OUTOFPAPUA database: Lexicons of the West Papuan language area

Entry record from Voorhoeve (nd c): Asmat Flamingo Bay

cem

•  house; dwelling(eng).

emak cem

•  house in which the mis poles are carved (in Amanam­kay this was an extension at the back of the yew)(eng).

yisow cem

(1) small houses built by children on the river bank; in which they play. There is a special season for this(eng).

(2) small houses built along the river inside the village when the villagers move away because many deaths have occurred - the name yisow suggests a link with the ghosts(eng).

yiwis cem

•  a new house; built after having moved to a new dwelling place(eng).

ow cem

•  large house; in form similar to a yew; built at the mouth of the river on which the village is situated. It is used as a watch house in which the men are looking out for enemies; or guard the women when they are fishing in the neighbourhood(eng).

pok cem

•  a storehouse(eng).

usi cem

•  a temporary dwelling erected when people stay outside the village for some time to make sago; to fish or to make canoes(eng).

wasen cem

•  annex behind the main house; kitchen(eng).

cem mino

•  large house in which several families live(eng).

cem picin cowak

•  (house-skin-only) empty house(s)(eng).