[Mihalic] kam man, kam meri

[Pat Gesch]

I feel this has always been part of my Tok Pisin repertoire. I must have
been introduced to it in Yangoru in the 1970s. Kamman as immigrant or
refugee seems to me a refusal of ownership on the part of the locals, or a
humble statement of gratitude for hospitality on the part of those who come.

 

       Pat Gesch

 

Dr Fr Patrick F Gesch SVD

Divine Word University

P O Box 483

Madang

Papua New Guinea

Tel: [675] 852 2937

Fax: [675] 852 2812

pgesch at dwu.ac.pg 

 

 

 

  _____  

From: mihalic-bounces at anu.edu.au [mailto:mihalic-bounces at anu.edu.au] On
Behalf Of Robin Hide
Sent: Wednesday, 20 February 2008 9:01 AM
To: mihalic at anu.edu.au
Subject: [Mihalic] kam man, kam meri

 

A  year ago, in the pre PNG election period, I noticed  for the first time
the appearance in print of the term(s) kam man, meri for migrants, in
contrast to asples man etc.

It appeared on at least 3 occasions (centred on Madang), e.g.

Pamba, Kevin (2007). Candidates incite hatred, issue threats. The National,
Tuesday, 15 May 2007. http://www.thenational.com.pg/051507/nation7.htm

Pamba, Kevin (2007). Kam man not in the way of asples man. The National,
The Notebook, Tuesday, 15 May 2007.
http://www.thenational.com.pg/051507/column3.htm

Tanirau, Madang (2007). Letter: Kam man, meri must respect Madang.
Post-Courier, Friday, 31 August 2007.
http://www.postcourier.com.pg/20070831/view03.htm
 
George Curry and Gina Koczberski (whose most interesting seminar on
Migration and Oil Palm yesterday at ANU sent me back to check newspaper
cuttings), say that they first heard the term used in Wosera in East Sepik
in 1988. 

Does anyone else have information on this term,  its distribution and usage?

Robin Hide


  

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