Motif Index
Lawiti Luluku
Each textile motif carries a body of ritual parallel speech—lawiti luluku—in which the image and its symbolic associations are named in Kambera couplet form.
Hamayang is the spoken invocation of Marapu ritual, the address which is carried, through the ancestors, to the Creator (na mawulu tau — na majii tau / the creator of humans—the weaver of humans). It is in the paired couplets of lawiti luluku that this invocation is voiced. Hamayang is the parallel speech proper to addressing the marapu (ancestors). The motifs woven into the cloths and the couplets gathered here are not one recited over the other; both surface a single intangible body of knowledge in two mediums, thread and speech.
The motifs here are mapped to their lawiti as they appear in the collection of the Sumbanese scholar Oemboe Hina Kapita—Lawiti Luluku Humba: Pola Peribahasa Sumba (1987).
Principal motifs
njara/Horse
njara
Horse
njara
11 textiles · 86 couplets
Ritual speech — lawiti luluku
ahu na ahu miti lama — na njara ndindi-kiku
the black-tongued dog — the upright-tailed horse; said of exceptional warriors of extraordinary skill
katarinya ahu namatu — njara kehangu
preparing the trained tracking dog — the chasing horse; said of a skilled investigator
tamai la ora ahu pakariangu — kahuru la hangga njara pakaliti
approaching before the accompanying dog — drawing near before the mounted horse; showing deference to an emissary
na matawai amahu — na pada njara hamu
the source of golden water — the paddock of fine horses; said in praise of wife-givers as a source of prosperity. Wife-givers and wife-receivers are the two sides of East Sumba's asymmetric marriage alliance: the wife-giving clan (yera) is the senior, life-giving side, and the wife-receiving clan (anakawini) takes its women. The exchange is fixed and opposed — the yera give women, cloth and pigs; the anakawini return horses and gold mamuli — and the tie, once made, runs one way only, never reversing between the two clans.
ana njara ndondapu mandokungu papala — karambua kambihu makubaru mananga
the young foal that does not know the river crossing — the small buffalo disrupting the estuary; said of reckless youth acting without experience
na wuru angga lii — na njara angga rehi
the ritual cooking pot — the ceremonial horse; said of animals and vessels for customary ritual
mababa ngandi — mahondu njara
carrying the load — tethering the horse; said of the duty of an escort or attendant. In the East Sumba social order this escort is the ata (hamba in Kambera) — the hereditary servant class, not debt-bonded.
talora mbinu njara — bangga mbinu tau
the courtyard full of horses — the sitting-platform full of people; said when all guests have arrived
nanjanga na njara pakaliti — nabeli na ahu pakariangu
the ridden horse turns back — the accompanying dog returns; said of an emissary returning
daki dua la njara — hada pera tau
close together like horses — rising together like people; said of those who always cooperate
njara katiku dangangu — manu ramba reti
The lead horse of the funeral procession — the chicken that sweeps the grave: said of the animals (horses, buffalo) sacrificed at burial as escort of the deceased; the grave-sweeping chicken is tied near the grave; the deeper referent is the retainer obliged to accompany their lord's corpse until burial.
dangangu njara katiku dangangu — manu ramba reti
head horse of the funeral procession — the grave-sweeping chicken; said of sacrificial animals at burial
dola wihi njara — riti wunggu wei
sores on the horse's legs — bristling on the buffalo's back; a metaphor for community affliction manifesting as livestock disease
hakadtungu kutau hakadtungu — kunjara hakaheungu
I alone as a person — I alone as a horse; said of solitude after the loss of family
mapahama ruku taungu — pamera ruku njarangu
even as people's footprint — level as the horse's footprint; said of consensus reached in deliberation
handukanangga tau — handanganangga njara
I as a person in trouble — as a horse in difficulty; said of hopelessness with no one to help
la hangga njara pakaliti — la ora ahu pakariangu
at the front of the ridden horse — before the accompanying dog; approaching with deference
na mahapini la kajia njara — na maludu la kapuka wolu
whistling on the horse's back — singing atop the palm tree; said of informal/unofficial news of a courtship approaching
njara mahawearitu — tau laku rengga
the swift horse — the fast-walking man; said of a nimble messenger
ngia pahiwi tena — ngia pataka njara
the place to moor the boat — the place to arrive for the horse; said of a journey's destination
hondaru la njara — ndumuru la tau
wandering like a horse — alone like a person; said of a state of confusion and uncertainty
njara huhungu — tau taka
the horse that has appeared — the person who has arrived; said of the arrival of guests
tamu taungu — padendu ngara njarangu
rising like a person's name — appearing like a horse's title; said of someone whose name and horse-title are famous everywhere
njara hura uli-nanyaka — karambua tumbu wunggunanyaka
it has become like a horse that has grown tusks — a buffalo that has grown a hump; said of someone who has grown up and matured
na mairu kari belanya — na mayuba njara raranya
who pulls it like a white buffalo — who leads it like a red horse; said of a group leader or champion
njara jangga — mamuli rara
the tall horse — the red mamuli gold earring; said of valuable bridewealth items: horse and gold ornament
njara hakaheungu — tau kakatungu
a horse alone by itself — a person alone by themselves; said of being solitary and isolated
kajaka njara pakajakanya la pinu pungguru — pada pakatokanya la kiri nggalu
the horse's hoofprint on the stones — the bull's thrust; said as encouragement for dancers
kajeki kunjara bulu-mata la Taoni, ndedi kukajeki — kukarambua haduduku la Wuana, ndedi kumanundu
I as the plain-faced horse at Taoni, not yet leaping; and as the buffalo standing at Wuana, not yet running; said of someone young and inexperienced
todamami dimi la toda kadukalatu — timbamami dimi la timba ngandi njara
we are level like balanced yoke-horns — even like balanced horse-loads; said of perfectly matched dancers
kanduku wihi njara — kataraku taaingu
the thud of horse hooves — the trembling of the spear-shaft; said of the arrival of people heard from afar
na makanjakalu la hondu — na makanjaraku la timbangu
scratching in the tether-post — ringing in the scales; said of a horse pawing at its tether and gold ringing in the balance
kapeta pandanga wei — kalembangu pandanga njara
the net forgotten by the pig — the tether forgotten by the horse; said of rules and prohibitions that people forget
na kapingi bai njara — na mata wai paweli
the source-stock of the horse — the origin of the water source; said of wife-givers as the origin of horses and water
na karambua kahanga ruku — na njara beringu tungga
the buffalo with a branching track — the horse with a divided mane; said of an impartial mediator
handunya karoka, nggapi njara — utikinya pungu, pungu koja wei
tighten the calves, calves that grip the horse, — stretch the arms, arms that spear the pig; said as an exhortation for young people dancing
njara miri ndewa — ahu miri ura
A horse dim of spirit — a dog dim of soul: said of the riding horse and escort dog of a person depleted of spirit — and thus ill-fated and disgraced.
kunguna la njara, hama njarandiba — mbatina la hama maranongu
leaping onto the horse, wholly like a horse, — descending to earth like an angel; said of a skilled horse-rider who is equally elegant on foot
mbumbaru mambeni — njara hangga rapa
fury that blazes — the horse that fights its reins; said of extreme uncontrollable anger
pambokanya njara lai — katarinya ahu kehangu
fattening the running horse — readying the chasing dog; said of preparing to pursue a goal
pambulu ruku njarangu — pahama ruku taungu
united like the horse's track — alike as people's footprint; said of consensus reached in deliberation
njaba panyaba njarangu — pakati kakangu
encompassing like a horse — biting like a cockatoo; said of omen signs read in chicken entrails
nyola pamanyolanya wihi njara — pamalirunya bangga ahu
passing the horse's hooves — overcoming the dog's bark; said of pursuing a goal that requires powerful means
pandabangu njara rara — paranjangu tuku kaka
lining up the red horses — simultaneously throwing the cockatoos; said of collective action in confrontation
ndamangu njara pandama hondungu — ahu pandama riringu
horses accustomed to each other at the tether — dogs accustomed to each other in company; said of familiar acquaintances
watu pandoku njara — kapeta pandanga wei
the stone that the horse forgets — the net that the pig forgets; said of rules forgotten that bring punishment
ndewa njara pakaliti — ura ahu pakariangu
the spirit of the ridden horse — the life-force of the accompanying dog; said of fortune residing in the horse and dog
na ndindi njarana — nahada tauna
the horse stands up — the person rises; said of the physical bearing of someone under discussion
na manjanga njara — na manjanga karambua
the one who guards the horses — the one who guards the buffaloes; said of a guardian of livestock
nanjara mbana ngaru — na ahu tara ngandu
like a horse with a hot mouth — like a dog with sharp teeth; said of a dangerous or aggressive person
njara pakaliti — ahu pakariangu
the ridden horse — the accompanying dog; the canonical couplet pair for emissary/messenger contexts
nanjara njala wihinya — natemi ndoku limanya
like a horse that has gone wrong-footed — like a shield grasped incorrectly; said of someone acting incorrectly
na njara papalandungu — na karambua papawiringu
the horse adorned with a plume — the buffalo decorated with palm-leaf ornament; said of ritual animals dressed for sacrifice
kawunga njili njara — kawunga onja ahu
the beginning of the horse's toil — the beginning of the dog's fatigue; said of the start of an ancestral journey to a new settlement
hahanya la rehi njara — wunganya la liti nganji
put the horse-boundary first — prioritise the stepping as on a fish-trap step; said of proper advance planning before acting
kati ngandu ahu — kataku lima njara
bite like a dog's teeth — receive like a horse's forehoof; said of receiving or welcoming with strength
padendu ngara njarangu — pahunga tamu taungu
appearing as a horse's title — rising as a person's name; said of someone famous everywhere
ngaru peka ndoku — lima piti njarangu
the mouth spoke wrongly — the horse's hoof-hand took incorrectly; said of an admission of error in word or deed
ngiu hangiu njara ahu — hataulu katopu
a horse-dog unit — a blade; said of old-fashioned bridewealth in which a dog substituted for a horse, together with a blade
nggata wihi njara-nggunya — rengga tau karia-nggunya
the horse's hooves are nimble — my escort is swift; said of being in a hurry with no time to wait
ambu nggumangu pahondaru la tau — ambu lumungu pandumuru la njara
do not think alone like a person — do not stand still like a horse; said of bewilderment and confusion
na pada bulu mati — na njara kabu ruku
the clean-sheltering bull — the horse that is broken/spent... [gloss garbled]
na liku pai mbeka — na kaloru hondu njara
the large binding rope — the horse's tether rope; said of different types of binding cord
nda kunjara hau palai — nda kuahu hau bangga
I am not a horse that runs differently — not a dog that barks differently; said of acting according to proper custom
na njara palai hora — na ahu bangga njarangu
the horse that runs haphazardly — the dog that barks astray; said of acting contrary to established norms
na njara li palindi — na ahu li kanjonga
the horse that goes through the mountains — the dog that goes through the valley; said of a mediator between two parties
na njara maparama — na manu mapawulu
the competing horse — the fighting rooster; said of dancers who move like competing horses and fighting cocks
pawilikungu rambahu — panjanjarungu njara
swinging the whip — lining up the horses; said of travelling on horseback with a whip
rapa ndedi nayeulu la rapa njara — ndedi natoma la kela nimbu
not yet reaching the horse's reins — not yet grasping the spear-rack; said of a child too young to perform adult duties
panedingu rapa njara — patokungu kiri kadu
holding back the horse's reins — pressing the horn-tip; said of pausing temporarily in a journey
njara rubi rapa — karambua tanganjiru
the horse that seizes the reins — the buffalo that rears up; said of disobedience and resistance to authority
na paruku njara jarangu — na pamata wai maramangu
like a horse's track going in all directions and like a spring emerging here and there; said of aimless and unfocused discussion
maruru njara — kaweda wei
the worn-out horse — the old pig; said of someone of very advanced age
nda ningupa kananda kabu wituna — nda ningupa kamumu tai njarana
no more remains of its crushed thatch — no more remains of the horse's droppings; said when all traces of a person's life have vanished
tairi la tangairi malangga waina — njara luku lalangu na mamaja ningguna
the anchovy from Tangairi with its good broth — the Luku Lalang horse with its smooth gait; said of something reaching a satisfying conclusion
taluki tamelinau taluki — kaliti njara[...]makapadaku
[garbled — not translatable]
na tau luangu lii — na njara luangu laku
the person whose duty is to speak — the horse whose duty is to walk; said of an emissary
tau bokulu — njara hunga
the great person — the renowned horse; said of nobles and wealthy people
na hada tauna — na ndindi njarana
the person's face — the horse's bearing; said of someone or something whose condition is being enquired about
njara panda tauku — karambua panda awahu
the horse that is not reined in — the buffalo that is not restrained; said of someone insubordinate and ungovernable
na-njara tidungu — na-wei kawanga
like a horse that is stubborn/rearing — like a deaf pig; said of someone rebellious who refuses to heed advice
tola nakataka tola — nanjara ndumuru
like an upright axe — like a standing horse; said of a fool who is completely confused and does not know what to say or do
ahu tundungu — njara kikungu
obedient as a following dog — compliant as a following horse; said of a person who is obedient and compliant
njara mapandewa — ahu mapaura
the spirited horse — the energetic dog; [gloss context garbled by OCR column-merge]
ngepiya la njara — hdhaya la wei
press like a horse — force like a pig; said of one party pressuring and coercing another
yila tena yila mbeni — njara iru lerangu
a boat hauled in anger — a horse led arbitrarily; said of someone who seizes another person's property
manu/Rooster / chicken
manu
Rooster / chicken
manu
12 textiles · 66 couplets
Ritual speech — lawiti luluku
ana wei kawondi — ana manu ramu
plump piglet — young chicken: said of nephews/nieces — the uncle toward the children of his sister, or the wife-giving side toward the wife-taking side — expressing affection in the sense of a child who is always cared for and looked after well
da madiliya la wihi, la wihi ana manu — da mawunggunya la lima, la lima wua kambii
treading with feet like the feet of a young chick, grasping with hands like the fruit of a bean: addressed to dancers, who dance with feet as delicate as a chick's feet and with hands as fine as bean pods
na mowalu maaya — na manu mamaeri
the senior divination cord — the junior chicken: regarding divination implements — the first used for divination is the 'mowalu' (divination cord), whose result is then confirmed by examining the state of the intestines of a chicken; only when both agree may one determine whether a coming event will be good or bad
mowalu pabaka — manu mapabetangu
the divination cord that prevents — the chicken that blocks: a danger or illness can be averted by the pronouncement of the divination cord and the chicken's intestines — knowing the cause of the danger or illness, one will immediately try to appease it so that the danger or illness can be averted
bara manu rara nggoru — ahu bara lima
red-necked chicken — white-pawed dog: addressed to a bride or groom who wears mutisalak beads around the neck and an ivory bracelet on the wrist — as if a red-necked chicken and a white-footed dog
manu bara burahu — manu yarahu kalongga
chicken white and clean, chicken bright and spacious: the state of the chicken's intestines as prayed for by the priest — that the Marapu (deities/ancestors) will arrange them as a sign that the prayer and hopes offered have been favourably received by the spirits
dangangu njara katiku dangangu — manu ramba reti
the horse at the head of the funerary procession — the chicken that marks the grave: the animals sacrificed at burial to accompany the deceased; the grave-sweeping chicken is tied near the grave while preparations are made
dili diliya la wihi — la wihi ana manu, wunggunya la lima — la lima wua kambii
tread with feet like a chick's feet, grasp with hands like bean pods: invitation-words for male and female dancers, praising their graceful physique — feet as delicate as a chick's, fingers as fine as bean pods — to inspire the dancers to perform their art with enthusiasm and dedication
duyangu lunggunya na manu — na manu manda duyangu, temaha da pahapa — da pahapa manda nggabungu
carrying unblemished chickens — holding betel-areca without spilling: said of presenting ritual offerings of food (including rice and chicken meat — the chicken must be without blemish) and betel-areca, which must be carried with such reverence that not a drop is spilled — in short, bringing offerings to the deities with full respect and solemnity
doparu manu doparu hanggangu — manu mbalaru mbanitu
the chicken that advances and faces forward, the chicken wide and firm: words of the priest directed toward the deities and ancestors — that the intestines of the sacrificial chicken may be in the state described: the loops resting on a large ring and the examined section spread wide, so that the sought signs match the intestines, signifying that the prayer has been accepted by the gods and ancestors
napaeti wei rumbangu — napaura manu tatangu
he has the heart of a wild pig — the sinews of a wild chicken: said of a person who behaves and acts wildly, disregarding the social norms of the local community — someone uncouth and rough in conduct
ambu hapili la kiku manu rara — ambu tanganjiru la ngora wei tana
do not tilt like the tail of a red cock — do not hold the snout up like a war pig: said of a person's attitude toward another — one who tries to avoid the other, upon meeting looks away rather than at the friend, turning the face left or right or lifting it upward; the friend therefore asks him not to behave this way
la patama lodu — la pahei manu
at the time of the entering of the sun — at the time of the chickens going up: said of the evening hour — when chickens ascend to the ridgepole of the house or into the trees
kahinggaru ahinggaru la wei mbera — tanyalangu la manu mutungu
scattered like pigs fleeing defeat — dispersed like chickens in a village fire: said of the separation and scattering of a family or group that was previously together
tanyalangu la manu mutungu — kahinggaru wei mbera
scattered like chickens in a conflagration — dispersed like pigs in war: said of a community whose members once lived together but have since become scattered and divided
kaiku kapudiku na kaikumu, na kaiku manu raramu — tanganjiru na ngoramu, na ngora wei tana
little toe/finger — [treading like a horse on stones]: invitation-words for female dancers to move their feet 'like the feet of a red cock' and to move their head like a bull driving his heifers
kakaluku na manu makakaluku — na wei makanguku
the chicken that clucks — the pig that grunts: said of someone who will act to defend a person who is being oppressed or made to suffer
kalenggaru manu kalenggaru tara — wei luhu uli
chicken with curved wattles — pig with protruding tusks: said of chickens and pigs fit to be slaughtered for an honoured guest
pamanggalinya uli wei — pakalenggarunya tara manu
curving the tusks of the pig — bending the wattles of the chicken: said of the preparation of pigs and chickens for an important ritual ceremony called 'Pamangu Ndewa' (the divine feast)
kamimiru da kamimiru da ana manu patungu pani — da kanyunyulu da ana wei patungu uhu
the chirping chicks she feeds — the clustering piglets she gives rice to: said of a mother's effort in raising chickens and pigs — the result of her diligence
lima wua kambii — wihi ana manu
hands like bean pods — feet like a chick's feet: said of the graceful fingers and feet of dancers
kanyunyulu da manu makamimiru la kawindu — da wei makanyunyulu la talora
chickens chirping on the veranda — pigs crowding in the yard: said of livestock that are the shared property of the family and their neighbours
kapudiku na kapudiku na kaikumu, na kaiku manu rara — na tanganjiru na ngoramu, na ngora wei tana
shake your tail like the tail of a red cock — raise your snout like the snout of a war pig: said as the words sung by the singers pulling a grave-stone or a house post during the dragging ritual
ahu panda kapuki — manu panda kalaa
an uncastrated dog — an uncaponised chicken: said of the dog and chicken for ritual offering, which must be without any blemish or defect
karahaku karahaku la tungu pani manu uhu wei — karinggatu la ohu ai la taku wai
nimble in feeding the chickens and pigs, and quick in fetching firewood and drinking water: said as a portrait of a good woman — her husband's aspiration
da karunggu pani manu da mapuru mbaru — da uta uhu wei da mapuru malingu
cracked corn for the chickens that come down in the morning — rice bran for the pigs that [feed] at night: [said of the duty to provide food for chickens and pigs]
katandakungu keka manu — panggurungu karaba wai
overturning the chicken cage — upending the pig trough: said of a livestock-raising enterprise that has failed because of theft or disease
na manu wulu katungu — na mini romba rara
The crested fighting cock — the red field-bull: the intended referent is a brave warrior, virile and spirited.
na mini romba rara — na manu wulu katungu
the red bull — the deep-red cock: said of the red bull in its full maturity, as a symbol of a brave and spirited warrior; also used as an emblem of heroes and war commanders
na kawuku mowalu — na meti manu
the knotted divination cord — the slaughtered chicken: [said as a term for divination implements]
manu kawunga wakahu — kaluu kawunga njapi
the first chicken to hatch — the first finger of the banana bunch: said as a term for the firstborn child
na ana manu mila, ki wanaki la kiri kekana — ana wei la hibu, nguku wanaki la kiri hibu
the orphaned chick can only cheep beneath the cage — the orphaned piglet can only grunt inside its pen: said of the fate of an orphan child, who cannot raise a strong voice in society because of their smallness
hakula mata manu — hau mata epi
the hollow of a chicken's eye — the space of a fire-hearth: said of a very small allocation of land given by the Tuan Tanah (land lord) to a newly arrived clan or family — only as large as the hollow of a chicken's eye and the space of a fire
winu wua kanduru patukuwangu manu, kuta wua kapala papalu wangu ahu
round areca-nut for throwing at chickens — long betel for striking dogs: said as a laudatory term for the large round areca-nut and the long betel leaf, which a young man takes pride in displaying before a young woman
da njara pandama hondungu — da manu pandama riringu
a horse that knows its tether-post — a chicken that knows its tether: [only as much grass as it can carry]
palelingu keka manu — karaba wei
moving the chicken cage — the pig trough: said when an entire family moves from one place to another
wunggunya la lima, la lima wua kambii — diliya la wihi, la wihi ana manu
grasp in the hand — fingers like bean pods — — tread with the foot — feet like a young chick's: addressed to dancers, especially female dancers, to meet the rhythm of gong or song with their hands and feet in their dance
londa na londa iwi manu — na tanangga tilu tara
the rattan cord of a chicken — the three-pronged anchor: said of the rope and anchor of a boat, but both symbolise the irrigation channel and dam that carry water to the rice fields — the source of human livelihood
talu watu tanjungu — manara wihi manu
the winning stone in mancala — the prevailing leg of a fighting cock: said of the final stone in mancala-play and the last strike of the cock's leg that defeats the opponent — also used to express victory in verbal dispute or other contest
manu ndewa — wei marapu
the deity's chicken — the ancestor's pig: said of the chicken and pig consecrated specifically for offering to the Creator through the deities and ancestors
na kapa manu ndewa — na halili wei marapu
the wing-hollow of the deity's chicken — the armpit of the ancestor's pig: said of the 'anakawini' (wife-taking side), who are obliged to serve in ritual at the house of the 'yera' (wife-giving side) — they are the assistants of the 'ratu' (priest) in major ceremonies
manu rara wakihu — wei miti kumbuhu
the plain red chicken — the jet-black pig: said of the coat colours of the chicken and pig consecrated for the great ceremony 'pamangu ndewa' (the divine feast)
manu tungu pani manu — tungu uhu wei
giving food to the chicken — food to the pig: said of the duty of a woman/wife, who must raise chickens and pigs — observed especially at each windu (eight-year cycle)
auru tilu — ilu manu
probing the egg — examining the chicken: said of divination by inspecting the signs in a chicken's egg and the sinews of the chicken's intestines — through which the will of the spirits in the egg can be known
pamama wei marapu — pakuru manu ndewa
summoning the ancestor's pig — the deity's chicken: said of raising pigs and chickens specially set aside for the 'pamangu ndewa' ceremony (the divine feast) — a rite performed every windu (eight years), directed primarily to the Creator
marata tilu manu — ahu hari papangu
breaking the chicken's egg — splitting the dog in two: said of a simple ceremony at the village gate when guests arrive or family return from abroad; also performed when purifying a settlement from sin and disease — an egg is broken and a small dog split in two, the right half and head thrown upstream, the left half and tail thrown downstream
ambu pamimbirungu la mata manu rara — ambu tanganjiru la ngora wei tana
do not cast sidelong glances like the eye of a red cock — do not raise the snout like a war pig: [said of a person who avoids or shows disdain toward another]
meu pamohu meungu — pambula manungu
vanished like a cat — disappeared like a chicken: said of a person who has died — as if they have simply vanished and disappeared from the social world
ana manu mila — ana rendi lalu
the orphaned chick — the orphaned duckling: said of an orphan child
nda namowalu pabaka — nda namanu mapabetangu
he did not prevent with the divination cord — did not block with the chicken: said as a complaint toward the Marapu (ancestral spirits) who did not manifest their will in the divination cord and in the chicken's intestines, which should promptly warn of approaching danger
pui mowalu wihiku manu
blowing the divination cord — stripping the chicken: said of the method of divining fortune — first by blowing and knotting the four-strand divination cord, then confirmed by examining the upper part of an egg for signs of good or ill
wuangga manu mbalaru — mbanitu, tanggalu — tanganjiru
give me a chicken wide and firm, a chicken upright and upward-facing: said of the favourable signs sought in the examination of a chicken's intestines — divining for good or ill in events of illness, harvest, marriage, and so forth
manu mbiha manyola — manu patahu mendi
the potent and efficacious chicken, the fitting and pure chicken: said of the sacred power, wisdom, and supernatural authority residing in the chicken — ordained by the Creator, made manifest in the sinews of its intestines
na temi tilu manu — na nimbu pakambora
the shield made from a chicken's egg — the patterned spear: said of war-equipment that is sacred and powerful — namely prayer (doa) and the spear — which no rapacious enemy can defeat
la nggirungu la tama lodu — la malingu la hei manu
at the twilight of the sun's entering — at the darkening when the chickens go up (to the roof): said of the signs and events that occur at dusk
ambu paohanya na malunggu manu — ambu pamanginya na maliru ahu
do not say they are happy to those who carry chickens — do not say they are fortunate to those who lead dogs: said in prayer to the souls of the dead as they are sent home after the 'langu paraingu' (new year) ceremony — urging the dead not to be envious of those receiving gifts from the descendants they have left behind
pani na matungu pani manu — na matungu uhu wei
the one who gives feed to the chicken — the one who gives food to the pig: said of a woman's responsibility to tend small livestock, while the man's duty is to tend large livestock — horses, buffalo, and cattle
na njara maparama — na manu mapawulu
the horse that fights — the cock that spars: said of dancers, whose movements make them look as if they are fighting horses and sparring cocks
na mahuru tilu — na mapindimanu
the one who breaks the egg — the one who assesses the chicken: said of a person who performs ritual by divining good or ill — the signs made manifest in the broken egg and in the examined chicken's sinews
pui pui mowalu — tu manu
blowing the divination cord — presenting the chicken: said when one wishes to divine the divine will — first by means of the divination cord, then confirmed by reading the signs in the chicken's intestines
ina rendi — ama manu
the mother duck — the father chicken: said of someone who is a leader and guide — always watching over and protecting those they lead
hilu hada — hilu manu riu, hilu [...]
[fragment — not recoverable]
manu tahiku tilu — wei hoba karaba
the chicken that pecks its own egg — the pig that eats its own trough: said of sexual relations between birth mother and birth child — a sin that cannot be forgiven, punishable by death
takoka takoka bai manu — hakuku manu wulu
the clucking of the hen — the crowing of the cock: said of the confession of guilt by a woman and a man who have committed adultery
titiru tamiangu — runda wulu manu
the tamiang-grass instigator — the chicken-feather provoker: said of someone who incites others and stirs up trouble
tara manu tana — [garbled B-line] paket dita
the spur of a chicken's wattle on the ground — the hook-thorn above: said of the names of two thorny plants that symbolise dangers faced both below and above
kura / kurangu/Prawn
kura / kurangu
Prawn
kura / kurangu
14 textiles · 13 couplets
Ritual speech — lawiti luluku
njulu la kura luku — halubu la mandu mara
Moulting like the river prawn — shedding skin like the land-snake: said of the belief that beyond the grave lies a new eternal life; death is merely an exchange.
halubu halubu la mandu mara — njulu la kura luku
Sloughing off like a land-snake — transforming like a river prawn: expressing the belief that beyond the grave lies a new and eternal life — death is merely an exchange, the soul shedding its bodily form like a corpse, while the spirit returns to the eternal realm to live on forever.
hili kura hili njulu — karanja hifi pinja
The prawn that transforms again — the weaving completed anew: used of establishing a new kinship alliance, specifically taking a wife from a family not of one's mother's origin.
wai ilu nyeli — wulu mata kurangu
The slime of the earthworm — the whiskers of the prawn: an earthworm underground is invisible, only moisture signals its presence as if it were its saliva; similarly a prawn hides in a rock-hole or in the earth — used of children or people who still live on after their parents and grandparents have died.
kandapu dindi mara — kura nyimba luku
The hill that deflects the land — the prawn that dams the river: used of a protector who can act to help someone.
kaparaku nakaparaku na kura luku — nakamanggilu na pai mananga
The river prawn thrashing — the river-mouth stingray veering: used of a situation that will lead to difficulty.
na karanggi pamanyarangu — na kurangu pawuku
The ketam-crab that is being sought — the prawn that is the object of intention: used of a person or object that has become the target of deliberate pursuit.
na karungu angu londa — na kura angu kundu
The crab as guiding companion — the prawn as shoulder-to-shoulder companion: one of the counsels given to the bride at the marriage ceremony, as part of a wife's duties.
kombu a hinggi kombu kurangu — pahudu anatau
The prawn-red blanket — the cloth [gloss incomplete due to OCR truncation].
kura laku dalungu — kambuku lindi dita
The prawn travelling below — the snakehead-fish walking on top: used of a stratagem in which the snakehead-fish is visible above the water while the prawn is hidden beneath — what is seen conceals what is actually happening.
hama hei kurangu kambuku — hama hei ipingu parudi
As the prawn and the snakehead-fish rise together, and as the young impun-fish and the ketam-crab rise together: a farmers' prayer for an abundant harvest to match the teeming multitude of prawns and snakehead-fish, and young fry and crabs, rising from the estuary into the river, scooped up by people in great numbers.
kura mapakundu — karungu mapalonda
The prawn that carries shoulder to shoulder — the crab that leads guiding one another: used of close kin who must cooperate and assist each other in all things.
kura ida kumumunyu — wai nda kurimangu
I was as unwary as a prawn — as unsuspecting as a pig: used when sudden danger arrives, like a prawn caught unawares in a trap or a pig surprised by a hunter.
kaka/Cockatoo
kaka
Cockatoo
kaka
3 textiles · 16 couplets
Ritual speech — lawiti luluku
pakabela bahi borungu — pakawori yuu kakangu
Clenched like a hoop-iron parang — rounded like a cockatoo's tongue: a person whose speech is ineffectual, whose tongue is as blunt as iron-bound steel and as rounded (unable to articulate sharply) as a cockatoo's tongue — meaning someone inarticulate.
na makatangu jara bahi — ngepi kaka
The holder of the iron borer — the cockatoo-grip: directed at the ancestral Marapu pairs Umbu Ropa–Umbu Nyali and Tara Hau–Lulu Weu, the founding ancestors of specific clans.
pirihu hadodi — kaka mahangiri
The myna bird that draws near — the cockatoo that approaches: used of whoever wishes to attend on a superior — a chief or the wife-giving clan — modelling the behaviour of the myna and cockatoo that draw close to their companion; thus one approaches an authority figure with warm deference.
hura na uhu hura tanaka — na wataru hanggela kakaka
He has become like rice sprouting from the ground — like maize in the cockatoo-crest form: describing a child who is visibly beginning to grow up.
kaka mahangiri — pirihu hadodi
The cockatoo that approaches — the myna that draws near: said of the proper way to approach a noble person or a venerated deity — coming forward gradually, like the cockatoo and the myna.
kaka kaka mahangiri — pirihu hadodi
The cockatoo that draws near — the myna that closes in: used of the manner in which one approaches a person or group of high rank — one must proceed like the cockatoo and myna that move closer gradually, meaning: approach with courtesy and decorum.
kaka makanguhuru — pirihu pauli
The cockatoos that flock together — the mynas that assemble: said of a family gathering or a council of chiefs, likened to the birds that gather in numbers.
kaka makanguhuru — pitihu pauli
The cockatoo that assembles — the myna that congregates: used of a family council or a gathering of chiefs, likened to the myna and cockatoo coming together.
uwa kaka — tumbu kadu
White-haired like the cockatoo — horn-bumped: describing old age — a person of great years is marked by white hair (like the cockatoo's crest) and dark protrusions on the scalp as if growing horns.
pakati kakangu — panjaba njarangu
Bite like the cockatoo — clamp like the horse: used in divination by chicken entrails — if the tendons are well connected to the central intestinal fold, it is a good omen, the divination is accurate and accepted by the Creator through the ancestors.
danyuluru-ka da oka wawa uma — datungguluka da kaka dita uma
The fence below the house has already toppled — the cockatoo has already perched on top of the house: describing extreme old age — teeth have fallen out and hair has turned white (like the cockatoo's white crest).
pandabangu njara rara — paranjangu tuku kaka
Lining up the red horses — simultaneously hurling the cockatoo: used of concerted collective action in a shared crisis, for example in challenging a rival or enemy.
dapuruka da nggangga — daheika da kaka
The crows have descended — the cockatoos have ascended: said of the elderly [gloss incomplete due to OCR truncation].
da matuku kaka — da madai buti
Those who throw at the cockatoo — those who watch the monkey: people working in the fields or open land.
undi manginu ngandi undi — kaka ngandi rota
The sparrow that carries stinging nettles — the cockatoo that carries 'rota' (leaves of an irritant tree): [context of gloss unclear due to OCR column break].
wilaku buti wilaku — kaka mbelu
The monkey turns its head — the cockatoo bobs its head: describing the form of two types of mamuli ear-ornament (literally: 'the connectors'), used in marriage and kinship transactions, bearing the motif of a monkey turning its head and a cockatoo nodding its head.
ruha/Deer
ruha
Deer
ruha
12 textiles · 3 couplets
Ritual speech — lawiti luluku
pajangga kadu ruhangu — parara mata mandungu
Tall as the antlers of a deer — red as the eyes of a snake; said of a handsome and brave person, someone noble and commanding.
na tada wei — na.langgi ruha
The skin of a pig — the rump-flesh of a deer; said of what is most prized — on a pig it is the skin, on a deer it is the rump-meat; the meaning concerns the bridewealth desired by the bride's parents: pure gold.
parara mata mandungu — pajangga kadu ruhangu
Red as the eyes of a snake — tall as the antlers of a deer; said as a symbol of someone's gallantry and nobility.
andung / andungu/Skull tree
andung / andungu
Skull tree
andung / andungu
20 textiles · 19 couplets
Ritual speech — lawiti luluku
andu uhu — andu wataru
The post of rice — the post of maize: the ritual post where ceremonies pray for abundant harvests — the prayer-post before the central house of the 'Mangu Tanangu' (Lord of the Land).
andungu andu uhu — andu wataru
The rice-post — the maize-post: meaning: the ritual post where prayers are offered for an abundant harvest of rice, maize and other crops, the two staple foods together representing all produce. This is the prayer-post in front of the central house of the 'Mangu Tanangu' (Lord of the Land). Through the ancestors the Lord of the Land petitions 'Miri' (God) for grace and blessing on all field and garden crops.
andu lift lalei — andu lii mangoma
The post for the ceremony of taking a wife — the post for the ceremony of taking a husband: meaning: the ritual post where prayers are offered for blessings on the marriages of sons and daughters. The post stands in front of the central house of the 'kabihu' (clan) of the bride and groom.
andu iku lunggi — andu wanga ngingi
The post that pries up hair — the post that opens the jaw: this post is distinct from the earlier ones. It stands in front of a house called 'uma andungu' (post-house), the war-post, where rituals are performed to seek power and victory from the Creator through the Marapu (ancestral spirits). When an enemy warrior was slain and beheaded, his head — with the scalp stripped and the jaw detached in a ritual of consecration — was hung on this post.
andu watu — ketu bahi
The stone post — the iron hook: in antiquity some clans had a post made of stone, with an iron hook used to lift the severed head from the cauldron in which it was cooked, to facilitate removal of the scalp, flesh and brain.
nahu ngiangu-munyaka la harika nggapi kadu — la kapuka andu jangga
Now you have come to rest on the crossbar that clamps the horns — on the top of the tall post: this is a lament spoken by the family of a slain warrior whose head has been hung on the post. The display of a human head on the war-post and buffalo heads on the horn-clamp was a demonstration of the supernatural power of the victorious clan, while for the slain man's family it was a profound humiliation.
andu weli winggirungu — lamba langga lihingu
The post that is circled all around — the drum that is approached with careful steps: to face a person of high rank one must proceed as one would circumambulate the war-post with dance and approach the war-drum in ceremony — with caution and deference.
andu wudu — andu nau
The copper post — the brass post: in antiquity some clans used a post of copper or brass. Such a post is an imitation of the original post in the heavens, which humans reproduced on earth.
na andungu la eti — na lamba la hangahu
The post within the heart — the drum within the chest: there is enmity held inside the heart and breast, for the post and the drum are symbols of war — when the war-drum sounds, conflict blazes forth.
na mangiangu la kuru lamba — la kapuka andungu
Those who dwell inside the drum — on the top of the post: the ancestral spirits who reside within the war-drum and atop the war-post, bestowing magical power on the warriors of the clan.
na katiku la kajanga — na ngingi la pahari
Its head at the fork — its chin at the cluster: said of an enemy's severed head hung upon the andungu — a strong-wood post two to three metres high before the war-post house — as a symbol of victory.
kawindu uma ratu — talora uma andungu
The veranda of the priest's house — the forecourt of the war-post house: the two most important structures within a clan precinct, where prayers are offered for goodness, prosperity and safety.
kiringu li kiringu — lii andungu
The founding ceremony — the post ceremony: the 'cause-and-origin' ritual marking the outbreak of hostility, performed at the war-post in front of the 'uma andungu' (war house), seeking strength and victory; the enemy's severed head was hung on this post after battle (not head-hunting).
patumbu kiringu — pahadangu andungu
Establishing the cause-and-origin — raising the war-post: the ceremony performed at the commencement of warfare, preparing both material weapons and spiritual readiness.
ninya na lamba la kuru — na andu la eti
There is a drum in the chest — a post in the heart: a grudge permanently harboured, as if the drum and post — symbols of war and enmity — were lodged within.
na lamba panda rata — andu panda butuhu
The drum that is never struck down — the post that is never uprooted: unceasing enmity, the war-drum remaining hung and the post (on which enemy heads were displayed) remaining planted.
ndindi kawunya ndindi andungu — kawunga lingu lamba
The first raising of the war-post — the first sounding of the drum: the mythic origin narrative of why war came to exist.
na marohu andungu — na malunggu lamba
Those who embrace the war-post — those who cradle the drum: in former times, the guardians of the ritual house during warfare.
talora talora uma ratu — kawindu uma andungu
The forecourt of the priest's house — the veranda of the war-post house: the most important sites in a village, where ceremonies and devotions are performed.
patola ratu/Patola Ratu
patola ratu
Patola Ratu
patola ratu
9 textiles · 10 couplets
Ritual speech — lawiti luluku
habaku — patola ratu, rutungu — lambaliku
flying gecko and patola ratu silk, dots and meander-border; on the designs (figures) on blanket-cloths or sarongs, whether ikat or embroidered (supplementary weft); 'habaku' = flying lizard (draco volans), green, tree-dwelling; 'patola ratu' = green silk, paired in verse with 'hundarangga' (dewangga silk): the pair 'rara — ruu' is called 'patola muru' (red dewangga silk and green patola leaf), becoming the title of the 'maramba' nobility; 'rutungu' = dots (black, red, yellow, white) on cloth borders, usually below 'lambaliku' (a type of small snake / cloud border).
hundarangga rara — ruu patola muru
literally: red dewangga silk and green patola leaf; a type of ancient silk formerly belonging only to the nobility, the red variety called 'dewangga silk' and the green called 'patola leaf', becoming the emblem of rulers and nobles.
miri hundatangga — miri ruu patola
lord of dewangga silk — lord of patola-leaf silk; a form of address to the nobility and rulers in verse and lamentation.
rutungu — lambaliku, habaku — patola ratu
the names of the four principal motifs on Sumba cloths; 'rutungu' = dots; 'lambaliku' in meandering form, also the name of a small snake that moves in curves; this meandering form is the 'meander' (cloud border) and 'rutungu' is raindrops; both are symbols of fertility; 'habaku' = flying gecko form; 'patola ratu': is the green silk motif formerly belonging only to kings; both symbolise prosperity and nobility.
miri hundarangga rara — miri ruu patola muru
lord of red dewangga silk — lord of green patola silk; said of the kings and nobles of old, since only they possessed such silks.
patola hundarangga rara — ruu patola muru
red dewangga silk — green patola leaf; said of kings and nobles, since in former times only they possessed special silk cloths, one red and the other green.
habaku — patola ratu, rutungu — lambaliku
kubin and patola ratu, dots and meanders; said of the motifs or designs on Sumba ikat cloths, as symbols of greatness, fertility and prosperity.
habaku — patola ratu, rutungu — lambaliku
butterfly and patola ratu, dots and meanders; four types of motif in ikat cloths: the first two are symbols of beauty and nobility, and the next two are symbols of rain and cloud bringing fertility and prosperity.
ruu hundarangga rara — ruu patola muru
red dewangga silk — green patola leaf; the names of red and green silk cloths that were formerly the emblem of kings and nobles.
walu miri walu hundarangga rara — ruu patola muru
my sweet lord of dewangga silk — green patola leaf; meaning: my most exalted lord, the most honoured form of address to the sovereign.
ularu / mandu/Snake
ularu / mandu
Snake
ularu / mandu
17 textiles · 11 couplets
Ritual speech — lawiti luluku
halubu halubu la mandu mara — njulu la kura luku
shedding skin like a land snake — changing like a river shrimp: said of the belief that beyond the grave there is a new eternal life; death is merely an exchange — the soul sheds its bodily garment as a corpse, while the soul returns to the afterworld to live on forever.
na kabuku rara utangu — na mandu kiri Ilangu
the great red snake in the forest — the old snake at the mouth of the burrow: said of the various snakes in forest and burrow, personifications of the spirits residing there — not only dangerous but sometimes also helpful to humans (according to the people's belief).
kataru muru melatu — mandu la rahia
Green caterpillar and venomous snake, great snake and banded snake: said of the various kinds of snakes — large and small, plain and banded.
kataru muru — melatu — mandularahia
green caterpillar/snake and venomous snake, large snake and striped snake: names of various snake species; the green caterpillar is also called green snake found among leaves and green grass; 'melatu' = venomous snake always near water; 'mandu' = large striped snake in a burrow, common in grassland; 'tarahia' = field snake; all are dangerous to humans.
larahia mandata — larahia, ularu — kataru muru
rubber snake and striped snake, paddy-field snake and leaf snake: said of the many kinds of snakes, large and small, plain and striped; the last, 'kataru muru', literally green caterpillar, but meaning the green snake commonly found among leaves.
liangu matu nda nawaiya na wuya la papala — na mandu kiri liangu
until he no longer heeds the crocodile at the river crossing — the snake at the mouth of the burrow: said of someone who pursues his goal without heeding the dangers in his path, especially a young man seeking his beloved.
na mandu ngarangia — na wuya la papala
Snake on the road — crocodile at the crossing: said of the dangers that lie along a journey.
mandu na mandu ngarangia — na wuya la papala
snake on the path — crocodile at the crossing: said of the dangers encountered on a journey.
njulu njulu la kura luku — halubu la mandu mara
transforming like a river shrimp — shedding skin like a land snake: said of shrimps in rivers and land snakes that regularly shed their skins and receive new bodies to live on; applied to humans, whose physical bodies will one day be transformed into a spiritual body in the afterworld, attaining eternal life.
pahili na makarita la kambu mandu — na mapahilita la uli wuya
who cuts us out of the snake's belly — who releases us from the crocodile's fang: said of one who rescues us from danger and calamity, like Christ's act for humanity.
ularu nakatikau ularu kataru muru — nahobakau wuya tadanu
you will be bitten by the snake and the green snake, you will be swallowed by the crocodile and the whale: said as a curse against an enemy or one who has committed an evil deed.
buti/Monkey
buti
Monkey
buti
4 textiles · 12 couplets
Ritual speech — lawiti luluku
na buti bora — na wei nggali
a male monkey — a tusked pig: the adult male monkey and the tusked boar are fierce animals always ready to attack; both symbolise warriors who are perpetually vigilant and prepared to defend themselves, and not reluctant to attack if necessary.
kakaraku buti makakaraku — wei makanguku
a monkey that chatters — a pig that grunts.
kalahangu — kiku buti, lalu punduku — kahi kara
said of a state of anger that has subsided.
na wei iru kambuna — buti lunggu ana
a pig dragging its belly — a monkey carrying its young: said of an intention that is still concealed and not yet declared.
na pakad wei — na pahira buti
torn by a pig — rent by a monkey: said of a girl who has suffered an accident/violation.
pakuku la ndau luku — pahuda la buti utangu
as precarious as a betel vine at the river's edge — as sulky as a forest monkey: said of a person who is easily offended and prone to sulking and withdrawing from others.
yapaya na kiku buti meti
holding the tail of a dead monkey: said of a disappointment because what was hoped for was not achieved.
pahuda la buti utangu — pakuku la ndau luku
Sulking like a forest monkey — whimpering like riverside betel-vine: said of someone reluctant to accept something because they want something different or more.
nda ningu wei mapstombu — nda ningu buti makakaraku
there is no grunting pig — no chattering monkey: said of a family, clan or land that has no figure acting as leader or protector.
da matuku kaka — da madai buti
those who throw at cockatoos — those who guard monkeys: said of people who are out in the field or open grassland.
wilaku buti — kaka mbelu
The monkey turns its head — the cockatoo nods: said of the two canonical forms of the mamuli gold ornament, used in bridewealth and kinship affairs — the turning monkey and the nodding cockatoo.
wilaku buti wilaku — kaka mbelu
a monkey turning its head — a cockatoo nodding: said of the two forms of mamuli (literally: 'that which connects') used in marriage and kinship matters, bearing the motif of a monkey turning its head and a cockatoo shaking its head.
wangga koli/Tree — wangga koli
wangga koli
Tree — wangga koli
wangga koli
20 textiles · 7 couplets
Ritual speech — lawiti luluku
karuku mapalipi — wangga labu
the fine white angsana tree — the banyan that spreads: said of the closest family relationships, especially 'anakawini' (wife-takers), likened to a spreading gourd vine and the kaba luwa tree that grows near the village.
karuku mapalipi — wangga [mapanjeri]
angsana tree spreading wide — banyan tree [bearded/jutting]: entry 1478 — fuller gloss not recoverable from this OCR line.
na wudi pandaku — na wangga mbewa
the short budi tree — the arching banyan: said of a 'maramba' (king/noble) who is the guardian and protector of his people.
na wangga mapanjeri — na karuku mapalipi
the bearded banyan — the wide-rooted angsana: said of awe-inspiring trees regarded as dwelling places of spirits, and therefore respected and heeded.
ngiangu la nggoru mini rombangu — la lumbu wangga bokulu
dwelling at the neck of the bull — beneath the great banyan: said of strong and reliable protectors, formerly applied to kings and other great lords.
wangga mapanjeri — karuku mapalipi
the buttressed banyan — the rooted angsana: said of two tree species regarded as uncanny because they are believed to be the dwelling places of spirits, jinns, demons and the like.
wudi wudi pandaku — abewa / wangga [mbewa]
the short budi tree — the spreading banyan: said of nobles who are the protectors of many people; the budi tree and the banyan are emblems of the 'ratu-marimba' (king-rulers).
lambaliku/Lambaliku (meander)
lambaliku
Lambaliku (meander)
lambaliku
4 couplets
Ritual speech — lawiti luluku
habaku — patola ratu, rutungu — lambaliku
flying gecko and patola ratu, dots and meander-border; 'lambaliku' = a type of small snake; cloud border; the word 'lambaliku' also names a small/slender snake; if 'tambaliku' [lambaliku] symbolises clouds in the sky, then 'rutungu' symbolises falling raindrops; the 'rutungu — lambaliku' register always appears at the cloth's end-borders on both sides.
rutungu — lambaliku, habaku — patola ratu
the names of the four principal motifs on Sumba cloths; 'lambaliku' in meandering form, also the name of a small snake that moves in curves; this meandering form is the 'meander' (cloud border).
habaku — patola ratu, rutungu — lambaliku
kubin and patola ratu, dots and meanders; said of motifs or designs on Sumba ikat cloths, as symbols of greatness, fertility and prosperity.
habaku — patola ratu, rutungu — lambaliku
butterfly and patola ratu, dots and meanders; four types of motif in ikat cloths: the first two are symbols of beauty and nobility, the next two symbols of rain and cloud bringing fertility and prosperity.
habaku/Habaku
habaku
Habaku
habaku
4 couplets
Ritual speech — lawiti luluku
habaku — patola ratu, rutungu — lambaliku
flying gecko and patola ratu, dots and meander-border; on the designs (figures) on blanket-cloths or sarongs, whether ikat or embroidered; 'habaku' = flying lizard (draco volans), green, tree-dwelling; said to possess love-magic properties.
habaku — patola ratu, rutungu — lambaliku
the names of the four principal motifs on Sumba cloths; 'habaku' = flying gecko form; 'patola ratu': green silk motif formerly belonging only to kings; both symbolise prosperity and nobility.
habaku — patola ratu, rutungu — lambaliku
kubin and patola ratu, dots and meanders; said of motifs or designs on Sumba ikat cloths, as symbols of greatness, fertility and prosperity.
habaku — patola ratu, rutungu — lambaliku
butterfly and patola ratu, dots and meanders; four types of motif in ikat cloths: the first two are symbols of beauty and nobility, and the next two are symbols of rain and cloud bringing fertility and prosperity.
rutungu/Rutungu (dots)
rutungu
Rutungu (dots)
rutungu
7 couplets
Ritual speech — lawiti luluku
hada la kalunggu — la habibi hinggi rutungu
Within the womb of the beaded sarong — within the weave of the embroidered hinggi: said of strong and capable care and protection — the beaded skirt and the dot-embroidered hinggi as the protecting power of parent or lord.
hada la kalunggu lai hada — Ia habibi hinggi rutungu
held in the womb of a muti-beaded sarong — in the tuck of a rutungu-embroidered blanket; said of capable and strong care and protection; a sarong decorated with muti beads and a blanket embroidered with dot-designs symbolise the strength and capability of parents/lord as protectors.
kalunggu la kalunggu lad malau — Ia habibi hinggi rutungu
see No. 131 [cross-reference; same meaning as entry cited].
rutungu — lambaliku, habaku — patola ratu
the names of the four principal motifs on Sumba cloths; 'rutungu' = dots; 'lambaliku' = meandering form; 'rutungu' = raindrops; 'habaku' = flying gecko form; 'patola ratu' = green silk motif formerly belonging only to kings.
habaku — patola ratu, rutungu — lambaliku
kubin and patola ratu, dots and meanders; said of motifs or designs on Sumba ikat cloths, as symbols of greatness, fertility and prosperity.
habaku — patola ratu, rutungu — lambaliku
butterfly and patola ratu, dots and meanders; four types of motif in ikat cloths.
rutungu la habibi hinggi rutungu — la kalunggu lai pahikungu
in the tuck of a rutungu-embroidered blanket — in the womb of a knee-binding sarong; tighten the knees, knees that grip the horse, grip the horse by night; extend the arms, arms that stab the pig, stab the pig by night; said in a dance-song urging the dancers to perform as a mounted hunter stabbing boar at night.
Further motifs
wei/Pig
wei
Pig
wei
14 textiles · 50 couplets
Ritual speech — lawiti luluku
kangeha ahu — katiku wei
The luck-sign of a dog — the head of a pig; the head is the principal and auspicious part of the pig; meaning: the daughter of one's maternal uncle is the primary right of one's son — she cannot be taken by another.
ahu kanduka rundu' — wei malara ditu
A dog that has exhausted its bark — a pig that is sore from the carrying-pole; meaning: pursuing an enemy or opponent relentlessly to the last.
ana wei kawondi — ana manu ramu
A plump piglet — a young chick; referring to the 'anakawini' (wife-taking group) as cherished children who are always well nurtured and cared for.
woru ana wei — woru ana ahu
Multiplying piglets — multiplying puppies; meaning: the children born of a married couple — daughters and sons.
na wei kabeli bai — na kamambi meti ina
A pig abandoned by its mother — a goat whose mother has died; meaning: an orphan without parents, or a person who lives without a protector.
barahu ngangu uhu. barahu — tolu wei la julangu
Eating white rice — pork on a dulang platter; rice from black glutinous paddy and pork in a dulang — special food for honouring distinguished guests.
na buti bora — na wei nggali
A male long-tailed monkey — a tusked boar; both are fierce animals always ready to attack, together they symbolise warriors who are perpetually alert and ready to defend.
dola dola wihi njara — riti wunggu wei
Scabby legs on the horse — mange on the pig's back; meaning: the appearance of disease in the land, affecting animals but also by extension the whole population.
napaeti wei rumbangu — napaura manu tatangu
He has the heart of a wild pig — the sinews of a wild chicken; said of someone who behaves wildly and ignores the social norms of the community — an uncouth and rude person.
hadala wihi njara — hariti wunggu wei
Sores like a horse's legs — mange like a pig's back; said to describe a prevailing condition of disease in the community.
ambu hapili la kiku manu rara — ambu tanganjiru la ngora wei tana
Do not tilt like the tail of a red chicken — do not raise up like the snout of a red pig; said of someone who avoids another person, turning their face aside or lifting it upward when they meet.
na hombalu kababa — na nimbu wei handakangu
He is like a short thick rope — like a single-blow pig spear; said of a person who dies without prolonged illness — a sudden death.
ambu kawulanya la wei — ambu huluya la tuna
Do not chase it by moonlight as you would a pig, — do not torch it as you would an eel; said of a matter or discussion that should not be continued at night — if night falls it must be deferred until the next day.
kadita kadita pari nggangga — tolu wei la julangu
Black glutinous rice — pork in a dulang platter; special food for honouring distinguished guests.
kahinggaru la wei mbera — tanyalangu la manu mutungu
Scattered like pigs routed in battle — dispersed like chickens in a village fire; said of a family or group that was once together but is now broken apart.
kakaluku na manu makakaluku — na wei makanguku
A crowing chicken — a grunting pig; said of someone who will act to defend a person who has been wronged or oppressed.
kakaraku buti makakaraku — wei makanguku
A chattering monkey — a grunting pig; meaning the same as entry No. 407.
kalenggaru manu kalenggaru tara — wei luhu uli
A chicken with a curved comb — a pig with protruding tusks; said of the chicken and pig that are suitable for slaughter in honour of distinguished guests.
pamanggalinya uli wei — paka lenggarunya tara manu
Curving the tusks of the pig — arching the comb of the chicken; said of preparing pigs and chickens for an important ritual — the 'Pamangu Ndewa' (feast for the gods).
kalira kalira wunggu wei — wiju kambu ahu
A pig with a flat back — a dog with a hollow belly; said of a season of famine, visible in the thinness of pigs and dogs.
da kamimiru da ana manu patu:na pani — da kanyu-nyulu dan ana wei patuna uhu
Cheeping chicks that she feeds — clustering piglets that she gives rice to; said of a mother's industrious effort in raising chickens and pigs.
na wei iru kambuna — buti lunggu ana
A pig dragging its belly — a monkey carrying its young; said of an intention that is still concealed, not yet declared.
da manu makamimiru la kawindu — da wei makanyunyulu la talora
Chickens cheeping on the veranda — pigs crowding in the yard; said of livestock belonging to family and neighbours.
kapeta kapeta pandanga wei — kalembangu pandanga njara
The snare forgotten by the pig — the net forgotten by the horse; said of a rule or prohibition that people often forget, ultimately bringing them difficulty.
handunya karoka, nggapi njara — utinya pungu, pungu koja wei
Tighten the calf — calves grip the horse; stretch out the arm — hands spear the pig; said in a dance-song urging dancers to be vigorous like a mounted hunter spearing a pig.
da karunggu pani manu da mapuru nbaru — da uta uhu wei da mapuru malingu
Corn fragments given in the morning — rice bran for the pigs; said of a woman's domestic duty to always prepare feed for her livestock.
na pakad wei — na pahira buti
What a pig tears — what a monkey rends; said of a girl who suffers an accident.
kaweda wei — maruru njara
An old pig — an aged horse; said of advanced human age, likened to old pigs and horses.
na ana manu mila, ki wanaki la kiri kekana — ana wei la hibu, nguku wanaki la kiri hibu
An orphaned chick that only cheeps under the cage — a piglet in the pen that only grunts inside the pen; said of an orphan's fate — unable to speak out in society because of their smallness.
nda nambatanda malinggi wei — nda nambotanda londa kamba
May we not break the pig-carrying pole — may the cloth-delivery not run out; said of the ongoing family bond between wife-givers (yera) and wife-takers (anakawini) — the yera always gives cloth and pig to the anakawini.
na karunggu pani manu — na uta uhu wei
Corn fragments for the chickens — rice bran as pig food; said of a wife's duty to always prepare feed for her chickens and pigs.
manu ndewa — wei marapu
The chicken of the gods — the pig of the ancestors; said of chickens and pigs consecrated specifically for offerings to the Creator through the divine beings and ancestral spirits.
na kapa manu ndewa — na halili wei marapu
The wing of the god's chicken — the armpit of the ancestral pig; said of the anakawini who are obligated to serve rituals in the yera's house as assistants to the imam in major ceremonies.
manu rara wakihu — wei miti kumbuhu
A uniformly red chicken — a jet-black pig; said of the colour of chickens and pigs consecrated for the great 'pamangu ndewa' ceremony (feast of the gods).
na matangaranya wula koja wei
Who looks up at the moon to spear the pig; said of having a betrothed — continuously watching over the young woman's growing maturity so that no one else can court her.
pambalarunya kamba — pabokulunya wei
Broadening the cloth — fattening the pig for her; said of the marriage of a daughter.
mbomangu da wei la mbomangu — da ahu la kaheli
Pigs under the floorboards — dogs on the sleeping platform; said of slaves who were valued like pigs and dogs.
nanimbu wei handakangu — nakabela njoru memangu
Do not be deaf to us like a smelting pot; said by a young man courting a young woman, urging her to heed his call; he carries the single-blow pig spear and the always-striking blade.
watu pandoku njara — kapeta pandanga wei
The stone tripped over by the horse — the snare stumbled into by the pig; said of a customary law frequently forgotten by wrongdoers — as a horse forgets a stone and stumbles, and a pig forgets a net and is caught.
pariti wunggu wei — wiju kambu ahu
The mangy back of a pig — the hollow belly of a dog; said of the condition of animals in a lean season — thin from lack of food, mirroring the condition of humans.
rumbaku hapa iyangu — pangga windu wei
Breaking the fish dam — transgressing the pig prohibition; said of violating customary law, especially the prohibition against marrying within one's own clan.
manu tahiku tilu — wei hoba karaba
A chicken pecking its own egg — a pig eating from the trough of its own kin; said of sexual relations between a mother and her own child — an unforgivable sin punishable by death.
na-njara tidungu — na-wei kawanga
Like a horse that refuses the bit — like a pig that is deaf; said of someone who is rebellious and refuses to heed reprimands or advice.
hunju wei — tobungu karambua
Spearing a pig — slaughtering a buffalo; the two methods of butchering animals for a feast.
nda ningu wei mapstombu — nda ningu buti makakaraku
No grunting pig — no chattering monkey; said of a family, clan or community that has no figure acting as leader or protector.
tumbuku mamuli — hapui kalibu wei
Forging a mamuli ornament — blowing the kecubung flower; said of persuasion and incitement to join together in opposing another party.
uhu memi mata — wei meti lari
Rice cooked yet raw — a pig dead yet alive; said of a matter that has been concluded and sealed with a feast but is then disputed again.
katari hupu kamba — langgeha wihi wei
The cloth gift worn thin at the hem — the pig's legs sore from being tied; said of a marriage settlement delayed by the man's family until the gift cloths have become threadbare and the pigs' legs are raw from the rope.
ngepiya la njara — hahaya la wei
Grip like a horse — press like a pig; said of one party forcing another.
manguriya la wei — hajeruya la manau
Rooting like a pig — scratching like a chicken; said of the demands made by the wife-givers (yera) upon the wife-takers (anakawini).
ahu/Dog
ahu
Dog
ahu
1 textile · 45 couplets
Ritual speech — lawiti luluku
na ahu miti lama — na njara ndindi kiku
A black-tongued dog and a horse that stands with tail upright — extraordinary marks on dog and horse: a figure for warriors possessing exceptional qualities beyond ordinary people.
ahu na .ahu miti lama — na njara ndindi-kiku:
dog with black tongue — horse standing tail-up: extraordinary signs on dog and horse; figurative expression for warriors who surpass ordinary people.
katarinya ahu namatu — njara kehangu:
preparing the tracking dog — the chasing horse: to achieve a goal one must ready the means — dog and horse suited to the hunt.
kangeha ahu — katiku wei:
the auspicious mark of the dog — the head of the pig; the dog's head-marking signals hunting luck; the pig's head is the prime portion with special potency; meaning: the daughter of the mother's brother is the prime right of the sister's son — she belongs to him and cannot be taken by another.
ahu kanduka rundu' — wei malara ditu:
dog barked out of voice — pig sore from carrying-pole: the dog barks continuously until it has no voice left, and the pig suffers from being too long on the pole; meaning: pursuing an enemy to absolute exhaustion, relentless chase.
tamai la ora ahu pakariangu — kahuru la hangga njara pakaliti:
approaching the face of the accompanying dog — drawing near the front of the ridden horse: paying respect by approaching the attendant dog and mount rather than directly addressing the person.
na.ahu lodu — na ahu wula-
literally: dog of the sun and dog of the moon; meaning: evil spirits including witches (suanggi) who bring disaster upon people; they must be given offerings to appease them.
woru ana wei — woru ana ahu:
multiplying piglets — multiplying puppies: meaning: children born of the marriage union — daughters and sons.
bangga si la manjada bangga ahu — Ia kahana pulu tau:
when the dog's bark has fallen silent — when human speech is stilled: expressing the deep-night hour when people sleep soundly and neither dog-bark nor human voice is heard.
bara manu rara nggoru — ahu bara lima:
red-necked rooster — white-footed dog: expression directed at a bride/groom wearing mutisalak beads at the neck and ivory bracelets on the wrists — like the red-necked cock and the white-footed dog.
nanjanga na njara pakaliti — nabeli na ahu pakariangu:
the ridden horse turns — the accompanying dog returns: in former times envoys always rode a horse and brought a dog; this expression states the envoy's return from the place of his mission.
kalira kalira wunggu wei — wiju kambu ahu:
the pig's spine is flat — the dog's belly is hollow: said of famine season, evident from the pig's flattened back and the dog's sunken belly from thinness.
ahu panda kapuki — manu panda kalaa:
dog not castrated — rooster not caponized: said of the dog and rooster destined for ritual offering, which must be unblemished.
katarinya .ahu. kehangu — payemanya njara lai:
preparing the hunting dog — providing the dancing horse: said of pursuing a goal by means of swift instruments.
kati ngandu ahu — kataku lima njara.
bite like a dog's teeth — receive like a horse's foreleg: said of responding to and accepting a statement or acknowledgment in a matter.
kiku ' na njara ndindi kiku — na ahu — miti lama:
horse standing tail erect — dog with black tongue: symbol of warriors who are mighty and do not allow any member of their alliance to stray, like a stallion with his mares.
winu. wua kanduru patuku wangu manu, kuta wua kapala papalu wangu ahu:
round-fruited areca-nut for throwing at the cock — long-leaved betel for striking the dog: said of the finest areca and betel given by a young man to a young woman to win her heart — a symbol of genuine love.
pambokanya njara lai — katarinya ahu kehangu:
fattening the racing horse — readying the hunting dog: said of an ambition that must be achieved through sincere effort and preparation.
malira | malira wunggu wei — wiju kambu ahu:
thin-backed pig — hollow-bellied dog: said of famine season, when pigs and dogs grow thin and gaunt.
manjadangu la manjada bangga ahu — lakahana pulu tau:
when the dog's bark is stilled — human speech is quiet: said of deep in the night when all creatures shelter and sleep.
marata tilu manu — ahu hari papangu:
splitting the hen's egg — halving the dog: said of a simple ritual at the village gate when guests arrive or kin return from abroad, also for purifying the village of sin and disease — breaking an egg and splitting a small dog, with the right half and head thrown upstream and the left half and tail thrown downstream.
njara miri ndewa —. ahu. miri ura:
horse dull of spirit — dog dull of vitality: said of a person's riding horse and companion dog that lack spirit and vitality, making their owner unlucky and ashamed.
mbomangu da wei la mbomangu — da ahu
pigs under the house-floor — dogs on the platform: said of slaves who were regarded as equivalent to pigs and dogs.
na ahu namatu — na njara kehangu:
the tracking dog — the chasing horse: also said of hunting dog and horse; said of a person skilled at investigating a difficult case.
. nyola pamanyolanya. wihi njara — pamalirunya bangga ahu:
surpassing the horse's stride — outdoing the dog's bark: said of pursuing a goal with powerful and superior means.
ndamangu njara pandama hondungu : — ahu pandama riringu:
horses habituated to one another in tethering — dogs accustomed to one another in company: said of people who know each other through association; also of courting couples.
ndewa njara pakaliti — ura ahu pakariangu:
the spirit of the ridden horse — the vitality of the accompanying dog: said of the luck and fate residing in a person's mount and dog-escort, which is their owner's fortune.
nanjara mbana ngaru — na ahu tara ngandu:
like a hot-mouthed horse — a sharp-toothed dog: said of a person who is defiant and can endanger others.
kati ngandu ahu — kataku lima njara:
bite like a dog's teeth — receive like a horse's foreleg: said of a positive reception of a statement or request.
ngiu hangiu njara ahu — hataulu katopu:
one horse-dog — a single machete: said of ancient times when humans were very simple — to take a wife it was sufficient to give a dog and a machete.
ambu paohanya na malunggu manu — &mbu pamanginya na malru ahu:
do not say 'they are blessed' to those who carry chickens — do not say 'they are fortunate' to those who lead dogs: said in prayer to the souls of the dead returned after the 'langu paraingu' (new year) ceremony — do not envy those who receive offerings from the descendants they left behind.
la kawunga njili njara — Ia kawunga onja ahu:
at the first tiring of the horse — the first exhaustion of the dog: said of settling at a place of dwelling — no longer moving about.
na njara palai hora — na ahu bangga njarangu:
a horse running wild — a dog barking astray: said of a person who acts contrary to customary norms.
na njara li palindi — na ahu li kanjonga:
the horse that goes through the mountains — the dog that goes through the valley: said of a person or group who mediates between two parties to reconcile their positions.
paraingu mapauli — paraingu bu ahu
the fanged village — the crested village: said of the great principal village of a territory, where acts of worship are performed with fanged pigs and crested roosters as offerings.
roka nda tapaita roka epi — nda taparongu rundu ahu:
we do not see each other's fire-glow — do not hear each other's dog-bark: said by a person who feels no family bond with the person they are speaking to.
rundu la manjada rundu-ahu.— la kahana pulu tau:
when the dog's bark is quiet — human speech is stilled: said of midnight when all is calm.
taiilu hatatilu katopu — hangiu njara ahu:
a single machete — one horse-dog: said of minimal bride-price goods in ancient times — an iron implement in place of a machete and a dog in place of a horse.
tiu takanja da tawuangu walu tiu, nduhanja wara walu upu, takanja da ahu walu ngiu, nduhanja kalita walu lola:
encountering eight nests of hornets — throw eight handfuls of sand; encountering eight dogs — throw eight strips of skin: instruction to the soul of the dead on its journey to the afterlife, to prepare materials to ward off these dangers.
ahu tundungu — njara kikungu:
following like a dog — keeping pace like a horse: said of a person who is obedient and docile.
ulu nda taparongu ulu ahu — nda taparongu hakuku manu:
we do not hear each other's dog-bark or rooster-crow: said to express that we are distant from one another with no family bond.
njara mapandewa — ahu mapaura:
said of a destructive act that violates customary norms.
na winu wua kanduru.na patuku wangu manu — na kuta wua kapala na pa wangu ahu:
round-fruited areca for throwing at the rooster — long-leaved betel for striking the dog: said of the finest areca and betel given by a young man to a young woman to win her heart — a symbol of genuine love.
wujuru | wel Wujuru —« ahu radapu:
a huddled pig — a cowering dog: said of a person in a state of fear and trembling.
manu mapawulu — ahu maparama:
fighting cock — brawling dog: said of those who are in a state of enmity and conflict.
mamuli/Mamuli (gold ornament)
mamuli
Mamuli (gold ornament)
mamuli
25 textiles · 9 couplets
Ritual speech — lawiti luluku
njara jangga — mamuli rara
a tall horse — a red mamuli earring; said of valuable goods — livestock (horse) and gold ear-pendants — customarily demanded by the 'yera' (wife-givers) from the 'anakawini' (wife-takers).
kanataru… kanitaru — lakululungu, mamuli ndai — patuku lombu
linked gold chain and continuously interwoven chain, an original mamuli and one made by Lombu goldsmith; said of gold and silver chain-and-pendant heirlooms symbolising a person's or family's capacity and self-worth; these gold ornaments further symbolise irrigation channels and rice-fields as sources of livelihood; 'kanataru lakululungu' represents the male and 'mamuli ndai patuku lombu' represents the female.
mamuli ndai — patuku lombu, kanataru — lakululungu
genuine mamuli of Lombu craftsmanship, continuous gold chain — unbroken silver chain; said of heirloom gold ornaments.
lamba — tabilu, marangga — kiku iyangu
these are the names of heirloom gold ornaments: 'lamba', symbolising the moon in crescent form; 'tabilu', symbolising the sun in circular form, both chest ornaments; 'marangga', in the form of two fish crossed; 'kiku iyangu' (fish-tail form).
mamuli mamuli ndai — patuku lombu, kanataru — lakululungu
heirloom ear-pendant and Lombu-forged ornament, gold chain and silver chain; said of genuinely high-value gold ornaments; 'patuku lombu' (Lombu's forging) is a type of mamuli whose form and value surpass others, being the work of the first goldsmith of Sumba.
tumbuku a tumbuku mamuli — hapui kalibu wei
forging a mamuli — blowing the thornapple flower; said of enticement and invitation to a person or group to jointly oppose another party.
hau mamuli — hawalangu walangu luluna
one mamuli — a length of chain; said as formal proof of an agreement or discussion.
wilaku buti — kaka mbelu
The monkey turns its head — the cockatoo nods: the two canonical forms of the mamuli, used in bridewealth and kinship affairs — the turning monkey and the nodding cockatoo.
wilaku buti wilaku — kaka mbelu
the monkey turns its head — the cockatoo nods; said of the form of two types of mamuli (literally: the connector), used in marriage proceedings and other kinship affairs, bearing the motif of a monkey turning its head and a cockatoo shaking its head.
karambua/Buffalo
karambua
Buffalo
karambua
19 textiles · 13 couplets
Ritual speech — lawiti luluku
dokungu papala — karambua kambihu makubaru mananga
a young colt hesitating at the crossing — a medium-sized buffalo muddying the estuary: said of young men and women who are still awkward and hesitant in practical life, and thus liable to disturb the social atmosphere.
njara hura uli-nanyaka — karambua tumbu wunggunanyaka
he has become like a horse that has grown tusks — a buffalo that has developed a hump: said of a young person who has come of age.
ndedi kukajeki — kukarambua haduduku la wuana, ndedi kumanundu
I am like a plain-faced horse at Taoni, not yet leaping, — like a one-fingered buffalo at Wuana, not yet obedient: said as a statement by someone that they are still young, knowing nothing yet.
na karambua kambihu namakubaru mananga — na ana njara ndondapu na manda pingu kela
a cubit-sized buffalo muddying the estuary — a small foal that does not know the slope: said of young novice dancers.
na karambua kahanga ruku — na njara beringu tungga
a buffalo with forked tracks — a horse with a parted mane: said of a mediator whose duty is to find mutual understanding and peace between two opposing parties.
na karambua kambihu na makubaru mananga — na ana njara ndondapu na manda pingu kela
a cubit-sized buffalo muddying the estuary — a newly-walking foal ignorant of the ravine: said of the image of adolescents who are not yet aware that their behaviour endangers society, and indeed themselves.
koru njara mapakorungu — karambua mapatomangu
horses that mingle — buffalo that meet: said of a community made up of various tribes and groups.
na landu la katiku — na borungu la banggi / karambua papawiringu
a plume on the head — a waist-sash: said of horses adorned with plumes and buffalo adorned with young coconut fronds, consecrated for a religious ceremony.
njanga na manjanga njara — na manjanga karambua
one who watches the horses — one who watches the buffalo: said of those who tend horses and buffalo.
na njara papalandungu — na karambua papawiringu
a horse adorned with a plume — a buffalo adorned with coconut fronds: said of horses and buffalo consecrated for ritual purposes, decorated with plumes and fronds.
njara rubi rapa — karambua tanganjiru
a horse that seizes the reins — a buffalo that rears up: said of resistance, a person who is insubordinate to their superior.
hunju wei — tobungu karambua
stabbing a pig — slaughtering a buffalo: two ways of butchering animals for food.
njara beringu tungga — karambua kahanga ruku
a horse with a parted mane — a buffalo with forked tracks: said of an impartial mediator who serves both parties equally well in reaching agreement and peace.
wuya/Crocodile
wuya
Crocodile
wuya
3 textiles · 9 couplets
Ritual speech — lawiti luluku
ana kara wulangu — ana wuya rara:
child of the moon-tortoise — child of the red crocodile: noble title formula expressing the children of aristocrats — likened to the turtle-shell tortoise with beautiful skin worked into prized combs, bracelets and rings, and also to the small red crocodile found in estuaries, feared and respected but never dangerous.
pamilinya tena hoba, — kanjekunya ranggu rara, ka nahobaya wuya -- tadanu,.iu.mbeni
launch the coconut-spathe boat into the river towards the open sea to be swallowed by fierce sea creatures — fish: they believe that through this rite sin and disaster have vanished, they are safe and whole.
liangu matu nda nawaiya na wuya la papala — na mandu. kiri liangu:
until he no longer heeds the crocodile at the crossing — the snake at the burrow mouth: said of a person who pursues their goal regardless of the dangers in the way — especially a young man seeking his beloved.
na mandu ngarangia — na wuya la papala
Snake on the road — crocodile at the crossing-place: said of the dangers that lie along a journey.
mandu na mandu ngarangia — na wuya la papala:
snake in the path — crocodile at the river crossing: said of the dangers that lie in a journey.
na makarita la kambu mandu — na mapahilita la uli wuya:
who cuts us out of the snake's belly — who frees us from the crocodile's fangs: said of a person who delivers us from danger and disaster — like Christ's act for humanity.
tadanu wuya — tadanu, iu mbeni-pai mbeni:
crocodile and whale, shark and fierce manta ray: said of the fierce creatures and fish of the sea.
ularu nakatikau ularu kataru muru — nahobakau wuya tadanu:
you will be bitten by the snake and the green snake, you will be swallowed by the crocodile and the whale: said as a curse against an enemy or one who has committed evil.
ana kara wulangu — ana wuya rara:
child of the moon turtle-shell — child of the red crocodile: said of nobility — beautiful as moon-turtle shell and respected like the small red crocodile that does not attack.
iya/Fish
iya
Fish
iya
6 textiles · 6 couplets
Ritual speech — lawiti luluku
lamba — tabilu, marangga — kiku iyangu:
these are the names of heirloom gold ornaments: 'lamba', symbol of the moon in a crescent form; 'tabilu', symbol of the sun in a disc form, both chest ornaments; 'marangga', in the form of a crossed fish; and 'kiku iyangu' (fish-tail), in the form of ...
na mandawa Ia karuku — na iyangu la kelangu:
sweet preserve in a little box — fish on the hanging-rack: said of provisions laid out for the souls of the dead at the 'langu paraingu' ceremony (the village feast, new year) at the turning of the old year to the new.
ha. mangadunya mihi ydipa ~ iyangu — na matangaranya wula koja wei:
he who surveys the reef to catch fish — he who looks up at the moon to spear pigs: said of having a sweetheart or betrothed, continuously watching her maturation so that she can no longer be courted by another.
iya njulu la libu muru — iya pai la mananga
The wandering fish wanders out to the great ocean — the parading fish parades to the estuary: sung at the harvest-closing feast 'kanduku woka' — the declaration that each will return to its origin whence it came.
iya njulu nanjulu luaya Ia libu muru — iya pai napal luaya la mananga:
the wandering fish wanders into the great sea — the processioning fish processes to the estuary: said in a parade-song at the harvest-closing ceremony called 'kanduku woka' (sound of the digging-stick); expressing that each will return to its origin.
rumbaku rumbaku hapa iyangu -— pangga windu wei:
breaking down the fish-weir barrier — transgressing the pig-prohibition: said of a violation of customary law, for example in the matter of marriage — the prohibition on marriage within the 'kabihu' (clan).
karungu/Crab
karungu
Crab
karungu
2 couplets
Ritual speech — lawiti luluku
na karungu angu londa — na kura angu kundu
The crab as companion guiding — the prawn as companion shoulder-to-shoulder: given as marital advice to the bride — part of a wife's duty to attend to livestock care, feeding chickens in the morning and pigs in the evening.
kura mapakundu — karungu mapalonda
The prawn that carries shoulder to shoulder — the crab that leads guiding one another: used of close kin who must cooperate and assist each other in all things.
kara (penyu)/Turtle
kara (penyu)
Turtle
kara (penyu)
8 textiles · 3 couplets
Ritual speech — lawiti luluku
ana kara wulangu — ana wuya rara
child of the moon turtle — child of the red crocodile: this is the title given to the children of the nobility (aristocrats), likened to the moon tortoise whose beautifully-patterned shell is worked into prized combs, bracelets and rings; and to the small red crocodile found at river mouths, always feared and respected but never harmful.
kara ana kara wulangu — ana wuya rara
child of the moon tortoiseshell — child of the red crocodile: said of the sons and daughters of kings and nobles; the 'moon karet' is a species of turtle whose bright-patterned shell is worked by craftsmen into bracelets called 'kara kuku lima' (hand bracelets) or combs called 'tidu hai kara' (tortoiseshell comb for the head).
ana kara wulangu — ana wuya rara
child of the moon tortoiseshell turtle — child of the red crocodile: said of the nobility (kings/aristocrats), beautiful as moon tortoiseshell and respected like the small red crocodile that does not attack.
kombu/Hinggi kombu (red-ground cloth)
kombu
Hinggi kombu (red-ground cloth)
kombu
42 textiles · 1 couplet
Ritual speech — lawiti luluku
kombu a hinggi kombu kurangu — pahudu anatau
a red-prawn (kombu-dyed) blanket — a [cloth/garment type] — [B-line gloss not recoverable].
—/Birds (general)
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Birds (general)
—
30 textiles
tau/Human figures
tau
Human figures
tau
18 textiles
—/Scorpion
—
Scorpion
—
2 textiles
—/Squid / cuttlefish
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Squid / cuttlefish
—
1 textile