Chapter XVIII

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[61] Koyatabu--the mountain on the North shore of Fergusson; Kamsareta,--the highest hill on Domdom,--in the Amphletts; Koyava'u--the mountain opposite Dobu island, on the North shore of Dawson Straits; Gorebubu--the volcano on Dobu island.

[62] The prefix bo- has three different etymological derivations, each carrying its own shade of meaning. First, it may be the first part of the word bomala, in which case, its meaning will be "ritual" or "sacred." Secondly, it may be derived from the word bu'a, areca-nut, a substance very often used and mentioned in magic, both because it is a narcotic, and a beautiful, vermilion dye. Thirdly, the prefix may be a derivation from butia, the sweet scented flower made into wreaths, in which case it would usually be bway, but sometimes might become bo-, and would carry the meaning of "festive," "decorated." To a native, who does not look upon a spell as an ethnological document, but as an instrument of magical power, the prefix probably conveys all three meanings at once, and the word "ritual" covers best all these three meanings.

[63] See Division II of