aña2 a ritual of initiation symbolizing the transmission of a [...]

Part of Speech noun
Phonetic Form aɲa
    • a ritual of initiation symbolizing the transmission of a father's rights over land and ownership, to ‹his own children›
      • Ethn
    • Infobox Li-miñi aña dameliko: Due to the matrilineal structure of Vanikoro society, children automatically inherit land and property from their mother's clan. But a special ritual of transmission (~mini aña (dameliko)) is required from the father to his children, to ensure that they will also inherit from their father's clan (basa) when he dies. The clan of the mother – represented by the children’s uncle (gi' adapa) – brings presents to the father in the form of mat money (savene) or shellmoney (viko). This will be a way, for the mother’s clan, to symbolically “buy the clan” (li-sava basa) – i.e. buy land rights from the father’s clan.

Related entries

  • Is Part of:
    • ~mini aña (dameliko) perform a ritual of transmission for ‹children›, symbolizing their right to inherit land and wealth from the father's side; hence bequeath land to ‹o.'s children›