Counting systems in Engan and Proto-Engan

The Engan Family of languages consists of at least nine distinct languages, with Enga and Mendi having numerous dialects. In attempting to analyze and reconstruct basic number sets of the Proto-language, I draw data from Glendon Lean (1988) my own research, and from additional sources. I examine generic numbers, decimal counting and the four-base and body tally systems. I note, in particular, how the four-base system is reflected in the Enga 60-cycle and Huli number classifier systems. Although the body tally system is widely diverse in other language groups of PNG, historically in Engan it is related to the four base system.