TAPU MUST BE FOR REAL

Press, Volume CX, Issue 32322, 13 June 1970, Page 10

TAPU MUST BE FOR REAL

(By

WHIM WHAM)

The vice-president of the New Zealand Maori Council. Mr Pel Te H. Jones, said the action of Maori people wearing black armbands on the day of the AH Blacks, departure could rebound on them, because Maori tradition said that it was ill omen to trifle with the tapu of death . . “According to our Tanui tradition it is an *Ohia' of ill omen to trifle with the tapu of death.”—News. Hear the grave Tohunga’s Warning, Do not wear that Sign of Mourning. Later on, You may regret It. Tapu’s dangerous. Don’t upset It. Do not trifle with Tradition, Cling to ancient Superstition. Ancient Maoris feared ill Omens, Just like ancient Greeks and Romans. Mind the Symbols you adopt, Wishing that the Tour were stopped. Tapu is not lightly scorned, There’s a Pay-off, You’ve been warned. Wear the Jersey, not the Armband. Sign by ancient Magic Charm banned. Pull up your Socks and lace your Boots, To the Sound of old Bone Flutes. Reverend Tohunga Sir! Your Prerogative’s to stir Tribal Dread, of dark Revenges. Cults as ancient as Stonehenge’s. Tapu joins the Controversy Black Arm Band or All Black Jersey. Tapu’s real, it’s not old Bones, On the Lips of Mr Jones. Fear of Tapu, Fear of Death Hear what your Tohunga saith! Is This genuine Superstition, Or serious Trifling with Tradition? Either Way, it’s not amusing, Real with Fanciful confusing. And Which has the more potent Name, Death or the Rugby Football Game?