MAORI MEMORIES

Wairarapa Times-Age, 26 May 1939, Page 3

MAORI MEMORIES

UTU AND MATENGA. (Recorded by J.H.S. for “Times-Age.”) One way in which the universal custom of tapu was applied ofteh produced the very opposite effect to what the tohunga intended. Food for winter was a great problem to every family, and was of vital importance to each hapu (tribe). When a family had a plentiful crop of kumera (sweet potato), their priest would direct them to place a flax rope around it, and this he would make tapu. Rival industry would generally produce plenty for the whole tribe, and reports of many tauru tapu (sacred ropes) would reach a rival hapu. Then by united effort and rapid action the whole crop would be secretly placed in dry rua riwai (potato pits) and disguised by a mass of dry leaves. Working together in strict unison with songs and sounds to guide and encourage them, the work they could do in a single night was like that of a huge machine in modern road making. Rumours of leisure and plenty would reach a rival tribe. Then their tohunga would revive the memories of some ancient grievance to justify utu (retribution). The result must be annihilation for one or the other tribe, so that in the distant future no pretext for utu could arise. Christian forgiveness has taken the place of utu, as it also has defeated the custom of matengarawe (death selfinflicted), once so common among the Maori men and women. In those days there was perfect faith in future existence as an ideal life, and no such thing as utu in the minds of their many gods, nor was there any shame or regret at their departure.