Tapu Lifted From Whare Runanga
Vo WOMAN IS ALLOWED TO CROSS THE THRESHHOLD OF A WHARE RUNANGA UNTIL THE TAPU BAN HAS BEEN REMOVED BY A CHIEF.
Tn accordance •with this ancient tradition, the first of many notable events of the week took place at Waitangi yesterday. Three hundred Ngapuhis gathered in the moonlight at 3 a.m. to see the whare runanga officially opened to their tribe.
Words of Sacred Import
The ceremony was performed by the venerable Ngapuhi chief Kauere. of Ctaua, near Kaikohe.
Approaching the carved meeting house, he chanted words of sacred import. and threw open the door disclose. ihe marvels of the carvers’ art within.
He was supported by a haka team led by Hirimi Heremaia, of Kaikohe. The honour of being the first woman to enter the sacred portals fell to Whim, recognised queen of the Pungarmn (North Hokianga) people. Closed to Public
Clad in pin pin, as were all the other participants in, the ancient ceremonial, she made a stately figure. The whare runanga remains closed to the public until the official ceremony is performed as a climax to the functions on February 6. The unofficial observance yesterday was to remove the tapu and enable women to assist in the final work of preparation.
Permanent link to this item
https://paperspast.natlib.govt.nz/newspapers/NA19400131.2.12
Bibliographic details
Northern Advocate, 31 January 1940, Page 2
Word Count
210Tapu Lifted From Whare Runanga Northern Advocate, 31 January 1940, Page 2
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