalep

n. sun

Speaker: David Nasauman

n. Orange-spotted emperor, yellowtail emperor

Example: Photo by FAO / Fishbase, License: CC BY-NC 3.0 via Fishes of Australia

Scientific name: Lethrinus erythracanthus via FishBase, Speaker: Jack Keitadi

n. kind of taro

Speaker: Inglis 1882, p. 119

n. species of palm tree

Speaker: Inglis 1882, p. 95

n. terrestrial orchid growing in rain forest on the mountain slope. Flowers white. (collection: Gregory M. Plunkett #3288)

Scientific name: Calanthe chrysantha, Speaker: Natu Kenneth

[naleθpeɲ] n. Barn Owl

Example: Photo by Matt Knoth, License: CC BY-NC-ND 2.0 via Flickr

Scientific name: Tyto alba, Speaker: Jack Keitadi

n. well branched tree, 12 m tall (collection: Gregory M. Plunkett #4081)

Example: 1. The wood is used to carve a bi-handle bowl from which chiefs would drink kava.

Scientific name: Glochidion ramiflorum, Speaker: Wina Nasauman

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. kind of shellfish

Speaker: Romario Yaufati

n. epiphyte on fallen tree branch with abundant mosses, growing in rain forest on the mountain slope. (collection: Gregory M. Plunkett #3291)

Scientific name: Davallia pusilla, Speaker: Wina Nasauman

[napat apeiŋ] n. black cloud

Speaker: David Nasauman

n. kind of crab

Speaker: Romario Yaufati

n. kind of plant, grass, or fern

Speaker: Inglis 1882, p. 120

n. shrub, 1. 5 m tall (collection: Gregory M. Plunkett #3538)

Example: The straight young stems of this plant are used to make bows and arrows. The larger stems are used to make house posts. Excellent for coastal areas as the wood is strong. Firewood.

Scientific name: Premna corymbosa, Speaker: Titiya Lalep

n. wind-related term; no definition provided

Speaker: Inglis 1882, p. 113

[naʊintin] n. bowels

Speaker: Ruben Nerian

n. kind of tree

Speaker: Inglis 1882, p. 117

n. yellow star

Speaker: David Nasauman

adj. full of seeds, as the pawpaw apple

Speaker: Inglis 1882, p. 98

n. stage of coconut

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

Speaker: Romario Yaufati

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 crab

Speaker: Romario Yaufati

n. tree, 18 m tall (collection: Gregory M. Plunkett #3667)

Example: Children suck the nectar from the young flowers just as they open. Wood from this plant is used for poles for rafters as well as for firewood. Flying foxes drink juice from the flowers.

Scientific name: Geissois denhamii, Speaker: Titiya Lalep

n. tree, 3. 5 m tall (collection: Gregory M. Plunkett #3581)

Example: This plant is used to make houseposts and for firewood.

Scientific name: Pittosporum aneityense, Speaker: Titiya Lalep

n. a light wind

Speaker: Inglis 1882, p. 99

n. home

Speaker: Kirk Keitadi

n. kind of shellfish

Speaker: Romario Yaufati

n. tender shoots

Speaker: Inglis 1882, p. 100

n. epiphyte on syzygium tree, growing in secondary forest along trail above river. old fruits. (collection: Gregory M. Plunkett #3660)

Example: Put several leaves of this species together to wrap food, especially the fresh water eel, and to carry plants of taro, kava, holding the leaves over one’s shoulder to carry these crops.

Scientific name: Procris pedunculata, Speaker: Titiya Lalep

n. leaves; grass

Speaker: Inglis 1882, p. 100

n. clouds rising up against the wind (possibly black clouds)

Speaker: David Nasauman

n. the castor-oil plant

Speaker: Inglis 1882, p. 102

n. kind of tree

Speaker: Inglis 1882, p. 117

n. tree fern, trunk 2 m tall (collection: Gregory M. Plunkett #4102)

Example: 1. There are kinds of this plant. This is considered the white one. See GMP #4100, Cyathea sp., which is considered the black one.

Scientific name: Cyathea, Speaker: Wina Nasauman

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

Speaker: Ruben Nerian

n. a plant like a banana

Speaker: Inglis 1882, p. 101

n. the chewed fiber of sugarcane

Speaker: Inglis 1882, p. 101

n. sparsely branched tree, 12 m tall (collection: Gregory M. Plunkett #3208)

Example: The flying fox eats the fruit of this tree. When the fruits are ripe, the seeds are edible and children cut off the outside of the fruit and eat the nut. Wrap fish with this leaf and cook it on top of a fire--it tastes good. House posts are made from the trunk of the tree. It grows in the coastal area.

Scientific name: Cerbera manghas, Speaker: Wina Nasauman

n. type of seashell

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

Speaker: Jack Keitadi

n. kind of shellfish

Speaker: Romario Yaufati

[nisʧi] n. wooden poles forming the structure of a roof

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

Speaker: Osiani Nerian

n. kind of plant, grass, or fern

Speaker: Inglis 1882, p. 120

[nohos vietnam] n. kind of banana(sp. from Vietnam)

Speaker: David Nasauman

n. vine, growing in coastal forest. Flowers red with yellow tinges. (collection: Gregory M. Plunkett #3448)

Scientific name: Gloriosa superba, Speaker: Wina Nasauman

n. Striated surgeonfish

Example: Photo by Mark Rosenstein / iNaturalist.org, License: CC BY-NC-SA 3.0 via Fishes of Australia

Scientific name: Ctenochaetus striatus, Speaker: Chris Nevehev

n. vine, growing in open disturbed area. Flowers white. (collection: Gregory M. Plunkett #3589)

Example: To build a cyclone house, take the vine of this species to tie pieces of the house. To prepare the vine for use as rope, collect many feet of it, put it in a fire, roll it in a figure 8, wait until it softens and then use for tying. This vine is hard and needs to be heated to a high temperature in the fire to make it soft; the person preparing this must use gloves to tie it to the posts and rafters while it is still warm. When it cools, it is very strong. Rope made from this vine will last a long time--perhaps 10-15 years. It can also be used to make a regular house.

Scientific name: Jasminum didymum, Speaker: Titiya Lalep

[numra napo] n. the Southern Cross

Speaker: David Nasauman

n. terrestrial fern, 0. 4 m tall (collection: Gregory M. Plunkett #3577)

Example: Join two of the inrolled fronds together at the part where the frond is opening (the tip that is curled) such that the leaves are held together by their unfolding growing tips. Place this along the path that is frequented by a wild pig (they travel along paths) and when the pig passes these two leaves, and is chased by a hunter’s dogs, these leaves in this formation are said to sap some of the pig’s energy and thus allow the dogs to catch up with it. This was explained to Tony by another person who mentioned it as a sort of magical power possessed by this type of fern.

Scientific name: Blechnopsis orientalis, Speaker: Titiya Lalep

[nʊpsiʤman] n. finger (gen.)

Speaker: Ruben Nerian

n. vine to 1 m, fruits black. Secondary forest. (collection: Michael J. Balick #4906)

Scientific name: Geitonoplesium cymosum, Speaker: Natu Kenneth

n. herb 1 m tall, flowers pink (collection: Michael J. Balick #4923)

Example: Collect the yellow leaves, the mature ones, roll it between one’s hands, squeezing it, and dry it in the sun for a day and hang it in the kitchen near the place where fires are made, and within a week it will turn black. It is ready to be smoked--roll paper around it and smoke it. Take 6-10 leaves, roll them up and squeeze them into a bucket of water mixing the juice with the water until it turns somewhat green. Use this water to wash crops such as legumes and other garden plants to kill insects that might be attacking them.

Scientific name: Nicotiana tabacum, Speaker: Natu Kenneth

adv. near; inshore; near the shore

Speaker: Inglis 1882, p. 108

n. Sida rhombifolia L.

Example: Leaf: infusion taken internally against diarrhea

Speaker: Bradacs 2011, p. 442

v.a. to lop off small branches

Speaker: Inglis 1882, p. 110

adj. made of branches

Speaker: Inglis 1882, p. 111

n. kind of taro

Speaker: Inglis 1882, p. 119