MAORI MEMORIES

Wairarapa Times-Age, 26 January 1939, Page 2

MAORI MEMORIES

MANY LAND TITLES.

(Recorded by J.H.S. for “Times-Age.”)

As with the name and nature of their Gods, the Maori titles to land were the next important things in life, and equal only to woman the mother of warriors, who alone could defend and maintain their symbol of immortality. Their Gods, their lands, and the mothers of the race were “living things.” Rahia (a servant) was the title of land held by a tribe, who by repeated defeat were now Mokai (slaves or servants) of the conquerers. Their much reduced area was held for cultivation and a living only so long as they faithfully served their masters by catching eels, cultivating and drying Aruhi (fern? root) for winter use, and supplying wahie (firewood). The land held under Raupatu (conquest) or Kua riro i le Toa (surrendered to the brave) was the choice parts and just double that held under Rahi by the Mokai. , Ahi Ka roa (keep the home fires burning) for one generation, about 30 years, converted land from the conditional title of Rahi to a permanency, thus wisely- securing a life time of faithful service. The notorious Wiremu Tamihana, who was responsible for most of the Maori War in Taranaki was chief of a conquering trible, and was naturally, in favour of the law of Raupatu. A Pakeha built a house on land held by his Maori friends under the vague Maori custom of Noho noa iho (just living there), but when it was found that in] the past years it became (Kuariri i te/ioa (won by bravery) he had to abandon it. Yet in the face of that decision by some mystery the house and its contents became Tapu (forbidden), so that no one dared to enter it. It fell into decay, and was eventually destroyed in a forest fire.