Indian Antiquary Vol 52

Author(s): Richard Carnac Temple, Stephen Meredyth Edwardes, Krishnaswami Aiyangar
Publisher: Swati Publications

Page 565

SEPTEMBER, 19 23 ] DICTIONARY OF THE SOUTH ANDAMAN LANGUAGE
201
APPENDIX XIII-contd. 61. upla-. Red oxide of iron after it has been dried and baked. A sample was analysed by Dr. Waldie with the following result :
Peroxide of iron .. .. .. .. .. .. .. 42.7 Quartz in small fragments and very little of any other rock or earthy matter ..
....
.. .. .. .. .. 56.4 Water expelled by ignition .. .. .. .. .. .. 0.9 It is collected chiefly during the dry months ; in its natural state, as found, it is called kòlob-chalnga-, in which condition it is applied to sores and to the persons of fever patients : internally it is administered for coughs as well as for fevers. In its dried state it is used in making kolob-, as just described, and it is one of the three ingredients in the composition of the next item (kânga-ta-baj.).
62. kânga-ta-bûj.. Red wax, generally prepared by men, is composed of aja-pij-, rim- and Opla. (items 56, 60, and 61 respectively); in the absence of the last-named ingredient kolob- (item 60) is substituted. These three substances are mixed, melted and stirred over a fire in a medium-sized pot until of a proper consistency; the pigment is then at once poured into small pots (see Pl. D) or large shallow shells, where on cooling it soon hardens. When required for use the pot or shell is placed on a fire and the melting wax applied according to fancy. The twine whipping of barbed fish- and pig-arrows items 4, 5, and 6), the turtle. harpoon (item 10) and pig-spear (item 9) are protected and rendered more durable by means of a coating of this wax : it is also used for closing cracks in buckets and, if practicable, in canoes. As may be seen in PI, B, C, D, and E, it is applied decoratively to paddles, nautilus. shell cups, food-trays, buckets, the rôgun-waist-belt (item 26) and the iji-gonga- (item 31).
83. chainga-. Olive-coloured clay found in small springs in the jungle : in its liquid form it is applied medicinally after the manner of kòiob-chülnga- (see item 63 and pp. 81of R. A. Inst. Journ., Vol. XII).
64. yölba- (anodendron paniculatum). This very large climbing shrub, as well as the other two shrubs next to be mentioned, 12 is highly valued, as their bark provides them with all their requirements for the manufacture of fine twine, string and cord. From the yőlbais obtained the strong fibre selected for bow-strings, arrow-fastenings, reticules (item 22), fine netting (item 42), necklaces and other personal ornaments. It may not, however, be employed for any of the purposes for which alaba-(item 66 ) is used; hence its preparation is not restricted to either sex. For further particulars, and the mode of preparing this and the other two descriptions of fibre, see pp. 383-84 of Jl. R. A. Inst., Vol. XII.
65. pilita.. (gnetum edule.) This lofty dicecious climbing shrub is described by 'Talbot as a very interesting plant, its stems measure 8 inches in diameter at the base, and the wood is of very abnormal structure, weighing about 40 lbs. to the cub. foot. The fibre, which is prepared and almost exclusively used by women, is employed chiefly in the manufacture of the indispensable hand-fishing nets (item 20), and the sleeping-mats (Pl. E, item 23). In the rare event of yolba- twine not being available for making bow-strings and arrow fastenings pilita- twine is substituted, though it is les serviceable for the purpose.
66. alaba-. (melochia velutina.) This shrub, or small soft-wooded ornamental tree, provides a strong fibre, which is prepared by coast-men and used in the manufacture of all cordage needed in the pursuance of their craft, viz. harpoon-lines and fastenings, turtle-nets, anchoring cables, etc. The bark also provides the material of which baby-sling (Pl. C, item 24) are made. The band by which their baskets (10b-, Pl. C, item 21) are carried (see Pl. vii, fig. b) consists of a strip of the prepared bark of this small tree.
13 I am indebted to Sir D. Prain, F.R.S. (Director, Royal Gardens, Kow) for the botanical descriptions of these plants.