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Explorations in Semantic Parallelism

Appendix: Petrus Malesi’s Recitation Of ‘The Coming Of Rice’

Petrus Malesi

In 1973, the filmmaker Tim Asch recorded a recitation by the poet, Petrus Malesi which he entitled ‘The Coming of Rice’. This is a version of the Origin of Rice (and Millet) that I originally recorded from him during my first fieldwork in 1965-66. At the time, I was still struggling to understand ritual language, so I brought this chant to Stefanus Adulanu (‘Old Meno’) for help in transcription and understanding. Stefanus Adulanu offered his help and in the process also added to the recitation. The Malesi-Adulanu version. which bears the chant name, Doli Mo ma Lutu Mala. was the focus of my paper, ‘Genealogy and Topogeny’, Chapter 11 in this volume. This recitation by Malesi in 1973 is quite similar to the earlier version. The following is a complete transcription and translation of Petrus Malesi’s filmed recitation and is intend to accompany Malesi’s recitation.

The video of this recitation is available on the ANU Press website.

Hade Mamai-Na

Petrus Malesi

1.

Fetok Tai Oli Moli

The girl Tai Oli Moli

2.

Do inak Fo Fai Foe

Or the woman Fo Fai Foe

3.

Ana tuü heni nupu no-na

She throws away the coconut shoot

4.

Ma ana nggali heni sadu pua-na.

And she tosses away the areca nut sprout.

5.

Ana bonu boa basa namo-la

It bobs about in all the harbours

6.

Ma ana ele piko basa meti-la,

And it floats on all the tides,

7.

De meti leo Tena Lai-la

A tidal shore like Tena Lai

8.

Ma namo leo Mae Oe-la.

And a harbour like Mae Oe

9.

Boe ma ala neka nita lai ndia

They feel attachment to things there

10.

Ma ala lili dela lai ndia.

And they are attracted to things there.

11.

Faik esa manuni-na

Then on a certain day

12.

Ma ledok esa matebe-na

And at a particular time

13.

Inak-a Masu Pasu

The woman, Masu Pasu

14.

Do fetok-a He Hai

Or the girl, He Hai

15.

Ana ene dolu nai liun

She lowers a fish line in the ocean

16.

Ma ana nafu kafa nai sain;

And she sets a hook in the sea;

17.

Neu tongo lololo

It happens to meet

18.

Ma nda lilima

And happens to encounter

19.

Nupu nok bonu boa

The bobbing coconut shoot

20.

Ma sadu puak ele piko

And the floating areca nut sprout.

21.

Boe ma ana ifa-na nupu non

So she cradles the coconut shoot

22.

Ma ko’o-na sadu puan

And she embraces the areca nut sprout.

23.

Ala mai meti leo Bola Sou-la

They come to a tide point like Bola Sou

24.

Ma tasi leo Asa Nao-la.

And to a sea area like Asa Nao.

25.

Mai te Danga Lena Liun uma-na

There at the home of Danga Lena Liun

26.

Ma Mane Tua sain lo-na

And at the home of Mane Tua Sain

27.

Eki-kala beke-doto

There is joyful shouting

28.

Ma hema-kala bekao.

And there is great clamour.

29.

Boe ma inak-a Masu Pasu

So the woman, Masu Pasu

30.

Do fetok-a He Hai

Or the girl, He Hai

31.

Ana leno sosodo ei-na

She shuffles her feet in the dance

32.

Ma ana pena nggangape lima-na

And she sways her arms with the music

33.

Nggenge te meti nala Bola Sou

Startlingly the tide rushes in on Bola Sou

34.

Ma tasi nala Asa Nao.

And the sea floods Asa Nao.

35.

Boe ma poe-ana Asa Nao

A small shrimp at Asa Nao

36.

Ma nii-ana Bola Sou

And a tiny crab from Bola Sou

37.

Ala ngge’e leni nupu-non

They pinch and carry away the coconut shoot

38.

Ma ka’a leni sadu pua-na.

And bite and carry away the areca nut sprout.

39.

Mai te inak Manu Leo Oli

Then comes the woman, Manu Leo Oli

40.

Ma fetok Enga Lutu Namo

And the girl, Enga Lutu Namo

41.

Ana dei dongo

She stands and waits

42.

Ma ana nene fino

And she stops and listens

43.

De ana ifa-na nupu nok

She cradles the coconut shoot

44.

Do ana ko’o-na sadu puak.

Or she embraces the areca nut sprout.

45.

Ana lutu kiun

She places stones around them

46.

Ma ana pa’a feon

And she fences them all round.

47.

Ana toli oen

She pours water on them

48.

Ma ana fu’a daen

And she covers them with earth.

49.

Te do belan ta dadi

But no heavy leaves arise

50.

Do hu bokon ta tola

And no bending stalks appear

51.

Pule duan ta lesu

No two grains come forth

52.

Ma kale telum ta dadi.

And no three kernels appear.

53.

Fai esa manuni-na

Then on a certain day

54.

Do ledo esa manda-na

Or at a particular time

55.

Inak-a Dela Kola

The woman, Dela Kola

56.

Ma fetok-a Dila Latu

And the girl, Dila Latu

57.

Ana tolomu sasali

She comes running

58.

Ma nalai lelena

And she comes hurrying

59.

De ifa neni nupu nok

She cradles and carries away the coconut shoot

60.

De ko’o neni sadu puak.

She embraces and carries away the areca sprout.

61.

Ana mai de ana tane nasamamaon

She comes and she plants them tenderly

62.

Ma ana sele nakaboboin

And she sows them with care

63.

Te hu bokon ta tola

But no bending stalk appears

64.

Ma do belan ta dadi

And no heavy leaves arise

65.

Ma kale duan ta lesu

And no two kernels come forth

66.

Ma pule telun ta dadi.

And no three grains arise.

67.

Inak-a Fi Bau

The woman, Fi Bau

68.

Do fetok-a Kade Ufa neu

Or the girl, Kade Ufa, she goes

69..

De ana ifa do ko’o neni

She embraces them and cradles them away

70.

De ana tane nasamamaon

Then she plants them tenderly

71.

Ma ana sele nakaboboin

And she sows them with care

72.

Boe o hu bokon ta tola

But no bending stalks appear

73.

Ma do belan ta dadi.

And no heavy leaves arise.

74.

Fai esa manuni-na

Then on a certain day

75.

Ma ledo esa manda-na

And at a particular time

76.

Inak-a Fula Fopo

The woman Fula Fopo

77.

De ana ifa neni nupu no-na

She cradles and carries away the coconut shoot

78.

[Missing Line]

79.

Ma ana ko’o neni sadu pua-na

And she embraces and carries away the areca nut sprout

80.

Neu de tane nasamamaon

She goes and plants then tenderly

81.

Ma sele nakaboboin

And she sows them with care

82.

Te hu bokon ta dadi

But no bending stalks arise

83.

Ma do belan ta lesu

And no heavy leaves come forth.

84.

Boe ma pule duan ta tola

No two grains appear

85.

Ma kale telun ta dadi.

And no three kernels arise.

86.

Boe ma inak-a Pinga Pasa

Then the woman, Pinga Pasa

87.

Ma fetok-a Soe Leli, ana mai

And the girl, Soe Leli, she comes

88.

Ana ifa neni nupu non

She cradles and carries away the coconut shoot

89.

Ma ko’o neni sadu puan

And she embraces and carries away the areca nut sprout

90.

Neu de ana tane nasamamaon

She goes and she plants them tenderly

91.

Nai Leli Ko Eko mon

In the plain at Leli Ko Eko

92.

Ma sele nakaboboin

And she sows them with care

93.

Nai Pase Bo Boi fuän.

In the field at Pase Bo Boi.

94.

Te hu bokon ta dadi

But no bending stalks arise

95.

Ma do belan ta moli

And no heavy leaves appear

96.

Ma kale duan te lesu

And no two kernels come forth

97.

Ma pule telun ta dadi.

And no three grains arise.

98.

Fai esa manuni-na

Then on a certain day

99.

Ma ledok esa manda-na

And at a particular time

100.

Inak bei Bau Dale

The woman at Bau Dale

101.

Ma fetok bei Bau Dale [Kai Tio]

And the girl at Bau Dale

102.

Inak-a Fiti Nggoli

The woman, Fiti Nggoli

103.

Ma fetok-a Lole Bako

And the girl, Lole Bako

104.

Ana ndae pou neu alun

She drapes a sarong upon her shoulder

105.

Ma ana su sidi neu langa,

And she sets a cloth upon her head

106.

Pou dula tolo-teik

A sarong with a tola-teik pattern

107.

Ma sidi leü pan' daik

And a cloth with a panadaik design

108.

Boe ma pua lisu lasu boak

Brings areca as round as a tuft of cotton

109.

Ma malu boa dongi aik.

And betel fruit as long as a barbed spear.

110.

Boe ma ana ifa-na nupu non

She cradles the coconut shoot

111.

Ma ana ko’o-na sadu puan

And she embraces the areca nut sprout

112.

Nai Leli Ko Eko mon

In the plain at Leli Ko Eko

113.

Ma Pase Bo Boi fuän

And the field at Pase Bo Boi

114.

Neu de ana sele nakaboboin

She goes and she sows them with care

115.

Ma ana tane nasamamaon

And she plants them tenderly

116.

Nai Bako Bau Dale fu’an

In the field at Bako Bau Dale

117.

Do Nggoli Kai Tio mon.

Or in the plain at Nggoli Kai Tio.

118.

Boe ma pule-na fafaku

Then the grains come forth

119.

Ma kale-na loloso

And the kernels come out

120.

Ma do bela-na dadi

The heavy leaves arise

121.

Ma hu boko-na tola.

And the bending stalks appear.

122.

Eki-kala beke-doto

There is joyful shouting

123.

Ma hema-kala bekao.

And there is great clamour.

124.

Boe ma inak-a Leo Lasu

Then the woman, Leo Lasu

125.

Do fetok-a Nuli Kili, ana mai

Or the girl, Nuli Kili, she comes

126.

De ana ifa neni(n)

She cradles and carries them

127.

Do ana ko’o nenin

Or she embraces and carries them

128.

Neu de ana tane new Ki Lama

She goes and plants them at Ki Lama

129.

Ma ana sele neu Le Ina.

And she sows them at Le Ina.

130.

Kale dua-na tola

The two kernels appear

131.

Ma pule telu-na dadi

And the three grains arise

132.

Do bela-na lesu

The heavy leaves come forth

133.

Ma hu boko-na moli.

And the bending stalks appear.

134.

Eki-kala beke-doto

There is joyful shouting

135.

Ma hema-kala bekao

And there is great clamour.

136.

Boe ma besak-a fetok leo Lesi Ama la

Now the girls of Lesi Ama

137.

Do inak-a [leo] Bala Fia la

Or the women of Bala Fia

138.

Ala tolomu sasali

They come running

139.

Ma lalai lelena

And they come hurrying.

140.

Mai de ifa do ko’o leni

There they cradle or they embrace them, carrying them away.

141.

De ala tane neu Peto Lesi Ama mon

They plant them in the plain of Peto Lesi Ama

142.

Do Lela Bala Fia fu’an

Or in the field at Lela Bala Fia.

143.

Hu boko-na tola

The bending stalks appear

144.

Ma do bela-na dadi

And the heavy leaves arise

145.

Ma kale dua-na lesu

The two kernels come forth

146.

Ma kale [pule] telu-na tola.

And three kernels [grain] appear.

147.

Eki-kala beke-doto

There is joyful shouting

148.

Ma hema-kala bekao.

And there is great clamour.

149.

Boe ma fai esa manuni-na

Then on a certain day

150.

Ma ledo esa manda-na

And at a particular time

151.

Ina bei Pena Pua la

The women who are still at Pena Pau

152.

Do fetok bei Maka Lama

Or the girls still at Maka Lama

153.

Ina bei Oe Mau la

The women still at Oe Mau

154.

Do fetok bei Tanga Loi la

Or the girls still at Tanga Loi

155.

Ala tolumu sasali

They come running

156.

Ma lalai lelena

And they come hurrying

157.

Mai de ala ifa leni Doli Mo

There they cradle and carry away Doli Mo

158.

Do ko’o leni Lutu Mala,

Or they embrace and carry away Lutu Mala,

159.

Leni neu Oe Mau

Carrying them to Oe Mau

160.

Do leni neu Tanga Loi

Or carrying them to Tanga Loi

161.

Leni neu Pena Pua

Carrying them to Pena Pua

162.

Do leni neu Maka Lama

Or carrying them to Maka Lama

163.

Ala tane lasamamaon

They plant them tenderly

164.

Ma ala sele lakaboboin

And they sow them with care

165.

Hu boko-na tola

The bending stalks appear

166.

Ma do bela-na dadi

And the heavy leaves arise

167.

Ma kale dua-na lesu

And the two kernels come forth

168.

Ma pule telu-na tola.

And the three grains appear.

169.

Eki-kala beke-doto

There is joyful shouting

170.

Ma hema-kala bekao.

And there is great clamour.

171.

Fetok bei Tete Lesi la

The girls still at Tete Lesi

172.

Ma inak bei Dae Mea la

And the women still at Dae Hea

173.

Ina bei Dau Dolu la

The women still at Dau Dolu

174.

Do fetok bei Pau Biti la

Or the girls still at Pau Biti

175.

Ina Dae Mea Iko

The woman, Dae Mea Iko

176.

Ma Fetok Oe Ana Muli, ala mai

And the girl, Oe Ana Muli, they come

177.

De ala ifa leni Doli Mo

They cradle and carry away Doli Mo

178.

Ma ko’o leni Lutu Mala

And they embrace and carry away Lutu Mala

179.

Tane nasamamaon

Planting them tenderly

180.

Ma sele nakaboboin

And sowing them with care

181.

Do bela-na tola

The heavy leaves appear

182.

Ma hu boko-na dadi

And the bending stalks arise

183.

Do pule dua-na lesu

Or the two grains come forth

184.

Ma kale telu-na dadi

And the three kernels arise

185.

Eki-kala beke-doto

There is joyful shouting

186.

Ma hema-kala bekao

And there is great clamour.

187.

Boe ma besaka fetok bei Dela Muli-la

Now the girls still at Dela Muli

188.

Do ina bei Ania Iko-la

Or the women still at Ana Iko

189.

Inak-a Tasi Puka

The women, Tasi Puka

190.

Ma fetok Li Solu, ana mai

And the girl, Li Solu, she comes

191.

De ana ifa do ko’o nenin

She cradles or embraces and carries them away

192.

De neni neu Dela Muli

She carries them to Dela Muli

193.

Ma neni neu Dela Milu [Ania Iko]

And she carries them to Dela Muli [Ana Iko]

194.

Neni neu Laba Kola

Carries them to Laba Kola

195.

Do neni neu Sio Meko

Or she carries them to Sio Meko

196.

Tane nasamamaon

Planting them tenderly

197.

Ma sele nakaboboin

And sowing them with care

198.

Boe ma hu boko-na tola

Then the bending stalks appear

199.

Do bela-na dadi

And the heavy leaves occur

200.

Ma kale dua-na lesu

And the two kernals come forth

201.

Ma pule telu-na dadi

And the three grains arise

202.

Eki-kala beke-doto

There is joyful shouting

203.

Ma hema-kala bekao.

And there is great clamour.

204.

Boe ma fetok bei Bebe Dela

Then the girls still at Bebe Dela

205.

Do inak bei Ango Beu la

Or the women still at Ango Beu

206.

Tolomu sasali

They come running

207.

Do lalai lelena

Or they come hurrying

208.

Mai-a ifa leni Doli Mo

There they cradle and carry away Doli Mo

209.

Ma ko’o leni Lutu Mala

And they embrace and carry away Lutu Mala

210.

De ala tane neu Ni Le

They plant them at Ni Le

211.

Ma ala sele neu Lada Dano

And they sow them at Lada Dano

212.

Do bela-na tola

The heavy leaves appear

213.

Ma hu boko-na dadi

And the bending stalks arise

214.

Ma kale dua-na lesu

The two kernels come forth

215.

Ma pule telu-na tola.

And the three grains appear.

216.

Eki-kala beke-doto

There is joyful shouting

217.

Ma hema-kal bekao.

And there is great clamour.

218.

Boe ma besaka fetok leo Tada Muli la

Now the girls like Tada Muli

219.

Do inak-a Lene Kona la

Or the women like Lene Kona

220.

Inak-a Putu Koe

The woman, Putu Koe

221.

Ma fetok ka Le Mako

And the girl, Le Mako

222.

Ana tolomu sasali

She comes running

223.

Ma nalai lelena

She come hurrying

224.

Mai de ifa neni Doli Mo

There she cradles and carries away Doli Mo

225.

Ma ko’o neni Lutu Mala.

And she embraces and carries away Lutu Mala.

226.

Neu de ana tane nasamamaon

She goes and she plants them tenderly

227.

Ma ana sele nakaboboin.

And she shows them with care.

228.

Do belan-na dadi

The heavy leaves occur

229.

Ma hu boko-na tola

And the bending stalks appear

230.

Kale dua-na lesu

The two kernels come forth

231.

Ma pula telu-na dadi

And the three grains arise

232.

Eki-kala beke-doto

There is joyful shouting

233.

Ma hema-kala bekao.

And a great clamour.

234.

Besaka fetok bei Ninga Ladi la

Now the girls still at Ninga Ladi

235.

Inak-a bei Hengu Hena la

And the women still at Hengu Hena

236.

Inak bei Tena Dua la

The women still at Tena Dua

237.

Do fetok bei Bote Telu la

Or the girls still at Bote Telu

238.

Inak-a Pua Kene

The women, Pua Kene

239.

Ma fetok-a No Kene

And the girl, No Kene

240.

Ana tolomu sasali

She comes running

241.

Ma nalai lelena

And she come hurrying

242.

Mai de ana ifa neni Lutu Mo

There she cradles and carries away Lutu Mo

243.

Ma ko’o neni Lutu Mala

And embraces and carries away Lutu Mala

244.

Neu de ana tane nasamamaon

She goes and plans them tenderly

245.

Ma ana sele nakaboboin

And she sows them with care

246.

De do belan-na lesu

The heavy leaves come forth

247.

Ma hu boko-na dadi

The bending stalks arise

248.

Kale dua-na tola

The two kernels appear

249.

Ma pule telu-na lesu

And the three grains come forth

250.

Eki-kala beke-doto

There is joyful shouting

251.

Ma hema-kala bekao

And there is great clamour.

252.

Boe ma fetok bei Tufa Laba

The girls still at Tufa Laba

253.

Ma inak bei Nëe Feo La

And the women still at Nëe Feo

254.

Ina bei Koa Ma’e la

The women still a Koa Maë

255.

Ma fetok bei Dae Dulu la

And the girls still at Dae Dulu

256.

Inak-a Hulu Nggela

The woman, Hulu Nggela

257.

Ma fetok-a Seu Lopo

And the girl, Seu Lopo

258.

Ana Tolomu sasali

She comes running

259.

Ma a la [lalai] lelena

And she comes hurrying

260.

Mai de ana ifa neni Doli Mo

There she cradles and carries away Doli Mo

261.

Ma ana ko’o neni Lutu Mala

And she embraces and carries away Lutu Mala

262.

De neu tane nasamamaon

She goes and plants them tenderly

263.

Ma sele nakaboboin

And she sows them with care

264.

De hu boko-na tola

The bending stalks appear

265.

Ma do bela-na dadi

The heavy leaves arise

266.

Ma kale dua-na lesu

The two kernels come forth

267.

Ma pule telu-na dadi

And the three grains arise

268.

Eki-kala beke-doto

There is joyful shouting

269.

Ma hema-kala bekao

And there is great clamour

270.

Boe ma besaka feto bei Pia Ketu la

Now the girls still at Pia Ketu

271.

Do inak bei Faka Ladi la

Or the women still at Faka Ladi

272.

Inak bei Pila Sue la

The women still at Pila Sue

273.

Do fetok bei Nggeo Deta la

Or the girls still at Nggeo Deta

274.

Inak bei Lona Fa la

The women still at Lona Fa

275.

Ma fetok bei Feo Ue la

And the girls still at Feo Ue

276.

Fetok-a Latu Lope

The girl, Latu Lope

277.

Do inak-a Meni Holo

Or the woman, Meni Holo

278.

Ana tolomu sasali

She comes running

279.

Do nalai lelena

Or she comes hurrying

280.

De ana mai de ana ifa neni Doli Mo

She cradles and carries away Doli Mo

281.

Ma ana ko’o neni Lutu Mala

And she embraces and carries away Lutu Mala

282.

De ana tane nasamamaon

She plants them tenderly

283.

Me sele nakaboboin

And she sows them with care

284.

De do bela-na dadi

The heavy leaves arise

285.

Ma hu boko-na lesu

The bending stalks come forth

286.

Ma pule dua-na dadi

The two grains arise

287.

Ma kale telu-na tola

And the three kernels appear

288.

Eki-kala beke-doto

There is joyful shouting

289.

Ma hema-kala bekao

And there is great clamour.

290.

Boe ma besak-a feto bei Ndule Oe la

Now the girls still at Ndule Oe

291.

Ma ina bei Medi Dae la

And the women still at Medi Dae

292.

Ala tolomu sasali

They come running

293.

Ma lalai lelena

And they come hurrying

294.

De ala ifa leni Doli Mo

They cradle and carry away Doli Mo

295.

Ma ko’o leni Lutu Mala

And they embrace and carry away Lutu Mala

296.

Leu de tane nasamamaon

They go and they plant them tenderly

297.

Ma sele lakaboboin

And they sow them with care

298.

De inak-a Le Feko

The woman, Le Feko

299.

Ma fetok-a Tuni Dae

And the girl, Tuni Dae

300.

Ifa do ko’o nenin

Cradles and embraces them away

301.

De neu de ana tane

She goes and she plants

302.

Do ana selen

Or she sows them

303.

De do bela-na tola

The heavy leaves appear

304.

Ma hu boko-na dadi

And the bending stalks arise

305.

Ma kale dua-na lesu

And the two kernels come forth

306.

Ma pule telu-na dadi

And the three grains arise

307.

Eki-kala beke-doto

There is joyful shouting

308.

Ma hema-kala bekao

And there is great clamour

309.

Fai esa manuni-na

On a certain day

310.

Ma ledo esa matebe-na

And at a particular time

311.

Inak bei Lenu Petu

The woman still at Lenu Petu

312.

Do fetok bei Safe Solo

Or the girl still at Safe Solo

313.

Fetok bei Soni Manu

The girl still at Soni Manu

314.

Ma inak bei Koko Te

And the woman still at Koko Te

315.

Inak bei Di Bolo la

The women still at Di Bolo

316.

[Missing Line]

317.

Ma fetok Fua Mengo la

And the girl Fue Mengo

318.

Ma inaka Koko Meti mai

And the woman, Koko Meti, comes

319.

De ana ifa do ko’o neni

She cradles and embraces away

320.

Doli Mo ma Lutu Mala

Doli Mo and Lutu Mala

321.

Neu de ana tane nasamamaon

She goes and she plants them tenderly

322.

Ma ana sele nakaboboin

And she sows them with care

323.

Bei nai Lenu Petu

Still at Lenu Petu

324.

Ma bei nai Safe Solo

And still at Safe Solo

325.

Hu boko-na dadi

The bending stalks arise

326.

Ma kale dua-na tola

And the two kernals appear

327.

Ma pule telu-na dadi

The three grains arise

328.

Ma do bela-na moli

And the heavy leaves appear

329.

Eki-kala beke-doto

There is joyful shouting

330.

Ma hema-kala bekao

And there is great clamour

331.

Besak-a fetok bei Diu Dulu la

Now the girls still at Diu Dulu

332.

Do inak bei Kana Langa

Or the women still at Kana Langa

333.

Inak bei Pinga Dai

The women still at Pinga Dai

334.

Do fetok bei Lata Nae la

Or the girls still at Lata Nae

335.

Inak bei Oli Henu la

The woman still at Oli Henu

336.

Ma fetok bei Le Lilo la

And the girl still at Le Lilo

337.

Do inak bei Keka Mali la

Or the woman still at Keka Mali

338.

Ma fetok bei Dano Hela

Or the girl still at Dano Hela

339.

Fetok bei Pele Pou la

The girls still at Pele Pou

340.

Ma nak bei Nggafu Lafa la

Or the women still at Nggafu Lafa

341.

De inak-a Leo Lata

The women, Leo Lata

342.

Ma fetok-a Adu Pinga

And the girl, Adu-Pinga

343.

Ana tolomu sasali

She comes running

344.

Ma nalai lelena

And she comes hurrying

345.

Mai de ana ifa neni Doli Mo

She comes and she cradles and carries away Doli Mo

346.

Ma ana ko’o neni Lutu Mala

And she embraces and carries away Lutu Mala

347.

De tane neu Diu Dulu

She plants them at Diu Dulu

348.

Ma sele neu Kana Langa

And she sows them at Kana Langa

349.

Sele neu Pele Pou

She sows them at Pele Pou

350.

Ma tane neu Nggafu Lafa

And she plants them at Nggafu Lafa

351.

Do belna-na dadi

The heavy leaves arise

352.

Ma hu boko-na tola

The bending stalks appear

353.

Ma kale dua-na lesu

The two kernels come forth

354.

Ma pule telu-na dadi

And the three grains arise

355.

Eki-kala beke-doto

There is joyful shouting

356.

Ma hema-kala bekao

And there is great clamour

357.

Boe ma besak-a fetok bei Pengo Dua la

Now the girls still at Pengo Dua

358.

Ma inak bei Hilu Telu la

And the women still at Hilu Telu

359.

Inak bei Nggia Lu’u la

The women still at Nggia Lu’u

360.

Ma fetok bei Koa Sa’e

And the girls still at Koa Sa’e

361.

Fetok bei Fetu Fi la

The girls still at Fetu Fi

362.

Do inak bei Tane Bau la

Or the women still at Tane Bau

363.

Inak-a Pila Bengu

The woman, Pila Bengu

364.

Ma fetok-a Nggeo Laö

And the girl, Nggeo Laö

365.

Ana mai de ana ifa neni Doli Mo

She comes and she cradles and carries away Doli Mo

366.

Ma ko’o neni Lutu Mala

She embraces and carries away Lutu Mala

367.

Boe ma ana tane nasamamaon

She plants them tenderly

368.

Ma ana sele nakaboboin

She sows them with care

369.

De bela-na dadi

The heavy leaves arise

370.

Ma hu boko-na tola

The bending stalks appear

371.

Pule dua-na lesu

The two grains come forth

372.

Ma kale telu-na dadi.

And the three kernels arise.

373.

Eki-kala beke-doto

There is joyful shouting

374.

Ma hema-kala bekao.

And there is great clamour.

375.

Boe ma besak-a fetok bei Londa Lusi la

Now the girls still at Londa Lusi

376.

Ma inak-a bei Batu Bela la

And the women still at Batu Bela

377.

Inak bei Tua Nae la

The women still at Tua Nae

378.

Ma fetok bei Selu Beba la

And the girls still at Selu Beba

379.

Fetok bei Huni Hopo la

The girls still at Huni Hopo

380.

Inak bei Tefu Mafo la

The women still at Tefu Mafo

381.

Ala tolomu sasali

They come running

382.

Ma lalai lelena.

And they come hurrying.

383.

Inak-a Oko Meti

The woman, Oko Meti

384.

Do fetok-a Tui Beba

Or the girl, Tui Beba

385.

Mai ifa neni Doli Mo

She cradles and carries away Doli Mo

386.

Ma ko’o neni Lutu Mala

And she embraces and carries away Lutu Mala

387.

De neni neu Londa Lusi

She carries them to Londa Lusi

388.

Ma neni neu Batu Bela

She carries them to Batu Bela

389.

Ma neni neu Tua Nae

She carries them to Tua Nae

390.

Ma neni neu Sula Beba

She carries them to Selu Beba

391.

Neni neu Huni Hopo

She carries them to Huni Hopo

392.

Do neni neu Tefu Ma’o [Mafo]

Or she carries them to Tefu Ma’o

393.

Tane nasamamaon

She plants them tenderly

394.

Ma sele nakaboboin

She sows them with care

395.

De hu boko-na tola

The bending stalks appear

396.

Ma do bela-na dadi

And the heavy leaves arise

397.

Ma kale dua-na lesu

The two kernels come forth

398.

Ma pule telu-na dadi

And the three grains arise

399.

Eki-kala beke-doto

There is joyful shouting

400.

Ma hema-kala bekao.

And there is great clamour.

401.

Boe ma feto bei Fai Fua la

The girls still at Fai Fua

402.

Do ina bei Do Ina [?]

Or the women still at Do Ina

403.

Bei Ledo Sou la

Still at Ledo Sou

404.

Inak-a Meda Afe

The woman, Meda Afe

405.

Ma fetok-a Tai Nggenge

And the girl, Tai Nggenge

406.

Leni neu Ledo Sou

They carry them to Ledo Sou

407.

Ma leni neu Fai Fua

And carry them to Fai Fua

408.

Ma leni neu Oe Manu

And carry them to Oe Manu

409.

Ma leni neu Fi Iko

And carry them to Fi Iko

410.

Tane nasamamaon

They plant them tenderly

411.

Ma sele nakaboboin

And sow them with care

412.

De hu boko-na tola

The bending stalks appear

413.

Ma do bela-na dadi

And the heavy leaves arise

414.

Kale dua-na lesu

The two kernels come forth

415.

Ma pule telu-na moli

And the three grains appear

416.

Boe ma eki-kala beke-doto

There is joyful shouting

417.

Ma hema-kala bekao.

There is great clamour

418.

Boe ma fetok bei Bolo Tenda la

The girls still at Bolo Tenda

419.

Do inak bei Soti Mori la

Or the women still at Soti Mori

420.

Inak bei Tena Lai la

The women still at Tena Lai

421.

Do fetok bei Mae Oe la

Or the girls still at Mae Oe

422.

Tolomu sasali

They come running

423.

Ma lalai lelena

And they come hurrying

424.

Mai de ifa leni Doli Mo

They come and cradle and carry away Doli Mo

425.

Ma ko’o leni Lutu Mala

And embrace and carry away Lutu Mala

426.

Leu de ala tane neu Mae Oe

They go and they plant them at Mae Oe

427.

Ma sele neu Tena Lai

And they sow them at Tena Lai

428.

Te fu’ak ta Mae Oe

But there is no plain at Mae Oe

429.

Ma mok ta Tena Lai

And there is no field at Tena Lai

430.

De Doli ta dadi

So Doli does not rise

431.

Ma Lutu ta moli

And Lutu does not appear

432.

Nduku faik ia

To this day

433.

Ma losa ledok ia.

To this time.

The person who has told this history is Petrus Malesi.


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Updated:  11 August 2026/ Responsible Officer:  / Page Contact: