Chapter VI

, the Kapitunena Duku spell, the word bavisivisi, 'I shall wave them back,' (that is; the other canoes), is repeated ponderously several times. The opening of a spell with one word, which summarises in a metaphorical manner the aim of the spell is often found in Kiriwinian magic. In this spell there follow the words:--

Sîyá dábanâ Tókunâ ínenâ. Sinegu bwaga'u, Siya hill (on) top of Takuna the women. My mother sorcerer,

tatogu bwaga'u. myself sorcerer.

These words are pronounced with a heavy, thumping rhythm, as indicated by the sharp and circumflex accents. The second line shows a rhythmic and symmetrical arrangement of words. The remainder of the u'ula of this spell is similar to the same part in the wayugo spell, which has been given here in full native text (compare the free translations of both spells in previous Chapters).

In the ligogu spell of the same Chapter, the u'ula opens with another juggling of words:--

virayra'i (repeated); morayra'i (repeated); basilabusi female rayra'i; male rayra'i; I shall penetrate

Wayayla, basilalaguwa Oyanaki; basilalaguwa (at) Wayayla, I shall emerge (at) Oyanaki; I shall emerge

Wayayla, basilabusi Oyanaki; (at) Wayayla, I shall penetrate Oyanaki;

This part of the u'ula has not been translated in the text, as its meaning is 'magical' and can be better grasped in connection with the native text. The word rayra'i is a magical word only. It is first given with the antithetic opposition of the male and female prefixes vi- and mo-. The following phrase is a typical example of a geographical antithesis. The two names refer to the promontories facing one other across the sea passage Kaulokoki, between Boyowa and Kayleula. Why those two points are mentioned I could not find out.

In the kadumiyala spell, given in