aiai, laulau (N.I.): trees that bears small, red edible fruits (Syzygium jambos
[rose apple], S. malaccense [Malay apple], and probably Eugenia spp.) (May,
1984: 76-77; Verheij and Coronel, 1991: 292-294). The trees are also used for medicine,
magic, axes, digging sticks, construction, and cooking (Powell, 1976: 138, 143-145, 149,
153, 164-169).
Tom Slone 4 Oct 2001
tom@potency.berkeley.edu
THSlone@usa.net
Some comments on Thomas' list:
aiai, laulau (N.I.): trees that bears small, red edible fruits (Syzygium jambos [rose apple], S. malaccense [Malay apple], and probably Eugenia spp.) (May, 1984: 76-77; Verheij and Coronel, 1991: 292-294).
This is Eugenia and it is probably an exotic, introduced early in the 19th century. It has no local name in many places.
Bryant Allen 4 Oct 2001
Syzygium malaccense and S. aqueum are both called laulau in Manus tok
pisin, where both are abundant. So are other similar things, more acridly
turpentine-tasting but enjoyed by children. All these have tok ples names as well,
as they do also in New Ireland, according to Peekel. If they are introductions, I'd bet on
a much earlier date than 19th century in the Bismarcks.
Peekel says the Lamekot names for S. malaccense are lolau and laulau.
Jean Kennedy, 9 Nov 2001