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TOHUNGAISM.

Here is a sample of the language used by one of the tohungas at Motuiti after the death of the infant which had been treated. He yelled the words out in order to catch the ear of the familiar spirit: “ Pokohua taipo! Pokohua atua Maori! KiaKaha! KiaKaha!” Then he raved put the following in broken English : “Go ahead, my boy ! Take away te dead one ! Wire in, my boy ! hule him, my boy !’’ This mad incantation was yelled out both before and after the child had breathed its last.

It now appears that there are three tohungas at Motuiti, and each one has his own particular taipo, and we are informed there is a certain amount of rivalry among the “ prophets.’’ One of the tohungas has a deformity in the shape of a bumblefoot. To increase his mana he allowed his hair to grow, but he has since had it lopped. Mr Heta, one of the young educated Maori party, has made up his mind to stamp the practices out, at least, so far as Motuiti is concerned. On several occasions he has talked the matter over with the natives, but as the tohungas still persist in their dangerous practices, he has appealed to the police and Dr Pomare to assist him.

When the tohuuga party left Motuiti last Saturday for Oroua Bridge and conveyed the body of the dead child and the other little sufferer with them, Heta followed. He sent out a messenger to rally all the natives en route, and said he desired to discuss the whole question with them. Our representative went out to his home on Sunday, but Heta had not returned from his mission, and we are unable to ascertain what the result of the korero was.

Permanent link to this item
Hononga pūmau ki tēnei tūemi

https://paperspast.natlib.govt.nz/newspapers/MH19071105.2.17

Bibliographic details
Ngā taipitopito pukapuka

Manawatu Herald, Volume XXIX, Issue 3777, 5 November 1907, Page 3

Word count
Tapeke kupu
294

TOHUNGAISM. Manawatu Herald, Volume XXIX, Issue 3777, 5 November 1907, Page 3

TOHUNGAISM. Manawatu Herald, Volume XXIX, Issue 3777, 5 November 1907, Page 3

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