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Rotuman Custom as told to Gordon Macgregor in 1932
from notes archived at
Bishop Museum, Honolulu, Hawai'i

Language

Category:

Language(1)

Topic:

Counting Food

Consultant:

C.Jacobsen

Macgregor's Notes

Comments

joralili = cat's eyes.They were counted in pairs
poahe = ten
poahe sanghul = 1000 [100?]

fish: saiga = ten
ka'toa 100 [kato'a hundred fish]

cattle, pigs, fowl: sava'a = ten

According to Churchward's dictionary, poa (in counting alili) = ten pairs; alil asoa he saghul = twenty

Category:

Language(2)

Topic:

Coconut stages

Consultant:

C.M. Churchward

Macgregor's Notes

Comments

The successive stages of the coconut's growth are:

  • niu susa very small
  • niu kafimo
  • niu varvari
  • niu ma'ata
  • niu tahroro
  • niu kaskele or fu'fu'i
  • niu fea
  • niu mafu
  • niu hara sprouting net
  • niu pou young coconut

Category:

Language(3)

Topic:

Fekei: puddings

Consultant:

C.M. Churchward

Macgregor's Notes

Comments
1. Her here - coconut and arrowroot (mara)
2. 'A'ana - taro and niu
3. Mara ma 'a'ana
4. Niuafo'ou - white mara
5. Siuakeli - mara black in color
6. Fakai - banana (sa'e) mara
7. Fekei 'uhi - yam and coconut
8. Fekei 'ulu - breadfruit
8a. Fekei tuk 'ulu - pounded
(=
tuk) breadfruit
8b. Fekei sasasa
9. Fekei ifi - Tahitian chestnut
10. Mar pari - banana but not arrowroot. black
11. Kokono' 'uhlei - small yam
12. Kokono' säe - säe banana
13. Fekei Nasu - nasu = bake
14. Vai sala - mara, used for sick people
15. A'a'u - yam (lit. dig)
16. Totok 'ulu - dip
17. Totok 'uhi
18. Totok 'ifi
19. Fekei papai -
a. fekei nasu
b. fekei sua (= stir)
20. Fekei tapiko - tapioca

Category:

Language(4)

Topic:

Chiefly Language

Consultant:

Varomua

Macgregor's Notes

Comments

There were many words used to the sau which Varumua does not remember. They have not been used for a long time. Language called fäeag fak gagaj.

  • Okalog = reply to a chief when one is summoned
  • Fi = name of chief's kokona
  • Te i'ita = name of chief's food
  • Aiata = chief's word for eating
  • Tatakai uha = kilt of chief
  • Takaua ia aiat = finish eating said of chief
  • Farautuapuaki = ex-sau or a chief who has come off his stool

 

 

kokona = food shelf suspended from rafters

Category:

Language(5)

Topic:

Chiefly Language

Consultant:

Niua

Macgregor's Notes

Comments

Terms for various chiefs:

  • Farau e fata puaki: addressed to sau or ex-sau
  • Fa Riroa: addressed to mua
  • Fa ne Sahoa: addressed to other big chiefs. Sahoa is a place in Noa'tau

Category:

Language(6)

Topic:

Chiefly Language

Consultant:

Urakmata

Macgregor's Notes

Comments

The sau had a throne or high pile of mats called farava. Faraftapuak is a word of address to the sau. Later it came to include all his family, but this was incorrect use.

  • Tatau = sau's bed
  • Malhe = sau's belt
  • Category:

    Language(7)

    Topic:

    Chiefly Language

    Consultant:

    Nataniela

    Macgregor's Notes

    Comments

    There was no chiefly language as such on Rotuma, but there were a great number of words which were used between commoners in the presence of chiefs or in addressing them. They were the polite form to use.

  • O = yes
  • Gou kalog = What? in answer to a chief's call
  • Usia'a = to speak (fäega)
  • Category:

    Language(8)

    Topic:

    Sialeva

    Consultant:

    Marasia

    Macgregor's Notes

    Comments

    Sialeva is a small spotted bird with a long tail. When it flies many other birds collect about it. The word is synonymous for a man who is very attractive and popular and always has many people gathered about him [see song]; sia'leva: bird (now scarce) about the size of a pigeon, spotted with a long tail. It is said that other birds like to congregate around it. Astur Cruentus (Gm.)]

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