VEVHURIN RAGA
STORY OF RAGA
1)Vevhurin Raga, hurin lolianana ata la bwativun tavua.
story of Raga about happening in at beginning of everything
2)Vevhurin Raga. Keki la bwativun tavua.
story of Raga this at beginning of everything
3)Tagaro God１）
Vin'gaga Angel
Vatanggele Paradise
Bwatmahanga Holy Spirit
(Vui Sabuga)
Kalkaliana Satan
4)Tagaro ratahina nu sigai. Bwatmahanga ratahina nu sigai. Tagaro non
Tagaro his mother she-p. no Bwatmahanga his mother she-p. no Tagaro his
mwalanggelo (ivusi). Bwatmahanga non mwalanggelo Subwe gaituvwa. Tagaro nu
young fellow (many) Bwatmahanga his young fellow Subwe one Tagaro he-p.
tau vanua Mwaevo. Bwatmahanga nu tau ginau rahu２） mai ririvuana nu
make island Maewo Bwatmahanga he-p. make thing living and plant he-p.
tau Raga. Tagaro nu togo a Mwaevo. Bwatmahanga nu to Raga Anserehubwe
make Raga Tagaro he-p. stay at Maewo Bwatmahanga he-p. stay Raga Anserehubwe
5) Ira tarua vanuara nu hae aten tahi, mwa mamaha. Tagaro nu
pl. two fellows their islands it-p. rise above sea it-n. dry Tagaro he-p.
dorodoron maragai ute Mwaevo gi tanona. Ta Bwatmahanga nu doron
love very much place Maewo as his place but Bwatmahanga he-p. love
ute Anserehubwe gi tanona.
place Anserehubwe as his place
Tavaluna 1
Chapter 1
1) Tagaro nu tai３） wanggana a Mwaevo, nu wehi avua(,) nu hiri
Tagaro he-p. make his canoe at Maewo he-p. kill turtle he-p. scratch
bweguna[bwalana]４） gi matan gan mwanggaru i ige, i nu tai
its shell as hook of his flying fish and fish and he-p. cut
gaovunga(,) nu tangoe gin limana(,) nu vauhi non mata ginia,
gaovunga he-p. twist it with his hand he-p. tie his hook with it
nu vauhi vatoton wanggana (i) ivua[ivuana] gin gaovunga,[.] Ta nu
he-p. tie vatoto of his canoe (and) ivua[its ivua] with gaovunga but he-p.
tai garabihu(,) (nu) tai[taia] gi gain non mata i non binihiva
cut garabihu (he-p.) cut[cut it] as wood of his hook and his thinking
be, kea vi gan mwanggaru,[.] kea nu sogai wanggana(,) nu hua
that now he-f. eat flying fish then he-p. push his canoe he-p. paddle
vai lol vwavwana huri gan mwanggaru.
toward in open sea to eat flying fish
2) Tagaro, kea la wanggana lol tahi lol vwavwana i nu gita vinun
Tagaro he ind. at his canoe in sea in open sea and he-p. see skin of
mena gan Bwatmahanga(.) nu hala[halhala] la raun tahi nu
ripe banana of Bwatmahanga it-p. float on surface of sea it-p.
hivo aben wanggana, kea５） nu lai[laia] nu[mwa] gitae be
come down near his canoe he ind. he-p. take[take it] he-p.[he-n.] see it that
nu tavuha, nu[mwa] to[do] mwa biviloe radui[radu] vinu[vinun]
it-p. good, he-p.[he-n.] tay he-n. check still skin [skin of]
mena gea; Hangge Bwatmahanga (i) Subwe, vwate nin ira tarua keki
ripe banana that then Bwatmahanga (and) Subwe one from pl. two fellows these
nu huhui man niu mwa dadaruhi, i langi nu[mwa] herei
he-p. drill his coconut it-n. spring out and wind it-p.[it-n.] blow away
daruhina[dadaruhina] vai lol vwavwana i mehon niu nu[mwa] voro[boro]
thing springing out toward in open sea and drop of coconut it-p.[it-n.] arrive
alun liman Tagaro(.) ke[kea] Tagaro nu[mwa] mean ute meho gea
on hand of Tagaro therefore Tagaro he-p.[he-n.] lick place dripped that
la limana ta nu gologolo, ta langi nu hivo gi gauna
at his hand but it-p. sweet but wind it-p. go to the north as south wind
{kea} nu [ mwa] hua daligi vai Raga, kea nu[mwa]
{he ind.} he-p.[he-n.] paddle hard toward Raga nevertheless he-p.[he-n.]
hae[hua]６） mulei (vai) Mwaevo.
go up[paddle] back (toward) Maewo
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Notes
1)These are Father David's translations.
2)Ginau rahu means “animal".
3)The meaning of tai is “to cut”. Canoes are made by cutting wood.
4)Bweguna is a word used for a soft husk or nutshell. Bwalana is used for a strong husk or
nutshell. The shell of a turtle should be called bwalana.
5)It is very difficult to determine the meaning of kea(or gea). In this case it may mean Tagaro,
may mean vinun mena, or may mean “then". I adopted the first meaning here. The systematic use
of kea(or gea) needs further linguistic analysis.
6)Tagaro is in between Maewo and Raga. When he goes back to Maewo, he goes to the north. But hae
means “to go to the south". Therefore Mr. Richard Leona replaced the word hae with the word
hua, which is neutral. However, as we will see, Father David uses the word hae throughout this
this myth when somebody goes to Maewo from Raga.
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3) Tagaro nu[mwa] uloi Bwatmahanga, (be) nam hagatu ta langi(,) namen
Tagaro he-p.[he-n.] call Bwatmahanga (dn.) I-n. go up but wind I-nf.
vano[van] mulei vai {a} Mwaevo, ta nam gita ＃ gam ginau
go back toward {at} Maewo but I-n. see your thing
nu hala na vinuna nu hivatu ＃ [ vinun gam ginau mwa
it-p. float foc. its skin it-p. reach [skin of your thing it-n.
halhala mwa himai] i daruhin[dadaruhin] mam wai gologolo, gov gitae
float it-n. come] and thing springing out your water sweet you-f. see it
be wangga vi hae mulei la vwavwanhao {a} Mwaevo, gov vohai
that canoe it-f. go up again at beach {at} Maewo you-f. throw
te gaku i manggu. Bwatmahanga, nu[mwa] vwaliu[bwaliua] be
some food of mine and drink of mine Bwatmahanga he-p.[he-n.] answer[answer it] dn.
aingga７）. Tagaro nu hua vava nu[mwa] hae mulei {a} Mwaevo,
I see Tagaro he-p. paddle cont. he-p.[he-n.] go up again {at} Maewo
nu rav vuvuri wangga[wanggana] vai a ute, {kea} nu[mwa] veve[bevea]
he-p. draw copl. canoe[his canoe] toward at shore {then} he-p.[he-n.] say [say it]
be hitate８） vohania[vohainira] mai , [.] Tagaro nu[mwa] vavarahi[bavarahi]
dn. come throw it[throw them] come Tagaro he-p.[he-n.] straddle
hurin bwabwa nu[mwa] rarau vai Raga nu[mwa] taba[daba] lalangan
at cliff he-p.[he-n.] hold out toward Raga he-p.[he-n.] catch every
ginau rivu[rivrivu] duluai vai {a} Mwaevo , [.] garigi Mwaevo tam
thing planting all toward {at} Maewo today Maewo we-n.-in.
bev[beve] be Tagaro nu taba gan vwai９） gai.
say that Tagaro he-p. catch his every fruit tree
4) Hangge nu[mwa] taro[daro] tavuha na tahi Tagaro nu[mwa] sogai
then it-p.[it-n.] weather good foc. sea Tagaro he-p.[he-n.] push
wanggana nu[mwa] hua vai Raga(,) nu hae Avathubwe, i
his canoe he-p.[he-n.] paddle oward Raga he-p. go up Avathubwe and
ramuru dogo mai Bwatmahangga. Tagaro nu gita ginau duluai bilan
they-n.two stay with Bwatmahanga Tagaro he-p. see thing all of
Bwatmahanga, nu rong mwa davuha１０） ginia , [.] Tagaro nu sororongoi ta
Bwatmahanga he-p. hear it-n . good with it Tagaro he-p. hear it but
Bwatmahanga mwa beve be Tagaro, gov van mulei sa taru
Bwatmahanga he-n. say dn. Tagaro you-f. go back or we-in. two
vi maturu? Tagaro nu[mwa] vwaliu[bwaliu] Bwatmahanga be, taru vi
we-f. sleep? Tagaro he-p.[he-n.] answer Bwatmahanga dn. we-in. two we-f.
maturu kun hanigi? Bwatmahanga nu[mwa] veve[beve] be tuhuba gov
sleep like what? Bwatmahanga he-p.[he-n.] say dn. wait you-f.
gitae. Ute vi meto(,) taru si１１） hav gita te ginau gaha
see it place it-f. dark we-in. two he-f. not see neg. thing now
ram du１２） taru vi to ngan sososori ta gov rong
they-n. exist we-in. two we-f. stay only together but you-f. hear
nonggu avoana, nav rong nomwa ta nasav１３） gitago te, i
my word I-f. hear yours but I-f. not see you neg. and
gosav１４） gitau te , hangge tamuru maturu matamwa vi bwinga
you-f. not see me neg. then we-n.-in. two sleep your eye it-f. shut
binihihimwa vi vano gov eno kun vatu.
your thinking it-f. go you-f. lie down like stone
5) Tagaro nu vwaliu Bwatmahanga be, tuhuba taru vi lago ba
Tagaro he-p. answer Bwatmahanga dn. wait we-in. two we-f. walk to
lol nodaru dovongana, mwa davai tamuru en vatu vwai,
make our-in. two monument it-n. carefull we-n.-in. two lie down always
nonggu mwalanggelo ram[rav] mai nin {a} Mwaevo ta
my young fellow they-n.[they-f.] come from {at} Maewo but
ute (vi) meto[malinggo]１５） wasi, ＃ ram hav ＃ [rasav] habweau te[tehe],
place (it-f.) dark strong they-n. not [they-f. not] find me neg.
Bwatmahanga be ke[kea] vi rani mulei, Tagaro be, bere
Bwatmahanga dn. i t ind. it-f. bright again Tagaro dn. careful
nam en vatu vwai gi vatu sa hano, taru vi lol nodaru
I-n. lie down always as stone or what we-in. two we-f. make our-in. two
dovongana amua, vi ran[rani] ta ＃ nam hav ＃ [nasav] tomare te[tehe], i
monument first it-f. bright but I-n. not [I-f. not] stand up neg. and
[ta] nonggu mwalanggelo rav mai ta rav gita tanon limanggu.
[but] my young fellow they-f. come but they-f. see place of my hand
Bwatmahanga nu vwaliu Tagaro {,} (be) matu１６） taru vi lol hano?
Bwatmahanga he-p. answer Tagaro (dn.) but we-in. two we-f. make what?
Tagaro be, taru vi vohai nodaru vatu, ngav[nav] voha１７）
Tagaro dn. we-in. two we-f. pile our-in. two stone I-f. pile
nonggu be[gabe], nonggu mwalanggelo rav tu {a} Mwaevo rav
mine so that[which] my young fellow they-f. keep staying {at} Maewo they-f.
gitae vi tu Raga, ginggo gov voha nomwa vi tu dagai hae
see it it-f. exist Raga you ind. you-f. pile yours it-f. exist away high
nin Tahi Maurin ute {a} Mwaevo.
than Sea Rough of place {at} Maewo
6) Bwatmahanga nu vwaliu Tagaro be, hitate: tamuru hae, ramuru
Bwatmahanga he-p. answer Tagaro dn. now we-n.-in. two go up they-n.two
hae, Tagaro nu[mwa] huri hala nu[mwa] habwe enggeivari nitun
go up Tagaro he-p.[he-n.] follow road he-p.[he-n.] find Ngengeivari child of
talai, Atalai, Bwatmahanga nu[mwa] huri hala nu[mwa] habwe
giant clam Atalai Bwatmahanga he-p.[he-n.] follow road he-p.[he-n.] find
Mol-vatu Atano nitun matmaita１８） la Gatava-Mwaroroa i, Bwatmahanga nu[mwa]
Molvatuatano child of button shell at Gatavmwaroroa and Bwatmahanga he-p.[he-n.]
garere vai bano１９） ta Tagaro nu voha Bemoruna nu tari
watch toward go but Tagaro he-p. pile Bemoruna he-p. put
bwatbwatuna[bwatbwatun] Bemoruna huba, Bwatmahanga nu[mwa] la２０） suvwasuvwa
its foundation[foundation of Bemoruna already Bwatmahanga he-p.[he-n.] walk quickly
nu[mwa] siv tari bwatbwatun Beivala, ta, Tagaro nu nogoi
he-p.[he-n.] just put foundation of Beivala but Tagaro he-p. finish it
Bemoruna huba. Tagaro nu[mwa] uloi Bwatmahanga be nomwa te２１） mwa
Bemoruna already Tagaro he-p.[he-n.] call Bwatmahanga dn. yours some it-n.
nogo sa sigai, ta Bwatmahanga (mwa beve) be mwa en２２） tuhi
finish or no but Bwatmahanga (he-n. say) dn. it-n. lie across
bobona gaha, Tagaro (mwa beve) be nonggu hanggea kunia, (nomwa) nu
middle now Tagaro (he-n. say) dn. mine thus like it (yours) it-p.
nogo gea, Bwatmahanga mwa derainia nu[mwa] gitae[gita] Bemoruna
finish like that Bwatmahanga he-n. leave it he-p.[he-n.] see it[see] Bemoruna
(be) nu holomare nin Beivala, sinehantai non Tagaro.
(that) it-p. high than Beivala trick of Tagaro
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Notes
7)The general meaning of aingga is “I do not know." But in this case it has a positive meaning.
8)Hi! ta! te! has the meaning as “Ready! Go!" or “One, two , three! Go!".
9)The fruit of the mango tree is called vwai-n manggo,and that of the papaia vwai-n bobo. But if they
want to refer to fruit in general, they say vwai gai.
10)Rong mwa davuha is an idiomatic phrase meaning “happy" or “ satisfied".
11)I am not certain whether si is a variation of vi(future tense particle of third person
singular) or a short form of siv(just). However in both cases, si seems to indicate the future
tense.
12)Du(or tu)is a variation of do(to).The former means“to exist"or“to maintain a certain condition" while the latter means “to stay" or “just be". The basic meaning of dogo(togo) is “to sit".
13)Related to Note 11. I am not certain whether nasav is a short form of nav hav or of nam siv hav.
However, it seems to indicate the future tense.
14)Same as Note 13. It may be gov hav or gom siv hav.
15)Meto means “dark" or “black". Malinggo may be the dark colour of the ti-tree called malinggo.
16)Suppose two people are talking. If one says to the other“Matu!", it sometimes means “Go first!"
17)Voha may be a short form of vohai.
18)Matmaita is a kind of Trochidae. It is big and white(maita means “white").
19)Garere vai bano is an idiomatic phrase meaning “to look toward something remote from the
speaker".
20)Short form of lago(to walk).
21)Nomwa mwa nogo sa sigai and Nomwa te mwa nogo sa sigai have the same meaning. But the former
expression is used when the speaker and hearer are competing.
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Tavaluna 2
Chapter 2
1) Ramuru do Anserehubwe. Hangge Bwatmahanga nu[mwa] vev[beve] lalai
they-n. two stay Anserehubwe then Bwatmahanga he-p.[he-n.] say to
Tagaro be gom bevea be２３） tamuru lol rovoga marahi, men bongi
Tagaro dn. you-n. say it that we-n.-in.two make work hard it-nf. night
tarumen maturu. Tagaro (mwa bevea) be hita(,) ute mwa masisi
we-nf.-in. two sleep Tagaro (he-n. say it) dn. ok place it-n. cold
alo nu[mwa] matavu, Tagaro nu gitae[gita] ute mwa meto nu[mwa]
sun it-p.[it-n.] sink Tagaro he-p. see it[see] place it-n. dark he-p.[he-n.]
lai rau nggaria nu[mwa] nubwa ute meto aten bwehale, nggaria
take leaf ti tree he-p.[he-n.] wrap place dark under beam ti tree
gea mwa uloia[uloi] radunia be malinggo,[.]２４） hangge ramuru maturu vava.
that it-n. call it[call it] still cm. malingo then they-n. two sleep cont.
Tagaro mwa rongoe be toa ram dotoreto(,) manu ram ulo,
Tagaro he-n. hear it that fowl they-n. crow bird they-n. call
kea nu[mwa] uloi Bwatmahanga (mwa hudalia) be ginau (kera)
he ind. he-p.[he-n.] call Bwatmahanga (he-n. ask it) dn. thing (they ind.)
gea ram uloi hano? Ta Bwatmahanga (mwa beve) be ute men rani,
those they-n. call what? but Bwatmahanga (he-n. say) dn. place it-nf. dawn
Tagaro (mwa beve) be kunia taru vi lai te bilaku,
Tagaro (he-n. say) dn. like it we-in. two we-f. take some mine
Bwatmahanga (mwa beve) be hita.
Bwatmahanga (he-n. say) dn. ok
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Notes
22)Short form of eno.
23)It is reasonable here to regard be as a particle introducing either direct narration or indirect
narration. There are many cases in which either will do.
24)This passage should be translated as a passive expression. The meaning of the underlined
objective particle is referred to by the arrow.
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2) Hangge ute mwa rani, Tagaro (mwa beve) be inau na[nan] tau
then place it-n. daybreake Tagaro (he-n. say) dn. I ind. I[I-p.] make
alo tamuru en bongi gea nam binihi be nom bongi
sun we-n.-in. two lie down night that I-n. think that your night
mwa lol hantai nonggu alo ta kahangga ngan mwa nggigita: garigi
it-n. make bad my sun but over there only it-n. shine today
taru vi van (vai) la vanuanggu a Mwaevo, nav tugu gaon
we-in. two we-f. go (toward) at my land at Maewo I-f. untie rope of
bilaku bongi ba gov gitae, be vi bongi la vanuanggu sa
my night so that you-f. see it whether it-f. night at my land or
sigai, be sigai gov {sav} tau bongi lalaiau, ta Bwatmahanga (mwa beve)
no if no you-f. {not} make night to me but Bwatmahanga (he-n. say)
be taru vi vano gov to mai wanggamwa(,) nai２５） mai mulei
dn. we-in. two we-f. go you-f. stay with your canoe I-f. come back
hanigi(.) matu gov tugu gaon bilam bongi vi bongi ta nam
how but you-f. untie rope of your night it-f. night but I-n.
do Raga nav gitae gabe ute Mwaevo vi meto, Tagaro mwa
stay Raga I-f. see it that place Maewo it-f. dark Tagaro he-n.
hua mulei vai {a} Mwaevo mwa botu, Bwatmahanga nu[mwa] garere
paddle back toward {at} Maewo he-n. reach Bwatmahanga he-p.[he-n.] watch
ta mwa lenga[lengai] vanua {ta} Mwaevo nu[mwa] malinggo meto.
but he-n. not know[not know it] island {but} Maewo it-p.[it-n.] dark dark
3) Bwatmahanga nu tai wanggana gaona unu, gaon non mata
Bwatmahanga he-p. make his canoe its rope unu rope of his hook
vinu mangiri gaituvwa nu sis taritari houa, kea non mata
coconut husk one he-p. tie joining make it a line it ind. his hook
tutuin gire(,) gain non mata ngaduariu[ngadungaduariu](,) gan ige
prickle of pandanus wood of his hook piece of reed his fish
vileba, kea nu siv van atagun Tagaro vai {a} Mwaevo, Tagaro
trevally then he-p. just go after Tagaro toward {at} Maewo Tagaro
nu[mwa] gitae ta mwa do lol tahi, nu[mwa] vev[bevea] lalai non
he-p.[he-n.] see him but he-n. stay in sea he-p.[he-n.] say[say it] to his
mwalanggelo be gin２６） gel lulu lol gamali giv lai dagai tanogina
young fellow dn. you-n. dig hole in men's house you-f. take out its earth
ba dahulinia giv lai vatu bulbea gairua(,) tanonggu vi
to hide in it you-f. take stone bulbea two my sitting place it-f.
en nggoro bwangon lulu, tanon Bwatmahanga vi en ngan
lie shutting mouth of hole sitting place of Bwatmahanga it-f. lie only
abena garu vi to aluna[alura]. Giv tun gamali, nav
near it we-ex. two we-f. stay on it[on them] you-f. fire men's house I-f.
horae be vi bwihavare(,) inau nav oda ta nav langge bulbea
send him so that he-f. go out I ind. I-f. burn but I-f. lift up bulbea
nav hiv lol lulu(,) kea vi binihi be nam oda.
I-f. go down in hole in that case he-f. think that I-n. burn
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Notes
25)Nai is a variant form of nav.
26)In Raga the past tense is sometimes used when they want to express an action which must
be done as soon as the speech is over.
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4) Tagaro nu[mwa] hivo vai an tahi ramuru rava[rav] wanggan
Tagaro he-p.[he-n.] go down toward at sea they-n. two draw canoe of
Bwatmahanga, Tagaro nu[mwa] hudali Bwatmahanga be gon to {a}
Bwatmahanga Tagaro he-p.[he-n.] ask Bwatmahanga dn. you-p. stay {at}
Raga gon gita nonggu bongi, Bwatnahanga be, ue, nan gitae. Tagaro
Raga you-p. see my night Bwatmahanga dn. yes I-p. see it Tagaro
mwa nggilon be nonggu mwalanggelo ram siv rong mwa davuha１０） gabe
he-n. tell dn. my young fellow they-n. just hear it-n. good that
ram maturu, alo mwa ＃ havan nggubainira ＃ [havwanira] ute rani, taru
they-n. sleep sun it-n. heat heat them [heat them] daytime we-in. two
hae la gamali. Gov gita nonggu mataisao vwate garigi(,) nan
go up at men's house you-f. see my knowledge another today I-p.
matu Siaraga nam gita nom mataisao ivusi, ramuru hae vai
go men of Raga I-n. see your knowledge many they-n.two go up toward
la gamalin Tagaro, ramuru haroro. Tagaro mwa hora Bwatmahanga
at men's house of Tagaro they-n.two go inside Tagaro he-n. send Bwatmahanga
nu togo la bulbea vwate i Tagaro nu to la vwate
he-p. sit down at bulbea one and Tagaro he-p. stay at other
nu en nggoro lulu gabe ran gelia, hangge Tagaro nu[mwa]
it-p. lie shutting hole which they-p. dig it then Tagaro he-p.[he-n.]
hora Bwatmahanga be gov bwihavare gov lai gabi gov tun
send a word Bwatmahanga dn. you-f. go out you-f. take fire you-f. fire
gamali aluku, kea gabi nu rihu maragai２７） nin ginau
men's house for me in that case fire it-p. move very much than thing
ivusi(,) ta nasav oda te, Bwatmahanga nu[mwa] bwihavare nu[mwa]
many but I-f. not burn neg. Bwatmahanga he-p.[he-n.] go out he-p.[he-n.]
lai gabi nu[mwa] tumus[dumus] gamali nu[mwa] oda,
take fire he-p.[he-n.] set fire to men's house it-p.[it-n.] burn
kea Tagaro nu[mwa] langge vatu bulbea gabe nu to aluna
then Tagaro he-p.[he-n.] lift up stone bulbea which he-p. stay on it
kea nu[mwa] hiv lol lulu, gamali nu[mwa] oda, {kea} nu
then he-p.[he-n.] go down in hole men's house it-p.[it-n.] burn {it ind.} it-p.
oda vuvuri Tagaro nu[mwa] uloi Bwatmahanga be, inau radu
burn copl. Tagaro he-p.[he-n.] call Bwatmahanga dn. I ind. still
keki nam hav oda tehe.
this I-n. not burn neg.
5) Bwatmahanga, {kea} nu[mwa] binihi masigi ! Tagaro be, tua
Bwatmahanga {he ind.} he-p.[he-n.] think true! Tagaro dn. brother
keki gaha nam ilo ute huri halan ginau ivusi nin amua(,) gabi
this now I-n. know more about way of thing many than first fire
momom bului nonggu mataisao nav mom dau mulei ginau ivusi nin[ninia]
do help my knowledge I-f. do make again thing many than[than it]
gabe tamuru daua huba, keki gaha nav tau atatu gi
that we-n.-in. two make it already this now I-f. make person as
buluin nonggu mwalanggelo hangvulu gabe nan taura, ram do
assistant of my young fellow ten whom I-p. make them they-n. stay
gi nonggu ihora, ta gabi nu vev[vevea] lalaiau be, atatu nav
as my servant but fire it-p. say[say it] to me that person I-f.
taura nav uloinia[uloinira] be vavine, ta, kea ginggo Ratahigi
make them I-f. call it[call them] cm. woman but for all that you ind. chief
Bwatmahanga goro Subwe gaituvwa i tamuru siv habwe naturigi gabe
Bwatmahanga above Subwe one and we-n.-in. two just find child who
nitun bwalavatu２８） i talai i gom lol nggagarasi nom mwalanggelo
child of shellfish and giant clam and you-n. make cruel your young fellow
gaituvwa gabe Subwe mwa do mwa bangang dalinira rav
one who Subwe he-n. stay he-n. feed them with difficulty they-f.
lalavoaga vai ngava, gov oda kunia tamuru dau sinobu lol
big man toward long time you-f. burn like it we-n.-in. two make people on
matan tano vi votu ngolin vanua Tamwaevo, i ngolin vanua
surface of ground it-f . reach top of land man of Maewo and top of land
Sia-Raga. Bwatmahanga be, ＃ hita tehe＃[hitate]. Tagaro nu[mwa] veve[bevea]
men of Raga Bwatmahanga dn. ok Tagaro he-p.[he-n.] say[say it]
lalai Bwatmahanga be taru van mulei vai SiaRaga, gov oda lol
to Bwatmahanga dn. we-in. two go back toward men of Raga you-f. burn in
gamalimwa mau.
your men's house own
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Notes
27)Rihu maragai is an idiomatic phrase meaning “strong".
28)Bwalavatu is a general word for shellfish. However it is often used to indicate matmaita
(button shell).
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Tavaluna 3
Chapter 3
1) Hangge Tagaro mai Bwatmahanga ramuru rav wanggara vai lol tahi
then Tagaro and Bwatmahanga they-n.two draw their canoes toward in sea
ramuru hua vai Raga, kera ramuru hae Anserehubwe.
they-n.two paddle toward Raga they ind. they-n.two go up Anserehubwe
Bwatmahanga nu[mwa] binihi masigi２９） duluai avoana gabe Tagaro nu
Bwatmahanga he-p.[he-n.] think true all his word which Tagaro he-p.
vev[vevea] lalainia lol saran gamali oda Mwaevo. Bwatmahanga
say[say it] to him in dancing place of men's house burn Maewo Bwatmahanga
nu[mwa] vev[bevea] lalai Subwe mai nitun talai i nitun
he-p.[he-n.] say[say it] to Subwe and child of giant clam and child of
matmaita be, giv tu ban hautu hahavwani[hahavwanin] gabi
button shell dn. you-f. keep staying go far away heat[heat of] fire
bere havwan rebehimwa. Subwe be gabi hahavwani gabe hano? Hangge
otherwise heat your body Subwe dn. fire heat which what? then
Bwatmahanga be gabi non Tagaro mwa nggan ginau mwa nogo ginia(,)
Bwatmahanga dn. fire of Tagaro he-n. eat thing it-n. cooked with it
gida tam gan mena tam min niu ngan.
we-in.ind. we-n.-in. eat ripe banana we-n.-in. drink coconut only
2) Hangge Bwatmahanga nu[mwa] vev[bevea] lalai Subwe be ginau duluai
then Bwatmahanga he-p.[he-n.] say[say it] to Subwe dn. thing all
gabe nan vohainia[vohainira] nu tabae na Tagaro kea nu
which I-p. throw it[throw them] he-p. catach it foc. Tagaro he ind. he-p.
tunua[tunura] lol gamalina mwa nggania[ngganira] maira non
fire it[fire them] in his men's house he-n. eat it[eat them] with them his
mwalanggelo hangvulu. Tagaro nu[mwa] uloi Subwe be gov
young fellow ten Tagaro he-p.[he-n.] call Subwe dn. you-f.
gan gina mwa nogo vi tura lolomwa nin gabe gom nggan
eat thing it-n. cooked it-f. support your body than that you-n. eat
nggalai mena gom rihu madamada ginia,[.] bilamiru lalangan ginau
everytime ripe banana you-n. move soft with it your two every thing
duluai gabe giru vohainia[vohainira] vai {a} Mwaevo nan tabae
all which you two throw it[throw them] toward {at} Maewo I-p. catch it
[tabara], nam dunua[dunura] ram gania[ganira] na nonggu mwalanggelo
[catch them] I-n. fire it[fire them] they-n. eat it[eat them] foc. my young fellow
mwa[ram] dura lolora; nam horara ram hanggo vusi holomare
it-n.[they-n.] support their bodies I-n. send them they-n. hold hill high
kahangga ram du Mwaevo(,) ram muramura la bilamiru ginau.
over there they-n. exist Maewo they-n. powerful with your two thing
Mai ! Bwatmahanga nan[nav] tunua[tunugo] mwa[gov] mwa nogo.
Come! Bwatmahanga I-p.[I-f.] fire him[fire you] he-n.[you-f.] it-n. cooked
3) Tagaro nu uloi Bwatmahanga mai Subwe be tam dol
Tagaro he-p. call Bwatmahanga and Subwe dn. we-n.-in. three
bev huri mwa ngava(,) hae lol gamali nav tun gamali(,)
chat it-n. long go up in men's house I-f. fire men's house
gov oda vuvuri gov ilo didini halan ginau kuniau(,) taru
you-f. burn copl. you-f. know clearly way of thing like me we-in. two
vi tau vanua vwate vi togo kahangga lol vwavwana vuroi
we-f. make island another it-f. stay over there in open sea empty
taru vi uloinia be Tabae, hurin ihan bilan lalangan ginau
we-in. two we-f. call it cm. Ambae following name of every thing
gabe ran voha３０） lolon limanggu nan[nam] marabutu nam dabae
which they-p. throw inside my hand I-p.[I-n.] straddle I-n. catch it
[dabara], Subwe be gabi behe, ira tarua? Tagaro be gabi
[catch them] Subwe dn. fire where pl. two fellows? Tagaro dn. fire
keki. Bwatmahanga be ke[keh](!) Tagaro! taru vinihi malioi gabi nu
this Bwatmahanga dn. oh Tagaro! we-in. two forget fire it-p.
tu mwa oda gain gamalimwa {a} Mwaevo(.) gom beve be
exist it-n. burn wood of your men's house {at} Maewo you-n. say dn.
gabi keki (take) sigai lol limamwa, Tagaro mwa bolohi roto３１）
fire this (but) no in your hand Tagaro he-n. break off
bwaruruguna vwate mwa oda gi gabi nu[mwa] visirai[bisirai] ninia.
his finger one it-n. burn as fire it-p.[it-n.] come out from it
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Notes
29)In this case binihi masigi is an idiomatic phrase meaning “to believe".
30)Passive expression.
31)Bolohi means “to crack one's finger joints", and roto means “two pieces".
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4) Bwatmahanga nu[mwa] haroro lol gamali nu[mwa] hae nu[mwa]
Bwatmahanga he-p.[he-n.] enter in men's house he-p.[he-n.] go up he-p.[he-n.]
hora dagai Subwe mai naturigi gairua(,) nitun talai (i)
send away Subwe and child two child of giant clam (and)
nitun matmaita ram du ban hautu,[.] Tagaro nu[mwa]
child of button shell they-n. keep staying go far away Tagaro he-p.[he-n.]
sogai bwaruruguna gabi aluna(.) nu[mwa] oda na gamali mwa
stick out his finger fire on it it-p.[it-n.] burn foc. men's house it-n.
birimui kea Tagaro nu[mwa] uv nggoro lol matan Subwe
burn briskly then Tagaro he-p.[he-n.] blow shutting on face of Subwe
be iloute non Bwatmahanga vi mataltala nin bwatun Subwe, bere
so that knowledge of Bwatmahanga it-f. vanish from head of Subwe otherwise
gem ilo radu mataisao non Bwatmahanga non ratahigi gem lavoa
he-n. know still knowledge of Bwatmahanga his chief he-n. big
atagun mateanan Bwatmahanga, Bwatmahanga be awo , awo! Tagaro
after death of Bwatmahanga Bwatmahanga dn. ouch! ouch! Tagaro
gom ruruhiau namen bwihavare, Tagaro nu tatal non bwatitalai
you-n. deceive me I-nf. go out Tagaro he-p. shoulder his axe
nu[mwa] varahi[barahi] nggoro gatava be vi bwihavare vi
he-p.[he-n.] stand in shutting door so that he-f. go out he-f.
taia, Bwatmahanga nu[mwa] haharigi be, awo awo! Subwe ginggo
cut him Bwatmahanga he-p.[he-n.] shout dn. ouch! ouch! Subwe you ind.
behe? Take Tagaro nu uv kaburai iloute non Subwe ninia.
where? but Tagaro he-p. blow away knowledge of Subwe from him
Bwatmahanga nu[mwa] hae la gaimahanga be vi dule la
Bwatmahanga he-p.[he-n.] go up at central pillar so that he-f. hang at
gaihubwe vi bwihi siv[sivi] utebwiribwiri ta gabi nu[mwa]
ridge pole he-f. go through utebwiribwiri but fire it-p.[it-n.]
oda dalis gamali huba(.) kea nu oda mai gaihubwe３２）.
burn round men's house already therefore he-p. burn with ridge pole
5) Nitun talai mai nitun matmaita ramuru huri ihan ute gea
child of giant clam and child of button shell they-n.two call name of place that
gi Labwaru, (huria) be bwarun Bwatmahanga ran tavinia Anserehubwe nu
as Labwaru (because of it) that grave of Bwatmahanga they-p. dig it Anserehubwe he-p.
oda la gaihubwe kea nu mate gin sinehantai non Tagaro, be kea
burn at ridge pole in that way he-p. dead with jealousy of Tagaro that he ind.
ngan men lavoa gahena, be sinobu rav vovora nin lol matan tano
only he-nf. big himself that people they-f. born from on surface of ground
ta rav iloe gaituvwa ngan, be rav binihia (be) kea ngan nu
but they-f. know it one only that they-f. think it (that) he ind. only he-p.
tau ginau duluai gaha. Sa atatu mulei vi[rai]３３） vev[veve] be
make thing all now or person also he-f.[they-f.] say that
kea nu taura mwa hanggea.
he ind. he-p. make them it-n. so
6) Tagaro mwa uloi Subwe, mai teti, Subwe mai naturigi gairua kea
Tagaro he-n. call Subwe come here Subwe and child two those
nitun talai (i) nitun matmaita,[.] i nu vev
child of giant clam (and) child of button shell and he-p. say
lalainira be Bwatmahanga nu oda mwa eno nu hav rihu
to them dn. Bwatmahanga he-p. burn he-n. lie down it-p. not move
te maragai２７） na gulina kun guliku, inau nan oda ta guliku
neg. very much foc. his skin as my skin I ind. I-p. burn but my skin
nu wasi nam ahu dum nin gabi. Kunia hanggea inau Tagaro
it-p. strong I-n. live can from fire like it really I ind. Tagaro
nan tau Bwatmahanga ginggo３４） Subwe (i) kimiru naturigi i
I-p. make Bwatmahanga you Subwe (and) you two child and
ginau duluai lol vanua {a} Raga {a} (i) Mwaevo. Abae be Tabae.
thing all in island {at} Raga {at} (and) Maewo Ambae cm. Tabae
Tagaro nu vev lai[lalai] ira naturigi be giru vi huri
Tagaro he-p. say to pl. child dn . you two you-f. follow
nonggu doron lol ginau duluai. I nu veve lalai Subwe be gov
my desire in thing all and he-p. say to Subwe dn. you-f.
hanggo imwamwa gov maturu la utebwiribwiri gin２６） binihi mulei
have your house you-f. sleep at utebwiribwiri you-p. think again
huri nom ratahigi Bwatmahangga nu mate la gaihubwe.
about your chief Bwatmahanga he-p. dead at ridge pole
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Notes
32)After this Father David wrote as follows;Tam bevea be matam na rovo,Tagaro mwa datal
non talai mwa sara atatu havava dore gida 3 sa 4, ata ba gita.(Maimai). See footnote n.
33)Rai is a variant form of rav(they-f.)
34)Ginggo is in apposition with Subwe which is an object of a verb tau. But ginggo is not
usually used as objective. It may be an independent pronoun.
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7) Hangge Tagaro nu vev lalai Subwe be biladaru ginaga nav
then Tagaro he-p. say to Subwe dn. our-in. two food I-f.
vev halana[halara] gov rongoe, Subwe be, hita{te} , Tagaro mwa
say its way[their ways] you-f. hear it Subwe dn. ok Tagaro he-n.
nggilon be, damu gov gan mwasina gov raun３５） longgona(,) bweta
tell dn. yam you-f. eat its mwasi you-f. plant its longo taro
kunia(,) ihi kunia(,) gov gan mwasira gov rivura la
like it banana ike it you-f. eat their mwasi you-f. plant them at
longgora ngan (i) gov tai wanggan[wanggamwa] bugo kea gai
their longo only (and) you-f. make canoe of[your canoe] bugo it ind. tree
madamada(,) gov vangan avua gi bilamwa ta boe nav van {a}
soft you-f. f eed turtle as yours but pig I-f. go {at}
Mwaevo mai[maia](,) gov doronia gov mat ba hinggea {a} Mwaevo.
Maewo with[with it] you-f. want it you-f. go to search it {at} Maewo
Tagaro nu hahara Subwe gin tavalten ginau duluai.
Tagaro he-p. show Subwe with opposite thing all
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Notes
35)This word is used only for planting yam. When planting other things, they use rivu(to plant).
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