The Douglas Oliver Collection, Bougainville, 1938-1939 - Glossary

A

AKU

A region at the southern end of Bougainville Island.

ARAWA

Town on the southeast coast of Bougainville Island, near the port town of Kieta.


E

EMPRESS AUGUSTA BAY

Major bay on the central western coast of Bougainville Island.


K

KERIAKA

Rotokas is an East Papuan language spoken in Bougainville

KIETA

Town on the southeast coast of Bougainville Island, situated on Arawa Bay.


M

MIMISH

Shell valuables

MUMI

Siwai traditional leaders or big-men.


N

NASIOI

Naasioi is an East Papuan language spoken in the central mountains and southeast coast of Kieta District, Bougainville


P

PANGUNA

Panguna is a town and a (now decommissioned) copper mine on Bougainville Island

PESI

Shell valuables

POKPOK

Pok Pok is a small island off shore from Kieta, on the southeastern coast of Bougainville.

PURUATA

Small island off shore of the central western coast of Bougainville.


R

ROTOKAS

Rotokas is an East Papuan language spoken in Bougainville


S

SAGO

A staple food starch, extracted from the spongy center of tropical palms.

SIWAI

Region located in the center of the Buin Plain of southern Bougainville, North Solomons Province, Papua New Guinea.


T

TUKI

"Divination" method


U

UPI

The wearing of upes, tall conical hats made from bush leaves stretched over a wooden framework, was part of traditional initiation ceremonies in several areas of Bougainville. A widespread custom especially in the central and northern areas of the island before European contact, it has been revived recently in some village areas. Youths may wear the hats for a few days or for as much as a year; one hat may be handed down through generations.

See ORN 00.0839