RELIGION OF THE RINGATU

Evening Star, Issue 17925, 22 March 1922, Page 6

RELIGION OF THE RINGATU

STRANGE MAORI RITE,

BURNED COIN ON THE ALTAR

The propitiation of the Deity by means of the sacrifice of a penny is part of the religions rites of the Eingatu sect of Maoris. This custom was described at the trial of Eutene Topi, the young Maori acquitted at Gisborne of the murder of Paid Zambukka, a hawker. The Eingatu is a Urewera tribe. Its chief was once the redoubtable To Kooti, who was exiled to the Chatham Islands, but escaped from there in a commandeered boat and returned to his people. To Kooti drafted numerous tribal law's and forms of religious observance, the one which has been mentioned being included. The Eingatu. make obeisance to their Deity by the raising of the right hand, ps the Maori name Implies. Their God in days of old was the Wind.

Koopu Eruiti, recalled at the trial, said that at the time of the preliminary trial in Opotiki ho went with others to say good-bye to the accused before ho was removed to Auckland. Topi gave witness a penny on that occasion, “on account of him murdering a man.” Mr F. W. Nolan, Crown Prosecutor (to the interpreter) : Ask him for the exact words, as near as be possibly can give them.

The interpreter stated that the prisoner had told witness no more. Mr Nolan asked what the witness was to do with the penny. The interpreter explained that giving the penny was a kind of religious rite. The coin would bo handed over to the priest of the Eingatu sect. To His Honor; The accused was a “sorb of grand-ngphew ” of witness. His Honor; Was the penny given to pay for prayer for the soul of the accused, or for prayer to get him out of trouble? —To get him out of this trouble. Witness said that the penny was given to Wharemoana, who was the priest. Mr L. T. Barnard (counsel for the defence) : It is clear that, if Eutene had murdered this man, a penny would not put that right!—l would say that the ipenny was in payment for the murder of Zambukka. You bavo an altar in this religion where sacrifices are offered?—Yes.

Is it akin to tho altars upon which tho Children of Israel made sacrifices in days of old ?—Yes. That is what it was taken from.

Instead of burning lambs and doves, however, you now burn coin of the realm ? —They don’t exactly bum carcasses of beasts” but they use portions of the flesh. The smoko as it ascends to Heaven is as a prayer. For the good-will of tho Deity towards a suppliant?—That is, I think, correct. Aro sacrifices frequently offered as obeying the injunction delivered to tho Children of Israel ? —Sometimes there is nob a sacrifice made in twelve months.

Sometimes they are offered freely?— Yes.

In times of general or individual misfortune appeals to tho Deity aro made?— Yes.

Was Topi's trouble not that he had murdered a man, but that ho was charged with doing so? —Yes. Mr Nolan ; When an offering is made, does it usually take tho form or a penny ? —lt docs.

The penny is a symbol of the giving of something to tho religion. The amount of'the offering has no significance?—No. His Honor; Is it clear that Ruteno Topi gave the penny to pay for his soul or to get Mm out of tho charge?—l understand it was to get him out of this trouble.