Samsam / kalap

[John Burton]

I have consulted two new informants: a 50 year old identity of Engan
upbringing and a Bougainvillean geologist in his late 30s.

The former had never heard of samsam, other than the village of the same
name at the end of the Bulolo Valley (Samsam No.1 and Samsam No.2).

The latter holds that any foot-stamping dance can be classed as "samsam".
This specifically includes Manus-style heh-heh-heh! HEH-HEH! numbers
(whether or not Manusians use the word habitually). The beat that
accompanies the dance is a clue, and swaying lines are definitely not doing
samsam. A particular Solomon Islands dance of this ilk performed in
Boungainville was ruled as non-samsam.

Highlanders do various jumping dances, notably Hageners who link arms to do
"melye". Melye is widely copied, and tourists can go in it at shows. Melye,
however, is called "kalap" not "samsam".

John Burton