ORIGIN OF THE MAORI.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXV, Issue 19929, 24 April 1928, Page 7

ORIGIN OF THE MAORI.

GLIMPSES OF HIS PAST. A lecture of considerable interest to students of Maori lore and traditions was given by Mr. George Graham at a meeting of the art section of the League of Penwomen, held in the league's rooms, Unity buildings, last evening. "The origin of the Maori," said Mr. Graham, "is a matter of much speculation and interest, but, as th'e result of a great mass of tradition and history, it is a generally accepted fact that the Maoris came from a place called Irihia, which has not been actually located, but is believed to be situated somewhere in the Persian Gulf." In ancient Irihia civil wars created so much discord, and uahappiness that a certain branch of the inhabitants decided to emigrate, the consequence being that they spread all over the Pacific.. It was not till "950" in Maori dates—about one thousand years ago—that the first party of Maoris landed in New Zealand. The traditions of the Polynesians, or Maoris, state that when they first landed, the country was almost one continuous forest, and birdlife was very abundant. A notable and very important feature about the Maoris, according to the lecturer, is that every Maori, of any average learning, pedigree, and rank, knows all the genealogical records of his own family, and his tribe. He can converse intelligently with, say, a Tahitian, of the doings of his ancestors of seven or eight hundreds-' years ago, before his people migrated from there to New Zealand. The Maori has been trained through long centuries of time to memorise the doings of his ancestors. It is an inherent trait in his character, and can be found in the Polynesians all over the Pacific. A brief description of the everyday life of the Maori before it gradually became altered by European conditions, was given by Mr. Graham, who said that the energies of life at that tipie consisted in everyone giving the best of their physical and mental ability, for- the benefit of the tribe. Indolence was not tolerated. As regards the Madri " women, Mr. Graham said that womanhood was given a very important status by the .Maoris. In fact, the important part women played in public affaits was a feature of Maori life, and some of the best Maori orators and writers have been women. At the conclusion of Mr. Graham's address, some very interesting and valuable Maori relics and curios, the property of Mr. Trevor Lloyd, w|3rp exhibited by the owner. , «

Two "Maori songs, "Waiata Poi," and "Hine-e-hine," sung by' Mrs.' H. King, were much appreciated. ! • •