MAORI MEMORIES

Wairarapa Times-Age, 30 November 1938, Page 2

MAORI MEMORIES

RELATIVES.

(Recorded by J.H.S. for “Times-Age.”)

In English we use definite terms such as father, mother, brother, sister, etc. The Maori relationships are more general as with the word cousin. To find the actual line of descent other words are necessary, such as “on my father’s side.”

These terms of relationship, though somewhat complicated for us, were quite definite to the Maori, among them being, Tupuna, meaning ancestor, male or female; Matua, father or uncle on either side; Papa, father or uncle on either side; Whaea, mother or-aunt; Tama, eldest nephew; Tamahine, eldest neice; Tamaiti or Tamariki, son or nephew; Tamaroa, son or nephew; Tuakana, younger brother of males or sister of females; Teina, younger sister of males or sister of females; Tungane, sister’s brother; Tuahine, brother’s sister; Iramutu, nephew or neice; Hungawai, father-in-law, mother-in-law; Hunaonga, son-in-law, daughter-in-law; Taokete, man’s brother-in-law, sister’s sister-in-law; Aotane, woman’s bro-ther-in-law; Aowahine, man’s sister-in-law; Potiki, youngest child; Mokopuna, grandchild; Huanga, relative; Whanaunga Tupu, blood relative; Ariki, first born; Waewae, younger brother; Hamua, same as Tuakana; Maronui, married; Takakau, single; Pouaru,- widow; Takahore, widower; Puhi, betrothed.