CHAPTER X
THE MARRIAGE SYSTEM[74]
There are two systems of kinship nomenclature current among Fijians, one indicating consanguinity, and the other kinship in relation to marriage. This latter system radiates from the central idea of Concubitancy, and it is this system that is now to be discussed. The word "Concubitant" is adopted because, besides being a fair translation of the Fijian word vei-ndavolani (vei = reciprocal affix, ndavo = to lie down), it expresses the Fijian idea that persons so related ought to cohabit.
In order to understand the system it is necessary to free the mind from the ideas associated with the English terms of relationship, and to adopt the native terms, which are as follows:—
(1) Tama—Father, or paternal uncle.
Tina—Mother, or maternal aunt.
Tuaka—Elder brother, sister, or cousin (not concubitant).
Tathi—Younger brother, sister, or cousin-german (not concubitant). Luve—Child.
Tuka—Grandfather.
Mbu—Grandmother.
Makumbu—Grandchild.
Tumbu—Great-grandparent.
(2) Ngane(reciprocal form, vei-nganeni)—The relationship of a male and female of the same generation between whom marriage is forbidden, i.e. brother and sister, both real and artificial.