MAORI MEMORIES

Wairarapa Times-Age, 9 October 1940, Page 2

MAORI MEMORIES

MAORI IRONY. (Recorded by J.H.S., of Palmerston North, for the “Times-Age,”) Humour and wit are but diversions of languages. As there was in the early days and even more so now, little known of English words by the Maoris, and still less of Maori words by us, the mutual idea of each was that the other was lacking humour. Both sides therefore resorted to practical jokes. One form of Maori joke was to answer those who inquired into their private or family affairs by a somewhat subtle and derisive reference to other sources of information. The tui is supposed to have been named “parson bird” because the white plume suggests that it “buttons its collar behind and looks backward.” The real reason was that when taught to speak Maori words it became “voluble as a preacher,” so when answering such questions as above, the Maori evaded the issue by saying “Ui nga tui” (ask the tuis). The name of the township and the shipping company’s vessel “Wingatui” is claimed by several persons to have its origin in their having “winged” a tui in the locality named. It really was the Maori names “Ui nga tui” and should now be corrected. Another kind of joking was to name persons after a defective form or feature. An unfortunate cripple would be named. “Waewae piko” (bent leg), one with a broken nose was known as “Ihu pakaru.” Strange to say the victim regarded it as a compliment because it was evidence of his ability to overcome such disabilities. This even applied to the deaf, “Poturi” and the blind “Matapo,” upon whom the good spirit (wairua tapu) bestowed other faculties of which the persons affected were really proud.