1
1 Introduction
Between the 21st of October and the 10th of November 2009, an SIL survey team consisting of Bonnie MacKenzie, Juliann Spencer, Sara Van Cott and Jacob Bullock undertook a survey of four languages in
the Arawe group of West New Britain. The languages surveyed were Ambul [apo], called Apalik in the sixteenth edition of the Ethonologue Lewis 2009; Amio-Gelimi [let], listed as Lesing-Gelimi in the
Ethnologue; Avau [avb] and Bebeli [bek]. The field work in the Bebeli language area was completed between the 6th and 9th of November. The goals of the survey were to determine language and dialect
boundaries and evaluate language vitality. The survey team wishes to express its deep appreciation for the kind assistance and hospitality of the
people in Mosa, Morokea and Banaule villages, as well as the New Tribes Mission in Hoskins. Team members would also like to thank the individuals and groups who took the time to answer many
questions about their languages, histories, cultures and communities, and the educators and church leaders who talked with the surveyors about their institutions and the people they serve. Together, they
made this survey possible.
1.1 Language location
Bebeli is located on the north coast of West New Britain Province, in the Cape Hoskins and Stettin Bay area, between Kimbe and Hoskins. Map 1 shows the location of the Bebeli area within Papua New
Guinea. Map 1. Bebeli language area
The survey team visited the three villages of the Bebeli language area: Morokea, Mosa and Banaule. Banaule village, on the eastern end of the language area, is about ten kilometres southwest of the
Hoskins area. Mosa, the central village, is another fifteen to twenty kilometres southwest of Banaule. Morokea village, on the western end, is about five kilometres southeast of Kimbe. The villages are fairly
spread out, located at least fifteen kilometres apart with many businesses, markets, plantations, other villages all labeled as “other location” on Map 2 and settlements amongst them.
1
The other locations, settlements and all three Bebeli villages are shown on Map 2, along with Kimbe and Hoskins.
Map 2. Bebeli villages
2
Ruango, Gaongo and Buluma, marked above as “other location”, were described as Bola-speaking villages. Mai is a mission station. Kwalakesi and, most likely, Gavuvu are Nakanai-speaking villages.
Bebeli speakers spoke of going to the market in Nahavio, but the survey team did not obtain any further information about Nahavio, HuveniLobe or Warakindam.
1
The survey team did not obtain information about all of the settlements shown here. Generally, in Papua New Guinea settlements are locations where people have moved away from their traditional village, often outside of their
language area.
2
There are more roads in the area than are shown on the map.
Map 3 shows airstrips, churches, medical facilities and schools in the Bebeli area. The placement of these facilities has been done for illustrative purposes only and is not intended to be geographically
accurate. Map 3. Bebeli facilities
1.2 Language name and classification
According to the Ethnologue Lewis 2009, Bebeli [bek] may also be referred to as Banaule, Benaule,
3
Beli, Kapore or Yangura.
3
Banaule is one of the three Bebeli villages; Benaule is an alternate spelling for Banaule village.
1.3 Population
