opoku

opoku

Wauja

Pronunciation

• IPA^(key): /ɨˈpɨ.ku/

Noun

opoku

1. place, location (a particular position or point in space)

   Aitsa kala nutapai opoku.

   I don't know where the heck it is.

   Aitsa kapokupai.

   There's not enough room (no place available).

2. position (a vacancy or available position, office, or rank)

   Amunaun, kehoto wekeho, akamawi, punuba ipalutsato, itsityapeneme, iyeneme ... opoku miu. Punuba neke yamukunaunpai itain, aitsa neke ityehete. Pa uwein sityapene. Onaama, akamawiu, punuba, kata akama, itain -- nejo kitsimai pa, weke itain yiu, iyene pakojo opoku.

   A chief, a principal chief, when he dies, you see, his co-chief, takes over for him, and takes his place. Now, you see, his sons are still children; they're not yet grown. So his replacement takes over. Then, when [the co-chief] dies, you see, the son of the one who died -- the first one [who died], well, that son has grown, and he takes his father's place.

References

• "Amunaun, kehoto wekeho" uttered by Aruta, storyteller and elder, recounting Wauja history in the presence of his son and nephew. Recorded in Piyulaga village by E. Ireland, 4/25/96.