saksak

Source language unclear: any clues?

Ohtsuka (1983) discusses the classification and human ecology of Metroxylon, which has eight or nine species in Oceania. Two species, M. sagus, with a smooth sheath, and M. rumpii, with a thorny sheath, provide starch for most sago-processing societies. Further varieties of these are distinguished by speakers of particular languages; for example, the Gidra speakers studied by Ohtsuka distinguished more than ten varieties. See May (1984: 52-55, 182-183) and Powell (1976: 116-117, 140, 153, 158, 163, 165, 169) for details of other usages; for example, as medicine, and in canoe and house construction.

See original Mihalic entry.

Noun forms

  1. Tree crops and fruits: the sago palm, Metroxylon sp.
    saksak i gat nil thorny sago palm, presumably M. rumpii
    kru bilong saksak a sago shoot for planting, also the new yellow unfolded sago palm leaves used in decorating and for making grass skirts
    wok saksak, wokim saksak to process sago, to cut a sago palm down and process the pith
    pipia bilong saksak discarded sago palm pith from which the starch has been leached
    wail saksak (a) any wild sago, sago palms that have propagated naturally so that, if on community land, have no specific owners (b) the Nipa palm
    saksak ol man planim sago palms that people have planted so that, if on community land, the planter or his descendant is the specific owner

  1. Landform: place where sago abounds, a sago swamp.
    em pul i go long saksak he went by canoe to his sago place

  1. Food crops: processed sago as a food.
    karamap saksak a parcel of dried sago
    praim saksak to fry sago pancakes
    tanim saksak to cook sago, to mix sago flour with water and cook it

  1. Ethnic identifier: Saksak a person from Kerema, on account of the amount of sago they eat there ® Saki

Noun combination forms

  1. binatang bilong saksak edible sago grub, family Cerambycidae, perhaps Rhynchophorus schach according to Ohtsuka (1983:92); Ohtsuka notes that the Gidra of Western Province also use sago grubs as bait in rod fishing (1983:89).

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