MAORI MEMORIES

Wairarapa Times-Age, 25 May 1939, Page 11

MAORI MEMORIES

THE SECRET POWER. (Recorded by J.H.S. for “Times-Age.”) In the centuries prior to the coming of the pakeha and the evil influence of money, the practice of witchcraft (Makutu) had one redeeming feature, that is to say, its fear was a wholesome restraint against evil-doing by those who were simple enough to believe in it. As a matter of fact superstition was universal among the Maori people and consequently there could be no commercial abuses. All things were of community interest only. There was no personal value in anything. With the coming of money and what it could buy, came also another object in the practice of Makutu and the creation of an evil hitherto unknown to the Maori —personal possession by fair means or foul.

One motive in the practice of Makutu was the desire for fame among their own people, but more particularly with the pakehas in whom they saw a more' civilised class than the original whalers and sailors. The most exclusive and carefully guarded secret among the older Tohunga and Ariki (priests and high priests) was that of the knowledge and practice of ventriloquism as an aid to their original Makutu. The first of his tribe to learn the art of reading and writing was a young chief of more than ordinary intelligence. He was also the first Maori to realise the importance of making a systematic record of the briths, deaths and marriages among his tribe. ’ When his death occurred this much valued record was missing. A famous Tohunga seized the opportunity to show his skill in its recovery. The tribe assembled in the great Whare puni (assembly house) at dusk. A young girl was used as the apparent medium of speech by the ventriloquial Tohunga, when a shrill voice as from above her head disclosed the hiding place. The fame of the wily priest spread abroad.