PART 11. DAILY LIFE OF THE ANCIENT MAORI. IN PEACE.

Otago Witness, Issue 2649, 21 December 1904, Page 9 (Supplement)

PART 11. DAILY LIFE OF THE ANCIENT MAORI. IN PEACE.

The life of the Maori in Limes of peace was full of pleasant occupation, not reaching the dull level of toil, diversified by the practice of those branches of art in which he deilighted, permeated by the traditions of the past which encompassed young and old alike, and enlivened by indoor games and outdoor sports, the recital of their ancient tradi-

Tv— God of War Ta-whiri-ma-tea — God of the Sky Kongo — God of Kumara Tanga-roa- — -God of the Sea and the Fishing. Haumia — God of the Fern Root, had his own especial priests, by whom only he might be invoked, and through whom he communicated with the people. No important undertaking of any kind was planned or commenced without invoking the aid of the especial god within whose province it lay. It will thus b« evident that the services of the priests were constantly in requisition, and their power and influence in their respective tribes was almost unbounded.

To the the classes for instruction in fishing, agriculture, and hunting all were admitted. A symbol of the presiding deity was kept in each school, and these "toko" or symbols, formed of sticks of cqtial length, each had its appropriate significance of shape. For example, that of Tanga-roa, the Sea God, was sharply zig-zagged to represent the recurrent waves of the sea. A detailed account of the various schools with their complex attendant ceremonies is given in White's "History of the Ancient Maori."

In marked contrast to the classes for instruction in the arts and crafts the school of mythology and history, or Whare-kura, was sacred to the sole instruction of sons of the priests and chiefs.