Dictionary of Netwar (Lenakel language)

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This is the first ever extensive dictionary of Netwar language (western Tanna, Republic of Vanuatu) published online. It is the fruit of several years of my work among the inhabitants of the island of Tanna. It contains translations of local expressions, pronunciation recordings and photographic documentation. Its purpose is to help in the preservation of the language and in passing it to the young generation.

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fern

n nawitag
, family of several fern species. Women place these leaves in their baskets and hit them with their hands during the 'napenapen' dance .

n nuto
, family of tree ferns.

n napinu apam

, large species.

n nupen
, large species.

n nanep

, medium sized species, approximately about one meter high. Belongs to the family of 'iélken apen'.

n iélken apen
, name of several fern species. Sometimes this name is used also for 'naruato', which belongs to the family of 'iélken apen'. lit. "black leg".

n iélken apen

, small species with dark green leaves. It belongs to the family of 'iélken apen'. In ancient times, its crushed leaves were wiped over the eyes of elderly people who were suffering from excessive lacrimation said to be caused by pigs hair entering their eyes.

n siksik

, small species.

n iélken apen

, small species. Belongs to the family of 'iélken apen'.

n nawitag aswas

, species from the 'nawitag' family.

n iawra

, species from the 'iélken apen' family with edible leaves. lit. "sharing".

n neméi

, species from the 'iélken apen' family.

n nekawkaw mének

, species.

n kowag

, species.

n siksik

, species.

n nawitag mélekem
, species.

n katihwata té iagnameta

, species. A leaf from this plant is sent from the nakamal to the women in the village during one of the circumcision 'temahwa' to hang on their 'nases' tree.

n nawirek

, species. It is used in the same way as the 'katihwata té iagnameta' during circumcision. Tips of its branches are chewed to relieve stomachaches.

n nasal

, species. Men and women use this to make crowns to be worn during the 'toka' dance.

n nawitag apen

, species. Part of family 'nawitag'.

n nawitag merek

, species. Part of family 'nawitag'.

n nawitag rausekausek

, species. Part of family 'nawitag'.

n kelema

(Cyathea lunulata (?)), species. The spiny petiole is used to grate ingredients when making laplap.

n nawitag

, species. Used in the same manner as the 'katihwata té iagnameta' during circumcision. Before the existence of human beings, its roots were eaten by the stones.