An example search has returned 100 entries
gɨwava
kakeakei
n. terrestrial fern growing in weedy patch with other herbs at edge of open forest heavily impacted by cyclone. Leaves dimorphic. (collection: Gregory M. Plunkett #3253)
Example: Used as a medicine to treat children who cannot walk. Rub smashed leaves on the knee of a child, "he will walk." For a child about 1 year old, rub the leaves on the knee and underside of the foot. This will make the child walk "easily and quickly." and will make the leg "lighter."
bookmarkkaruapeï
kiswup, kɨsɨp
kon kory
konianaker
Orange-spotted grouper (deep sea)
Example: Photo by Ian Shaw / iNaturalist.org, License: CC BY-NC 3.0 via Fishes of Australia
bookmarkkouwehew
kwanapit
[konapwit] n. herb to 50 cm, flowers pink (collection: Michael J. Balick #4721)
Example: This plant is used to treat diarrhea. A person takes 1 handful of leaves, washes the soil off, chews them and gets the juice out of the leaves, spits out the fibers and left over parts of the leaves. Chew this regularly until the diarrhea goes away if a person has a bad case; for a mild case, chew only once. It is said that a person has to "listen to the plant" until the diarrhea stops. It is said to be better for this condition than Psidium (guava).
bookmarkkwaninihi
kwareren-akwang
[nokukəpran] n. herb growing on large rock in open area, in middle of flowing stream. (collection: Gregory M. Plunkett #3117)
Example: People use this plant to treat heartburn and when they get indigestion. Take the leaf and wrap it with Ficus leaves ("manasus" unclear what species), chew them together and swallow the juice until the pain goes away.
bookmarkmakhum
Greensnout parrotfish
Example: Photo by Mark Rosenstein / iNaturalist.org, License: CC BY-NC-SA 3.0 via Fishes of Australia
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marao
Blotcheye soldierfish, bigscale soldierfish
Example: Photo by Jeffrey T. Williams / Smithsonian Institution, License: CC BY-SA 3.0 via Fishes of Australia
bookmarkminin pitew
Elongate surgeonfish
Example: Photo by Paddy Ryan / www.ryanphotographic.com, License: CC BY-SA 3.0 via Fishes of Australia
bookmarknamatamai
Longfin emperor
Example: Photo by ANFC, License: CC BY-NC 3.0 via Fishes of Australia
bookmarknanen
naraufanua
kind of yam, produces a tuber with white flesh and red skin. It can grow long and large in good soil, but is not a sweet yam, more starchy than many others. It is easy to grow
Example: Locally known as a “Chief’s Yam” as it is given to the Chief as a gift because it is one of the original yam varieties grown on Tanna
bookmarknareg
n. tree, 10-12 m tall (collection: Gregory M. Plunkett #2997)
Example: Hunting: Flying foxes are attracted to this plant for their fruits. As a result, hunters gather around this plant when they desire to hunt the flying fox. Food: The green leaf of this plant is used as a wrap when cooking fish over a fire. Clothing: The peeled inner bark of this plant is dried and then used as fastener or strap for other clothing during kastom ceremonies.
bookmarkneapar
nek-ke-hmap
n. herb to 2 m tall, growing on the edge of a homestead (collection: Michael J. Balick #4723)
Example: This plant is used to lift a person up--take two leaves together and make a "seat" and put it under a person, they can then be lifted up by the two people with a leaf on each side of that person. Use the leaf of this species to wrap rolled leaves of wild tobaco, to protect it and keep it fresh and moist
bookmarknekaferang
n. epiphyte growing on cyathea trunk, growing along garden trail. (collection: Gregory M. Plunkett #3066)
Example: This plant is used to reduce the pain of toothache. Take the stem and peel it, remove the bark and place the bark against a sore tooth. Keep it is place, until the person feels better. Can use this treatment 2-3 times. It is said to "take the pain away." The tooth may rot away naturally, but this is good for the pain that accompanies toothache. The dried fruits and seeds of the plant can be mixed with pig food, such as coconut, and when the female pigs eat it, they will not have piglets. This is said to be used when a person has too many pigs.
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neparum
[ne̤pa̤rɨm] n. vine, growing in disturbed forest/garden area. (collection: Gregory M. Plunkett #3103)
Example: Before there were many root crops such as taro and cassava, people would use the roots of this plant as a food, after roasting it in the fire. The roots are said to be very large and edible.
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nikanyep
nisae
n. type of flowering plant (collection: Michael J. Balick #5031)
Example: For Kastom ceremonies, use this plant to decorate the roots of Kava that is given to a chief. Also used in women’s grass skirt for kastom dance. When young girls are getting their first period (menstruation), they wear a grass skirt from this plant to be fragrant (in order to cover any blood smell).
bookmarknukuarangfam
n. type of flowering plant (collection: Michael J. Balick #5133)
Example: Stem for house building. Young leaves are very strong and used as plates during large kastom ceremonies. Sap can be used to cover sores from flies in order to protect it. Stem good for firewood as does not give much smoke--does not bother eyes as much as other wood.
bookmarknukwetau
nóropɨg
nɨmu kwatia tasiapen
Marr’s Fusilier, Twinstripe Fusilier
Example: Photo by Lesley Clements / iNaturalist.org, License: CC BY-NC 3.0 via Fishes of Australia
bookmarknɨvirákw
Pawpawuk
Asian Magpie Moth
Example: Photo by birdexplorers / iNaturalist, License: CC-BY-NC via inaturalist.org
bookmarktamakao
teprakaka
yarman
yesu
Cinnabar goatfish
Example: Photo by Mark Rosenstein / iNaturalist.org, License: CC BY-SA 3.0 via Fishes of Australia
bookmarkyesu
Dash-and-dot goatfish
Example: Photo by ANFC, License: CC BY-NC 3.0 via Fishes of Australia
bookmarkyesu
Doublebar goatfish
Example: Photo by Erik Schlogl / iNaturalist.org, License: CC BY-NC 3.0 via Fishes of Australia
bookmarkThere are currently 3233 entries, 3212 audio files, and 1236 images.
All content copyright © Nafe (Kwamera) community. (2015)
Nafe (Kwamera) Talking Dictionary produced by Martial Wahe, K. David Harrison, and Jeremy Fahringer (2015-2020).
Botanical consultants: Michael J. Balick, Gregory M. Plunkett, Laurence Ramon, Tom A. Ranker, Sean Thackurdeen, and Calvin Heiman. Field data transcribed by Isabella Mandis.
Nafe language contributors include Martial Wahe, Jean Pascal Wahe, Chief Johnson Noar, Emmanuel Maasi, Marie Emmanuel Maasi and others as credited within the dictionary entries. Based in part on materials from Lindstrom, Lamont (1986) Kwamera Dictionary. Pacific Linguistics. Series C, No. 95. Canberra: Australian National University.
The Nafe-English Talking Dictionary was made possible by award no. 1555675 from National Science Foundation for
“Collaborative Research: Plant, Fungal and Linguistic Diversity of Tafea Province, Vanuatu.” This support is gratefully acknowledged.
Any opinions, findings, and conclusions or recommendations expressed in this material are those of the author(s) and do not necessarily reflect the views of the National Science Foundation.
All rights reserved. Do not distribute or reproduce without permission.
how to cite:
K. David Harrison and Martial Wahe. 2015-2020.
Nafe (Kwamera) Talking Dictionary.
Swarthmore College.
http://www.talkingdictionary.org/kwamera
Interface and database design under the direction of Jeremy Fahringer and Swarthmore College ITS.
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