In Mamari there is a sequence of 12 glyphs in 4 groups, where each group is initiated by vae:
Perhaps this is a list of 4 kinds of 'going away'. Vae should be possible to use as a general expression, not only referring to sun or moon at winter solstice but also at the end of shorter periods. Polynesians mention the main word first - as for instance in tagata kai, a person eating, (not a cannibal, kai tagata) - therefore the glyphs following each vae may describe which period is ending. On the other hand, the ordinal numbers of the glyphs and the glyphs themselves do not suggest any other season than winter solstice. The text is part of a longer sequence, where the relations between rima and vae seem to be elaborated. |
