MAORI MEMORIES

Wairarapa Times-Age, 15 February 1941, Page 2

MAORI MEMORIES

HtNEMOA AND TUTANEKAI. t Recorded by J.H.S.. of Palmerston North for the ■'Times-Age.") Courtship was rare and informal as the marriage tie which was aptly named Moe (sleep). The typical story of Hinemoa and Tutanekai is of Eastern character, and gives a clear idea of old-time Maori custom. The island of Mokoia in the centre of Lake Rotorua is believed by the Maoris to bo a peak thrown up by volcanic action, and the waters surrounding it marked the boundary of a huge crater. Tutanekai. whose father may be known only by the sign X, played the putorino (Hute) and the tetere (trumpet). In the still summer evenings the sweet sound reached the ear of Hinemoa on the mainland shore. She wondered how she could cross that long stretch of water in secret and without a canoe. Fastening three large dried hue (gourds) to each side of her form as floats, she swam half the distance, and almost exhausted, floated on the gourds till she grounded on the island. There site stripped and stepped gratefully into the warm spring now known at Hincmoa’s bath (Waiariki). which is still said to retain its warmth by the love of this young pair. Before dawn of day Tutanekai’s servant came for a gourd of water for, his master from the lake near by. Hincmoa hidden to the chin in the spring,! called in a rough voice for a drink.] She drank freely, then with a purpose, I broke the calabash on the rock. When told it was broken by a strange man.! in the bath, Tutanekai took his patu (club) to kill the Intruder. She called! timitdly, “It is I. Hine Moa." and step-1 ped out. graceful as a kotuku (white heron). He threw her garments over her and they reposed nt his home; and; thus by ancient Maori law they be-] came man and wife.