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Previous analysis of sex differentiable terms (or SDTs, words that distinguish sexes in humans and nonhuman animals) has shown how they can coincide with folk zoological life-form taxa and, at the same time, provide evidence of covert taxa, notably a category of "mammals." In this article, the system of SDTs employed by the Nage of eastern Indonesia is compared with a similar system found in Central America, among the Chuj Mayans. Similarities and differences between the two systems are explored, in some instances with further reference to English SDTs, and consideration is given to how such terms may reveal universal tendencies in ways human languages register perceptual difference among animal kinds. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This article seeks to explain different symbolic meanings ascribed to volcanoes in various social and political discourses of Flores Island in Eastern Indonesia. The analysis shows the ideas connected to volcanoes and their central role within processes of conflict resolution at a local level. Exemplary in this regard is a hitherto undocumented peace ritual, with its practice of sacrifice. The ritual takes place at times of social conflict and in case of eruption of the highly active volcano Lewotobi laki-laki in the Lamaholot region of East Flores. The reciprocal relationship to volcanoes enables clan groups in Flores to reconcile with unpredictable natural powers and to handle dangerous and sometimes violent aspects of their society simultaneously. In addition the phenomenon of public guilt confessions will be stressed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

At the invitation of the eastern Indonesian village of Leuwayang, three researchers returned to Kédang to observe a revised harvest ritual once thought extinct. The article contains consideration of recent political changes in Indonesia affecting religious expression, describes the village birthday celebration and the series of community rituals that were subsequently carried out over a three-day period in the original village site. There follows a summary of the nightlong chant accompanying the reciting of male genealogies of the village with an explanation of its references to legendary village history. An attempt is made to place the chant within the comparative study of ritual language. The conclusion briefly tries to situate the rituals in relation to villagers' preoccupations in the modern world. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article presents the story of Ba Naruq, a secluded woman living in the interior of an island, her sexual affair with Kiaq Mitèn and conflict with his sisters. This conflict eventually leads to a breaking off of her relations with Kiaq Mitèn. Then her father sells her to Raja Laga Doni, but she rejects his advances and eventually dies. On learning of this Kiaq Mitèn is heartbroken, and eventually uses a ruse to find her grave, where he mourns. The story is presented, together with the original and translation. The local references and meanings are discussed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper explores concepts of animality found among the Nuaulu of Seram, eastern Indonesia, with special reference to the position of dogs. It argues that it is insufficient to say that dogs are simply a preeminent case of the class "domesticated animal," as this is weak in Nuaulu representations and practice. The relationship between humans and dogs is qualitatively unique, confounding symbolic generalisations. Nuaulu dogs are economically critical, companionable, and objects of sentiment, but when they underperform they are rejected and abused. Such contradictions indicate a tension between dependency (reflected in physical intimacy, anthropomorphization, naming, caring, prohibition on eating) and callousness (reflected in the manner of both their birth and death), which is linked to competing conceptions of animality. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]