MAORI MEMORIES

Wairarapa Times-Age, 25 September 1940, Page 3

MAORI MEMORIES

WHARE KURA AND AFTER. (Recorded by J.H.S.. of Palmerston North, for fire “Times-Age.”) The Maori house of learning, Whare Kura, literally “Red house,” was regarded as the centre of learning from which came the knowledge of all things spiritual. It was constructed by the High Priests, who alone had right of access there. Having no bees, and consequently no knowledge of honey, it probably represented the land of “milk and honey” referred to in ancient Bible history. With no reading or writing, which was probably lost during migrations through the absence of pens, ink, pencils, parchment or paper, the teaching was of a spiritual nature. In the Pacific Islands the name of this sacred house is Falay Ula, in which the single letter U also means milk. There its location, probably imaginary, is said to be in one of (heir many Homes in the Heavens (Rang!). All verbal reference to the actual location, or nature of the learning being Tapu (forbidden), these are probably more imaginary than real. They seem to have originated in the same source as our oldest theological history. The “High School” section taught astronomy, mythology, and tire mystery of life on earth and under it after death. This was said to be preceded by human sacrifice, blood offering's and sacred fire. Kahu Kura the God of the Rainbow (Ani Wani Wa) was its guardian angel. Those Ariki who graduated there were taught the more practical things of life —fishing, hunting, planting, building, and making tools and weapons. This was quite apart from the real Whare Kura of their secret session. This Maori College taught them the use of their hands for essential things in life. Our universities left that severely alone.