MAORI MEMORIES

Wairarapa Times-Age, 20 November 1939, Page 7

MAORI MEMORIES

MAORI AND THE JAP. (Recorded by J.H.S. for “Times-Age.") Considering that we have no written evidence of the Maori migration

“about" G5O years ago. we may vainly discuss their origin. 'Tis true that the unwritten accounts of the variou-' tribes, a score of them at least, coincide verbally in a remarkable degree yet memories transferred from one ■person to another, say 30 times in as many generations are apt to vary. Putting aside therefore, "the origin of lb.; Maori" as hopeless, let us consider the later question of their alleged association with the Japs, then hope to trace the Maori through Japan’s written records. It is stated that the Japs and the Maoris were one race until they part'

ed at the Equator. The place names o' both races and their meanings were stated by Kawasi a Japanese studen' at Massey College, to coincide to a remarkable degree. Their words are pronounced alike, the syllables in Japanese most frequently end in a vowel, those in Maori always. The Maori tribes, with one exception. Nga Uru Kehu (Hawk feathers), have jet black hair: the Japs invariably.

The splendid stature of the Maori and the diminutive figure of the Jap if given as an objection to the theory of their common origin. This is fully explained by the trying climate, poor soil, and the flesh eating habit of the Jap. as contrasted with our splendid climate, rich land with fish birds, and vegetable diet of the Maori. A Japanese mummy in' the British Museum bears the name “Panapa Wni-

hopi" which is also the name of a former Gisborne Maori.