Maori Religion and Mythology: Illustrated by Translations of Traditions, Karakia, &c., to Which Are Added Notes on Maori Tenure of LandShortland, Edward
Religion
Maori Religion and Mythology: Illustrated by Translations of Traditions, Karakia, &c., to Which Are Added Notes on Maori Tenure of Land
Shortland, Edward
Land tenure (Māori law); Mythology, Maori; Māori (New Zealand people) -- Religion
Then Kahu spoke—“Welcome us, welcome us, my _Ariki_. Behold us here. I
the suffering one come to you. I thought that you, my _Ariki_, would
seek me. But it is well, for I now behold you face to face, and you also
behold me. I and your younger brother will return to our own place, that
I may die on the land which your grandfather⁵² in his farewell words to
me and my elder brother named as a land for you. I was deserted by my
elder brother on account of our strife about the garden. But that land
is not for the younger brother only—no, it is for all of you alike. But
I will not part with your younger brother, and for this reason I gave
him your cousin for wife.”
⁵² Tama-te-kapua.
“It is well,” said Taramainuku; “has not your son, Tawaki, a child?”
“Yes, Uenuku.”
“Then carry home with you his cousin to be his wife.”
To this Kahu consented. So Taramainuku’s daughter, Hine-tu-te-rauniao,
was given to Kahu to return with him to Rotorua. The son of Uenuku and
Hine was Rangitiki.
Then Taramainuku’s wife placed food before the guests, _toheroa_⁵³,
eels, _hinau_⁵⁴, _kumara_, _hue_⁵⁵, and a basket of _para_.⁵⁶
⁵³ _Toheroa_, a species of bivalve.
⁵⁴ _Hinau_, berry of Elœocarpus dentatus.
⁵⁵ _Hue_, a small gourd.
⁵⁶ _Para_, a species of fern having a tuberous root.
When Kahu saw the _para_, he asked, “What food is this?”
“It is _para_,” replied his nephew.
“And where does it grow?” asked Kahu.
“It grows in the woods.”
“Ho!” said Kahu, “this is the food your ancestor ate. It is the _raho_
of your ancestor, Tangaroa. This is the first time I have tasted _para_.
You must call this place Kaipara.”
Kahu returned homewards from Kaipara, but Ihenga stayed with his elder
brother. Kahu returned by way of Waitemata, embarking in a canoe at
Takapunga. He passed by Motu-ihe, and Paritu on the north of Waiheke,
and crossed over to Moehau. There he found Huarere and his family. The
_tangi_ being ended, speeches were made. Meanwhile food was prepared;
and when they had finished eating the food, Huarere said, “Your _papa_
(uncle) has been here.”
“Who?” inquired Kahu.
“Ngatoro-i-rangi.”
“Ho! where is he?”
“He has gone away,” replied Huarere. “He came in search of you. He set
up a stone for a token for you.”
“ē, ē, my _papa_, ē, ē,” murmured Kahu.
Huarere continued: “After the arrival of your _papa_ he went directly to
disinter the bones of Tama and Tuhoro.”
“That is well,” said Kahu.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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