ORIGINAL CORRESPONDENCE. MAORI PROVERBS.

New Zealander, Volume 8, Issue 648, 30 June 1852, Page 2

ORIGINAL CORRESPONDENCE. MAORI PROVERBS.

To V.\c Editor of the New Zealamjhr. Sir, — II cannot 1 c supposed that the pi o verbs of a sivago diould be to full of meaning, or contain such u bhikhig lesson as those of a civilized people. It has ficqiK'ntly been said the mind which could ullow ibelf to be amused, or should conde

sccntl to listen to the talcs of a Tangata Maori, must be, as regards the finer feelings to which an educated being should aspire, at a very low ebb. Yet Sir John Malcolm, in his "Sketch of Persia" says, " Believe me, he who desires to bo well acquainted with a people will not reject their popular stories or local superstitions. Depend upon it that man is too far advanced into an artificial state of Society who is a stranger to the effects which talcs and stories like these have upon the feelings of a nation, and his opinions of its character are never likely to be more erroneous than when, in the pride of reason, he despises such means of forming his judgment," The following specimens of the proverbs in use amongst the Maories may have some interest for your readers.

" Maroro Kokali ihu loala" Flying-fish that cuts (acro«s) canoe bows. Should a war-party be journeying along the coast in their canoes, and a flying-fish be seen to pass across the bows of the canoe, it is regarded as an omen of success, and at such a time this proverb is used to stimulate each other to bravery.

" lie toa to to oma, ho amna JioM toa ai" It is brave to run away as (we) can be brave in future. This provei-b is used by a defeated party to keep their spirits up. It first came into use by being said by an old warrior chief to a young man who was expressing his fear to meet an enemy.

" Kia tatald mai tatou, lie tataM nilio taniwha" Let us stand (some distance) apart, 'tis the distance of taniwha teeth, This a proverb mostly used by an ambush party when they are distributing themselves around a settlement on which they intend to make an attack. A taniwha is a sea monster described as resembling the crocodile family, or a deified malicious man.

" He tana iti, he tana toa." A small war (party) is bra\ c. When a war party was few in number they used this proverb with a firm belief of its truth. It has" been known when such a party intended to attack a settlement each man took an old calabash in his hand. The New Zealandeis seldom or never attack an enemy but at the break of day. When the word of command was given, which was done by the chief making a hissing noise, each man would rush forward into the midst of the settlement and break the calabash, saying as they cracked it, "I have killed this fellow." The people of the place hearing the breaking of the calabash, and taking it for the head of some one of their party having been cracked, they become terror stricken, and were killed without resisting.

" Purorohu roro tangata" Misty rain, brains (of) man. It is believed by the Maori, should there be a misty rain ou the day on which a battle is to take place, a great slaughter will ensue, hence this proverb. Yours, &c, J. WniTE.