MAORI MEMORIES

Wairarapa Times-Age, 6 December 1938, Page 3

MAORI MEMORIES

TRIBAL LAND LIVE FOR EVER. (Recorded by J.H.S. for “Times-Age.”) Where a Maori chief traces his ancestral descent through a male line “of first borns” for a century or more, his claim to land cannot be questioned. Each male member of a tribe had a separate right to the possession of land while he cultivated and occupied it in the true sense of the words; but without any right to dispose of it. All land is the collective property of the tribe which holds it against the aggression of another tribe.

A family rarely died down without leaving at least one male member to inherit and occupy the workable area. Childless men or women were rare. As families increased the senior male member would place a request before the tribe, when they would allot and mark the boundaries. The absence of documents or written rulds seemed to place all such personal and tribal agreements beyond question or dispute. Any minor questions which might arise were referred to Rangi, the Sky Father, and Papa, the Earth Mother, whose decision when conveyed through the Ariki (first born male or female) was unquestionable. Strange indeed to us appeared the verbal will and testament of the dying chief who conveyed his eel weir, bird reserve, cultivation and slaves to his sons, and his wives to his brothers. The daughters would, of course, be provided for by marrying the young men of the tribe. This too was a precaution against their marrying into another tribe and bearing sons to strengthen an enemy army. Brothers controlled their sisters as to the selection of husbands.