Maori Legends.

Opunake Times, Volume I, Issue 4, 13 July 1894, Page 4

Maori Legends.

(By Kurt.) PAIKA AND MOTU. In ancient times the Maoris looked on tribal wars in the same way in which Europeans regard pleasures, amusements, or dissipation. They were trained in the use of arms and all the methods of warfare then in use from early childhood, so that it was thoroughly implanted in them. Like many other uncivilised nations, to have taken the life of a hostile brave was a mark of manhood, and constituted the young Maori man as a warrior and brave in his tribe. These wars had another object in view besides supplying the place of amusement and recreation, which was to keep up the supply of slaves and fresh meat, for in those days they were cannibals, and looked on human flesh as the greatest luxury, using it as a kind of dessert with their vegetable food, which consisted of various indigenous Juries, kumeras, taros, fern root &c. There was a tacit understanding amongst the tribes that war should cease during the planting and harvesting season, but as soon as these were over, a casus belli was sought for, and war to the knife ensued. It may easily be imagined that with such a training for war it was a very trivial matter which would give good cause for a raid on their neighbours, and in many instances, like various other people, they had their diversion first, and enquired for the cause after, which was more convenient at times, even if not quite so logical. Among the most successful raiders and warriors were the Waikato tribes, who were a a numerous people, and, living in a mountainous country, heavily bushed, were belter able to protect themselves against invasion than those tribes who lived on the coast. In the various raids they made they were seldom defeated, ajul had at different times fought their way, dealing death and destruction amongst the different tribes, all along the West Coast as far as Wellington. So confident had they become of victory, that before starting on an expedition they would prepare a large quantity of ropes for securing the slaves whom they would capture, and also make themselves kumetes (small light bark boxes) in which they carried back the flesh of their enemies whom they had slain. In order to preserve the flesh, it was slowly simmered over the fire, and was then packed into the bark boxes, slung on the back, and thus loaded with their horrible freight they returned to their homes, to be honoured and feted. Che of these taua (war) parlies had fought its way- through as far as Mawhitiwhiti pah, near Normanby, which was attacked, and, after a stubborn defence, taken by the assailants. Then a scene of carnage ensued, death Being dealt out indiscrimately to men, women, and children, a certain number only being granted quarter for the purpose of making them slaves. Among this latter was one very beautiful girl named Molu. After spending some days on the scene of battle, feasting on the slain, and preparing the flesh of others for transport. tbe war party started back for their home in the Waikato. When they arrived home, a warrior named Paika claimed the beautiful maiden, Motu, as his slave, and being greatly enamoured, married her in due course. After living in her new home for a number of years, Motu began to long for a sight of the home of her childhood and relatives, and became morose and dispirited. She was constantly crying out that she wished to go back, if only for a day, to see the home of her infancy again. Getting tired of her continual petitioning, Paika, her husband, at last consented, on the understanding that she was to return when he sent for her. Motu’s delight was unbounded when permission was grar ted, and she immediately started on her journey. In due course she arrived at Mawhitiwhiti, and her people were as much astonished at her presence amongst them as if she had arisen from the dead. Rejoicing was general, the fatted pig was killed, and great merriment ensued. After Motu had been at Mawhitiwhiti for a time her husband sent for to her to come back. He, having a true affection for her, felt her absence keenly, and when she was absent life had no joys for him. Motu was loth to return yet awhile, and sent* the messenger back, asking Paika to let her remain a little longer. After a time he sent another messenger, but he returned with the .same answer as the first. Paika then determined to go himself to bring his wife back, as he found life unbearable without the sunshine of her presence. He arrived at Mawhitiwhiti, and was received with every sign of affection by his wife, and, notwithstanding the reminiscenses of his previous visit, w T as hospitably entertained by her relatives and the other natives of the tribe. After resting for a few days, he told her she should pac£ up her belongings and prepare to accompany him home. She pleaded one excuse or another, delaying the evil day for leaving her childhood’s home. Paika at last lost all patience, and, seeing that his wife did not reciprocate his affection, was seized with a horrible feeling of jealousy, and made known his intention of returning alone, requesting Motu to accompany him a short distance that they might take their farewell out of sight of the village. This Motu did, but as soon as they had got clear of the village Paika drew his tomii,hawk and slew his wife, being determined that if he was to be deprived of the sunshine of her presence that she should not remauTas a joy to her people. He then proceeded on his way, the (lemon fully roused in him, but was continually haunted by the cries for mercy of his murdered wife. Motu’s two brothers, coming along shordy afterwards, saw the body of

their murdered sister lyimg on the ground, and were struck with dismay. They rightly concluded that Paika had taken her life, and, after arming themselves, started in pursuit of him. After several days’ journeying, they finally came on his tracks, and, using means of decoying him by imitating their dead sister’s voice, succeeded in getting within his reach, when a desperate fight took place. Paika fought with the energy of despair, and succeeded in killing one of the brothers, and the remaining one fought on with him, each sustaining terrible wounds from the tomahawks, until they were covered with blood. Paika, finding himself getting the worst of the combat, managed to get clear of his antagonist, and secreted himself in a hollow tree. He returned to his home, but finding when his vengeance was appeased, that his life was embittered, he gave way to despair, refused to take any food, and shortly afterwards died.