A Comparative Vocabulary of the Fuyuge, Afoa, and Kovio Languages

Prepared by Sidney H. Ray, M.A.

[From the MSS. of Rev. Father Egedi, Rev. P.J. Money, and Dr. W.M. Strong. Words in square brackets from “Antropos,” II., pp. 1016–1021. Cf. Appendix V.]

MafuluKambisaKoronaAfoaKovio
Adzeso(ve)so(nda)itaukealevelabian)ed
Anklesog’ u’ kodabe[1]segikanan[2]
Areca-nutkesekesisoromailuve; [vonuve]koveo; [auliri-koyo]
Armbodo(le); matange (shoulder)ia; kosa (shoulder)yakalab; [kala(pe)]malau; [malao]
Armletkoio(ne) (cane); matsi(ne) (shell)ino (cane)[torite; litsi][loria]
Arrowfod’ u’ komomefode[kilelupa]
Ashesfoyehoienamiro[3]; pita; [sepe]iziuvate; [itekamite]
Backbonebanebano[momo(pe) (back)]
Badko(ye)kok=o=alikep)ip; [amifu]
Bag, Basketanon(ne)ha(netted)[lamui][lamui]
Bamboobione; e(re) (pipe)etobo[4]ila; [vioni; ila (pipe)]nelele; [pidele; nerele (pipe)]
Bananaambehabapelaiteri; [teli]
Barterdavanitvatava[5]
Beardanama(le)hanama
Bellyombo(le)hombo (stomach)oboaniami; [aniame (abdomen); kutote (belly)]dapoale; [data]
Belt (waist string)ganinge; ganingame (bark); tafade (ratan)misu[terite; afafe; teupe][tabatsio; talakota]
Birdnembenebanebekileid)ep; [ite]
Biteangale (of men); itede (of dog)kanaiva
Blackdubedubalumatualolamala; [tumuta].
Bloodtana(le)tanailiveuiau-toro; [ueho].
Boatasi[6]
Bodymule[kotsi(pe)]ulan-utoro ; [koki].
Bonefudeufudikemiabikateleru.
Bow, nfodefode
Bowelstaride; gige[kimu(ve)][tsikamaki].
Branchbodo(le); gobe (young)ugaietamilitaud
Breastoubaduda; kononda[7] (chest); bononga (breast-bone)talate [opipe]apiteu; [apetei (woman’s)].
Bringyetsia (up); yayeitsie (down)nedaainakava[boale?].
Burymudialota
Butterflykenekekanekegotaubi
By an Byededi; ido(ve) (not yet)gadavi[epe (not yet)]
Caneyokome; seene (ratan)ongo
Charcoalurugumorugu(ena)imiti[8]
Cheekomengehanan
Chestkavalekonondakonodekaluvilipat; [ulako].
Chiefame(de)
Childmele; ese (son); ame(le) (girl); ayame(le) (small)isa; isoko (boy); amuri (girl)isialu [lu; pie (boy); epi (girl)]nekeotoro; [koemala; feimala (boy); nalemala; etaofu (girl)].
Chinanaana[natau(pe)][akumare].
Claw (of bird)fodo(le)bodo[9]kila karabe
Cloth (native)kogo(ve)hudo[etape][tsimika].
Cloudunu(me)ulua; [ponive]unida; [lariatsi].
Clubgilise (pineapple); gadaibe (disc); kongomu (wood)hadufa (wood)hadoga (pine-apple)yetikwiineri (stone)
Coconutfofo(ne)baofofoteri.
Coldyuyumadudurelooladelea; [abatata].
Cometsiayeterunlai[imaro]
Crocodilefuafuai
Cuscusano[10]
Darknesstu(be)gerenamaguvitidubare
Daylightev’ ul’ aveve[11]
Dieusangegeusagalae-elu; [kelui][nusuaka]
Digtsieamatita
Digging-stickitsiveiti
Dogoi(e)huhokovelagad)ep; [katefu]
Doorakonimbe
Dress (man’s)ganingehaninga
Dress (woman’s)yangile (petticoat); yamba(le)iambaro
Drinkneneeu’ naidakwaiana[naro]
Earyangolo(me)gadoroikepapikatoli
Earringkemang
Earth (ground)bu(le), fa(le)hoafa(la)amatikamad; [amatsi]
Eatneneadako’ naidana)nai[12]; [nai][naro]
Eggombo(le)obokile’ mutubenekeo
Elbowbodol’u’ kodabe[13]hukanan[14]ya’ kobaoma’ kaluvemala-gagoboro
Eyei(me)i(ng)yagotabe; [va(pe)]ita-kwaru; [itau]
Eyebrowingob’ u’ male[15]ing’ ode[16]ita-dunali
Eyelashing’ ubaita-kalam
Facemedeyodogekeuwil [keu(ve)]tara-ata; [kawasata]
Far offgisa(le)busaraainioari [ainiole]waladekatch; [lulusivelaka]
Fatherba(be)baneatipapai; [fafae; vavafu]
Fearundedenu)kela[17]
Featherma(le); pame (of wing)wasa (cassowary plum)kili’ amuteatch; [akoatsi]
Fingerbodol’ u’ gobe[18] (index); bodol’ u’ feneme[19] (middle and ring); bodol’ u’ talave[20] (little finger); bodol’ u’ mame[21] (thumb)naria (thumb)yaro’ goba[18]lelevai; [kalaopue (index and ring); kimataliope (middle); leleva (little); amo(te) thumb]mala-tiporotch; [obido (index); upurau; kaitaita (middle); upurau; gitaguruita (ring); itarao; taravalara (little); banoe (thumb)]
Fireoki(de)ukioke)enamiiziradi; [iti]
Fishgarumegarungunuma (?)gapila; [kapita]rapiamala; [kavila]
Fleayo(le)kasin
Fleshmisemisamiluti[muditsi]
Flowersive; oyandeunida[22]iadaude[ulatu]
Fly, n.sungulu(me)sigurumtainanu; [tainamu][muni]
Fly, v.iyei
Fogunu(me)hunu
Foodimbade (animal); yalove (vegetable)[nifite (animal); valive; kalai (vegetable)][muditsi (animal); taraj (vegetable)]
Footyovali, so(ge); sog’ u’ tobo (sole)[23]suga; hu tobo’ (sole)sogolomineti; [lo(ape)]ina-tiporotch; [teporotsi]
Foreheadmede; ingobe (bone of eyebrow)anone (temple)midamiavi[tavatau]
Forestmavane (hunting-ground); siu(le), tsiu(le) (bush)bu[24]sule; [kalite]yaped; [buloka]
Fowlkokole
Fruitdedeietaube; [eadauda]ulau; [kalitu; ulata]
Gardenbu(le)[volomala; volofu]
Ghostsila(le)
Giveindiidenu)inie[25]; [ini][nanara]
Gogegehegolo; [la][taro]
Goodifa(ne)ifiladi; [kato]aupumara; [tsimafu]
Greatbaibematakabaibekalowoaputep; [tovenaetsi]
Hair (of head)alomeha; makoko (dressed)auwataute; [voto(pe)]nanalĕd; [manala; manalreta].
Hair (of body)ma(le)auwuti; [avute]ada; [akoatsi]
Handbodo(le); bodol’ u’-tobo (palm)[26]ia; ia’tobo (palm)yaro’ ubagalatopute [kalaopue]mala-kapunatch; [mala=tu portosi]
Hardkakava(ne)avavamaradi; [unamane]
Headade(de)honduhani)adi; [ade][27]gagau; [kakao]
Head-wrapogoupesuno
Hearalelelanita
Hillkumekumobungaitavi; [maive; lavave (uninhabited); itave (crest)]la-ôâ-uta; [laoaka]
Hipol’u’ga(ye)[28]huru
Hookkimai[29]
Hotololagiganfenunalimidilamolamo
Housee(me); emo(ne) (communal)e(m)egeade; [kia(te); tumute (communal)]tupumagi; [dema(ki); dubumaki (communal)]
Husbanda(ne)omen)iva; [vale; mu][30]anawab
Irontavili[31]naninai
Killadede; ememe[amui][mavemara]
Kneeamiaamiang
Knifeindi(ve)indi(fa)[tiveja(ve)][32][vesti]
Knowtsitsivanu)ali; [ni][edemaka]
Leaftu(le)iduutuvalupiaukwata; [aufu; aubota]
Legyovali; fande (shin); mude (thigh); mise (calf)furo (shin); muda (thigh)mude (thigh)wolupi (thigh); [keniame; kupuame (thigh)]alile (thigh); [inako; apota (thigh)]
Limeabehava[kaute]wati.
Lipudeubaudugĕtapiridokalule (upper); akoitale (lower); [kijtakorutsi]
Liveasilando (be alive)asiherakajli[watara (alive)]
Liverdubehadekimaule
Longsesadabusa[tsyani][tovenaemita].
Lousei(ye)hiiate[inepu].
Maleavoge
Mana(ne)awoale;[vale]kalauotoro;[abo(te); mala; abofu].
Manytale; taluviharuttatele;[talele]maimitara.
Matunitetau-ud.
Milkoubatsinge; oub’indidi[33] (to suckle)obomulapeapiteu.
Mirroraveveidida
Moononehamahoanaoani;[one]nonitch;[onea, nonitsi].
Morningtutsilaliate’ govelai [kuwitue]
Mosquitomaingogoigogesanipope
Motherma(me)umaaumen)ini[34]; [ine]nei; [nei, nonofu].
Mouthambodegobangadinunautabe; [natave, yolote]akwot;[khidatsi].
Nail (finger)fodo(le); koko (of cassowary)bodong (of toe)[35][viloipe][tevetsi].
Namei(ve)apetenitiab;[vitane].
Navelkombolukumburukoborooatobe; [otove]autau; [koto].
Nearkugumekuguragaamauli;[amavola]kauwari.
Neckgurube; kalolo (throat)indu (back); aroro (throat)[kumulute]neneviro;[nelevio].
Necklacesale, sambu (shell); tsiba, [Dog’s incisors] sise [Dog’s canine] (dogs’ teeth); yakeva (pearl)sa (shell)[telenate [Dog’s incisors]; lulate [Dog’s canine][kulolobotsi[Dog’s incisors]; kitetsi[Dog’s canine].
Nighttu(be)guve’teletai[kuvite]
Nippleouba’ ul’ unge[36]oalube; [okobe]apiteu.
Nomi, ua(ne)muinu[nai].
Noseungeungaungakiti [ki(te)]watarupu;[wata(rube)].
Nostrilung’ ul’ olo[37]urorong
Paddlebara[38]
Pigovo(le) (wild); ovota (tame); oleda (large); foilange (wild boar).sikao’opoluworomala; [voro(mala)].
Potuli(ne); kodige (dish);[kapite; lua(pe) (dish); nau(pe) (earthen dish)][39]kaivitch; [apitsi; kuetsi; kapaitsi (earthen dish)].
Pumpkinbotame; tobo(le) (goard).bata
Rainyangoseyagosaitiuteli.
Ratgilimindesuikenikeniani.
Redilalamaboratu; [polatu]lolalumala.
Ribaualeawari[malupe][elavotsi].
Riveryu(ve)ipeeveri.
Roadenambe; foida (along flank of mountain)enamboenabakaniabatu.
Rootokasiliokusikilu’ mutemudene.
Ropeknoageyupumave; [pumave inate]pemarap; [leka; vilape].
Sagobalck’ u; ta(ye)[40]
Saltama(ne)hanamoamalimanevi[yota].
Sandsanga(ve)soananunu[utsiaio].
Scratchfifiete; sisilimi (one’s self)malitana
Seaiseisatapala.
Seearirina)nukava[41][italara].
Shadowsove; abebe; avevene (of object);alautupapu.
Sittegid’ ande[42]na)navi[9][ularo].
Skinodehodegotipe; [kotsi(pe)]komotoro; [kalukalutsi].
Skyasolo(ne)asoro[manape]abat; [abatsi].
Sleepimaritadeutewu; [utevoi][voile; waro (rest)].
Smallkisi; aka(ne); kisiaka(ne) (very)ami’agakisibagaeveevepeipu; [utsiaitsi].
Smokeiso(ne)isongisōāetaivi[itiaulo].
Snaketsivilihemai[43]nai; [kovo]toiepe; [toepo].
Softsafe(le)tamenu; [oluolue]ketitau; [peopeo].
Sourbeekoi (bitter)
Speakave(te)tananipa; [te][wade].
Speareme(le); idika (with barbs of cassowary claws)himi(ra)hemiinari.
Spitsabeteluiteta
Spittlesabe
Standyulugila; [kilai][lavaka].
Staralileduba[44]hariratui; [imuli]kapu.
Stayvayuloia
Stonebuteiobutiaeviti; [evi(te)]geleo; [kile].
Sugar-canealeteba[45]tu(ami)apiu; [api].
Suneveewu(ri)eurimawati; [vata(ve)]stamari; [kita].
Sweetbebena
Sweet potatokupakupegupegupe; [kupeame; vetoe]kouwai; [vetore].
Taromundemundamudeku(we)gamach; [gimale].
Taste, v.tovogi
Thickkakava(ne)[evoevotupi]inĕp.
Thinfafale; garibe[itape]krawida.
Tobaccovilu (native); kuku (foreign); matsika (stick)ewuta[emuna(te) (native)][munamuna (native)].
To-dayaudatikailili[tetefa; vae].
Tomohawkso(ve)so(nda)[amu(te)]
To-morrowaitikila[kavokae].
Tongueuseseasisinoasiesaaivitananio; [tzinao].
Toothato(le)usi[46]atunoto(ab); [noto(ape)]kitira; [rita (tsi)].
Treei(ye)i (wood)ienade; [ea(te)]ida.
Valleyole (below)horo
Villagee(me)haruedageade; [kia(te); mai(te)]deata; [dela].
Wateryu(ve)iueu(wa)i(pe)eweo; [eveo; evori].
Weepandavel’ete; availilikowaitai[inivade].
Whitekogola; fofoye (ash colour)foailituunimala; [aela].
Wifeamu(le)omen)iva[47]; [iva]anamara.
Windgubu(le)gubu(ra)kavi; [oive]tamara; [tsinu].
Winggeoge; fala(le) (feathers); pilulupe (of bat)
Womanamu(le)mamo[48]amuivaanakave; [anatemada, anakave; anafu].
Wristbodul’ u’ gurube[49]ia’ u’ gidiba
Yamai(ne)hainloitedarai; [tarae].
Yellowyangogona[50]yaremepekatech.
Yesenamoade
Yesterdayarimakila[orivafari].


[1] Foot’s joint.

[2] Cf. M. kon(on)de, knot in wood.

[3] Cf. Fire.

[4] Cf. M. tobo, gourd.

[5] Probably introduced. Mekeo avaava, Pokau tavatava, buy.

[6] Introduced. Motu asi.

[7] Cf. M. kon(on)de, knot in wood.

[8] Cf. Fire.

[9] Cf. Finger.

[10] Cf. bag.

[11] Sun its light.

[12] Na, I.

[13] Arm’s joint.

[14] Cf. M. kon(on)de, knot in wood.

[15] Eyebrow’s hair.

[16] Eye-skin.

[17] Nu, thou.

[18] Cf. Branch.

[19] Feneme, eel.

[20] Cf. tala(pe), sp. thread.

[21] Finger’s mother.

[22] Cf. Earth.

[23] Foot’s hollow. Cf. Pumpkin.

[24] Cf. Earth.

[25] Nu, thou.

[26] Hand’s hollow.

[27] Ni, you.

[28] Side’s tongue.

[29] Introduced (Motu, Kimai).

[30] omen, his.

[31] Also handcuffs.

[32] Nu, thou.

[33] To give the breast.

[34] aumen, his?.

[35] Cf. Finger.

[36] Breast, its nose.

[37] Nose, its hole.

[38] Introduced (Kabadi, Motu, bara).

[39] Kabadi, &c., nau.

[40] Sagopalm’s important part.

[41] Na, I.

[42] Sit and Stay.

[43] Cf. M. ememe, pierce.

[44] Cf. Night, Darkness, Black.

[45] Cf. M. tsibe, a reed.

[46] Cf. M. usi(le), tusk.

[47] Omen, he, his.

[48] Cf. Mother.

[49] Hand’s neck.

[50] Yango(ne) a plant of which the roots give a yellow stain

Appendix V

Notes on the Papuan Languages spoken about the Head Waters of the St. Joseph River, Central Papua

By Sidney H. Ray, M.A.

The grammars and vocabularies collected by the Rev. Father Egedi, the Rev. E. P. Money and Dr. W. M. Strong illustrate the languages spoken in the higher hill country extending from the district about Mount Yule to Mount Albert Edward and the Upper Vanapa River. They form three distinct groups.

1. Fuyuge, comprising the dialects of Mafulu, Kambisa, Korona and Sikube.

2. Afoa or Ambo, including Tauata.

3. Kovio, including Oru Lopiko.