much as possible to concrete details and to the stating of the full sequence of events. In his account he uttered this sentence:
“The Tolabwaga launch their canoe first; by this the face of the sea is cleared.”
I thereupon perceived that a new subject had been brought within my notice, and I headed my informant on to it, and obtained the following text, sentence after sentence:—
The Tolabwaga Sub-Clan and Their Sea-Faring Privileges 1 1 Bikugwo, He might be first ikapusi he fall down (it is launched) siwaga their canoe Tolabwaga, Tolabwaga, boge already bimilakatile he might be clear bwarita. sea. 2 2 Igau Later on kumaydona all gweguya, chiefs, tokay commoner siwaga their canoe ikapusisi they fall down (are launched) oluvyeki. behind. 3 3 Kidama Supposing takapusi we fall down, takugwo we are first bitavilidasi they might turn (on) us baloma; spirits; bitana we might go Dobu, Dobu, gala no tabani we find bunukwa pig soulava. necklace. 4 4 Makawala Alike yuwayoulo: (lashing creeper) bikugwo he (it) might be first isipusi they bind siwayugo, their wayugo lashing, iga’u later on yakidasi. ourselves. 5 5 Takeulo We sail Dobu, Dobu, gala no bikugwasi they might be first Tolabwaga; Tolabwaga; okovalawa on sea front boge already aywokwo. he was over. 6 6 Obwarita In sea tananamse we consider kayne whether isakauli he run taytala one (masculine) lawaga, his canoe, ikugwo. he is first. 7 7 Gala No bikaraywagasi they might command patile. canoe fleet. 8 8 Dobu, Dobu, gweguya chiefs bikugwasi, they might be first, biwayse they might come there kaypatile canoe fleet gweguya. chiefs. 9 9 M’tage Indeed Tolabwaga Tolabwaga boge already aywokwo he (it) was over sikaraywaga their command ovalu. in village.
The Tolabwaga sub-clan belong to the Lukwasisiga clan, and live at present in Kasi’etana. Only one man and two women are surviving.
10 10 Simwasila Their Kula magic siwaga their canoe migavala, magic his, vivila woman boge already iyousayse. they grasp. 11 11 “Datukwasi “Our magical property boge already kasakaymi we give you megwa magic kwaraywagasi you command lagayle!” to-day!”
Thus would they say on handing their magic to their male descendants.
Informant’s Commentary.
Commenting on verse 3, the expression, ‘bitalividasi baloma,’ my informant said:
‘Bitavilida’: ‘They might turn (on) us’: bilivalasi they might say baloma spirit “Avaka “What pela for gala no ikugwo he is first Tolabwaga, Tolabwaga, kukugwasi you are first gumgweguya; sub-chiefs; kayuviyuvisa sweepers of the sea Tolabwaga!” Tolabwaga!” 13 13 Tavagi We do gaga bad igiburuwasi, they angry ninasi mind theirs’ igaga, he bad pela for magisi desire theirs balayamata we might watch tokunabogwo long ago aygura. he has decreed.
The verbal translation renders word for word the individual meaning of every particle and root, according to a definite grammatical and lexicographical