MAORI MEMORIES

Wairarapa Times-Age, 6 October 1938, Page 4

MAORI MEMORIES

HAERENGA (Going). (Recorded by J.H.S. for “Times-Age.”) Strangely, Captain Cook said, the Maori sternly refused to utter a word when asked as to the death or disposal of their people. The question is one in which they preserved the utmost degree of secrecy, the reason for which is not even made apparent. We now learn that the bodies of Pononga (servants, commoners, or slaves) were thrown into the sea, crevices or rocks, or buried under the house poles. The bodies of Rangatira (free) were treated with the utmost respect. The body of an Ariki (high chief) alone, was given special funeral rites by the whole community. His death bed was surrounded by silent relatives who memorised and treasured his last words (toanga muri) as having a special virtue. The cheerful resignation with which dying men or men submitted to their fate, suggested that they died of their own will. This feeling was largely due to the complete assurance that the spirit (Wairua) when freed from the body (tinana), also lost every sign of pain or sorrow. Te Reinga, their world of the Wairua, is quite vzrongly translated in the dictionary as “Hell.” They had no conception or belief in any such cruel myth. Their Gods were good. The moment the vital spark had fled there was doleful wailing, tears fell like water, the onlookers groaned and sighed. In all but the immediate relatives this was at most sympathy for his survivors. Men, women, and even children cut their skin with knives, and slaves generally offered their lives to attend their masters in Te Reinga.

After the lapse of a day and night, the body was beaten with flax leaves to drive out evil spirits (whiro), placed in a canoe shaped box with mats and ornaments, and suspended in the branches of a high tree.