The Mafulu: Mountain People of British New Guinea

by Robert Wood Williamson

Pig. Kambisa, sika; Musa River, siko.

Fuyuge, avo; Koiari, ofo; Koita, oho.

Rope. Fuyuge, konange; Gosisi, goda; Koiari, Koita,gote.

Salt. Fuyuge, ama(ne); Neneba, Iworo, amani.

Taro. Fuyuge, &c., munde, muda; Neneba, muda.

Tree. Fuyuge, i, iye; Kovio, ida; Koiari, Koita, idi.

Water. Fuyuge, &c., yu; Afoa, i(pe); Neneba, ei; Ubere, e.

Woman. Fuyuge, amu; Iworo, Neneba, amuro, wife.

III. Papuan and Melanesian.

Three Melanesian languages are spoken in the country around the lower courses of the St. Joseph and Aroa rivers, and are thus in immediate contact with the Papuan languages spoken about the upper waters. These Melanesian languages are the Mekeo, Kuni and Pokau. It is, therefore, of some importance to note whether any apparently non-Melanesian elements in these languages may be traced to the influence of the neighbouring Papuan tongues.