As soon as a child is born, parents and grandparents assume the child’s name, with a prefix denoting the degree of relationship. Thus, a Kayan father whose child is named Obong is called Tama Obong Djau, the last term being the original name of the father. The whole name means, thus, "the father of Obong, Djau." The term for grandfather in teknonymous usage is laki. If the child dies, our hypothetical father becomes Oyong Djau. If a younger child dies, he adopts the name Akam Djau. If he becomes a widower, he is called Aban Djau. If his brother dies, he may also be referred to as Hawan Djau. Each of these terms is descriptive and carries a definite connotation. Thus, oyong is comprehended as meaning "father who has lost his oldest child," akam as meaning "father who has lost one of his younger children," and so on. There are analogous terms for orphan children. It can be seen that many of these terms often overlap in application. Evidently, in such a case any one of them which applies to the individual may be used in addressing or referring to him.¹

¹Kennedy, R.n/an/an/an/an/a, , 376 (manuscript).