MAORI MEMORIES

Wairarapa Times-Age, 22 May 1939, Page 3

MAORI MEMORIES

TAPU, MURU, AND KANGA. (Recorded by J.H.S. for “Times-Age.”) In the year 1870 the universal law of Tapu (forbidden), like that oi Muru (reprisal) had almost disappeared This was partly due to the influence of the missionaries, who worked strenuously, though somewhat mistakenly, to counteract what they condemned as a-gross Teka (superstition). Repeated protests by leading Maori chiefs were disregarded by the churchmen, though one strong Maori argument used by the Tohunga (priests) was “that the law of Tapu is far more effective and yet more merciful than their own diabolical teaching of everlasting fire and eternal punishment.” This universal law of Tapu applied to every conceivable thing in life. Its effect when coupled with the law of Muru was declared by the early settlers to be a marvel of suppression. Actual theft was said to be less frequent here than in any other known country in the world. Yet because of the scarcity of actually necessaiy things, the temptation to steal was a thousand times greater. ' “Conscience makes cowards of us all,” and there was not one Maori in that number who dared to ignore the shadowy terrors of the Tapu. At Okaiawa near Hawera in 1898 a well known young chief who had been made Tapu through many brave acts and good deeds, accidently kicked another Maori on the ankle while playing football. The injured man, who was also under the protection and powers of Tapu. unwittingly uttered a Kanga (curse) against his fellow. Though purely accidental, the injury to his spirit and his Tapu caused raving madness and suicide, because he had thus unknowingly infringed this saerpd law.