kem

English: ‘camp’.

Lawrence (1964:160) attributes the first application of kem to new settlements to the period following WWII: ‘The ex-soldiers issued the following orders: the people were to give up living in [groups of houses scattered in the bush] and come together in large ‘camps’, which were to have their houses built along streets, and be beautified with flowers or shrubs.’

See original Mihalic entry.

Noun forms

  1. army camp
    kem bilong ol Australia the Australian (army) camp

  1. a collection of dwellings, built around the houses of a small group of founders who are attributed as the camp’s owners, particularly in a non-traditional location
    kem bilong mi stap long maunten my place (where I and my followers live) is up on the hill

  1. a village section, a hamlet or settlement area
    nem bilong ples i Kwembu, tasol mipela i gat tripela kem our village name is Kwembu, however we are split into three settlement areas

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