The Aneityum Talking Dictionary currently has 2431 entries, with 1543 audio files and 860 images.
This image gallery has returned 100 entries.
napod
n. tree to 10 m, dbh 30 cm (collection: Michael J. Balick #4900)
Scientific name: Alphitonia zizyphoides
Example: Before there was soap, people took the young leaves and crushed them on a stone to make suds for washing clothes in the river. This tree has a very hard wood and can be used for house posts. The sap is reddish and the bark boiled in water until it is red, consumed 2-3 times daily (1 cup each time) until the person feels well. The condition treated is that when a menstruating woman has sex with a man, and he feels tired and lethargic, drinking this tonic makes him feel stronger.
Semantic domains:
nap̃od
n. tree, 12 m tall (collection: Gregory M. Plunkett #4128)
Scientific name: Alphitonia zizyphoides
Example: 1. The wood of this tree can be used to make posts for traditional houses.
Semantic domains:
napojev
n. sparsely branched tree, growing in open (collection: Gregory M. Plunkett #3477)
Scientific name: Polyscias schmidii
Example: The leaves of this plant are used in cooking, particuarly with the earth oven. Use a fire to heat stones, then when the fire burns down and the stones are hot, pile these leaves on top of the hot stones and then place the food being cooked--taro, fish, pig, cassava, banana or other foods--on top of the leaves. Then pile more of these leaves on top of the food and then place additional hot stones on top of that pile of leaves. While the food is cooking--each type of food takes a different amount of time--the leaves give off a very nice smell and help flavor the food.
Semantic domains:
napojev
n. sparsely branched tree, 5 m tall (collection: Gregory M. Plunkett #3493)
Scientific name: Polyscias schmidii
Example: The leaves of this plant are used in cooking, particuarly with the earth oven. Use a fire to heat stones, then when the fire burns down and the stones are hot, pile these leaves on top of the hot stones and then place the food being cooked--taro, fish, pig, cassava, banana or other foods--on top of the leaves. Then pile more of these leaves on top of the food and then place additional hot stones on top of that pile of leaves. While the food is cooking--each type of food takes a different amount of time--the leaves give off a very nice smell and help flavor the food.
Semantic domains:
nap̃ojev
n. well branched tree, 14 m tall (collection: Gregory M. Plunkett #3651)
Scientific name: Polyscias cissodendron
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.
Semantic domains:
napojev
n. tree to 5 m, dbh 10 cm (collection: Michael J. Balick #4889)
Scientific name: Polyscias cissodendron
Example: The leaves are used to cover meat when baking it in a stone oven (inmawum). This will soften the meat and keep it moist. Used when other species of this genus are not available, for example if you are in the bush.
Semantic domains:
nap̃ojev
n. well branched, partly fallen tree (collection: Gregory M. Plunkett #4054)
Scientific name: Polyscias cissodendron
Example: 1. Branches of these leaves are used to cover and insulate earth ovens.
Semantic domains:
naposjelcau
n. kind of flowering plant (collection: Gregory M. Plunkett #4764)
Scientific name: Tarenna
Semantic domains:
nap̃udve
n. epiphytic fern, fallen to ground (collection: Gregory M. Plunkett #3494)
Scientific name: Aglaomorpha rigidula
Example: When a dog is poisoned by cuguatera from eating a fish, the root of this species is collected, cleaned and a handful is boiled in 1-2 cups of water and given to the dog to drink. This treatment should be done 3x daily, in the morning, around noon and during the evening meal for as long as the dog is sick.
Semantic domains:
napujatha
n. herb to 0. 75 m, fruits brown. Growing in cultivated area near village. (collection: Michael J. Balick #5011)
Scientific name: Achyranthes aspera
Example: People use this for an uspecified medicine.
Semantic domains:
naran
n. Orange-socket surgeonfish
Scientific name: Acanthurus auranticavus via FishBase
Example: Photo by ANFC, License: CC BY-SA 3.0 via Fishes of Australia
Semantic domains:
narasinipjin necsei nupu afrika
n. shrub to 3 m tall, dbh 4 cm (collection: Michael J. Balick #4995)
Scientific name: Euphorbia pulcherrima
Example: The flowers are cut and used in the house and the plant is grown as an ornamental around the house.
Semantic domains:
narayag
n. tree. Growing in village garden. (collection: Ashley A McGuigan #20)
Scientific name: Erythrina variegata
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 inpounatmas, 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. Plant used to check with fish has ciguatera, in same way as other collection – GMP #4768. Stick white – OK to eat. Stick black or brown – not good.
Semantic domains:
nared
n. vine climbing on trees, growing in dense rainforest. (collection: Gregory M. Plunkett #4090)
Scientific name: Lygodium reticulatum
Example: 1. The rachis of an old plant is braided as a rope to tie sugar cane, house posts, and fences. The rachis is used when green, and as it dries in form, it remains functional and lasts for a long time (10-12 years).
Semantic domains:
nared
n. vine to 3 m, sori brown. (collection: Michael J. Balick #4930)
Scientific name: Lygodium reticulatum
Example: Take a handful of the vine, twist it into rope with many stems of the vine, and use it to tie bundles of sugar cane. It can also be used to tie wild canes (Miscanthus) to the roof of the house. Take a handful of the vine, twist it into rope with many stems of the vine, and use it to tie bundles of sugar cane. It can also be used to tie wild canes (Miscanthus) to the roof of the house.
Semantic domains:
narevaro
n. shrub, 1. 5 m tall (collection: Gregory M. Plunkett #3538)
Scientific name: Premna corymbosa
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.
Semantic domains:
narijo
n. epiphytic fern on tree trunk, growing in dense rainforest. (collection: Gregory M. Plunkett #4087)
Scientific name: Prosaptia contigua
Example: 1. The name refers to a crustacean and also to the spines of bamboo.
Semantic domains:
narijo
n. epiphytic fern on decaying log, growing in dense rainforest. (collection: Gregory M. Plunkett #4088)
Scientific name: Ctenopterella pacifica
Example: 1. Considered the same as Narijo. When it grow in good soil it takes the form of GMP 4087. In cold and rocky soil it this form.
Semantic domains:
nariko
n. shrub to 3 m, flowers yellow with red outer coverings (appearing red when closed) (collection: Michael J. Balick #4957)
Scientific name: Cajanus cajun
Example: This plant is used to fertilize fields, especially by growing it in fields that have been used for other crops for a very long time. The seeds can be cooked when dry and hard, boiled in water, or eaten directly without preparation when green and soft.
Semantic domains:
nariko cei
n. fence-forming shrub, 1. 5 m tall (collection: Gregory M. Plunkett #3206)
Scientific name: Cajanus cajan
Example: 1a. Cultivated in gardens. Cook seeds of this species or eat them raw before they are fully ripened. The green pods can also be cooked in a fire and eaten. 1b. Cultivated plant for its edible seeds, can be prepared in a pot of bamboo. OR could take branches w/ seeds and put directly on the earth oven for cooking. 2. Planting this species adds nitrogen to the soil--grow it on soil that is said to be "tired."
Semantic domains:
narpomyiv
n. epiphytic orchid, growing in dense rainforest. Flowers orange. (collection: Gregory M. Plunkett #4113)
Scientific name: Liparis condylobulbon
Example: 1. Children often take the leaves of this plant and blow across the surface of a taut leaf to make a whistle sound. Older folks say this blowing invited rain.
Semantic domains:
nasjiñaho
n. shrub to 1 m, flowers greenish-white. (collection: Michael J. Balick #4932)
Scientific name: Breynia disticha
Example: The roots are used to treat toothache. Take the roots, strip off the outer bark and chew the root. Stops pain from the toothache. Use 3x daily until the pain is gone.
Semantic domains:
nasjiñao
n. shrub, 0. 8 m tall (collection: Gregory M. Plunkett #3603)
Scientific name: Breynia disticha
Example: This plant has an unspecified use that is considered secret.
Semantic domains:
nasjiñao
n. kind of flowering plant (collection: Gregory M. Plunkett #4769)
Scientific name: Breynia disticha
Semantic domains:
nasjiralcau
n. herb, growing in and along trail in open disturbed area. (collection: Gregory M. Plunkett #3697)
Scientific name: Hedyotis lapeyrousei
Semantic domains:
nasjiramnem
n. grass to 20-30 cm tall, florets brown. Growing along trail. (collection: Michael J. Balick #4970)
Scientific name: Paspalum conjugatum
Example: This plant is used to make a medicine to stop bleeding, as a styptic. Squeeze a handful of leaves together and apply the leaves as a poultice to the wound or drip the juice on the wound when it does not seem wise to put pressure on the bleeding. This will stop the blood from flowing from the wound and is only to be used on a small wound.
Semantic domains:
nataimu
n. Brassy trevally
Scientific name: Caranx papuensis via FishBase
Example: Photo by ANFC, License: CC BY-NC 3.0 via Fishes of Australia
Semantic domains:
natauh
[ ɲataʊ ]
n. shell (big)
Example: Photo by K. David Harrison, April 2016.
nateg
n. tree, 3. 5 m tall (collection: Gregory M. Plunkett #3489)
Scientific name: Ficus granatum
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.
Semantic domains:
nateng
n. tree, 8 m tall (collection: Gregory M. Plunkett #4125)
Scientific name: Ficus smithii
Example: 1. The fruits can be cooked with coconut milk and consumed. 2. Green leaves can be used to wrap fish, when they are cooked in a fire.
Semantic domains:
nathat
[ natʔhat ]
n. wall
Example: Photo by K. David Harrison, April 2016.
nathat
n. stone wall for building a garden
Example: Photo by K. David Harrison, Dec. 2018, Aneityum island.
nathat uwun jap
n. stone wall for beach
Example: Photo by K. David Harrison, Dec. 2018, Aneityum island.
natimihas
n. terrestrial fern, growing in dense rainforest. (collection: Gregory M. Plunkett #4095)
Scientific name: Lindsaea harveyi
Example: 1. The name means "cranky person". If someone fastens this plant around his head as a deocrative lei, it means that this person is not happy. He does not want to talk or communicate with anybody. The use is no longer common, and now many people do not know the signficance.
Semantic domains:
natimihas
n. kind of fern (collection: Gregory M. Plunkett #4780)
Scientific name: Adiantum hispidulum
Semantic domains:
natiñpece
n. herb, growing on roadside in open disturbed area. (collection: Gregory M. Plunkett #3607)
Scientific name: Ischaemum muticum
Semantic domains:
natisiyeg
n. Squaretail mullet
Scientific name: Liza vaigiensis via FishBase
Example: Photo by ANFC, License: CC BY-NC 3.0 via Fishes of Australia
Semantic domains:
natji
n. shrub, 1. 2 m tall (collection: Gregory M. Plunkett #3469)
Scientific name: Tarenna efatensis
Example: The wood of this species is used to make a spear for fishing. The wood can also be used to make spears for hunting wild pigs.
Semantic domains:
natji
n. kind of flowering plant (collection: Gregory M. Plunkett #4761)
Scientific name: Pavetta opulina
Semantic domains:
natoga an nauunse
n. north-north-east wind, between "natoga" and "natoga matahau an jap"
Semantic domains:
natora
n. tree to 6 m, dbh 25 cm (collection: Michael J. Balick #4873)
Scientific name: Intsia bijuga
Example: This tree is a good source of timber, it is a hard wood and makes good posts for houses, fences, and furniture. 4’ x 4’ and 8’ x 1’ planks can be cut from this wood. Great for construction.
Semantic domains:
natutahut
n. grass to 10 cm, seeds brown. (collection: Michael J. Balick #4945)
Scientific name: Lepturus repens
Example: To make a baby strong, burn the leaves and rhizome, take the ashes and rub on the baby’s arms, knees, legs. Makes them strong, healthy and able to walk. Use after the child is given a bath. 1-4 years old, and it will help. Can use every day after bathing.
Semantic domains:
nau hos
n. a kind of bamboo (collection: Ashley A McGuigan #25)
Scientific name: Bambusa vulgaris
Example: 1. To cure the sea snake (nispev) curse that causes missed periods. First the husband must combine 4 young leaves of incispev and 4 young leaves of nafanu and mash and squeeze the juice into a small bamboo (1-1.5 inch diameter) The nafanu is important because it is a plant that connects to the sea. Use wildcane leaves cover the bamboo closed. Go to the sick person and unwrap the snake from her. Start from the top and let the woman drink a small part of the potion then wash her with the mixture, making sure to wash head, elbows, knees, feet, and belly. Then take a leaf of naha and break it over the woman’s belly button to break the snake off. Smash the bamboo vessel to pieces. Leave the woman there until the wash dries on her. This takes one whole day and the ceremony in the evening so she can sleep and she must not eat. This ritual is performed by men. 2. To make house walls cut to length desired break stems into straps and weave ??. 3. Use stem to cook foods. 4. Container for carrying water. 5. Take tips and tie together and make a torch to go fishing on the reef, walk with the torch – this is a current practice in the East side. 6. Can cut a piece about 1’ long and sharpen edge and use to skin a green banana. 7. Traditional medicine – can use a small segment as a sort of container to carry the traditional medicine to the patient – for example when prepare a sea snake for remedy, or any medicine – to carry it. 8. Used as a container to preserve seeds such as corn, cucumber, beans and is covered with coconut fiber and put near (above?) the fire where it is dry, and the smoke from the fire will keep insects from attacking the seeds.
Semantic domains:
nauhap̃
n. small tree or shrub, 2 m tall (collection: Gregory M. Plunkett #3210)
Scientific name: Macropiper latifolium
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.
Semantic domains:
nauhap̃ apeñ
n. treelet, 2 m tall (collection: Gregory M. Plunkett #4065)
Scientific name: Macropiper latifolium
Example: 1. When a sea shell pricks you "Inlac", a person can be lifted by magic using these leaves. Further information about this use withheld.
Semantic domains:
naupigat
n. herb, growing among stones and rocks at edge of river in primary forest. (collection: Gregory M. Plunkett #3674)
Scientific name: Hemigraphis reptans
Example: People say it can remove the power of a love potion.
Semantic domains:
naupiñiña
n. terrestrial fern, growing in secondary forest along the river. Leaves c. 2. 25 m long. (collection: Gregory M. Plunkett #3656)
Scientific name: Pronephrium rubrinerve
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.
Semantic domains:
naupitcat
n. shrub to 2 m, flowers greenish white turning to brown (collection: Michael J. Balick #4886)
Scientific name: Phyllanthus myrianthus
Example: In taller forest, this plant is higher so can use it to make a spear. Sharpen the end or use wires as the tip. Unspecified medicinal use.
Semantic domains:
naupitcat
n. kind of flowering plant (collection: Gregory M. Plunkett #4773)
Scientific name: Phyllanthus myrianthus
Semantic domains:
naupitju
n. treelet, 1 m tall (collection: Gregory M. Plunkett #3622)
Scientific name: Cordyline fruticosa
Example: People use the leaf of this plant to tie over grated banana, taro or other foods for cooking in an earth oven or boiling in a pot. The root of this species is edible. Cook it for 2-3 nights in an earth oven and then chew and squeeze the juice into your mouth, spitting out the fiber.
Semantic domains:
naupitju
n. treelet, 1 m tall (collection: Gregory M. Plunkett #3622)
Scientific name: Cordyline fruticosa
Example: People use the leaf of this plant to tie over grated banana, taro or other foods for cooking in an earth oven or boiling in a pot. The root of this species is edible. Cook it for 2-3 nights in an earth oven and then chew and squeeze the juice into your mouth, spitting out the fiber. It is a survival food.
Semantic domains:
naurakiti
n. herb. Swamp areas. (collection: Ashley A McGuigan #8)
Scientific name: Ageratum conyzoides
Example: 1. Cervical pain and to return it to normal size - Get a handful of Naurakiti and boil it in a pot of water. This can also be done by rubbing the handful of leaves together and squeezing out the juice into the boiling water but the leaves do not go inside. Sit in this for 2 hours or until cold for 1 a day for a week. 2. Medicine: leaf juice put on fresh cut to stop bleeding. Stomachache, headache – use 1 handful of leaves, squeeze these, put in cup, put in some water and drink it 1x day. 3. Women menstruation that will not stop, take 1 handful of leaves into a cup of water and drink 1x day for 3 days. 4. If a person’s joints are sore, take a handful of leaves, crush them and rub on the sore joints. Some people don’t like to use it internally as it can make some people sick, especially small children, but others say it is OK to use.
Semantic domains:
nautahos
n. herb, 1. 5 m tall (collection: Gregory M. Plunkett #3280)
Scientific name: Isachne comata
Example: A "message plant". In ancient times, this plant was used for communicating. If you go to a person who composes songs and give this to them, they will know to compose a song for you. Name means "flowers on the ground".
Semantic domains:
nauy erop̃
n. tree, 3 m tall (collection: Gregory M. Plunkett #3444)
Scientific name: Ficus scabra
Semantic domains:
nauyerop̃
n. tree, 2 m tall (collection: Gregory M. Plunkett #3487)
Scientific name: Ficus scabra
Example: 1. To cure spirit sickness of the niteitau. Use plants that also end with "au" : niditau, intoutau, naoyerop. Go to the top of the plant to get the soft leaves of the plants niditau, intoutau, naoyerop, also take the bark. The person making the medicine should be holding the these leaves with a piece of nelmaha. Nelmaha means go away. The sick person chews the leaves and bark and swallows the juice spitting out the fiber into the nelmaha the medicine maker is holding. The medicine person then takes the spit out fiber in the nalmaha leaf and throws it into the sea in front of the village. 2. Edible fruits, when ripe or green, does not taste when green, but sweet when ripe. 3a. Leaves (young) are edible, for example wrap around coconut meat and eat or cook with island cabbage and other leaves, boil and add coconut milk and eat. 3b. The young leaves are edible, after boiling for 5 minutes. A piece of coconut and a pinch of salt is wrapped in the leaves and eaten. The mature leaves are used to wrap food such as pig or cow meat and cooked in an earth oven. Tie this bundle with a piece of Pandanus fiber to secure it before putting in the earth oven. 4. During big feast, use this a lot – circumcison or wedding feast, harvest leaves and wrap around meat and bake on earth oven – sometimes we cut down a whole tree to gather leaves. 5. To make men’s custom belt – split stem, peel outer bark off to take inner bark and peel it, tear end to make strap that can be tied. Dry in sun but not direct sunlight. 6. Older large trunks were burned by ancestors to keep fire going – did not need matches (lefre(?) matches) because embers would stay for days and when make a fire add smaller branches to make a flame.
Semantic domains:
nauyerop
n. tree, 3 m tall (collection: Gregory M. Plunkett #3505)
Scientific name: Ficus storckii
Example: The young leaves are edible, after boiling for 5 minutes. A piece of coconut and a pinch of salt is wrapped in the leaves and eaten. The mature leaves are used to wrap food such as pig or cow meat and cooked in an earth oven. Tie this bundle with a piece of Pandanus fiber to secure it before putting in the earth oven. Both the green and ripe fruits are edible.
Semantic domains:
nauyerop̃
n. sparsely branched small tree, 3 m tall (collection: Gregory M. Plunkett #3209)
Scientific name: Ficus scabra
Example: The fruit is edible when ripe and when it is younger can be eaten with salt. The young leaves are eaten raw, after being rubbed with coconut meat and salt. Cover pork to be cooked in the oven with the leaves of this plant, tie them on with a rope made from Pandanus leaf and put taro on the fire as well. The oily part of the pig will mix with the taro and enhance its flavor.
Semantic domains:
nauyerop
n. tree. Village home garden. (collection: Ashley A McGuigan #9)
Scientific name: Ficus aspera
Example: 1. To cure spirit sickness of the niteitau. Use plants that also end with "au" : niditau, intoutau, naoyerop. Go to the top of the plant to get the soft leaves of the plants niditau, intoutau, naoyerop, also take the bark. The person making the medicine should be holding the these leaves with a piece of nelmaha. Nelmaha means go away. The sick person chews the leaves and bark and swallows the juice spitting out the fiber into the nelmaha the medicine maker is holding. The medicine person then takes the spit out fiber in the nalmaha leaf and throws it into the sea in front of the village. 2. Edible fruits, when ripe or green, does not taste when green, but sweet when ripe. 3a. Leaves (young) are edible, for example wrap around coconut meat and eat or cook with island cabbage and other leaves, boil and add coconut milk and eat. 3b. The young leaves are edible, after boiling for 5 minutes. A piece of coconut and a pinch of salt is wrapped in the leaves and eaten. The mature leaves are used to wrap food such as pig or cow meat and cooked in an earth oven. Tie this bundle with a piece of Pandanus fiber to secure it before putting in the earth oven. 4. During big feast, use this a lot – circumcison or wedding feast, harvest leaves and wrap around meat and bake on earth oven – sometimes we cut down a whole tree to gather leaves. 5. To make men’s custom belt – split stem, peel outer bark off to take inner bark and peel it, tear end to make strap that can be tied. Dry in sun but not direct sunlight. 6. Older large trunks were burned by ancestors to keep fire going – this was during the time when people did not have matches and did not need them as the embers of this tree would stay hot for days and when it was time to make a stronger fire, people would add smaller branches to make a flame appear.
Semantic domains:
nauyerop̃ u inman
n. treelet, 2 m tall (collection: Gregory M. Plunkett #4067)
Scientific name: Ficus kajewskii
Example: 1. When pig is cooked in an earth oven, branches of this speces are used to cover the pig, before hot rocks are heaped on top.
Semantic domains:
nawa
n. shrub. Village pathways. ornamental. (collection: Ashley A McGuigan #7)
Scientific name: Polyscias multijuga
Example: 1. Heat the leaves then place on the sore muscle. 2. Edible plant, cook young leaves until soft and then can eat, as a vegetable or soup, with any food. 3. Same use as AAM 3 to heat and put on body to heal pain. 4. On a reef when it is time to protect the reef to conserve it and bring more fish, you take this plant and put it in the hole in the reef – cut stem and put it in reef in several parts. People will know it is under protection and respect it.
Semantic domains:
nawalha itouga
n. sedge, 0. 5 m tall (collection: Gregory M. Plunkett #3610)
Scientific name: Cyperus involucratus
Semantic domains:
nawitoga
[ nawitõŋa ]
n. machete
Example: Photo by K. David Harrison, April 2016.
nawod
n. tree, 12 m tall (collection: Gregory M. Plunkett #3641)
Scientific name: Elaeocarpus angustifolius
Example: 1. The wood of this tree is used to make temporary houses, for example, when making a garden by the river. 2. The wood can be sawn into timber. 3. People collect red leaf and put under tongue when want to talk about conflicted issues such as a dispute to make their argument stronger.
Semantic domains:
nawou
n. rush growing to 1-2 meters tall, round (collection: Michael J. Balick #4975)
Scientific name: Schoenoplectus validus
Example: Split the stem of this plant on one side, open up the entire stem and make a roll of the stem. Use to weave baskets.
Semantic domains:
nawou
n. herb, growing in partially drained marsh. (collection: Gregory M. Plunkett #3593)
Scientific name: Schoenoplectus validus
Semantic domains:
naytmas
n. tree to 5 m, dbh 4 cm (collection: Michael J. Balick #4898)
Scientific name: Delarbrea paradoxa
Example: The leaves are used to cover goat or pig meat when a person is roasting it on an earth oven It prevents it from burning and enhances the taste of the meat.
Semantic domains:
neandel
[ neɪjanθel ]
n. coconut with sprout
Example: Photo by K. David Harrison, April 2016.
Semantic domains:
nebgev legenhap
n. Scalloped hammerhead
Scientific name: Sphyrna lewini
Example: Photo by Xvic / Wikimedia Commons, License: CC BY-NC-SA 3.0 via Fishes of Australia
Semantic domains:
necemas
n. terrestrial plant, growing in dry forest. (collection: Gregory M. Plunkett #3509)
Scientific name: Selaginella durvillei
Example: 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.
Semantic domains:
necemas
n. fern to 30 cm, cones green (collection: Michael J. Balick #4919)
Scientific name: Selaginella distans
Example: Use this plant to send a message to someone that another person has died. Take 1 dried leaf, to pass message to another village/tribe or people. Hold it in your hand and walk past a person, then they know that someone has died.
Semantic domains:
necemas moso
n. terrestrial plant on forest floor, growing in disturbed forest. (collection: Gregory M. Plunkett #3483)
Scientific name: Selaginella firmula
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.
Semantic domains:
necjop̃dak
n. low-growing, creeping vine growing in grassy area just inland from coastal strand. Flowers yellow. (collection: Gregory M. Plunkett #3223)
Scientific name: Vigna marina
Example: The leaves of this plant are used to treat stomach ache. Take a handful of leaves and mix with 1/2 liter of water, crush the leaves in the water and drink the entire amount when your stomach hurts. Alternatively, this can also be consumed 1x a week as a tonic drink for the stomach and system.
Semantic domains:
necjop̃dak
n. prostrate creeping vine along coastlines. (collection: Ashley A McGuigan #10)
Scientific name: Vigna marina
Example: 1. To cure rubbush blood - Take a handfull f leaves of any age, pound it into a cupfull of water, squeeze the juice and drink when woman feels pain in head or inside the body or when the inside of the body is hot. Drink this once a day until the pain goes away. 2. To cure excessive bleeding after giving birth - boil naojapdak leaves (2-16) in seawater until leaves are soft and the water is brown. Sit on this water. 3. To close the cervix - boil 2 naojapdak leaves in water and bath in it. 4. Medicine: Smash leaves 1 handful, into cup and add a small amount of water to treat constipation—1 cup for children; 1.5 litres for adults. 5. Stomachache: same treatment, will clear bowel. 6. For leg sores, collect whole plant, put in water – a pool of water for 1 week, then use to dip sore as on leg into it for 10-15 minutes cure the sore.
Semantic domains:
necjopdak
n. scrambling vine, growing in coastal strand vegetation. Flowers yellow. 1. Medicine: Smash leaves 1 handful, into cup and add a small amount of water to treat constipation—1 cup for children; 1.5 XX for adults. 2. Stomachache: same treatment, will clear bowel. 3. For leg sores, collect whole plant, put in water – a pool of water for 1 week, then use to dip sore as on leg into it for 10-15 minutes cure the sore. (collection: Gregory M. Plunkett #3437)
Scientific name: Vigna marina
Semantic domains:
neclad
n. tree, 8 m tall (collection: Gregory M. Plunkett #4129)
Scientific name: Semecarpus
Semantic domains:
necna
n. Fringelip mullet
Scientific name: Crenimugil crenilabis via FishBase
Example: Photo by Jeffrey T. Williams / Smithsonian Institution, License: CC BY-SA 3.0 via Fishes of Australia
Semantic domains:
necna p̃a
n. Largescale mullet
Scientific name: Liza macrolepis via FishBase
Example: Photo by ANFC, License: CC BY-NC 3.0 via Fishes of Australia
Semantic domains:
necñanjaa
n. shrub to 2 m, dbh 3 cm (collection: Michael J. Balick #4862)
Scientific name: Acalypha
Example: The common name of this plant refers to the footprint of a chicken. Mix the dried leaves of this plant with pieces of coconut and feed to chickens. They are said to really like it. Plant the shrub near the place that chickens are kept. This feed will make the chickens produce more eggs and also increase the number of healthy chickens.
Semantic domains:
necñanman
n. tree, 5-6 m tall (collection: Gregory M. Plunkett #3449)
Scientific name: Plerandra actinostigma
Example: 1. Wood used for roof rafters. 2. Leaves of this plant can be used to cover an earth oven while baking food. 3. Name means bird footprint.
Semantic domains:
necñanman
n. small tree, 4 m tall (collection: Gregory M. Plunkett #4026)
Scientific name: Plerandra actinostigma
Example: 1. The name of this plant means birdfoot. Accordingly, portions of this plant are used when a fire is smoky, to abate the smoke.
Semantic domains:
necñanman
n. tree to 5 m, dbh 10 cm (collection: Michael J. Balick #4901)
Scientific name: Plerandra tannae
Semantic domains:
necñanman
n. understory tree, 2-3 m tall (collection: Gregory M. Plunkett #4050)
Scientific name: Schefflera neoebudica
Semantic domains:
necñanpaeñ
n. terrestrial fern, growing in dense rainforest. (collection: Gregory M. Plunkett #4094)
Scientific name: Tectaria crenata
Example: 1. The name describes a sea bird, whose long legs are similar in shape to the stipe of this fern.
Semantic domains:
necñap̃it cei
n. shrub, 1. 75 m tall (collection: Gregory M. Plunkett #3643)
Scientific name: Desmodium ormocarpoides
Example: Can be used to make a love potion. Is bad for married people.
Semantic domains:
necñopod
n. shrub, 1 m tall (collection: Gregory M. Plunkett #3512)
Scientific name: Acalypha grandis
Example: This plant is used as fertilzer to place on bottom of the taro patch in the same way as GMP #3456 to help "feed the ground" for next year. The leaves are used to wrap food. When a person is chewing kava, pile the chewed kava roots on the young leaves of this species. Also, an unspecified medicinal use.
Semantic domains:
necñopod
n. tall shrub. Growing uncultivated near Unames outside the village. (collection: Ashley A McGuigan #30)
Scientific name: Acalypha grandis
Semantic domains:
necñopod
n. shrub, 1. 5 m tall (collection: Gregory M. Plunkett #4145)
Scientific name: Acalypha repanda
Semantic domains:
necñopod
n. shrub, somewhat scandent (collection: Gregory M. Plunkett #3443)
Scientific name: Acalypha grandis
Semantic domains:
necñopod
n. kind of flowering plant (collection: Gregory M. Plunkett #4783)
Scientific name: Acalypha grandis
Semantic domains:
necñopod apeñ
n. kind of flowering plant (collection: Gregory M. Plunkett #4791)
Scientific name: Acalypha wilkesiana
Semantic domains:
necñopod cap
n. shrub to 2. 5 m tall, 1 cm dbh (collection: Michael J. Balick #4856)
Scientific name: Acalypha grandis
Example: When a person gets burned by a fire, take the leaves, squeeze sap on the burn, and then rub a handful of leaves on the burn; use a larger amount of leaves if the person has a larger burn. Apply it directly after the person is burned. This treatment will stop the burn from blistering. Use once. When a 1 month to 2 year old baby has redness or sores on their tongue and cannot eat properly, and saliva is coming out from their mouth, take the sap of the crushed leaves in a spoon and give it to the baby. Take one teaspoon for a 1-5 month old child and a tablespoon for a 6-24 month old. Give the baby once a day for 2 days. This treatment cleanses out the reddish sores. If a person has a sore that is persistent and stays red and sore for a week or more, take 4 apices of this plant, chew and spit on the sore to help it heal. Use 1x in the morning, and next day in the afternoon. Use 2x only. If a person is walking in the bush and concerned about evil spirits, put a small branch behind the ear to be safe. To treat hot chest pain, dizziness, shortage of breath, and if a person has a hot pain that does not go away after taking panadol (aspirin), take 8 leaves and squeeze into a glass of water until it turns reddish, drink 1x a day for 3 days; this is said to make the pain go away.
Semantic domains:
necrakiti
n. herb, growing at edge of garden area. (collection: Gregory M. Plunkett #3601)
Scientific name: Ageratum conyzoides
Example: This is a "calendar plant". In winter months, if a person sees this plant in flower it is confirmation that the sea turtle has plenty of grease or fat and is good to eat. As a medicine for a cut, collect some leaves, mash them and squeeze the juice on a cut or sore on the body. Do this treatment 3x daily until the sore dries up or the cut heals.
Semantic domains:
All content copyright © Aneityum community. (2015)
Talking Dictionary produced by K. David Harrison, Gregory D. S. Anderson and Jeremy Fahringer. Botanical consultants: Michael J. Balick, Gregory M. Plunkett and Sean Thackurdeen. (2015-2018)
Aneityum language contributors include Kirk Keitadi, Tony Keith, Titiya Lalep, David Nasauman, Osiani Nerian, Ruben Nerian, Chris Nevehev, Romario Yaufati and others as credited within the dictionary entries. Based in part on materials from Inglis, John (1882) A Dictionary of the Aneityumese Language: In Two Parts. I. Aneityumese and English. II. English.
The Aneityum-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. 2015.
Aneityum Talking Dictionary.
Swarthmore College.
http://www.talkingdictionary.org/aneityum
There are currently 2431 entries, 1543 audio files, and 860 images.
All content copyright © Aneityum community. (2015)
Talking Dictionary produced by K. David Harrison, Gregory D. S. Anderson and Jeremy Fahringer. Botanical consultants: Michael J. Balick, Gregory M. Plunkett and Sean Thackurdeen. (2015-2018)
Aneityum language contributors include Kirk Keitadi, Tony Keith, Titiya Lalep, David Nasauman, Osiani Nerian, Ruben Nerian, Chris Nevehev, Romario Yaufati and others as credited within the dictionary entries. Based in part on materials from Inglis, John (1882) A Dictionary of the Aneityumese Language: In Two Parts. I. Aneityumese and English. II. English.
The Aneityum-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. 2015.
Aneityum Talking Dictionary.
Swarthmore College.
http://www.talkingdictionary.org/aneityum
Interface and database design under the direction of Jeremy Fahringer and Swarthmore College ITS.
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