kavas-ritual exchange partner in Urat, Toricelli Mountains----vasai-clan exchange partner in Korafe, Oro Province

[Jim and Cindi Farr]

  -----Original Message-----
  From: Jim and Cindi Farr [mailto:j-c.farr at sil.org.pg]
  Sent: Saturday, 15 June 2002 11:58 PM
  To: BURTON John
  Subject: Re: kawas


  Dear John,
      I am not into comparative linguistics very much, and I don't know if this is close enough to count as somehow related to 'kawas'. In Korafe-Yegha, traditional 'enemy' or competing exchange partners are called 'vasai' (the 'v' being a voiced labio-dental fricative).  The exchange feasts have been mostly transformed in the Tufi area into the Anglican church day festivals, but some of the competition (giving more that the other side does) still exists in the gifts that are made to the church that day--the amount of each gift is clearly announced to the entire group present. The Korafe-Yegha live a long way from the Sepik or Manus around Tufi, Cape Nelson in the Oro Province, so I'm rather sceptical, nevertheless the 'vas' overlap is interesting.

  Blessings,

  Cindi Farr
  ----- Original Message ----- 
  From: BURTON John <john.burton at tsra.gov.au>
  To: <jim-cindi_farr at sil.org>
  Subject: kawas


  > 
  > 
  > > ----------
  > > From: BURTON John[SMTP:JOHN.BURTON at TSRA.GOV.AU]
  > > Sent: Tuesday, May 28, 2002 9:05:50 AM
  > > To: Multiple recipients of list
  > > Subject: kawas
  > > Auto forwarded by a Rule
  > > 
  > 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 
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