VII
Project Gutenberg EPUB3 edition
Malinowski, Bronislaw
Ligogu spell, over the havilali, the adze with the moveable handle.
Towards the end of the foregoing period.
In the village before builder’s house.
Other parts of canoe made ready by builder and helpers.
No magic.
After all work is over.
Concluding rite: Kapitunena Nanola Waga.
All the magic of this stage is canoe magic. It is performed only when a new canoe is built and not when an old one is renovated. The spells are uttered by the builder and not by the owner, except the first one. Work at this stage is done by one man mainly, the builder and carver, with the help of a few men; except for the pulling of the log, in which many men assist.
II—The Second Stage of Canoe Building (Chapter V, Division III)
Time
Place
Activity
Magic
First day of work.
On the sea-front of a Lagoon village, or on a beach of one of the Eastern villages.
Fixing the prow-boards;
inaugurated by
Katuliliva Tabuyo rite, performed over the ornamental prow-boards by the toliwaga. It belongs to the mwasila (Kula magic).
The following activities are
inaugurated by
Vakakaya rite. A magical, ceremonial cleansing of the canoe, performed by the owner or builder to remove all evil influence and thus to make the canoe fast.
(At times, the lashing cannot be done in one day and has to be continued into another session.)
Lashing of the canoe;
associated with
The Wayugo spell (lashing creeper) rite; the most important of the magical performances in the second stage. Done by builder or owner to make canoe swifter and stronger.
Second sitting: during this the caulking is done and the three exorcisms performed afterwards.
On the sea-front of a Lagoon village or on a beach of one of the Eastern villages.
Caulking of the canoe;
associated with
Kaybasi (caulking) magic; spell uttered over caulking by builder or owner to make canoe safe. Vakasulu, an exorcism. Vaguri, an exorcism. Kaytapena waga, an exorcism.
Painting of the canoe;
associated with
Magic of; Kayhoulo (black paint) Malakava (red paint). Pwaka (white paint).
III—The Ceremonial Launching of a Canoe (Chapter VI, Division I)
Activity
Magic
The launching and trial run
inaugurated by
Kaytalula wadola waga rite, belonging to the mwasila cycle of magic.
After this, there comes the interval, filled out by the Kabigidoya (ceremonial visiting,) by the preliminary trade and other preparations for the expedition overseas.