MAORI MEMORIES

Wairarapa Times-Age, 10 September 1940, Page 2

MAORI MEMORIES

KOKOWAI. (Recorded by J.H.S., of Palmerston North, for the “Times-Age.”) Red ochre (kokowai), found in abundance near volcanic regions, had sacred significance when used upon the lips of men and women who were guilty of infidelity to their simple marriage vows. Like all Tapu (sacred) subjects marriage had no name and was. mentioned only in a reverent whisper as “Moe Tane” or “Moe Hine." In use on the upper lip the red indicated a veritable “stain” on the reputation. On the lower lip, it meant that retribution (Rapunga) had been made. In those early days the bones of distinguished people were stained with kokowai. This was thought to have arisen in the dawn of civilisation when blood was sprinkled on the door in token of sacrifice.

All that ha's now been changed, the more modern uses are for warriors to smear the face and body to cast fear upon the enemy. On a chief, red marks on the body indicate his rank and protect his fellow men against the stern laws of Tapu. Did our people but know the experience of the ancient Maori and the memory (mahara) of their modern sons, there would be no more red stained lips among us. A Ngatiapa chief told us of the experience of a friend in a rival tribe about 80 years ago. Polygamy had not then been banned, though it was looked upon with strong disfavour by wives. The chief had been much taken by the charm and beauty of a young women in a pa five miles away. He told his wife he was going to spear pigeons, but her Maori intuition told her another tale. She marked his mats with a white powder. When he returned the powder was tinged with red. She left him and returned to the home of her parents.