Chapter VII

) except, that is, that there exists a different system of mwasila in the island of Kayleula, a system which was used also by the Kavatarians. It must be remembered in this connection that the natives of Kayleula did make Kula on a small scale with the Amphlettans, and that their mwasila was connected with the Kula. [97] But the main object of the Kavatarian and Kayleulan mwasila was their non-Kula trade with the natives of Fergusson and Goodenough. This is quite clear from Mr. Gilmour's account, and it was also corroborated by my informants. They told me that the mwasila is done because of the kavaylu'a (fine food) that is, of the sago and betel-nut and pigs, the main objects of their expedition:

"If they (the Western Boyowans) would not make mwasila, they (the Western d'Entrecasteaux natives) would fight them. They are foolish men, the people of the Koya, not like people of Dobu, who are human beings. Those in the Koya are wild, eaters of man. If they (Kavataria and Kayleula) would make no mwasila, they would refuse them betel-nut, refuse them sago."

The sailing is characterised by the priority enjoyed by the Kulutula clan, who, as we have seen in a previous chapter (