A WAIRARAPA TOHUNGA.

Dominion, Volume 5, Issue 1393, 20 March 1912, Page 4

A WAIRARAPA TOHUNGA.

EXTERNAL AND INTERNAL "MEDICINE." It may not bo generally known (says the Wairarapa "Age") that the Wairarapa possesses a Native "tohunga," or priestess of witchcraft who claims the power to cast out devils, lioal the sick, and perforin other feats of this class described as miraculous. Tho tohunga, who is of middle ago, and is a native of the district, resides at Gladstone. She has .already established herself, and has a considerable number of followers. The malo followers attiro themselves in red shirts and blue sashes (Vhicli is symbolic of men in modcm warfare), and sing hymns and incantations whilst tlio tohunga performs her ceremonies. The latter consist of the application of brandy to the external parts of tho body, and tlio giving of n sip of tho spirit to the patient after treatment. It is hardly necessary to say that the number of patients is daily increasing, and notwithstanding the law which prohibits the admission of liquor to a kaingu, many of the disciples of tlio tohunga are possessed of flasks. Tho circle meets every Thursday, and on occasions tho ceremonies extend throughout the night, A head nurso lins been established in connection with the institution and a choir has been formed to supply tlio musical accompaniments. So far, no miracle luis been performed which is worthy of note.