kawas

[Mesulam Aisoli]

Kawas, now seldom used in New Ireland, but in the 60s and early 70s, "kawas"
was used a lot among the Manus population in New Ireland, it was known as
"friend". Its origin unknown to us. We even called people who come from
Manus as "kawas".

mesu

-----Original Message-----
From: Jean Kennedy [mailto:jkennedy at coombs.anu.edu.au]
Sent: Tuesday, 28 May 2002 10:50 AM
To: Multiple recipients of list
Subject: Re: kawas


That's interesting! Kawas is an exchange partner in Manus, too. It seems to
refer to both the person and the relationship, which may be inherited.
Since it is used in several languages in Manus, it may not be a local term.
I don't know the tok ples equivalents.
cheers, jk
At 09:05 28/05/02 +1000, you wrote:
>In the Torricelli Mountains (Urat language) 'kawas', or more 
>often 'kavas', 
>is a ritual exchange partner. Kavas tend to be inherited from 
>father to 
>son. The Urat translation of 'kavas'  is "wheniyat".
>
>Bryant
> 




Dr Jean Kennedy
Visiting Fellow
Archaeology and Natural History
Research School of Pacific and Asian Studies
The Australian National University
Canberra ACT 0200

jkennedy at coombs.anu.edu.au
telephone 02 6125 5974