Lahara
Motu · numen · Motu traditional religion; continuing · Recorded classification
Lahara is the northwest monsoon, the wet-season wind that follows the southeast trades along the Motu coast. In the reckoning of the hiri it was Lahara that filled the sails for the homeward passage, returning the voyagers and their sago to Port Moresby. Named as one of the two governing winds of the year, it stands in seasonal opposition to Laurabada, the dry-season trade wind.
Domains
- seasonal wind
Powers
- returned the lagatoi homeward
Epithets
- Lahara — the northwest monsoonLister-Turner, R. & Clark, J.B. (1954 [1931]). A Dictionary of the Motu Language of Papua. Sydney: Government Printer. (primary)
Relations
- rival: LaurabadaThe two named seasonal winds alternate through the year, blowing from opposed quarters.Lister-Turner, R. & Clark, J.B. (1954 [1931]). A Dictionary of the Motu Language of Papua. Sydney: Government Printer. (secondary)
Sources
- Lahara is the Motu name of the northwest monsoon, the wet-season wind that returned the hiri fleet homeward.: Barton, F.R. (1910). 'The Annual Trading Expedition to the Papuan Gulf,' in C.G. Seligman, The Melanesians of British New Guinea. Cambridge University Press. (primary); Lister-Turner, R. & Clark, J.B. (1954 [1931]). A Dictionary of the Motu Language of Papua. Sydney: Government Printer. (primary)