Morning sounds 4/28
The journey of a flying titi Wind rustling the coconut palms A single note from the kokopasi Foreshadows a darkness soon to come. A stir creeps over the village As they expect the mourning wail Whose name will be in the message? From near or far has it sailed? “ Ngämo män, ngämo män, ngämo män! ” Leaps from mats, houses, and stairs. Collective cries and sighs of kandärmang. A strain as the village prepares. A blast from the conch for loved ones away, Fronds chopped for filling the hall. New wails arrive in every language to say, That shovels clang to turn a hole far too small. An avalanche of coconuts for scraping, Beating starts of the sago towers. Hymns carry the girl through the weeping. A final prayer as the grave fills with flowers. Titi - ‘bat’ Kokopasi - a type of bird known to bring messages of death Ngämo män - ‘my daughter’