WOODEN MAORI GOD FOUND

Southland Times, Issue 23692, 15 December 1938, Page 6

WOODEN MAORI GOD FOUND

SEVERAL UNUSUAL FEATURES DISCOVERY MADE IN CAVE IN OTAGO INLET (Special to The Times.) DUNEDIN, December 14. A wooden representation of a Maori god, of peculiar interest because of several unusual features, has recently been discovered in a cave overlooking an Otago inlet by Mr E. D. Sinclair, who has always taken an interest in the study of the Maori. The small figure, standing about 10 inches high, .is carved out of heavy wood, probably kowhai, and shows faint evidences of having been painted red at one time. The most unusual feature of the carving is the extraordinarily elongated neck, which, however, is obviously not an accident as the general workmanship is excellent. It is evidently one of a well-known type, of which this is the first example discovered.

These small wooden representations of wooden gods are widely spread in Polynesia, and they have certain characteristic features. The hands are generally resting on a protuberant stomach, the basic idea, being to indicate prosperity and plenty, while they also often show exaggeration of the gluteal region. The god recently discovered, however, has none of these characteristics. The stomach is retracted, the whole figure having a generally cadaverous look. In this instance, the basic idea seems to be death, and the figure probably represents a dead ancestor. It would thus be linked with the wellknown group, of small wooden figures from Easter Island. The arms and legs have been broken off, and the head has been slightly burned by fire. In its complete state the figure would have stood about 10 inches high. The, cave in which the carving was discovered shows gruesome evidence of a cannibalistic feast. Mr Sinclair, who was able to make only a brief search, found on a rock-strewn floor portions of the skeleton of a Maori man. Pieces of the- spinal column and the bones of the legs all had tendons still attached to them, and another bone had been broken so that the marrow could be eaten. The bones of some birds' and a. pig were also discovered. . The particularly dry nature of the cave has resulted in the/preservation of the small pieces of flesh which still cling to the human bones. / ■■■ -, The last known instance of cannibalism in Otago was. at White Lake in 1834, so that. Mr. Sinclair's discovery can be dated from about that time. Mr Sinclair has presented both exhibits to the Otago museum.