Marekeiso, lehn kalangi, kei, and leh

Marekeiso is the term used when putting/applying coconut oil on the Nahnmwariki’s body only. For everyone else, Pohnpeians use the word kei. Leh is oil, the generic phrase for coconut oil. Kei refers to oil applied to a human body. Lehn kalangi is the name of the first leh or oil and/or the initial oiling of the Nahnmwariki’s body right after the 4th serving (cup/ngarangar) of the first sakau (ahmwadang) is presented. The second time oil is called for and applied the oil is referred to as marekeiso. Lehn kalangi and marekeiso are employed only with the presence of the Nahnmwariki. To use the terms lehn kalangi or marekeiso in other contexts is culturally improper. When the menindei calls "ansouhn lehn kalangi," he is calling for first oiling of the king. Put another way, if one calls coconut oil "marekeiso" and then applies that oil to a person, one is effectively acknowledging that the person is their Nahnmwarki. Sources for this information include Professor Robert Andreas, the students in the ethnobotany class, and other sources.

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