different type, belonging to the mwasila (Kula magic). It is distinctly a more modern formula; there are hardly any archaic expressions; words are not used, as independent sentences each; on the whole it is easily understandable and has a consecutive meaning.
Rayikuna Sulumwoya (also called Sumgeyyata) A. U’ula (Initial Part) 1 1 Avayta’u Who netata’i cuts sulumwoyala the mint plant of Laba’i? Laba’i? Yaygu, I, Kwoyregu, Kwoyregu, sogu together with tamagu, my father, katata’i we cut sulumwoyala the mint plant of Laba’i. Laba’i. 2 2 Silimwaynunuva, The roaring sulumwoya, inunuva; it roars; silimwayniku, the quaking sulumwoya iniku; it quakes; silimwayyega, the soughing sulumwoya, iyega; it soughs; silimwaypolu, the boiling sulumwoya, ipolu. it boils. B.—Tapwana (Main Part) 3 3 Ipolu, It boils, ipolu it boils, ipolu it boils … … agu my sulumwoya mint plant ipolu; it boils; agu my vana, herb ornaments, ipolu; it boils agu my kena lime spatula ipolu; it boils; agu my yaguma lime pot ipolu; it boils; agu my sinata comb ipolu; it boils; agu my mo’i mat ipolu; it boils; agu my pari presentation goods ipolu; it boils; agu my vataga big basket ipolu; it boils; agu my kauyo personal basket ipolu; it boils; agu my lilava magical bundle ipolu. it boils. Dabagu my head ipolu; it boils; kabulugu my nose ipolu; it boils; kaygadugu my occiput ipolu; it boils; mayyegu my tongue ipolu; it boils; tabagu my larynx ipolu; it boils; kawagu my speaking organ ipolu; it boils; wadogu my mouth ipolu; it boils; ula my woyla Kula courting ipolu. it boils. C.—Dogina (Conclusion) 4 4 Bulumava’u New spirit kadagu my maternal uncle Mwoyalova Mwoyalova kuvapwo thou breathe (the spell over) dabana the head (of) Monikiniki, Monikiniki, kuvapokayma thou breathe (the spell over) dabana the head (of) agu my touto’u. light wood. 5 5 Avaliwo I kick koya— the mountain— isikila it tilts over, koya; the mountain; imwaliku it subsides, koya; the mountain; ikaywa’u it opens up, koya; the mountain; isabwani it jubilates, koya; the mountain itakubile it topples over, koya; the mountain; itakubilatala it topples down, koya. the mountain. 6 6 Avapwoyma I breathe (a spell over) dabana the head (of) Koyava’u; Koyava’u; avapokayma I charm lopoum thy inside (of) Siyaygana; Siyaygana (canoe); akulubeku I drown wagana the waga akulisonu I submerge lumanena. the lamina. 7 7 Gala Not butugu, my renown butugu my renown pilapala; thunder; gala not valigu, my treading, valigu my treading lumwadudu noise made by flying witches(?) tudududu. tudududu.
The opening sentences of the formula are so clear that the translation word for word explains itself without any closer commentary, except of course as far as the names are concerned. Laba’i is a village in the North of Kiriwina, and it plays a considerable part in the mythology of the origin of man, since several of the principal sub-clans emerged there from underground. Laba’i is also the home of the mythical culture-hero Tudava. The mythology of the Kula, however, does not include Laba’i amongst the