MAORI MEMORIES.

Wairarapa Times-Age, 27 April 1938, Page 8

MAORI MEMORIES.

CUSTOMS AND MANNERS —— ■ (Recorded by J.H.S. for “Times-Age.”) The Maori measures are linked with those of our most ancient history. The whatianga, like the cubit of old, is from the elbow to the top of the middle finger. The Maro, as with the fathom, is the space from tip to tip with the arms extended. The Kumi is ten fathoms. From the beginning man’s standards of measure were from his own person. But, with the Maori, measure by feet and paces, and scales or weights, were unknown. Flax baskets measured' their quantities. Maori villages were built in sheltered bays on the sea coast, and on river banks or lake sides. They live together •» for protection and company. They can neither live nor work apart. Their huts are framed of wood, with roof and walls of Toi (a pampas grass), Raupo (bullrush), or Wiwi (rushes). In summer they are cool, in winter, warm. Ventilation is filtered through every square inch, and these homes are not unhealthy, though generally written as ill-ventilated. The single room is generally 2J Maro by 2 (15 x 12). The ridge pole 1 Maro, and the walls 2/3 of a Maro high (6 feet and 4 feet). In such an apartment an average of five or six persons sleep on and under flax mats, with the clay floor as their bed. For half the year when at peace they loiter about the village basking in the sun, or sleeping in the huts on cold or wet days. Their intimate friends, men or women, may be seen performing acts of kindness in the manner practiced by the Tartars, who, according to ancient history "Cleanse one another’s heddes, and ever as thei , take an animal do eate her." Their domestic harmony is such that all are addressed as brother or sister. Children are never beaten, and are encouraged to join in the conversation of their elders.