THE EARLY MAORI.

Hawera Star, Volume XLVI, 31 May 1927, Page 7

THE EARLY MAORI.

SOME PECULIAR POWERS

THE TOHUNGA S SPELL

WHOLE FAMILIES STRICKEN

The Maori of fifty years ago was possessed of some remarkable powers which 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 in 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 of his fellows-, imagined that .siili was the ease, he nl. once consulted the tohunga or some other person reputed to he skilled in the art of magic, and. ere long, the wrongdoer amply expiated bis crime, after with his very life. The most dreaded weapon for vengeance, as practised bv the natives-, was the “makuta.” This power, as clearly as may he defined, was similar to the forms* of witchcraft practised in England during the 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 bis whare by the person against whom be had sinned, and was banded over to the tohunga or “medicine man.” If this -digintary, whose power was almost absolute, considered that tlie ease merited punishment, he took possession of the article for three days, during which ho wrought mighty magic* 11 onn- 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 pakehn 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. On e a native suspected that he had- boon made a victim of the

makuta, nothing on earth could save him. The knowledge or -suspicion that he had been placed under a spell fjpemod 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 foi m among the eprlier Maoris. Though many s.ofjiies, who have had no opportunity to see -or 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 lew hours, through some unconscious violation ol their dread law of tapii, and. iu 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 bv himself A PROMPT VENGEANCE.

-So firm was their belief in the prog-nostications-of the dying that often ad 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 the appointed hour heing rigidly observed. Some years ago. in the Tauranga district, a native of some consequence fell ill. He became gradually worse, and one Tuesday morning lie summoned his followers. “My time has come,” he said. “I am a victim of the makuta. and 1 must die. It shall be when the tide goes out on Friday.” - were forthwith made for the funeral and accompanying feast, the death occurring precisely at the time named. As the tide receded oil the Friday morning tlie old man became gradually weaker, and at low tide life flickered out completely. After the ceremonies his followers went to the place ot 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.

Jt seems that, in addition to causing or hastening their demise, the o.d natives were also able to stave it oil for some considerable period. Ail old man of the Bay of Islands, a victim of asthma, became seriously ill, and summoned his elder son, tlie 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 Iveri lived on tlie opposite side of the harbour, to cioss which was a thing unheard of. except in daylight, the son replied. “Rut. father. 1 cannot go to Keri now for it night. ('ail von wait till morning?”

‘The old fellow thought for some time and then promised not to pass awa.v during the night provided that his son 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 tlie old man. who had kept himself a lire by sheer force of will, brightened and conversed with them, issuing his final instructions. These completed, tin* grand old fellow lay back .and passed peacefully away