MAORI MEMORIES

Wairarapa Times-Age, 7 December 1938, Page 11

MAORI MEMORIES

NO COUSINS. (Recorded by J.H.S. for “Times-Age.”) The widow’s marriage to her broth-er-in-law was fittingly celebrated after an interval. Should any other even attempt to flirt with her, he would be penalised and disgraced. In his Poroporoaki (farewell supplication) a dying chief may prefer to leave a widow to a younger brother, in which case the elder brother cannot interfere.

In the case of any other ' than a chief, neither his occupied land nor his wives may be disposed of in any way except in accordance with Tikanga (custom). Sisters of a man’s wife are known as Au Wakine or prospective wives by courtesy. He may marry the single sisters-in-law either before or offer his wife’s death. . .

The Maori does not speak merely of a brother or sister, but of tuakana, a man’s elder brother or a woman’s elder sister. The oldbst brother or sister is a Kauaqmua. The younger brother or sister is a Teina, so they have specific terms of relationship.

The children of their father’s or mother’s brothers or sisters were regarded as their own brothers and sisters, not as cousins. The children thus referred to their own cousins as brothers and sisters. The object being to avoid inter-marriage by relatives. The law of Tapu provided the penalty of sudden death for the parents and offspring of such marriages. That was a factor in preserving the unbroken health of the Mfiori race.

All cousins were as one family and under the collective care of all their parents. Their control was not strict or severe, but generally a success.