MAORI CHIEFS DEATH.

Press, Volume L, Issue 14885, 27 January 1914, Page 4

MAORI CHIEFS DEATH.

ANCIENT CUSTOM REVIVED. A very interesting Maori custom has been revived by the death of the late Ngatiparou Chief, Tuta Nihoniho. Upon receipt of the news of his death by his relatives at Tuahiwi, efforts woro mailo to have tho body brought from the North and interred here, but after many koreroe in the North it was decided to bury him in his own Island. After the tangi, his widow had to return to her ]>eople at Tuahiwi, but, according to ancient custom, sho could not return alone. Some twenty or moro of his relatives therefore accompanied her, and great preparations wero inauo last Saturday to receive them. A tangi has been held in the llunanga Hall since their antvai, aud tho prowess of the late Chief re-told in song and story. Yesterday morning a long piece of matting was- laid in front of the Hall, and against a row of forms upon it was placed, facing cast, a score or moro of enlarged photographs and paintings of dead relatives. On the other eide of the form, and facing west, was tho enlarged photograph of Tnta. Tho South Island relatives then took up a position facing the dead Chief, while the visitors from the North lined up in three- ranks in front of the South Island photographs. All were drapod in historic mats, and the women had willow twigs around their heads. Then commenced an antiphonic tnngi across the photos, which was continued for over an hour. Then one of the Northern Maoris gathered an armful of the most of tho mats from his side, and spread them in front of the dead Chief's photo, while the tangi increased in volume. After a pause, some mats wero then placed in front of a few- of the Southern photographs, and those who had no mats to lay down spread money before them. Then all shook hands and hongied, and so concluded a very interesting cc. oniony.