MAORI MEMORIES

Wairarapa Times-Age, 26 October 1939, Page 3

MAORI MEMORIES

REALITIES OF MAORI WORSHIP. (Recorded by J.H.S. for “Times-Age.”) The Maori tradition of Creation is even more poetic than ours. The primal parentless parents Rangi (the sky) and Papa (the earth) had no less than ten times seven offspring, hence the sacred nature of the number seven and its multiple of ten, each counted on the fingers. Among them were the Children of Light who brighten the sky, Rongo the Prince of Peace who guards the cultivations, Tane the father is the Sun, Whiro the god of darkness. Rangi the sky Father and Papa the earth Mother were separated by dissension among their children, and mourn for each other. Ihorangi (rain) carries the sympathy of the Father of all to their Mother Papa. Hine Pukohu, maid of the mist, and the white clouds of Hine Maunga, maid of the mountain, ascending the long ranges, know that the Earth Mother Papa is sending her token of love to Rangi her long parted mate. Hine Titama was the daughter of Tane the father, and Hine Ahu Onepu the first woman, who was made of earth, and thus came all mankind. Hine Titama then went to Te Reinga where she welcomed the spirit of every one who died. Tane. as the god of light fought Whiro the god of Darkness, and Tane’s victory was celebrated each day by the glory of Ra the Sun. ( In every manifestation of Nature, Maori imagery and genuine worship were visible realities by day or by night, in rain and sunshine alike. The ■ singing of the birds was their choir music. '