Studies in Irian Languages, Part II

Mahteyi Itur Warn gonu Ekergud

Ancient tale about Itur Warn and Ekergud, told by Mesak Tibiyai

(1) Didif di-efesij mahteyi osok gij Ekergud ge-onu* me-abina Itur Warn #
I iSG-tell ancient.tale jump in Ekergud 2/3DU-with 3SG-husband Itur Warn

I am telling an ancient story about Ekergud and her husband Itur Warn.

(2) Goga ge-eker gu monuh mei Meska efej Warn owohoh inda #
they 2/3DU-sit at place river Meska lower Wam underneath upward

They lived up at a place beneath lower Meska river, up there below Wam.

(3) Ekergud eker gu Inska eitofu #
Ekergud sit at Inska forehead

Ekergud lived at Inska Forehead (village).

(4) Ofa eker jah si-uma beda eyajga Ekergud #
s/he sit at ADV-there then look Ekergud

While he (Itur Wam) lived there he had looked at (knew about) Ekergud.

(5) Tina Itur Wam me-okosa Iskuruk Wam me-eyera ^ Arod Minj ge-onu

but Itur Wam 3SG-sibling Iskuruk Wam SSG-sibling Arod Minj 2/3DU-with

Ockoj Minj ri-ah gu rerin mei Meska efej^ inda #

Ockoj Minj 3PL-lie at they.possess river Meska lower above

But Itur Wam's younger male sibling Iskuruk Wam, (and) his sisters Arod Minj and Ockoj
Minj lived up at their village of lower Meska river.

(6) Beda rua ri-of mekeni #
then they 3PL-fell garden

^The commitative 'gonu' is only used when coordinating dual human nouns.
^Younger sibling opposite sex.

^In its usage here, efej 'dry* also refers to the lower area of a river. The term oforga 'headwater* can also refer to
the upper area of a river. These two terms help to define the elevational position of a village in relation to the
deictic center, hence many village names include the terms efej or oforga such as: Meyekiba Ofogra 'upper
Meyekiba' and Meyekiba Efej 'lower Meyekiba.' Also, nearly all mountain villages are on a river, therefore it can
be assumed that tne name of the village is also the name of the river, even if the term mei 'water/river' is left
implicit in the text.

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Then, they would cut down trees in the garden,

(7) Rua ri-edi mekeni mere eteb #
they 3PL-strike garden virgin. forest large

They made a garden out of a large part of the virgin forest.

(8) Beda ri-of mekeni #
they 3PL-fell garden

They cut down (trees) in the garden.

(9) Bedo ri-es mah-ij #
then 3PL-light fire-into

They burned off [the garden).

(10) Mah efeb edgehin mei Meska indo #
fire smoke envelop river Meska upward

Smoke (from the) fires spread upward towards Meska river.

(11) Eja beda ej-ot [ojotl rof Warn Ofog inda #
go then INCEP-stand concerning Wam off.shoot upward

(The smoke) went up and began entering Wam Ofog (village).

(12) Beda nou mona noba motu ma ri-em-en gu mod #
Then for day and night they 3PL-MOD-come to house

Then early in the morning (they went to work) and came back to the house at night.

(13) Beda mah tein eja gij mega efaga #
then fire also go in tree body

Then the fires (from the garden) burned the tree trunks.

(14) Mega efej ej-ei gij moskusefi ongga a-ng-h tumu
tree dry INCEP-build.up in moss which PERF-lie on.face.of

mega memaga me-osu inda eja^ #

tree mountain 3SG-mother upward go

The dry trees had grown moss on the surface in the upper mountain ranges.®

(15) Beda mah eisa egigir efes #
Then fire shine sparks bright

Then the binrning fires sent up cinders and shined brightly.

(16) Motu beda Itur Wam eker rot mar etma efeb #
night then Itur Wam sit concerning thing hand string

At night Itur Wam sat making string.

^The primary meaning of connector rot is 'concerning/about/ but it also functions as an anaphoric
demonstrative referencing participants, events, and props that are retrievable in the text.. It also expresses 'in
order to' in (16) and (18).

^In this construction eja *go' functions adverbially to indicate that movement is away from the deictic center.
^The build-up of moss on the burning trees explains the amount of smoke moving up the valley.

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(17) Beda of a eij gu ma j meg noba eij mogra ofou^^^ gij =^
then s/he twist at porch and twist belt round into

Then he weaved on his porch and made g-strings.

(18) Me-eyera Arod Minj ge-onu Ockoj Minj ge-oru mah
3SG-sibling Arod Minj 2/3DU-with Ockoj Minj 2/3DU-burn fire

eisQ rot #
bright concerning

(Itur Wam's) siblings Arod Minj and Ockoj Minj burned a bright fire for (Itur Wam's work).

(19) Bedo Itur Warn eij m ogra of oh #
then Itur Warn twist beU round

Then Itur Warn made waist string-belts.

(20) Eij mar efeb erek ke-uma " orofosu-tut mona-mona #
twist thing string like NOM-that every-RED day-RED

He weaved string belts like that each and every day.

(21) Mono beda rua ri-ef mekeni noba motu beda Itur Warn
Day then they 3PL-work garden and night then Itur Wam

en beda eij mogra of oh #
come then twist belt round

During the day they worked in the garden and at night Itur Wam made string belts.

(22) Eij mar efeb mono beda ef mekeni #
twist thing string day then work garden

He made string (at night) then during the day he worked in the garden.

(23) Itur Wam ok mejga os mekeni noba motu beda en noba
Itur Wam carry fence. material sweep garden and night then come and

eij mogra ofob #
twist belt round

Itur Wam carried fence material, swept the garden, and then at night he came and made
string belts.

(24) Eij mar efeb erek komo #
twist thing string like that

He made string like that.

(25) Beda Ekergud eker gu Inska eitofu imba #
then Ekergud sit at Inska forehead downward

Then (at that time) Ekergud was living below at Inska Forehead (village).

^"String specifically made to hold up loincloth.

^^Due to the numerous occurrences of ke-uma 'NOM-that*, it will be transcribed as [koma] throughout the

remainder of the text. See (7) under section 2 for an explanation of the morphemic structure.

(26) Beda ofa eyajga Una mab em-eisa erek koma #
then s/he look but fire MOD-bright like that

Then she looked but there was a bright fire like that (just mentioned). ^^

(27) Beda odou ecira-cira fob #
then liver travel-RED already

Then she became very curious.

(28) Tina guru jefeda osujohu oida di-osok mei inda eja jeskaseda
but no therefore think QUOT iSG-climb river upward go in.order.to

di-ek mah eisa inda #

iSG-see fire bright upward

But no (she didn't know whose fire it was) so she began to think, I will climb upward to see
(whose) bright fire it is up there.

(29) Jeskaseda di-eja di-ek fog #
in.order.to iSG-go iSG-see first

(she went up) in order to take a look.

(30) Evek koma beda Ekergud e-n-ja fob eris mosuska #
Like that then Ekergud PERF-go already cut bamboo

(Having departed) then Ekergud had already gone (to) cut bamboo.

(31) Eris mosubga bera-if #
cut sugarcane COP-this

(That is), she cut some sugarcane.

(32) Beda orka egeka koma era erek moskur beda oroubsib #
then carry two that using like stick then lean

Then she carried those two (sugarcanes) (and) used them like (walking) sticks then leaned

(on the sticks).

(33) Beda ofa osok mei Yes inda eja #
then s/he climbs river Far upward go

Then she climbed and went up to the Far river.

(34) Beda eja esaga gu m ei Meska Miyo u of oka ^ ^ #
then go reach at river Meska Miyou junction

Then going (there) she reached the Meska Miyou river junction.

(35) Beda ofa ec aki gij mei Meska Miyou #
then s/he dip foot in river Meska Miyou

Then she dipped her foot into the Meska Miyou river.

^^Verbs of perception niav be followed by Una *but' introducing the object to convey a sense of surprise, as also
in lines (82), (84), (97). (105). (153). (155), and (178).

^^Ofoka means Viver mouth or estuary, but it is also used as 'river junction' where one smaller river flows into a
larger river. Also, ofoko with a high' pitch on the second syllable means 'river estuary', and ofoka with a high
pitch on the final syllable means *name'.

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(36) TinQ mei Meska Miyou eyej noba mei Mesko ofoufem #
but river Meska Miyou cold and river Meska hot

But the Meska Miyou river w^as cold and the Meska river w^as hot.

(37) Beda ofa oku akJ jeska mei Mesko Miyou
then s/he pull foot from river Meska Miyou

noba osok mei Yes indo eja #
and climb river far upu^ard go

Then she pulled her foot out of the Meska Miyou river and climbed upw^ard going (to) Far

river.

(38) Beda eja esoga gu mei Jinggo ofoko #
then go reach at river Jingga junction

Then going (there) she got as far as the Jingga river junction.

(39) Beda ofa ec aki gij mei Jinggo Una mei Jingga eyej
then s/he dip foot in river Jingga but river Jingga cold

noba mei Yes ofoufem #
but river Far hot

Then she dipped her foot into the Jingga river, but the Jingga river w^as cold and the Far river
w^as hot.

(40) Beda ofa osok inda eja noba eja esoga mei Jeribo ofoka #
then s/he climb upward go and go reach river Jeriba junction

Then she ascended going upw^ard as far as the Jeriba river junction.

(4 1 ) Beda ofa ec aki gij mei Jeriba Una mei Jeriba eyej noba
then s/he dip foot into Jeriba river but river Jeriba cold and

mei Yes ofoufem #
river Far hot

Then she dipped her foot into the Jeriba river, but the Jeriba river was cold and Far river was
hot,

(42 ) Beda ofa oku aki jeska mei Jeriba noba osok m ei Yes #
then s/he pull foot from river Jeriba and climb river Far

Then she pulled her foot out of the Jeriba river and ascended (to) Far river.

(43) Beda eja esoga gu mei Meska Irum ofoka #
then go reach at river Meska Irum junction

Then going there she reached the Meska Irum river junction.

(44) Beda ofa ec aki gij mei Mesko Irum #
then s/he dip foot into river Meska Irum

Then she dipped her foot into the Meska Irum river.

(45) Irum eyej noba mei Yes o-m-foufem #
Irum cold and river Far PERF-hot

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(But) the Irum (river] was cold and the Far river was getting hot.

(46) Beda ofa osok mei Meska inda eja #
then s/he climb river Meska upward go

So then, she ascended going up (to) the Meska river.

(47) Beda eja esaga gu mei di-ojuj [dujuj] ofoka #
then go reach at river iSG-descend junction

Then going (there) she reached (a place called) I Descend river junction.

(48) Beda ofa ec aki gij Una eyej noba mei Yes o-m-foufem #
then s/he dip foot in but cold and river Far PERF-hot

Then she dipped her foot into (that river), but it was cold and the Far river was becoming hot.

(49) Beda ofa oku aki jeska noba osok mei Yes #
then s/he pull foot from and climb river Far

Then she pulled her foot out of (the river) and ascended to Far river.

(50) Osok osuwu^'^ egenS'Uma eja #
climb reach one-that go

(She) ascended going along reaching that one (river).

(51) Beda eja esaga gu mei Meska Wam ofoka #
then go reach at river Meska Wam junction

Then she went along further reaching as far as the Meska Wam river junction.

(52) Tina mei Meska Wam bera moswa efen mosu o-n-juj-if

But river Meska Wam COP dry.season possess mother PERF-descend-here

en keingg^^ mei Meska Wam toumou #
come ADV river Meska Wam silent

But as for the Meska Wam river, its main tributary (mother) during the dry season had
descended here flowing (into) the Meska Wam river quietly (in a small stream).

(53) Ofa en-ek mei Meska Wam ofoka guru #
s/he DUR-see river Meska Wam junction NEC

She could not see the Meska Wam river junction.

(54) Jefeda aki ekirsa beda ofa osok m ei Yes inda eja #
Therefore foot exceed then s/heclimb river Far upward go

So she walked faster then ascended going along up to the Yes river.

(55) Ofa osok m ei Yes in da eja tin a mei Yes o-m -foufem ai-grogra #
s/he climb river Far upward go but river Far PERF-hot DIM-boil

She went up to the Far river but the Far river was already a little bit boiling hot.

^^Osuwu is synonymous with esogo 'reach at' in (51

usuwu IS synonymous wiin esogo reacxi at m [oi)

The units keingg and/ou^ function as grammatical morphemes directly following verbs. In general they allow

itransitive verbs to take direct objects.

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(56) Beda eja esaga gu mei Eisbira of oka #
Then go reach at river Eisbira junction

Then she reached the Eisbira river junction.

(57) Erek kom a ojgom u beda of a ec aki gij mei Yes tin a m ei Yes eyej n oba
like that only then s/he dip foot in river Far but river Far cold and

mei Eisbira o-m-foufem ai-grogra #
river Eisbira PERF-hot DIM-boil

Just after that, then she dipped her foot into Far river, but Far river u^as cold and Eisbira river
was already getting a little bit boiling hot.

(58) Of a osok m ei Eisbira in da eja beda eja esaga ahah Mo ufor in da
s/he ascend river Eisbira upward go then go reach front Moufor upward

beda ec aki gij Una em-eyejkita #
then dip foot in but MOD-cool

She ascended (to the) Eisbira river going along then reached the front of the Moufor (river)
above, then dipped her foot (in) but (the water) might have been getting cool.

(59) Tina guru jefeda oksons fob #
But no therefore return already

But no (it wasn't hot), so (she) decided to proceed.

(60) Ofa ot jab si-uma beda osujohu #
s/he stand to ADV-there then think

She stood there thinking (about it).

(61) Tina guru jefeda er-efa mosuska jab si-uma #
but no therefore INS-plant bamboo at ADV-there

But no (she couldn't figure it out) so she planted the thick kind of bamboo there.

(62) Ofa er-efa mosuska beda er-ocunc jah si-uma #
s/he INS-plant bamboo then INS-point to ADV-there

She planted the thick bamboo then using that pointed it to (the river) there.

(63) Ekergud esma gu ejmeg beda oksons inda en^^ fob #
Ekergud drop^^ at back then return upward come already

Ekergud had already turned around and returned upward coming back,

(64) Ofa oksons ojgomu inda en beda esaga gu mei
s/he return just upward come then reach at river

Meska Warn ofoka komo #

Meska Warn junction that

She just continued going upward reaching back to that Meska Warn river junction.

^*^In this structure en 'come' is used adverbially to indicate thai movement is toward the deictic center - the place
Ekergud had left.

^^Esma is the transitive verb 'drop'. However, here and in (77) and (80) it is also used figuratively to mean
'return'. In (274), (276), (277) the tree dropping (it's chopped up parts) is implicit.

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(65j Erek koma beda ofa efnif beda ebes moswa efen

like that then s/he glance. back then separate dry.season possess

mokusmaga efen jeska #
grass possess from

After that then she glanced back and separated the (dead grass of) dry season and the tall
grass (from the river).

(66) Tina se mei ofoka en-ah-if niei ofoka di-en-ekirsa

But [exclamation] water junction DUR-Iie-here river junction iSG-DUR-exceed

ai-jah #
DIM-to

But (she thought), hey, here is a river junction, a river junction I almost passed by.

(67) Erek koma beda Ekergud ec aki gij mei Meska Warn ongga ofoufem
Like that then Ekergud dip foot in river Meska Wam which hot

ebeskreni-meni ongga konosa efet aki #
scorching-INT which nearly burn foot

Because of that then Ekergud dipped her foot into the Meska Wam river which was scorching
hot (and) which nearly burned her foot.

(68) Erek koma beda erek mok insa ke-if #
Like that then like cup aforementioned NOM-this

So then it was like this cup (of hot tea),^®

(69) Tina guru jefedo ofa osok mei Meska Wam inda eja koma #
but no therefore she climb river Meska Wam upward go that

But no (still not sure), so she went along ascending that Meska Wam river.

(70) Beda ofa eja esaga gu mei Ineibi ofoka #
Then s/he go reach at river Ineibi junction

Then she went along reaching the Ineibi river junction..

(71) Erek koma beda ofa ec aki gij mei Ineibi Una mei Ineibi eyej noba
like that then s/he dip foot in river Ineibi but river Ineibi cold and

mei Meska Wam ofoufem #
river Meska Wam hot

After (arriving there] then, she dipped her foot into Ineibi river, but the Ineibi river was cold
and the Meska Wam river was hot.

(72) Beda ofa osok mei Meska Wam #
then S/1ie climb river Meska Wam

Then she ascended (to) the Meska Wam river.

(73) Ofa osok inda eja ojgomu beda ec aki gij mei ofoka #
s,/he climb upward go just then dip foot in river junction

'**The story teller is pointing to the hot cup of tea that he was drinking from while telUng the story.
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She just went along ascending (to there] then dipped her foot into the river junction.

(74) Tina mei Mosum Ofon eyej noba mei Mesko Warn ofoufem #
but river Face tooth cold and river Meska Warn hot

But Face Tooth river was cold and the Meska Warn river was hot.

(75) Beda ofa osok inda eja beda ej-esaga gu Makowu Una
Then s/he climb upward go then INCEP-reach at Makowu but

ekirsa Makowu #
exceed Makowu

Then she went along ascending, then began reaching the Makowu (river), but passed by the
Mako\\Tj (river).

(76) Beda eja esaga jah mei Meska efej-uma eja Una mei Meska em-eyej #
then go reach to river Meska lower-that go but river Meska MOD-cold

Then she went as far as that lower Meska river, but the Meska river might be cold.

(77) Beda ofa esma gu ejmeg oksons #
Then she drop at back return

Then she turned around (and) went back.

(78) Ofa eja er-efa m osubga jah si- um a oisoska ongga
s/he go INS-plant sugarcane to ADV-there until which

e-n-ej-oksons [onjoksons] si-uma^
PERF-INCEP-return ADV-there

She went and planted sugarcane there until (the time) which she decided to start going back.

(79) Noba oksons #
and return

And she returned.

(80) Esma gu ejmeg inda en oksons #
Drop at back upward come return

She turned back coming upward back (to the earlier spot).

(81) Beda esaga gu makowu^^ si-uma #
Then reach at tree ADV-there

Then she reached the bamboo stand there.

(82) Ofa ek Una moroju en-ah-if gu mei ofoka #
s/he see but path DUR-lie-there at river junction

She looked (there), but there was a path there at the river junction.

(83) Tina guru beda en-osoka moroj inda en inda en #
but no then DUR-jump path upward come upward come

"Type of tree with edible leaves.

But no (doesn't know whose path) then she followed that path coming upward.

(84] Beda ofa orogna Una mei m-efesi ^^ ongga ri-o-ng-k mejga gij #

then s/he emerge but river NOM-inside which 3PL-PERF-carry bush. fence in

Then she emerged (to a place), but there was a pond where they had planted a bush fence.

(85) Beda mei efen a-ng-h fogora ri-e-n-j keingg gij a-ng-h
then water possess PERF-lie hence 3PL-PERF-throw continuous in PERF-lie

Then, there had been a pond (there), hence people had planted (things around the pond)
there.

(86) Tina guru beda ofa osok mega mei Seki #
but not then s/he climb tree river Seki

But no (she didn't see any people), so she climbed a tree (above) Seki river.

(87) Osok mei Seki ai-insa jah mei efej #
climb river Seki DIM-ANA to river tributary

She climbed (a tree above) that river tributary mentioned earlier.

(88) Ofa osok beda eker toumou gu mei Seki esta jah mei efej
s/he climb then sit silent at river Seki branch to river tributary

erek neda tera mei efen noba mei efen ah gu mebi #

like cockatoo above river possess and river possess lie at ground

She climbed the (tree) branch then sat silently (above) that river tributary like a cockatoo
above the pond with the surface of the water below her.

(89) Erek koma beda abJQ-irga si-uma ge-es mah gij mekeni #
Like that then girl-2/3DU ADV-there 2/3DU-burn fire in garden

After that then the two girls were there burning off a garden.

(90) Erek koma beda mowa edi-irga jijiji beda magon en ongga er-eikeya #
like that then sun strike-2/3DU on-and-on then thirst come which INS-suffer

So then, the sun shone on the two girls for a long time, then they began to suffer from thirst.

(91) Tina guru beda Itur Warn oubk-irga oida abja-irga ge-ageyamei but no
then Itur Wam send-2/3DU QUOT girl-2/3DU 2/3DU-scoop water

egema jeskaseda di-ej fog #

some in. order, to iSG-drink first

But no (relief) then Itur Wam ordered the two girls, you two girls, scoop some water so that I
can drink, first. ^^

(92) Goga ge-onggobur^'^ beda ge-eja ge-ageya mei noba ge-orka
they.two 2/3DU-run then 2/3DU-go 2/3DU-scoop water and 2/3DU-carry

^^Mei efesi is probably the reduced form mebi efesi 'ground inside' which means 'standing body of water' or

'pond'.

-^Sentence final adverb /og, 'first' is used here as a imperative.

^^Onggubur seems to be synonymous with ofof 'run'.

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meic Itur Warn orka #
ladle Itur Warn carry

They ran off then went to scoop up water and carry it (back] in a ladle that belonged to Itur
Warn.

(93) Ge-oga ge-o-n-juj rot beda ge-er-ageya mai #
They. two 2/3DU-PERF-descend concerning then 2/3DU-lNS-scoop water

They had descended for (the water] then they used (the ladle] to scoop the water.

(94) Bedo ge-orogna koma jah noba ge-ougif l<:^i^gg ^^i #
then 2/3DU-appear that to and 2/3DU-bend ADV water

So then, they appeared at that (river] and bent over the water (to scoop some up],

(95] Beda ge-egema ge-eker jah-unj en #

then 2/3DU-other 2/3DU-sit to-there come

Then one of them came over there (near the water) and sat down.

(96) Ge-egema ge-eker jab-if en ge-ogeya mei Una ei #
2/3DU-other 2/3DU-sit to-here come 2/3DU-scoop water but huh

The other one came over here (this side of the pond] and sat down to scoop up some water,
but huh? (she noticed something).

(97) Goga ge-eyajga tin a se meidu bera ri-efen a^'^ egem a en -efeni
they.two 2/3DU-look but [exclamation] what COP 3PL-spirit other DUR-reflect

gu mei efen-if-o #

at water possess-this-ENT^^

They looked (at something] and were surprised, because there were spirits/reflections
reflecting on the pond, what could they be!

(98) Meidu bera en-eker-if-o #
what COP DUR-sit-here-IMP

As for this here, what was it!

(99) Ri-efena era meidu bera en-eker gu mei efen-o #
3PL-spirit or what COP DUR-sit at water possess-ENT

As for these spirits/reflections or what, what were they doing on the pond!

(100) En-oufa masusur^^ gu mei efen guru #
DUR-good useless. thing at water possess NEC

It wasn't good for useless things to be on the pond.

(101) En-oufa masusur gu mei efen guru # ^^

^^In this text, and in others too, the 3SG unmarked form efeni 'spirit' and the 3PL form ri-efeni 3PL-spirit are

used interchangeably as in (97) and (108).

^*Meyah uses mood clitics to indicate speaker attitude, /-a/ emphatic, /-o/, entreaty, and /-;/ complainine (also see

107).

^^Masusur literacy means 'not eatable' or 'useless thing'. It is also used as a derogatory term when addressing

humans.

"Line (101) is a restatement of (100).

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DUR-good useless. thing at water possess NEG
It's wasn't good for useless things to be on the pond.

(102) En-es g^gon mei efen #
DUR-sweep 2/3DU. Possess water possess

One of them swept the (surface) of the pond (to rid of the spirits/reflections).

(103) Tina guru beda goga ge-esiri gij heda ge-Qgeya mei koma beda
but no then they. two 2/3DU-fall to then 2/3DU-scoop water that then

ge-ebir mei rot #

2/3DU-brush water concerning

But no (the spirits/reflections remained), then they fell down (on their knees) then scooped
out (all) that water, then brushed (the remainder) away.

(104) Ge-ebir mei rot mei si-uma jeska noba ge-er-os
2/3DU-sweep water concerning water ADV-there away and 2/3DU-INS-rub

mebi ongga ah eher #
dirt which lie dry

They swept the water away (to rid of the spirits/reflections on) the water there, (and) using
their hands they rubbed (or erased away) the dirt which was (nearly) dry.

(105) Ge-eyajga Una en-ah guru #
2/3DU-look but DUR-lie NEG

They looked but (the spirits/reflections) were not (there),

(106) Beda ge-ot joug #
then 2/3DU-stand ADV

Then they stood there watching the pond (to see if they returned).

(107) Goga ge-ot joug Una mei em-eya o-n-juj ke-if
they.two 2/3DU-stand ADV but water MOD-flow PERF-descend NOM-this

en oksons fogora em-en-i em-en-i kwokwa oksons fogora

come return hence MOD-come-PRO MOD-come-PRO fully return hence

a-ng'h gu oka oksons #

PERF-sit at foot, print return

They stood there watching the water flowing back, descending it returned coming fully back

to its original position.

(108) Erek koma beda ge-eyajga tina efena a-ng-li gu mei koma oksons deika #
like that then 2/3DU-look but spirit PERF-lie at water that return again

After (doing] that then they looked, but the spirit/reflection had already returned there on the
pond.

(109) Beda goga ge-esiri keingg beda ge-ageya mei koma rot ^
then they.two 2/3DU-fall ADV then 2/3DU-scoop water that concerning

Then they fell (down) towards the pond then scooped up that water (to rid of the spirit).
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(110) Beda ge-ogeya mei koma oksons-sons-sons ^
then 2/3DU-SCOOP water that return-RED-RED

Then they scooped up that water again, and again, and again.

(111) Bedo ge-Qgeyo mei noba ge-otklnaja #
then 2/3DU-scoop w^ater and 2/3DU-pour

They scooped up the water and poured it out.

(112) CogQ ge-ageyo mei nobo ge-otklnaja jeska #
they. two 2/3DU-scoop water and 2/3DU-pour away

They scooped up the water and they poured it out away (from the pond).

(113) Beda ge-ebir mei rot tina en-ah guru-i W^
then 2/3DU-brush water concerning but DUR-lie NEG-PRO

Then they rubbed (the dry ground) to (rid of the spirit/reflection] but it was no longer there!

(114) Er-os mei oforga joug jah Una en-ah guru #
INS-rub river head.water ADV at but DUR-lie NEG

One of them (using their hands) stirred up the water but (the spirit/reflection) wasn't there

(anymore).

(115) Erek koma beda gogo ge-ot joug mei em-eya oksons fogora
like that then they. two 2/3DU-stand ADV water MOD-follow return hence

em-en-i kwokw^a fogora e-m-fen osok #

MOD-come-PRO fully hence PERF-possess climb

After (doing) that then they stood (watching) the water flow back, hence it just fully returned
filling the pond again.

(116) Erek koma beda efeno orogna beda eker gij oksons deika =^
like that then spirit come. out then sit in return again

After that then the spirit/reflection appeared again sitting there (at the pond)

(117) Ri-ah ri-oh ri-ah jiji beda ge-odou eskes #
3PL-lie 3PL-Iie 3PL-lie over.and.over then 2/3DU-liver lazy

The spirits/reflections just kept returning, then they (the two girls) become tired of (trying to
rid of the spirits/reflections).

(118) Tina guru jefedo ge-ageya mei jeskaseda ge-e-n-ja rot

but no so 2/3DU-scoop water in.order.to 2/3DU-PERF-go concerning

koma tina ge-ebes ge-ebirfoga #

that but 2/3DU-avoid 2/3DU-head

But no, (they just gave up) so they scooped up some water in preparation to leave that place,
but they turned their heads away (for a moment).

(119) Beda meidu bera Ekergud e-ng-ker gu mei Seki esta fogora ofo e-ng-ker
then what COP Ekergud PERF-sit at river Seki branch hence s/he PERF-sit

jah ge-ebirfaga neida^'^ #
to 2/3DU-head above

Then what was this, as for Ekergud, she had been sitting on a branch above the Seki river, so
she had been sitting above their heads.

(120) Tina guru jefeda goga ge-emesa beda ge-ejei g^-oga rot ^

but no therefore they. two 2/3DU-afraid then 2/3DU-curse 2/3 DU-voi ceconcern

But no (they didn't know that) therefore they became afraid (when they noticed her) and they
cursed at (her).

(121) Beda ge-agot oida masusur noba bi-eseisefa bi-eja jeska mega esta ^^
then 2/3DU-say QUOT useless. thing and 2SG-lost 2SG-go from tree branch

Then they said, you useless thing!, and, go away from the branches.

(122) Magef mafman-if #
we. two possess-this

We own this (water).

(123) Tina Ekergud ogot gu-irga oida didif tein masusur guru #
but Ekergud say to-2/3DU QUOT I also useless. thing NEG

But Ekergud said to them, I am also not a useless thing.

(124) Didif tein di-osnok ^

1 also iSG-person

I am also a human.

(125) Didif Ekergud^
I Ekergud

1 am Ekergud.

(126) Di-en jeska Inska ke-imba en Maklnbos Inska #
iSG-come from Inska NOM-below come Makinbos Inska

I came from Inska below, from Makinbos Inska.

(127) Di-eiseisa mah eisa Warn mah gij-uma #
iSG-curious fire bright Wam fire in-that

I was curious (about) the bright fire, that fire in Wam (village).

(128) Ekergud agot erek komo #
Ekergud say like that

Ekergud talked like that.

(129) Erek koma beda abjo-irga koma ge-agot gu Ekergud erek koma #
like that then girl-2/3DU that 2/3DU-say to Ekergud like that

So then, the two girls talked to Ekergud like that.

~^The spatial noun neida appears to be synonymous with skida 'above'.
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(130) Beda gogo ge-ois ofa ge-efebesa #

then they.two 2/3DU-call him/her 2/3DU-sister.in.law

Then they (decided) to call her their sister-in-law.^^

(131) Erek komo beda Ekergud ojuj jeska mega esta inda en #
like that then Ekergud descend from tree branch upward come

So then, Ekergud came down from the tree.

(132) Beda ereb mebi #
then land ground

Then she landed on the ground.

(133) Erek koma beda goga ge-eita meic IturWam orka insa ongga akseij
like that then they.two 2/3DU-take ladle Itur Warn bring ANA which long

beda ge-eita gu #

then 2/3DU-give to

After that then they (the two girls) took Itur Wam's ladle, that one that w^as mentioned earlier,
which is long and gave it to (Ekergud),

(134) Goga ge-agot oida bi-orka meic si-if rot mei-if #
they.two 2/3DU-say QUOT 2SG-carry ladle ADV-here concerning water-this

They said (to her), carry this ladle here with this water.

(135) Erek koma beda gogo ge-eja rot ge-efebesa beda
like that then they.two 2/3DU-go concerning 2/3DU-sister.in.law then

ge-eja esaga gu mod #
2/3DU-go reach at house

After thai then they left (to make plans) concerning their (future) sister-in-law, then they
reached the house.

(136) Erek koma beda ge-ej-orom beda Ekergud eker toumou gu mer
like that then 2/3DU-INCEP-plan then Ekergud sit silent at room

ke-unj efesi moucku efesi #

NOM-there inside basket inside.

After (arriving at the house) then they started to make plans for Ekergud to sit silently inside
a room over there, inside a basket.

(137) Beda ofa eker toumou noba ge-es meidibi ni megej ni
then s/he sit silent and 2/3DU-put.up sleeping. mat and fire. word and

beda ge-es joug #

then 2/3DU-put.up ADV

Then she was to stay silently (hide) and they would put sleeping mats and firewood on (the
basket) then obscure (the basket).

**This means they want her to marry their brother Itur Warn.

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(138] Beda goga ge-es erejrej beda ge-ofor toumou #

then they. two 2/3DU-put. up around then 2/3DU-construct silent

Then they would put up (things] around (the basket] then construct (things) in a stealthy
fashion.

(139) Erek koma beda mowa edi jijiji beda mowo-roru ^
like that then sun strike on. and. on then afternoon-RED

After that then the sun continued to shine hot until the late afternoon.

(140) Erek koma beda IturWam orogna-uma en #
like that then Itur Warn come. out-there come

It was like that, then Itur Warn came along and appeared there.

(141) Beda ofa ejeka me-eyera-irga oida abja-irga mei insa
then s/he ask 3SG-sibling-2/3DU QUOT girl-2/3DU water ANA

ge-n-ja ge-ageya egema jeskaseda di-ej #

2/3DU-PERF-go 2/3DU-scoop some in.order.to iSG-drink

Then he asked the two girls, girls, can you give me some of the water you went to get so that I
can drink some.

(142) Beda abja-irga koma insa ge-osos Ekergud fob #
then sibling-2/3DU that ANA 2/3DU-convince Ekergud already

(At that time) those two girls, mentioned earlier, had already convinced Ekergud (to hide in
the basket).

(143) Ge-agot gu oida bi-agei meic-if ahais-mes #
2/3DU-say to QUOT 2SG-hold ladle-this strong-INT

They had said to (Ekergud). hold this ladle (Wam's) strongly.

(144) Bi-a-n-gei meic ahais ojgomu beda mono ongga bi-ek Itur Warn
2SG-PERF-hold ladle strong just then time which 2SG-see Itur Wam

em-en noba o-ng-kub meic beda bi-edebecki #

MOD-come and PERF-pull ladle then 2SG-stand.up

Just hold that ladle strongly, then when you see Itur Wam about to come and pull on the
ladle, then you stand up.

(145) Bi-edebecki esij meic koma job #
2SG-stand.up on ladle that towards.

Stand on that ladle facing (Itur Wam].

(146) Erek koma beda ge-osos erek koma fogora en-eker toumou #
like that then 2/3DU-convince like that hence DUR-sit silent

(They said) that then they convinced (Ekergud) like that, so (she] sat quietly (in basket).

(147) Erek koma beda Itur Wam eja-uma eja beda agot noba ager-irgo
like that then Itur Wam go-there go then speak and yell-2/3DU

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rot mei #

concerning water

After that then Itur Warn came along there and then spoke and shouted at the two girls for
some w^ater.

(148) Tina goga ge-agot oida bi-ek bebin meic insa koma
but they.two 2/3DU-say QUOT 2SG-see you-possess ladle ANA that

gu bebin mer efesi koma #

at you-possess room inside that

But the two girls said, you can see your own ladle inside that room over there that belongs to
you.

(149) Beda bi-esinsa bi-eita mega koma #
then 2SG-self 2SG-take wood that

So then, get the wooden (ladle) yourself.

(150) Erekkoma beda Itur Wam eja-uma eja ojgomu ^
Like that then Itur Wam go-there go just

After that then Itur Wam just went over there.

(151) Beda ofa ogot oida osk etma jeskaseda okub meic egens insa
Then s/he say QUOT reach hand in.order.to pull ladle one ANA

rot mei en #

concerning water come

Then he said (thinking to himself) that he will reach out to pull out the earlier mentioned
ladle for some water towards him.

(152) Tina ofa okub rot asok^^ koma tein #
but s/he pull concerning girl that also

But he also pulled out the unmarried girl.

(153) Beda bi-ek tina Ekergud edebecki jesko mer efesi-uma job #
then 2SG-see but Ekergud stand. up from room inside-there to

Then you look (expecting to see the ladle), but Ekergud stood up from inside the room facing
(toward Itur Wam).

(154) Beda ofa osok gu merso inda eja #
then s/he climb to floor above go

Then she climbed up going onto the floor.

(155) Beda Itur Wam koma emesa beda bi-ek tina aha meic koma esij
then Itur Wam that afraid then 2SG-see but put ladle that on

asok koma etma #
girl that hand

^Usualh' refers to an unmarried younger woman.

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Then Itur Warn became afraid, then you see (the ladle), but he had put that ladle on that
unmarried girl's hand. (Or the ladle is in the girl's hand).^^

(156] Beda meic esiri jab si-uma noba Itur Warn oku jeska jah mer

then ladle fall to ADV-there and Itur Warn flee from to room

igers-unj oj'uj noba agot oida mar ongga e-n-t-id #

bachelor-there descend and say QUOT thing which PERF-bite-lSG.

Then the ladle fell there and Itur Warn ran away from (Ekergud) to the male's sleeping room
there and he said, something has bitten me.

(157) Tina abja-irga ge-agot oida mar ongga eiseisa bi-ofoka eiseisa bi-efeni
but girl-2/3DU 2/3DU-say QUOT thing which curious 2SG-name curious 2SG-spirit

eiseisa bi-ofoka #
curious 2SG-name

But the two girls said, (she) was curious (about) your name, curious about your spirit, curious
about your name.

(158) Erek koma beda Itur Wam otkonu oska beda aha meic koma jah noba eja 4^
like that then Itur Wam stomach bad then put ladle that at and go

So then, Itur Wam became angry and put the ladle down and left.

(159) Beda of a eja eker #
then s/he go sit

Then he went away and stayed (somewhere else).

(160) Erek koma beda ofo eja eita mei enjgineg beda ej #
like that then s/he go take water other then drink

After that then he went and got some other water to drink.

(161) Erek koma beda abja-irga ge-ocunc gu Itur Wam fob #
like that then girl-2/3DU 2/3DU-point to Itur Wam already

After that then, the two girls had already pointed out (Ekergud) to Itur Wam.

(162) Erek koma beda Itur Wam ri-ah #
like that then Itur Wam 3PL-lie

So then, Itur Wam (and the three girls) they stayed there.^^

(163) Erek koma beda rua ri-os mekeni insa #
like that then they 3PL-sweep garden ANA

It was like that, so they (all) worked to clean the earlier mentioned garden.

(164) Beda ri-o-ng-k mejga #
then 3PL-PERF-carry fence. wood

Then they carried wood (to make) a garden fence.

^*^This act signifies that Itur Wam and Ekergud must now get married.
^Mtur Warn accepted his fate to marry Ekergud.

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(165) IturWam ok mejga beda eradgodu jeskasedo oisa eheirens fob W^
Itur Warn carry fence. wood then hurry in. order. to finish fast already

Itur Warn hurried, carrying fence wood. hurr}dng to finish quickly.

(166) Bedo ofa ok mejga oisa ebeirens fob #
then s/he carry fence. wood finish fast already

(After that) then he had ahready quickly finished carrying (the) fence wood.

(167) Erek koma beda ofa ecira rot mei #
like that then s/he travel concerning cloth

(So), after that then he (left and) traveled (to find some) cloth. ^^

(168) Beda eja fob^
then go already

So then, he had already gone.

(169) Ofa eja jah mebi Morum " #
s/he go to land Mpur

He w^ent to the Mpur (Kebar) area.

(170) Itur Warn eja jah mebi Morum ke^imba eja #
Itur Warn go to land Mpur NOM-down go

Itur Warn went away to that Mpur area down below.

(171) Ofa eja ecira rot mei Una eja gu mesta cinja jeska #
s/he go travel concerning cloth but go to moon five away

He went (in search of) bride price cloth, but he was gone for five months.

(172) Erek koma beda ri-er-efa marsi ri-okub mekeni ^
like that then 3PL-INS-plant seeds 3PL-burn garden

Next, (after Itur Warn had gone) then they (the woman) burned off a garden and planted
seeds.

(173) Iskuruk Warn eisisi-ir ongga em-eij mes egema ojgomu #
Iskuruk Warn encourage-PL which MOD-throw dog some just

Iskuruk Warn trained (dogs) which he would then send out (hunting). ^^

(174) Erek koma beda mek ei I mowodu i^
like that then pig [pause] tree. kangaroo

It was like that, (he would get) pigs / and tree kangaroos.

(175) Erek koma beda ofa orka mekni mowodu ni #
like that then s/he carry pig and tree. kangaroo and.

^^Because he has to marry Ekergud he now goes in search of bride price cloth {kain tiirtor in Indonesian) as a

douTv for her male kinsmen.

^^Since the male can only collect bride price cloth from his own consanguinal relatives this indicates that either

he is a Mpur person or has relatives among the Mpur.

^^Line (173) is an idiomatic expression for a person who hunts with dogs.

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So he would bring pigs and tree kangaroos (to eat) .

(176) Erek koma ojgomu beda mona juens mes ej-orko^^ mek yar-eteb
like that just then time once dog INCEP-bring pig INT-big

jab mejga ebic inda en gu hen efej inda eja #
to fence center upward come to Iren lower upward go

It was like that, that then one day a dog began to chase a very large pig upward coming into
the center of the fence area to lower Iren village.

(177) Ofa eja era meslgeb er-edi mek gu Iren efej inda en #
s/he go use bow INS-strike pig at Iran lower upward come

He (Iskuruk Warn) went and got a bow (and arrow) to shoot the pig coming up at lower Iren
(village).

(178) Ofa agot bi-eyajga Una mes orka mek beda oku #
s/he say 2SG-look but dog bring pig then flee

He said (to Ekergud), look out, but the dog was bringing the pig (and the pig) was fleeing.

(179) Ofa ahafij gu-ir gu mofrena ke-imba eja #
s/he wade to-3PL to new.garden NOM-down go

He waded across (a stream) going downward towards (them) at the new garden.

(180) Erek koma beda Iskuruk Warn ofof-uma en beda ofof
like that then Iskuruk Wam run-there come then run

otoij mek-uma en #
after pig-that come

After that then Iskuruk Wam ran to there (the garden) coming after that pig that was coming
(toward the woman),

(181) Beda ofa esinmouk gu oida abja-irga-o i-osok mega-o i-eifef mega
then s/hecry.out to QUOT girl-2/3DU-IMP 2PL-cIimb tree-IMP 2PL-get,on tree

efaga-o i-osok mega-o jeska mek em-eska-i-o jeska mek

body-IMP 2PL-climb tree-IMP because pig M0D-bite-2PL-IMP because pig

en-oku-uma eja-o #
DUR-flee-there go-IMP

Then he cried out to (the girls), girls, climb a tree, get on a tree trunk, climb a tree because a
pig might bite you, because a pig is fleeing there (toward you)!

(182) Iskuruk Wam ois erek koma #
Iskuruk Wam call like that

Iskuruk Wam cried out like that.

(183) Erek koma beda abja-irga ri-osok mega-unj ri-osok mega-if^
like that then girl-2/3DU 3PL-climb tree-there 3PL-climb tree-here

So then, the girls climbed up trees over here and there.

^^Phonemic form is [ojorka] 'begin bringing'.
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(184) Beda abja-irgo hero ge-osok mega-unj #
then girl-2/3DU COP 2/3DU-climb tree-there

Then, as for the two girls (sisters), they climbed a tree way over there.

(185) Ge-osok mega efaga ojgomu #
2/3DU-climb tree body just

The two (sisters) just climbed up a tree trunk.

(186) Noba Ekergud bera osok mega efaga Una aki egemo er-edi mega
and Ekergud COP climb tree body but foot one INS-strike tree

efaga erek ke-unj #
body like NOM-there

And as for Ekergud, she climbed up a tree trunk, but one of her feet was on the tree trunk
over there.

(187) Noba aki egema er-edi mongga ongga em-er-oh
and foot other INS-strike planting.stick which MOD-INS-put

mou efesi #

sweet.potato inside

And her other foot was on a planting stick which is used to place sweet potatoes inside (the
ground).

(188) Beda efen maini ogub jesko #
then possess loincloth drop from

Then her loincloth dropped away (from her body).

(189) Fogoro Iskuruk Warn ago ofon gij oida mek eska-ib fob
Hence Iskuruk Wam hang teeth in QUOT pig bite-2SG already

mek eteb eska-ib fob #
pig big bite-2SG already

That resulted in Iskuruk Wam teasing (Ekergud) saying, the pig already bit you, the big pig
already bit you!

(190) Tina Ekergud a got oida didif bera mek en-esko-id enesi ^
but Ekergud say QUOT I COP pig DUR-bite-lSG not.yet

But Ekergud said, as for me, the pig has not bitten me yet.

(191) Didif bera mek en-eska-id enesi mek en-et-id enesi ^
I COP pig DUR-bite-lSG not.yet pig DUR-eat-lSG not.yet

As for me the pig has not bitten me yet, the pig has not eaten me yet

(192) Ekergud era Mosou^^ er-ogot erek koma #
Ekergud use Sougb INS-talk like that

Ekergud said that using the Sougb language.

^^This indicates that Ekergud is either from the Sougb tribe or can speak Sougb. In (239) slie uses the Hatam
language.

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(193) Erek koma beda Ekergud mojen rot ongga aki eredeima ke-unj #
like that then Ekergud embarrass concerning which leg spread NOM-there

After that then Ekergud felt embarrassed about her legs being spread apart like that there.

(194) Eredeima ke-if fogora maini en-ogub jeska insa #
spread. apart NOM-this hence loincloth DUR-drop from ANA

(Her legs) were spread like this, resulting in her loincloth dropping (away from her body).

(195) Tina guru beda Ekergud osoka gu mebi beda Iskuruk Warn esiri rot Ekergud #
but no then Ekergud jump to ground then Iskuruk Wam fall concerning Ekergud

But no (the pig did not bite her), then Ekergud jumped down to the ground and Iskuruk Wam
fell down (had sex) with Ekergud.

(196) Beda of a mojen jefa #
then s/he shame should

Then (as a result) she became ashamed.

(197) Jefeda ah toumou #
Therefore lie silent

So she remained silent.

(198) Ri-en ojgomu #
3PL-come just

They (the others) just came (over to Ekergud).

(199) Tina guru beda ri-ah toumou #
but no then 3PL-lie silent

But no (they didn't react), they just remained silent.

(200) Ekergud eradgodu er-efa mou efesi ebeirens #
Ekergud hurry INS-plant sweet.potato inside fast

Ekergud hurried (to) plant sweet potato seedlings.

(201) Beda mou efesi oisa noba moworu beda ri-eja jah mod ^
then sweet.potato inside finish and afternoon then 3PL-go to house

Then (when) the sweet potatoes were finished (being planted) in the afternoon, they (all)
went to the house.

(202) Erek koma beda ri-eja toumou gu mod noba ri-ah-ah ke-unj #
like that then 3PL-go silent to house and 3PL-lie-RED NOM-there

So then, they went silently over to the house and stayed there.

(203) Beda m efebesa -irga ge-agot oida ri-eja jeskaseda ri-ej-okub
then sister.in.law-2/3DU 2/3DU-say QUOT3PL-go in. order.to 3PL-INCEP-pull

mekeni ni ri-er-efa marsi ni insa deika #

garden and 3PL-INS-plant seed and ANA more

Then the two sisters-in-law decided that they should all go and begin pulling (weeds) in the
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garden and plant seeds again, (like) mentioned earlier.

(204) Tina guru Ekergud mojen ojgomu jefa #
But no Ekergud ashamed just should

But no (Ekergud couldn't get over her it), she just felt ashamed.

(205) Tina guru beda ougif beda eker toumou #
but no then bend then sit silent

But no (she couldn't get over it), she just bent over and sat silently.

(206) Tina guru beda eker gu mona juens mona jueka juomu jenjen ^
but no then sit to time once time twice thrice long

But no (she still couldn't get over it), she sat (and v^aited) for a few days (for Itur Warn).

(207) Tina me-ahina Itur Warn en-en ahrah-rah guru #
but 3SG-husband Itur Warn DUR-come pop.up-RED NEG

But her husband Itur Wam didn't show up (in the village).

(208) Jefeda ofa otkonu oska #
Therefore s/he stomach bad

So she became angry.

(209) Beda Ekergud oksons jab ojga fob #
then Ekergud return to origin already

So Ekergud already (decided) to return to her place of origin.

(210) Oksons inda en beda ogu mamu efeb egens-is #
return above come then write rock picture one-only

She (decided) to go back (to her village) above, then (on the way) she paused to draw on a
rock.^'

(211) Beda ofa ereibib me-ahina Itur Wam Una ofa en-en ebeirens guru ^
then s/he linger 3SG-husband Itur Wam but s/he DUR-come fast NEG

Then she was lingering around (waiting) for her husband Itur Wam, but he didn't come
quickly.

(212) Beda Ekergud eja deika noba en-ogu mamu efeb egens-is #
then Ekergud go more and DUR-draw rock picture once-just

Then Ekergud went further and (paused to) draw a picture on a rock once.

(213) Beda ereibib tin a guru -i #
then wait but no-PRO

Then she waited around (for Itur Wam) but he still didn't come!

(214) Ofa ojuj mei Meska inda en #
s/he descend river Meska above come

^^She is 'doodling' on a rock, taking her time returning to her village hoping Itur Wam will show up.

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She descended to the Meska river coming upward back (to her village).

(215] Oira oka oksons dektek #

enter foot. print return long.time

She took a long time to return to her earlier position.^^

(216) Beda en-erefa mosuska ^
then DUR-plant bamboo

Then she planted some bamboo.

(217) Er-efa mar mocongga #
INS-plant thing arrow

She planted (bamboo for making) arrow shafts.

(218) Ofa ereibib beda en-eker inda en #
s/he linger then DUR-wait above come

She milled around then continued upward.

(219) Tina guru-i Itur Warn en-esaga ahrah-rah guru-i #
but no-PRO IturWam DUR-reach pop.up-RED NEG-PRO

But it was to no avail, Itur Warn didn't arrive!

(220) Er-efa mesik mocongga mongkiok ke-inda en deciga #
INS-plant chili arrow tuber NOM-above come slow

She planted chili pepper, (bamboo for making) arrows, and leafy tubers, as she slowly came.

(221) Beda ogu mamu efeb egens-is deciga #
then draw rock picture one-only slow

Then she doodled once again on a rock.

(222) Beda ereibib ojgomu #
then wait just

Then she just hung around.

(223) Tina guru jefeda en-oku #
but not therefore DUR-flee

But no (Itur Wam didn't arrive) so she fled.

(224) Beda er-eja jah efesi ojgomu gu Inska imba #
then INS-go to inside just to Inska downward

Then she went down to the inside (area of her village) Inska.

(225) Ekergud oku jah efesi ojgomu #
Ekergud flee to inside just

Ekergud just ran to the inside (of her village).

^^Oira oka oksons 'enter footprint return' literally means to return to her former position, in this case as an
unmarried person.

96

(226) Eja eker beda oku okrokra ojgomu #
go sit then flee noise just

She just went and waited, then fled noisily [angrily).

(227) Erek koma beda Itur Warn en beda en-esaga #
like that then Itur Warn come then DUR-reach

After that then Itur Warn came (and) reached (his village).

(228) Erek koma beda ofa ejeka me-eyera-irga #
like that then s/he ask 3SG-sibling-2/3DU

(After arriving) then he asked his two sisters (where Ekergud was).

(229) Tina ge-agot oida me-eker Una Iskuruk Warn era mes er-eij

but 2/3DU-say QUOT iPL.EXC-sit but Iskuruk Warn use dog INS-throw

mes egema #
dog some

But they said, we were sitting down, but Iskuruk Wam was hunting with his dogs.

(230) Tina mes oukuk mek beda oku fogora erabirma gu mekeni'if#
but dog trail pig then flee hence spread to garden-this

But the dogs chased a pig then (the pig) fled towards this garden.

(231) Fogora ofa aga of on gij 4^
hence s/hehang teeth in

That resulted in him teasing (Ekergud).

(232) Ofa aga ofon gij beda ogot oida mek eska-ib mek eska-ib fob
s/he hang teeth in then say QUOT pig bite-2SG pig bite-2SG already

mek et-ib fob #
pig eat-2SG already

He teased (Ekergud) saying, the pig bit you, the pig already bit you. the pig already ate you.

(233) ^e^ koma fogonsa^^ Ekergud mojen en rot beda eja fob #
Like that hence Ekergud shame come concerning then go already

Due to that then, Ekergud became ashamed about (what happended afterward), then she ran
away.

(234) Eja ojgomu fob'''^
go just already

She has just gone.

(235) Tina guru beda Itur Wam ostoij ofa fob #
but no then Itur Wam chase s/he already

But no (he still wanted her), then Itur Wam decided to chase after her.

'^^Fogonso is an alternative pronunciation of fogora 'hence'.

'^^The implication of Itur Wam's teasing of Ekergud is that he wanted to have sex with her and Itur Wam

understands that is what happened, therefore the Speaker has left that information implicit in the text.

97

(236) Ostoij beda ejiteyi noba agot oida bi-en-eja guru #
chase then placate and say QUOT 2SG-DUR-go NEG

He chased after [her) then (after arriving) placated (her) and said, don*t leave,

(237) Ageinei-nei noba agot bi-en-eja guru #
pleading-R£D and say 2SG-DUR-go NEG

He pleaded (to her) and said, don't leave.

(238) Tina Ekergud odowu ojgomu ojgomu #
but Ekergud reject just just

But Ekergud rejected (him) over and over.

(239) Era mosruns^^ er-agot du-kwey bu bi du-kwey bihi gom **^ #
Use Hatam INS-agot iSG-come again not iSG-come another one

She used the Hatam language (and) said, I won't come back, I (just) came once.

(240) Ofa era mosruns er-agot erek koma #
s/he use Hatam INS-say like that

She used the Hatam language and spoke like that.

(241) Erek koma beda Itur Warn agot oida guru bi-en na-en-eja'^^ noba
like that then Itur Warn say QUOT no 2SG-come iDU.INC-DUR-go and

ofa ebisa jiji #
s/he cry on. and. on.

After that then Itur Wam said, no, come back, let's go, and he cried on-and-on.

(242) Tina guru beda ofa osk meseya jah ofoka gu Itur Wam #
but no then s/he pull. out comb to handle at Itur Wam

But no (she was not convinced) then she pulled out a comb by the handle (and held it)
toward Itur Wam.

(243) Noba Ekergud eker rot ofog agei #
and Ekergud sit concerning point hold

And Ekergud waited (holding the comb) by the pointed end (toward Itur Wam).

(244) Itur Warn ebisa beda eitoh er-orousa meseya ofog koma #
Itur Wam cry then tear INS-slide comb point that

Itur Wam cried then (his) tear slid (down) the sharp part of that comb.

(245) Beda eitoh eja edi Ekergud enghvesi #
Then tear go strike Ekergud chest

Then the tear struck Ekergud on her chest.

^Un (192) she uses the Souob language, but here she uses the Hatam language.

''^Translation provided by Ger Reesink.

**''This construction is an idiomatic expression 'you come - the two of us are going' or 'let's go'*

98

(246) Erek koma bedo Ekergud eklk oksons beda ebisa noba eitoh er-orouso
like that then Ekergud turnreturn then cry and tear INS-slide

meseya ofoko oksons bedo eitoh eja edi Itur Warn engkwesi #
comb handle return then tear go strike Itur Warn chest

After that then Ekergud turned back then cried and her tear slid down the handle of the comb
back (to Itur Warn) then the tear struck Itur Warn on his chest.

(247) Erek koma beda ge-odou dels beda Itur Worn eja rot ofoko noba
like that then 2/3DU-liver split then Itur Warn go conceming handle and

Ekergud eker rot ofog #

Ekergud sit concerning point

So then, their livers (and the spoon) split in the middle, then Itur Warn left with the handle
and Ekergud stayed there with the pointed part/^

(248) Itur Warn oksons inda eja beda eja jah Warn ofoka inda
Itur Wam return upward going then go to Warn junction upward

eja oksons #
go return

Itur Wam went back up (to his village), to the Wam river junction.

(249) Ofa eja esaga gu Iren efej inda #
s/he go reach at Iren lower above

He went upward and reached lower Iren (river village).

(250) Erek koma beda eyajga Una me-okosa^^ tein mojen rot insa onggo
Like that then look but 3SG-sibling also ashamed concerning ANA which

o-n-soka keingg me-ousa Ekergud insa #

PERF-jump ADV 3SG-sibling.in.law Ekergud ANA

After that (happended) then (Itur Wam) saw that his brother was also ashamed concerning
that (thing) which (he did), jumping on (having sex with) his sister-in-law Ekergud entioned
earlier.

(251) Iskuruk Wam mojen rot fogora en-oku #
Iskuruk Wam ashame concerning hence DUR-flee

Iskuruk Wam was ashamed about (Ekergud), hence he fled.

(252) Beda ofa eja ah igef gu merenrah #
then s/he go lie alone at forest

Then he went and sat alone in the forest.

(253) Beda ofa era monjumi efeyi er-ei mod monjumi efeyi #
then s/he use nettle leaf INS-construct house nettle leaf

Then he used nettle leaves and constructed a nettle-leaf house.

■*''This symbolic act indicates that they have ended their marital relationship.
■*^Younoer sibling same sex.

99

(254) Ofa er-ei modwok#

s/he INS-construct temporary. shelter

He made a temporary shelter.

(255) Beda eja jah mebah gu esin-sinsa #
then go to outside to self-RED

Then he went outside (of his village) to (be) completely by himself.

(256) Tina mos es gij monjumi efeyi koma #
but rain fall on nettle leaf that

But it rained on those nettle leaves.

(257) Beda mos eya rot monjumi ofot keingg #
Then rain flow concerning nettle flooding ADV

Then the rain flowed on the nettle (shelter) (and) flooded it.

(258) Beda ofos abtah-tah gij etma ahtah-tah gij aki ahtah-tab lahtah deciga #
then skin itch-RED in arm itch-RED in leg itch-RED itch slow

Then his skin slowly started to itch, his arms and legs / (they) slowly (became) very itchy.

(259) Tina guru beda objgej etma deciga noba aki deciga ojgomu #
But no then peel arm slow and leg slow just

But no (he couldn't get relief), then he just slowly peeled (the wet nettles) from his arms and
his legs.

(260) Beda etma ofoj aki ofoj ojgomu fogora em-ojoros Iskuruk Wam
then arm rash leg rash just hence MOD-until Iskuruk Wam

ongga a-ng'gos #
which PERF-dead

Then his arms and legs just developed rashes hence it would continue until Iskuruk Wam
was nearly dead.

(261) Noba ofa eja agos fob #
And s/he go die already

And he had already died.

(262) Tina guru beda Itur Wam eja beda ej-ohca me-okosa #
but no then Itur Wam go then INCEP-search 3SG-sibling

But no (Itur Wam didn't not know that) then Itur Wam went and began searching for his
younger brother.

(263) Noba ofa e-n-ja esaga gu modwok koma jab #
and sfhe PERF-go reach at temporary.shelter that towards

And he had gone (looking for him) as far as that temporary shelter.

(264) Tina guru beda ofa ok en Islcuruk agos beda eji mebi nou #
But no then s/he carry come Iskuruk dead then dig earth for

100

But no [his brother was dead), then he came carrying his dead brother Iskuruk and he dug a
grave for (him).

(265) Erek koma beda eito mega mos efek beda er-edi #
Like that then take tree rain fruit then INS-strike

After that then, he took some rain tree fruit, then stuck it in (the ground).

(266) Erek koma beda mos efej koma er beda a-ng-ksa gij #
like that then rain seedling that grow then PERF-tall in

After that then that rain (tree) seedling grew tall in (the ground).

(267) Mega mos efej koma a-ng-ksa gij fogora e-m-fek noba e-n-tirebsi
tree rain seedling that PERF-tall in hence PERF-fruit and PERF-shade

already

That rain (tree) seedling was already tall with the result that it was already producing fruit
and already providing shade.

(268) Erek koma beda ofa oubk me-eyesa-irga Ockoj Minj ge-onu Arod Minj
like that then s/he send 3SG-sibling-2/3DU Ockoj Minj 2/3DU-and Arod Minj

jeskaseda ge-eferi^^ mekeni jeska mega mos noga^^ en-ot gij Iskuruk

in.order.to 2/3DU-trim garden from tree rain which DUR-stand in Iskuruk

Warn odog negb^^ #
Warn grave below

After that then he sent his two sisters, Ockoj Minj and Arod Minj, to trim the garden away
from the tree which was standing on Iskuruk Wam's grave below.

(269) Erek koma beda Itur Wam of keingg jeskaseda erek mekeni mega
like that then Itur Wam cover ADV in.order.to like garden tree

gij Iskuruk Wam odog negb jeskaseda mi-efen erek mekeni gu Iskuruk
in Iskuruk Wam grave below in.order.to iPL-trim like garden to Iskuruk

Wam odog negb mos noga en-ot #
Wam grave below rain which DUR-stand

So then, Itur Wam covered (the grave) to make it look like a we trim a (regular) garden rain
tree standing over Iskuruk Wam's grave below. "^^

(270) Erek koma beda Itur Wam oubk-irga keinggbeda ge-efen beda edeider ^
like that then Itur Wam send-2/3DU ADV then 2/3DU-trim then flat

After that then Itur Wam ordered the two girls to trim the garden making flat.

(271) Erek koma beda ofa eji mebera gij mos koma #
like that then sAie dig platform in rain that

*^Efen with a high pitch 'trim', efen with low a pitch 'possess'.

^''nogo is an alternate spelling for ongga 'which'.

^^Negb is synonymous with aegini 'below'.

'^^He hid Itur Wam's grave from the sisters by planting a regular garden variety tree above it.

101

After that then he dug out a platform in that rain [tree).^"

(272) Beda Itur Wam o-m-f mega mos noga en-ot gu Iskuruk
Then Itur Wam PERF-fell tree rain which DUR-stand at Iskuruk

Wam odog koma #
Wam grave that

Then Itur Wam felled the rain tree which stood over that grave (for) Iskuruk Wam.

(273) Erek koma beda os-os mos koma #
like that then chop-RED rain that

(Having done) that, then he chopped up that rain (tree).

(274) Os-os noba agot oida bi-ek Una abja-irga si-if
chop-RED and say QUOT 2SG-see but girl-2/3DU ADV-here

ge-o-ng-ku erek ke-enefa goga ge-o-ng-ku ojuj erek

2/3DU-PERF-flee like NOM-which they.two 2/3DU-PERF-flee descend like

ge-e-n -ja tein bi-esma otoij-irga jeskaseda bi-agob-irga

2/3DU-PERF-go also 2SG-drop after-2/3DU in.order.to 2SG-strike-2/3DU

jeskaseda ge-agos jab #

in.order.to 2/3DU-die to

He chopped up (the tree) and said (to the tree), (when) you see the two girls have fled, they
have also run away, you drop (your chopped up pieces) on them from behind in order to
strike them (down) so that they just die at (that place).

(275) Beda ofo os-os mega mos koma a-n-deij fob #
then s/he chop-RED tree rain that PERF-enough already

Then he chopped up that rain tree enough.

(276) Erek koma beda of mega koma beda esma #
like that then fell tree that then drop

(Having done) that then he felled that tree dropping it (there).

(277) Beda ofa oku jeska ojgomu noba mega koma esma otoij #
then s/he flee from just and tree that drop after

Then he just ran away and that tree dropped (it's pieces) afterward (on the girls).

(278) Beda abja-irga koma ge-a-ng-gos #
then girl-2/3DU that 2/3DU-PERF-die

Then those two girls died.

(279) Ce-ojaga koma tein ge-agos #
2/3DU-woman that also 2/3DU-die

Those two women also died.

^"Traditionally, the Meyah dig a flat spot out of a tree which they refer to as a platform used in offering meat
sacrifices to local spirits.

102

(280J Beda ofa odou egens beda ej-osok [ojosok] noba er-akid meiteb efaga
then s/he liver one then INCEP-cUmb and INS-tie knife body

gu monggosum #
to ceiling.beam

Then he was determined (to do something], then he began to climb and (using something]
tied a spear to the main ceiling beam (of the house].

(281] Era mar efeyi beda en-er-akld ^
use thing leaf then DUR-INS-tie

He used a vine rope then he tied (the spear to the beam).

(282] Erek koma beda agei mah jah mer ojagQ mer igers ^
like that then hold fire to room w^oman room bachelor

After that then he started a fire at the u^omen's bedroom side and the bachelors' bedroom side
(of his house].

(283] Erek koma beda Itur Worn esma beda ah jah gu mersa deis-mos #
like that then Itur Wam drop then lie at to floor center-INT

After that then Itur Wam dropped dow^n and lay there in the middle of the floor.

(284] Beda ofa esinmouk gij mof esinsa efen #
then s/he cry. out in u^ind self possess

Then he cried out to his own wind.

(285] Tina mof en-en guru #

but wind DUR-come NEG

But the wind didn't come.

(286) Bedo ofa esinmouk gij mof me-ohona efen ongga mosruns #
then s/he cry.out in wind 3SG-wife possess which Hatam

Then he cried out to his wife's wind which was (from) the Hatam (area).^^

(287) Mof mosruns eja koma eja beda esah efaga gij mod juens #
wind Hatam go that go then store body in house once

The Hatam wind went (blew) then filled the house for a moment.

(288] Noba mar efeyi egba rot meiteb efaga koma eja beda e-n-di

and thing leaf tear concerning knife body that go then PERF-strike

Itur Wam gu engkw-esi-if ^
Itur Wam at chest-here

And the string with that spear broke and (the spear) went (fell) then struck Itur Wam in his
chest, right here.

(289) Beda ofa eso edi mah jeva mago ke-unj maga si-if i^

then s/he send strike fire with wall N0\4-there wall ADV-this

^'More evidence that his wife was Halain.

103

Then (that caused him to) send (his legs and arms) striking the fire setting that wall over
there and a wall here on fire.

(290) Beda mah et mod keinggi^
then fire eat house ADV

Then the fires burned up (destroyed) the house.

(291) Ofa tein ogos beda eribseb jah #
s/he also die then scorch to

He also died and was completely scorched.

(292) Ai-insQ-uma [ainsoma]
DIM-ANA-that

That's all.

"N

ISSN 0126 -2874

NUSA

LINGUISTIC STUDIES OF INDONESIAN
AND OTHER LANGUAGES IN INDONESIA

VOLUME 47, 2000

STUDIES IN IRIAN LANGUAGES

PART II

Edited by
GER P. REESINK