THE EARLY MAORI.

Auckland Star, Volume LVIII, Issue 112, 14 May 1927, Page 21

THE EARLY MAORI.

SOME PECULIAR POWERS. THE TOHTWGA'S SPELL. WHOLE FAMILIES STRICKEN". The Maori of fifty years ago was possessed of some remarkable powers winch we are almost at a total loss to explain, seeming as they do to border upon the supernatural. A particularly dominant trait in the Maori character was his lust for revenge, and, by using these peculiar powers, he often avenged himself iu a most violent manner. Many of their unaccountable faculties were brought into use, unfortunately for those concerned, to settle some personal or factional grievance. If a native had been done an injustice by an act of one cf his fellows, imagined that such was the case, he at one consulted the tohunga or some other person reputed to be skilled in the art of magic, :..."!, ere long, the wrongdoer amply expiated his crime, often with his very life.

The most dreaded weapon for vengeance, as practised by the natives, was the "makuta." This power, as clearly as may be defined, was similar to the forms of witchcraft practised in England during earlier times, and only certain persons were capable of using it. The method of producing a makuta was this: Some article belonging to the delinquent was taken secretly from his whare by the person against whom he had sinned, and was handed over to the tohunga or "medicine man." If this dignitary, whose power was almost absolute, considered that the case merited punishment, he took possession of the article for three days, during which he wrought mighty magic upon it. At the end of this time the bewitched article was returned to its place in the whare whence it had been taken. No Hope for the Victim. Just how the spell worked no pakeha can tell, but the results were dreadful in the extreme to the person or persons against whom it was directed. Sometimes it caused insanity; more often death was the outcome. Instances have been related where whole families have been stricken by means of this art. Once a native suspected that he had been made a victime of the makuta, nothing on earth could save him. The knowledge or suspicion that he had been, placed under a spell seemed to prey upon his mind, perhaps almost wholly through self-suggestion, with the most dire results.

Auto-suggestion was a power which, took a particularly strong form among the earlier Maoris. Though many sceptics, who have had no opportunity to Eea for themselves, laugh the idea to scorn, it is nevertheless an established fact that many old-time natives died through this medium. Their own legends tell us of strong, virile men who lay down and passed away in the course of a few hours, through some unconscious violation of their dread law of tapu, and, in more modern times, instances have occasionally been known where a sufferer has departed to the happy hunting ground in this manner, and at a time appointed by himself. A Prompt Vengeance. So firm was their belief in the prognostications of the dying that often all preparations for the accompanying tangi were actually complete before the invalid passed away, and seldom indeed did a dying native disappoint his fellows in this'respect, strict punctuality to tho appointed hour beim; rigidly observed. Some years ago, in the Tauranga district, a native of some consequence fell ill. He became gradually worse, and one Tuesday morning he summoned his followers, "ily time has come," he said. "'I am a victim of the makuta, and I must die. It shall be when the tide goes out on Friday."

Preparations were forthwith made for the funeral and accompanying feast, tho death occurring precisely at the time named. As the tide receded on tho Friday morning the old man became gradually weaker, and at low tide lifo llickered' out completely. After the ceremonies his followers went to the place of the person who caused the trouble, slew him, and killed his animals and burned his whare to the ground, but removed nothing from the place.

It seems that, in addition to causing or hastening their demise, the old natives were also able to stave it off for soma considerable period. An old man- of tho Bay of Islands, a victim of asthma, became seriously ill, and summoned his elder son, the local constable, to his bedside.

"Go," he ordered, "and bring your brother Keri. I am dying, and I wish, to speak to you both before I go." As it was dark and Keri lived on the opposite side of the harbour, to cross which was a thing unheard of, except in daylight, the son replied, "But, father, I cannot go to Keri now for it is night. Can you not wait till morning ?"

The old fellow thought for some time and then promised not to pass away during the night provided that his sou were summoned immediately it was daylight. At dawn the elder son set out and soon returned with his brother. Keri spoke to his stricken father, at which the old man, who had kept himself alive by sheer force of will, brightened and conversed with them, issuing his filial instructions. These completed, tho grand old fellow lay bu'k and passed peacefully away.