DKH01-046_taka_kunma - Taka kunma ‘Possum’s tail’

Taka (Spilocuscus maculatus) is one of the many types of possums on Awaikay land, collectively called pawia meŋgea ‘the red meat’. Taka is a smaller white possum. Some Awiakay call this figure taka tisay ‘possum’s anal glands’, others taka kunma ‘possum’s tail’, which wriggles away as the string figure-maker pulls the final figure. It is possible that this figure used to be connected with another one (or had another part to it) which would be associated with possum’s anal gland, but that with time that one became forgotten. All adult possums have a specific odour, which they produce in their anal glands. While some people are disgusted by it, they say that in the past the big men would collect the matter produced in possum’s glands and smear their skin with it. Images: 02: taka kunma ‘possum’s tail’, final design 03: possum’s tail loosening 04: taka tenja ‘young white possum’ (Spilocuscus maculatus) . Language as given: Awiakay

斑袋貂（Spilocuscus maculatus，当地称Taka）是阿瓦凯伊（Awaikay）领地内诸多袋貂物种之一，当地将该类群统称为"pawia meŋgea"，意为"红肉"。
斑袋貂属于体型较小的白色袋貂类群。部分阿瓦凯伊人将该绳编造型称为"taka tisay"，意为"袋貂的肛门腺"；另有部分人称其为"taka kunma"，即"袋貂的尾巴"——当绳编造型制作者完成最终造型时，该造型会如尾巴般扭动散开。
该绳编造型或许曾与另一造型（或自身带有另一组成部分）存在关联，该关联造型与袋貂的肛门腺相关，但随着时间流逝，这一关联已被遗忘。
所有成年袋貂均会通过肛门腺分泌独特气味，部分人对此气味感到厌恶，但传说往昔部落中的重要男性首领曾收集袋貂腺体内分泌的物质，并将其涂抹于自身皮肤上。
配图说明：
02: taka kunma "袋貂的尾巴"，最终成型造型
03: 袋貂尾巴状造型松开散开
04: taka tenja "幼年白色袋貂"（斑袋貂，Spilocuscus maculatus）
所用语言：阿瓦凯伊语（Awiakay）