A MAORI GAME.

Upper Hutt Weekly Review, Volume III, Issue 31, 22 July 1938, Page 3

A MAORI GAME.

(Contributed by Mr. A. P. Godber.) Here we are again, boys and girls. This time I thought I would tell you of a Maori game, which some of you may try out for yourselves. Maori children, contrary to what many pakeha think, played many games amongst themselves. The game I intend describing to you is called "mu torere." I am indebted to Bulletin No. 8 of the Dominion Museum, for much of my information. Mu torere is played by two persons. Draw a star-shaped diagram having eight points and a small circle round the centre. The diagram can be any size, but 10 or 12 inches is about the handiest size. A star-shaped model in wood could be made if desired, and has the benefit of being more permanent than a drawing. The point on the extreme left is numbered 1, and the other points moving upwards and clockwise, 2, 3 (which is at the top) ; 4, 5,6, 7 (at the bottom) ; and 8. The circle in the centre is called "putahi." We will call the players A and B. A's numbers are 1, 2, 3, 4; B's 5, 6, 7, 8. The radiating arms, or points, are termed kauai. Each player has four "perepere," or counters, so marked that each player's can be distinguished easily. Place the counters on the eight points. They can be moved only to the points of the star, or to the centre "putahi." N"o jumping over an occupied point is permitted. If "putahi" is open, a counter can be moved there. At the outset of the game, 6 and 7 are "tapu," and cannot be moved to "putahi." Let B start off. 6 and 7 are tapu, so he can only move 8, or 5 to the putahi. He moves, say, 5, to putahi. Then A moves 4to 5. B moves the putahi man to 4. A moves 3to putahi, followed by B moving 4 to 3. Then A moves putahi to 4, and B 3to putahi. Next A moves 2to 3, and B moves putahi to 2. A now moves 4 to putahi, and B finds himself "piro," or out. A has won, having his men on 1, 3, 5, and putahi. B has his men on 2, 6, 7 and 8, and is effectually hemmed in. Try this game boys and girls. I am sure it will interest you.