Tales of a Maori Grandfather. A VISION OF CREATION.

Poverty Bay Herald, Volume VII, Issue 1049, 13 March 1880, Page 2

Tales of a Maori Grandfather. A VISION OF CREATION.

11. These are the whole of the children of Rangi (heaven), and Papa (earth) viz., Tane-nui-arangi, Tangotango, Makoropupu, Hunga, Rauraoko and Tawhirimotea. It was Tane-nui-arangi who separated Rangi and Papa. He did so because of their being in darkness. There was a want of light. When Tane was attempting to uplift Rangi, his parent said " What is to become of my wife whom I love dearly." Tane said ' ' I will make provision for that. " Then Rangi agreed to the separation. The first effort to lift up Rangi was made in the evening, but the labor though aided by incantantions, from Rangi's great weight proved abortive. The second attempt, with other incantantions, was more successful, and their parent was j uplifted. Great was the joy at being able to discern their parent. Banished their tremblings of heart, and utter darkness dispelled. The stars are the drops of perspiration which fell from Tane's brow when engaged in this labor. Falling, they fell into the basket, Ika-o-te-rangi, i.e., fish of Rangi (the Galaxy), whose contents are the stars, and the Patari (Magellan clouds.) These Tane took and fixed as signs, for Rangi who is above us, and Papa who is beneath us. They are Autahi (Canopus), j Takurua (Sirius), Puanga (Riga), Matariki (Pleiades), Whanui (Vega), Kopu (Venus), Parearau (Jupiter), Tawera (Morning Star), Hitakitaki (Southern Cross), Tautoruma (Orion's Belt) Potuterangi (Aquila), Rikirangi, Takaonge, Tamareriti, Meremere, Ngapatauerua, Taurewa-ki-te-rangi. The Magellan Clouds and all the stars. There was still only partial light, but with the Sun and Moon, the world become filled, with it Rangi being upraised, Papa lamented the loss of her husband, thus it is that Rangi's face ia always downwards and his hack upwards. This is the creation of Tane-nui-a-rangi and Tangotango. The Moon is of the Sun, and emanates from Totanui-a-wewera (Heat's great perspiration) and is the creation of Tangotango. Hence the proverb : — " The two creations Tangotango are the Sun and Moon." Darkness and light are of the Sun, so are Summer and Winter, and likewise the years offspring (the! calender months.) Makoropupu'a children are cold, hail, sleet, &c. Tawhirimatea is the parent of all winds and clouds. Hunga of lice, &c. That under ground creeper, the fern-root is ' Ruamoko. He it is that has such a tenacious hold of the earth. Hence the proverb : — " The tenacity of the under ground hold of the thousands of , Ruamoko."