TRIBES UNITED.

Auckland Star, Volume LXV, Issue 29, 3 February 1934, Page 11

TRIBES UNITED.

WARLIKE HAKAS.

"KING" KORGKI WELCOMED

SPECTATORS ENT HR AI/LEU,

(By Telegraph.—Special Reporter.) WAITANGI, this day,

Half a century's aloofness and tribal isolation broke, down at Waitangi at noon to-dav, when the Waikato "King," Koroki, and his followers were received on tho Ngapuhi niarac and accorded one of tho most stirring welcomes ever witnessed in the North'.

The scene was a memorable one, for pakeha and Maori spectators alike. For all the world like painted savages, the picked liaka teams from the Ngapuhi and Ngati-Porou tribes, 500 in number and in ceremonial costume—naked to tho waist and with shorts covered by piupius—became warriors for the moment, and by gestures, blood-curdling shouts and facial representations, laid the foundation for the belated tribal reunion. • .

They were led®by a native who wore native costume for tlio occasion. It moved 3500 spectators to a demonstration of admiration and enthusiasm. There was spectacle and colour for the pakeha eye, and for the assembled natives, there was the unfolding of a new era in intra-tribal relationships. The Ngapuhi runners, as usual, were victorious in the baton challenge, and excitement became intensified when domestic and general liakas and war dances followed"

_ The red and black dresses of tho singing girls added a brilliant dash of colour to the surroundings, and, as on previous occasions, the action songs and songs of welcome harmonised with the welcome ceremonies.

Equally inspiring was the welcome to tlie Rarotongan Avikis and-party, and representatives of other visiting" tribes. Half-way through the reception rain again fell, but the proceedings were carried through in spite of the conditions.