A O C Davies notes

The Cult of Bomai Malo as related by Aet Pasee to Arthur Davies, at Mer (Murray Island)

Bomai came from Tuger in west New Guinea, he transformed himself into a whale and swam down until he reached Boigu Island in the far west of Torres Strait where he was stranded.

Malo, a man with a shark's head, came with four brothers to find his uncle, Bomai.

Of importance for the Meriam people is that Bomai, the very secret and sacred name for the god of the Meriam, came first; Malo, the lesser god came after.

[Contextual notes by Sam Passi as extracted from Nonie Sharp's work 'The Stars of Tagai' published by Aboriginal Studies Press, 1993]

The death of Iu Pasee, as related by his son Aet Pasee to Arthur Davies at Mer (Murrary Island).

In this story Pasee relates his memory of the passing of his father Iu, a Zogo le, Tamilib man of Malo and the ceremonies performed as they arranged his funeral pyre.

Ebb or Eep, funeral ceremony told by Aet Pasee to Arthur Davies at Mer (Murray Island).

This story relates the role of the Ebb or Eep who perform funeral rituals, supervise the smoking of the body and the distribution of the cured remains of the deceased.

The story of Tarare as told by Aet Pasee to Arthur Davies, at Mer (Murray Island).

This is the story of Tarare, son of Ourcam who lived at Meare, whose skin was turned white by men during a Zogo ceremony.

The story of Gelam, the Hill as told by Aet Pasee to Arthur Davies, at Mer (Murray Island)

This is the story of Gelam, who lived with his mother Atwere at Moa Island, and the making of his canoe in the shape of a whale (dugong). 

Abob and Kos as told by Aet Pasee to Arthur Davies at Mer (Murray Island)

This is the story of the two sons of Kudare, named Abob and Kos who are expert fishermen.

The story of Cedar or Side as told by Aet Pasee to Arthur Davies at Mer (Murrary Island)

[The story was told in two parts the second part first.]

This is the story of a man named Cedar who came from the Fly River in New Guinea to Mer (Murray Island), where he meets brothers Abob and Kos.

Nargeg and Gagee as told by Aet Pasee to Arthur Davies at Mer (Murray Island).

This is the story of Nargeg and her son Gagee and Gagee's encounters with an old man named Iream-morish.

The story of Dauar as told by Aet Pasee to Arthur Davies at Mer (Murray Island).

This is the story of the island of Dauar and five birds named Gob, Pelarwah, Selare, Bouger and Nea. They encounter the rat Mocas, and three whales Gaibo, Mat and Goal.

The story of Maidoo or the floating wood as told by Aet Pasee to Arthur Davies at Mer (Murray Island).

This is the story of an old woman named Maidoo who lived at Taerey on Dauar Island, she had three daughters Biesore, Egerargate and Outpare. 

The story of Sider or Cedar told by Aet Pasee to Arthur Davies at Mer (Murray (Island).

[The story was told in two parts, the first part last]

This part begins: "Sider or Cedar came from the Fly River, New Guinea and landed at Dauar where he left his tract which may be seen today. From Dauar he crossed to Omar to see another man called Kobi."

The story of Markep and Sarkep, as told by Aet Pasee to Arthur Davies at Mer (Murray Island).

Markep and Sarkep are two stones at Zomerid and represent two men.

Eruam, a story told by Aet Pasee to Arthur Davies at Mer (Murray Island).

This is the story of Eruam, who had his camp was inside a stone in the creek at Ere Pat, and his encounter with two girls, Decu and Tareppe (or Taresebursabre).

The story of Gedore; How the cocoanut got its eyes, as told to Arthur Davies, at Mer (Murray Island).

Gedore (Godore) who lived at Melgare, observed a new fish called Ooo that had sprung from fallen cocoanuts.

The story of Coortoot as told to Arthur Davies, at Mer (Murray Island).

This is the story of Coortoot, who had a very long arm and how he was able to steal food from people's kopmaurie (beach oven) without being seen.

Gaware or Gareweer of Dauar as told to Arthur Davies, at Mer (Murray Island).

This is the story of Gaware, an old woman who met Abeb and Koss when they came to Dauar (Dowar Island).

Gees, the beginning. Pop and Cord (Adam and Eve) as told to Arthur Davies, at Mer (Murray Island).

This is the story of the first people on Mer. Pop, a man appeared first, and his mate Cord who was formed from white clay.

Pepcare as told to Arthur Davies, at Mer (Murray Island).

This is the story of two birds, Mowar Mouar, which had a white neck, and Pierre which had a black neck, and of two women Seriamur and her daughter Pepcare who lived on Dauar.

Pass and Sergade as told to Arthur Davies, at Mer (Murray Island).

This is the story of two women, Pass and Sergade, their sons Edoure and Miedam, and a man named Kimiere.

Erdo, as told to Arthur Davies, at Mer (Murrary Island).

This is the story of a woman named Erado, who lived at Katti Peat.

Miware, as told to Arthur Davies, at Mer (Murrary Island).

This is the story of Miware, who was killed by turtles while fishing.

Tagai. A story of the stars as told by Aet Pasee to Arthur Davies, at Mer (Murrary Island).

The story of Tagai tells of a man setting out on a canoe voyage with his twelve-man crew, six Usiam (the Pleiades) and six Seg (Orion), who eat the food and water prepared for the voyage. Enraged,Tagai strings each group together and throws them into the sea, and their images are set in a pattern of stars.

The star constellation of Tagai gives signs for voyaging, for turtle-mating time, a time for garden preparation. Included is a sketch of the constellation showing Tagai with his spear.

Koit and Pacore as told to Arthur Davies, at Mer (Murray Island).

This is the story of two fish named Koit and Pacore, who take Wak, a girl for their wife.

Turtle or Num Zogo as told by Aet Pasee to Arthur Davies, at Mer (Murray Island).

This is the story of two Num Zogo's one at Kop, Mer, the other at Gear Peat, Dauar.

This is the story of the Woodlark tragedy as remembered by Aet Pasee, told to Arthur Davies at Mer (Murrary Island).

The Woodlark was a fishing schooner that visited Murrary / Mer Island in the 1860s, this story tells of the crew coming ashore looking for women. When one of their number was killed ,they took revenge on the people of Mer, killing many.

Kitti Zogo as told to Arthur Davies, at Mer (Murray Island).

This is the story of the Kitti Logo, at the village of Ulag. 

Leware Zogo as told to Arthur Davies, Mer (Murray Island).

This is the story of Leware Zogo, at Dauar Island, and a song about yams.

Puleb Zogo as told to Arthur Davies, at Mer (Murray Island)

This is the story of Puleb Zogo, carved stone figures some of which Davies removed, and the telling power of the stone figures.

Tomag Zogo as told to Arthur Davies, at Mer (Murray Island).

This is the story of Tomag Zogo, stones and shells that represent islands and reefs, used to foretell coming events.

Saroup. An event observed by Aet Pasee as told to Arthur Davies, at Mer (Murray Island).

This is the story of Saroup, where any person having been shipwrecked who cames ashore, was killed. Those who came ashore by boat were not and their lives spared.

This manuscript which was compiled from notes made by Arthur Davies, at Mer (Murray Island) describes the Mer way of counting; and is followed by a word list for parts and features of the body.

This manuscript was complied by Arthur Davies at Mer (Murray Island) and describes the Mer marriage customs, including 'stealing a wife' - arrangements to meet and choose a girl; parental approval; wedding celebrations and feasting; and their renaming.