MAORI AS AGRICULTURIST

Gisborne Times, Volume LXI, Issue 9853, 4 November 1924, Page 3

MAORI AS AGRICULTURIST

CULTIVATION^IN THE PAST. INTERESTING CEREMONIAL. Interesting aspects of Maori Lie were dealt witii m a paper of “Maori Agriculture,” prepared by Mr Eisdon Best before the ai.tlnopology and Maori race section of the Auckland Institute and Museum, winch was read by Dr. P. H. Buck. ■ Air Best said the race of Polynesian origin had been agriculturists for untold centuries. The kuinera was the most important plant cultivated by the Maoris. Its planting aim gathering had been closely associated with mythology, and this vegetable had been made the subject m much ceremony. Kongo, the God or Agriculture, was supplicated before planting was undertaken, and the moon was regarded as exercising great influence upon the fertility of the crops. The implements used for tilling the soil were crude, but the work was done systematically. The seVeted planting areas were prepared by teams who worked in careful unison. Implements were wielded to the r.vtlmi of a song and food was “tnpu” until tbc work set had been completed. The advent of the cuckoo was indicative of the imminence of the planting season, and the tohungas then' sought for favorable omens before the sowing was begun. The lecturer mentioned that cultivation of the yam closed when the potato was introduced into New Zealand. The Maoris had grown the taro, to some extent, and this root was known by no less than 40- different names. The calabash had. been seldom used for food, but it bad been carefully tended on account of the utility of the gourds.