MAORI MEMORIES

Wairarapa Times-Age, 5 January 1940, Page 9

MAORI MEMORIES

MARRIAGE. (Recorded by J.H.S. for “Times-Age.”) John Rutherford’s survival among the Maoris in the very earliest days of their contact with a white man was due mainly to his practical assistance. The fact of his having certain moko (tattoo) tribal marks on his face saved his life on occasions when he had unconsciously infringed some vital law. His only European companion was mercifully sent to Te Reinga (The Land of Spirits) under the earth by an unexpected blow on the back of his head with a sharp solid stone mere, the reason for this being that a sick Maori woman had used his knife to cut her food, and had died shortly after.' Evidence was produced to show that the food was defiled by the knife having been used for some common purpose. She was a chief's wife.

As a tangeta noa (common person), even his heart was not edible, because it had no mana or maia (influence or bravery) to impart. His body was thrown in a shallow hole. The dead woman was buried beneath a young kauri tree, which was supposed' to carry her message to Te Reinga, the future home of all worthy people. No part of any woman was ever eaten, and no woman ate man’s flesh. Rutherford's practical knowledge and resourceful help caused his elevation to the rank of rangatira (chief), thus entailing marriage as a duty. Three wives were the minimum, and no less than seventy offered themselves. All were refused, so three days of tapu were imposed upon his person. As a compromise he chose the two daughters of a chief, and without ceremony they became his hoa wahine (wives for life).