MAORI MEMORIES

Wairarapa Times-Age, 8 January 1940, Page 2

MAORI MEMORIES

HARVEST (Kotinga). (Recorded by J.H.S. for “Times-Age.”) In all the phases of the Maori worship of Nature, that of the Hakari (festival of food) at the beginning of harvest was the most genuine and generous. Throughout the season of planting and care of the crops, every family joined in cordial community work. Weeds, of which there were few, were completely cut out. Seeds were carefully selected, only the best specimens were planted, the earth was trenched with the Ko, a wooden spade, and rubbed with the hands to permit the air, moisture, and sunlight to do their part. All this was done cheerfully and in unity as a form of silent devotion to the Atua (gods), who caused the tiny dry seed to grow into tasty food sufficient for man's hunger for the day. Even the children in stepping through the avenues of growth half a mile long, and as wide, felt this form of devotion to the mysterious power without which there could be no light or life. During the season of growth and ripening, the Pataka (store houses) and Rua (pits) for keeping Kumara and Taewa, were put in order, and the frames for drying the maize erected to face the sunlight. Then the Ika paoa (fish smoking) places were seen to. All this in preparation for six moons of winter. Greatest of till was the Hakari or harvest home after ample supplies were provided for the coining 13 moons of puna, raumati. and huatoki (spring, summer and winter). Not a single thing was touched or tasted till the Ariki (high priest) had Whakapai (blessed) the daily food, and made Tapu (protected) all reserves for winter use.