MAORI MEMORIES

Wairarapa Times-Age, 29 December 1938, Page 3

MAORI MEMORIES

WHAKAMOE (GENEALOGIES).

(Recorded by J.H.S. for “Times-Age.”)

Many religious recitals and ceremonies of the Maori were strangely akin to those recorded in our ancient Bible history. Their story of creation beginning with the elements goes to the very root of all things. Po (darkness) and Mamma (light) begat Rang! (the heavens) and Papa (the earth), and as in our own orthodox history, there is a recital of many generations. The Maori genealogy however was not of persons, but of natural phenomena, more poetic in its allegory, and included motherhood in every instance. All religious rites and ceremonies mentioned here are connected with the mysterious law of Tapu (sacred, forbidden). Things Tapu must not touch food, or any vessel or place where food is kept, otherwise the thing protected by Tapu becomes Noa (common).

An Atua <Priest or Sacred One) could touch a person or thing and make it Tapu to protect it from all evil. Tapu to the modern Maori is now precisely what the present day worshipper, thinks of everlasting punishment —a mere pleasantry. Fortunately for his self respect the Maori had no such idea as the burning pit. His devil was an imaginary animal living in a dark eave or a deep lake. Like our personal Satan, both may now be described as Fear (Mataku), that being the origin of such an unnatural attribute of Creation in each instance. Kai tangata (cannibalism) and communion or the sacrament were of common origin. With the Maori._ to taste the blood of his enemy was Utu (satisfaction); that of a friend unthinkable.