Colour Sense of the Maori.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume XLVII, Issue 7980, 17 November 1905, Page 2

Colour Sense of the Maori.

The question whether colour sense is only partially developed in man before lie becomes amenable to civilsation is discussed in the year Book by Mr Elsdon Best in its relation to the 'Maori race. The conclusion he conn's I<> is that the average Maori can delect -the difference between colours, but has no words wherewith to express 'himself. In short. Hft'hojMg'h the -Mjaori' can distinguish colours, there has 'been no svglem of permanently recording impressions for future use, and consequently -he has to fall back, except in a few cases, on his own resources. The primary linns which are generally known and understood bv the natives are : —Pango. 'black : ma. while ; and where), red. ...But "pango" comprises also blue and brown, the. lighted shades coming under the term "whero." Black, moreover. is expressed by the word "niany:u" : and dark has several interpretations—"puuri.". ''keretewha," etc. The Maoj'i word' for white, "ma," has also ils variations, and one of these. "koma." which primarily meant, pale or light-Coloured, is also used to -denote-"rey. "Whero" is used to signify red./light thrown, reddish brown, or yellow : "puwhero," neaning reddish, and often pink. There are half a dozen- other words for red, while "makura" expresses simply red light. "I'Kaka"-means redhot, and "kakaka" reddish brown. These were the only ancient awl*permanriit colour-names known te the Maori. They were the colours used in painting- their liousph and eolourng their clothing.. The more common practice of the Maoris in designating shades of col»ur. however, was to employ names used for natural objects. The word "kakariki," now denoting' green, was taken from live kakariki, or small parrot, and was afterwards applied to the -green lizard, which became "moko kakariki" Vet it does not ippear that "k-akarlki" Is generally \pplicd lo anything-: green. The. words "pounamu" greenstone) • and "krhuwai". fa water plant) <are also called into service, 'lo express the same colour. A'ellow is simply regarded as a light rtd. and has no jpecilic Maori -equivalent ; but kowhai, pungapunga, and other plant names are used to express' Hie shade. Blue is expressed in similar •inpha/ard lashion. There is no spe--i'ic word for -H . 'lite sky is "kilorangi. the deep -blue sea "uriuri", bill, thai is oil. The Tuhoe tribe express blue by the word "pukepo..o," which is the memo of -<i blue rarth formerly used for painting the lace. Ihe 'term "ma," meaning prim mly white, is alsn used to denote light grey aJ id light shades of yellow. Dark 'brown wilh the Maori 'ontes under the 1 term "pango" ■ reddish brown is "pakaka" or "whoto. Otherwise Hie colo.tr is not recognised. Vvt, in spit , of this :v idhv of expression. Air 11-esf considers there is nol much colour blindness aniongsl the Maori. Xatives have expressed surprise at. Iris ewn inability to see the red (lowers of the ratu tree at a -distance. The fact is. he thinks, t hat Ihe colour sense of the Maori is in a crude state. JI is not cultured as in the rMij-opeaji. And the 'best evidence of this 'barbarism, is to -be found -In the glaring display <:f colour in the dress of modern native women. If not black, the colour is invariably loud, and as often as not there arc. two or more colours in a single costume that? judged hy the cultured standard of the ICuropeam, simply '"swear at"- each other.