MAORI MEMORIES

Wairarapa Times-Age, 17 October 1939, Page 2

MAORI MEMORIES

GOING TO HIS DEATH.

(Recorded by J.H.S. for “Times-Age.”) Reports reached the distant Maori tribes concerning the aims and doings of the dreaded Pakeha invaders, many more false than true. Imagination played a great part in Maori psychology, and rumour spread and expanded where they had no written word. Man had no personal fear of death, which to him was but a few years of waiting for his life’s companion to follow. To her, with the responsibility of the young family, the parting was deep sorrow borne proudly in silence. In General Cameron’s day, the Manaiapoto tribe had no direct quarrel with the white man, but rumour as it is doing today, caused bitterness to both sides.

White men who could not speak their language were looked upon with suspicion, still the sacred law relating to a guest (Manuhiri) was observed. To those few who really understood them they opened their minds and spoke with them as personal friends. Maori husband and wife had a subtle understanding between them in which silence or seemingly harsh words were clearly accounted for. On the eve of his departure for the fight for his home lands against the Pakeha, he would make preparations in cheerful silence, she in tears, when he in pretended anger would speak roughly to her. Her arms would clasp his neck and their weeping turned to laughter.