[Mihalic] Piccaninny dawn

[lila at coombs.anu.edu.au]

Hmm good question.

There are words/phrases in the Duna language (SHP) that refer to the
pre-sun dawn glow but I don't recall ever hearing any Duna speakers
translate them into Tok Pisin using `pikinini' in any way. Nor (as far as
I can see) do the Duna phrases involve any Duna words for `child',
`little' or `seed/fruit' etc.

Best,
Lila SR

> In The Sky People (1984) by John Emery, there are numerous references to
> "piccaninny dawn" which I assume means something like the first light of
> dawn, before the sun actually appears.
>
> Is this a version of a normal TP expression? Has anyone heard "pikinini
> tulait" or something like that? Or might it be some sort of Tok Masta?
>
> Don Niles
> Acting Director & Senior Ethnomusicologist
> Institute of Papua New Guinea Studies
> Box 1432
> Boroko 111
> PAPUA NEW GUINEA
>
> tel.: +675 325-4644
> fax: +675 325-0531
> email: ipngs at global.net.pg
>
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