[Mihalic] Making roofing

[Jablonko, Allison]

 In the 1960's among the Maring of the Simbai Valley, Madang District,
kunai, where available, was used as the top layer of roof covering. The
first layer was made of pairs of leaves, hooked together by their stiff
spines. I like the description below - "the result is a sort of shingle".
In the Maring case, however, this "sort of shingle" was not tied onto the
rafters (rafters?) but was hooked by its own spines over the laths that had
been laid over the rafters.  Where kunai was not available this was oten
the sole kind of thatching used on a house.

I have been looking for the name (in either Tok Pisin or Maring) of this
roofing leaf, but have not been able to find it among my notes.  Does
anyone recognize this plant?  I have attached two photos which may help in
identifying it.

Thanks.

Allison Jablonko



>
>In Abelamland, sago leaf IS used for roofing. You bend the leaves over a
>spine, and then semapaim. You use the result as a sort of shingle that is
>tied onto rafters.
>
>Rick
>
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>Mihalic mailing list
>Mihalic at anu.edu.au
>http://mailman.anu.edu.au/mailman/listinfo/mihalic

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Allison Jablonko
Via della Ginestra, 12
06069 Tuoro sul Trasimeno (Perugia)
ITALY
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