[Mihalic] oil diwai

[rhide at coombs.anu.edu.au]

Darja-
just done some checking (following up Bryant's lead)-

1. Christin Kocher Schmid records "wel" as the tok pisin name of
Campnosperma breviopetiolata -
see:
Kocher Schmidt, C. Methods work sheet 3: Terms in neo-melanesian pidgin
for plants and animals a compilation from various sources, The Future of
Rainforest Peoples- Papua New Guinea Working Group (FRP—PNG).
http://lucy.ukc.ac.uk/Rainforest/frp-website/Publications/worksheets/SHEET3/biopidg_1.html

2. Very useful and relevant re Sepik is:
Coiffier, C. 2002. Une " huile " végétale aux multiples usages dans la
région du fleuve Sépik (Papouasie Nouvelle-Guinée). Journal de la Société
des Océanistes, 114-115(1/2), 187-200.
Abstract:
The exudation of trees, Campnosperma species, is gathered on a large part
of the Sepik River Valley basin. This exultation is on oily liquid that is
used locally for many rituals. Because it is seen locally as a vital
substance, it is used in various kind of exchanges.

3. and for the other side of the cordillerra---Southern Highlands-
Paul Sillitoe has a couple of papers on Campnosperma (I don't have copies
with me so can't check if he gives any tok pisin terms):

Sillitoe, P. (1979). “Cosmetics from trees: an underrated trade in Papua
New Guinea.” Australian Natural History 19(9): 292-297.

Sillitoe, P. (1979). “The Menstruating Tree.” Cambridge Anthropology 5(2):
32-47.


Also for the Southern Highlands, Barry Evans records another species
(Buchanania sp. -(closely related he says to Campnosperma) as additionally
- with Campnosperma - as providing an oil...: in:

Evans, B. (no date) Non-Timber Forest Products with commercial potential
in the Kikori river watershed of PNG: Mt Bosavi and Upper Kikori. PO Box
11, Moro, SHP, PNG, WWF-US Kikori Integrated Conservation and Development
Project.

cheers,

Robin



>> > Dear All,
>> >
>> >
>> > Awiakay myths (Kanjimei village, East Sepik Province) often mention a
>> tree
>> > called *tomba*, which people translate into Tok Pisin as 'oil diwai'.
Would
>> > anyone know the Latin / English name of this tree? Its sap is used
for
>> > smearing bows and arrows and people say they also put it on wounds. I
>> have
>> > photos of the tree and its leaves and can mail them to anyone who
>> would
>> be
>> > able to recognise it.
>> >
>> > Thanks in advance
>> > Darja
>> > _______________________________________________
>> > Mihalic mailing list
>> > Mihalic at anu.edu.au
>> > http://mailman.anu.edu.au/mailman/listinfo/mihalic
>> >
>