MAORI MEMORIES

Wairarapa Times-Age, 8 October 1940, Page 2

MAORI MEMORIES

HONEST, HEALTHY, HAPPY, AND HELPFUL. (Recorded by J.H.S., of Palmerston North, for the “Times-Age.”) These were virtues of the old-time Maori. It will be interesting to review their attitude to these four vital principles of life with our own comparative failures in regard to all. We used to be restrained by the fear of an everlasting fire, though modern philosophy now regards it as “a pleasantry.” The Maori had no such belief. Their only devil was “fear,” and their heaven may be regarded as “a habit.” Honesty (pono) was impelled by circumstances. There was no money, the land and the food belonged to the community; clothing, such as it was, would only be worn by members of the family who made it. So there was no theft. Health (oranga) and energy (ngoi) were also due first to natural food, and secondly to its scarcity, which entailed moderation and exercise. Their only root crop was bracken fern, their fruit consisted of small berries and the sweet,petals of the kie kie, known tojis as “gigi.” Animal food, except for the delicate flesh of the native rat (kiore), was quite unknown. They drank a gallon of cold water every day. Sickness was a positive disgrace, never to be mentioned.

Happiness (koa) was induced by the complete absence of finance and its worries to the Pakeha. Grief at the death of a relative or intimate friend resulted in copious tears and blood letting for one day only. Mutual help (awhina) was instinctive. All worked, sang, talked, and laughed, caught fish or birds, and built their homes in sacred tens or its multiples. Hence the names hoko rima (ten fives), hoko whitu (ten sevens), etc. No Maori could thus be, or wish to be lazy. They cannot now work singly.