Edited 24/5/2017
Palnapidik consists of three words (pal na pidik) put together as one. Pal means house and na means of. Pidik means secret. Translated to English as a phrase it is House of Secret or Sacred House and in Kuanua it should be written out as a phrase as Pal na pidik. Everyday usage amongst many now is changing that to just one word, Palnapidik.Purpose
The use of Palnapidik is essentially ceremonial and is used in various traditional ceremonies in Tolai communities as part of decorating the ceremonial location.
Comparison with other houses
Unlike sleeping houses, Palnapidik is usually small in size and ornately decorated with traditional designs. Birds' feathers, tagete leaves, fern leaves, palm fronds and other natural items commonly used for decoration. Tubuan designs are also used, especially small carved and decorated tubuans that are usually placed on the roof of the palnapidik completing the conical shape of the roof.
The Past
The current practice and purpose may not be the same as that of the past, especially before and during the arrival of Christianity and other foreign influences. Information now surfacing from archives, including old church records, (NGI Historical Society 4/5/2017) points to a traditional ceremony on its own involving the construction of a huge tall structure as the Palnapidik. The disappearance of the original Palnapidik and associated activities most likely linked to the disappearance of the marovot and iniat practice.
