Hilichurlian Language Database

Utterance: Domu upa

Utterance

Domu upa

Words

upa, domu

Speaker

Hilichurl chief

Translation

(no direct translation given; see context)

(Context)

Translation source

Hilichurl Ballad Selection, Volume 2

Context

The seventh song:
Mimi movo
Mimi sada
Mimi domu
Domu upa
Gusha dada

It appears that many hilichurl tribes share a tradition of exchanging songs around bonfires in the moonlight. This song is one such bonfire ballad sung by the chief at the end of the night. At the end of the song, the chief shouts "nunu" three times, which presumably carries the meaning of "sleep."

Source

Book: Hilichurl Ballad Selection