MAORI HISTORY

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume LXXXI, Issue 19048, 27 June 1924, Page 3

MAORI HISTORY

DIVULGING SACRBf) TRADITIONS. The chiefs of the Aupouri, Ngatikahu, Terarwa, Ngapuhi and Ngatiwhatua tribes assembled at Hokianag recently for the purposes of compiling a complete history of their tribes (says the New Zealand Herald). Surviving chiefs realise that the time had arrived for the remaining high priests and historians to unbosom sacred genealogies handed down to them through the ages of Maori traditions. About a month ago notices were circulated by Wiremu Rikihana and the noted Ngapuhi chief, Re Te Tai, throughout the northern districts from Tamaki to Tereinga Wairau (Spirits Bay). The old chief, Re Te Tai, addressing the people, said:— “Listen, oh, my people. As my steps are now nearing the horizon, I have invited you to assemble here before me to listen to my last wishes. From the days of your ancestors down to the present time the Ngapuhi have never yet divulged their sacred traditions to be placed on record; but times have changed.. Christianity has been established in the land of your forefathers. A solemn treaty exists between your forefathers and the great white Queen Victoria. I have now decided to unbosom to you the sacred genealogies of your ancestors, commencing from God to the present generation.” After the chief’s address eight members of the tribe were elected as a recording committee. An Executive Committee was also elected, consisting of 16 members of the tribes, Hoie Wepeha being elected chairman. The opening ceremony.was conducted by Re Te Tai, now 90 years of age. It was the kara kiapihi (sacred dirge) of the Ngapuhi Tribe. No other tribe in New Zealand has this dirge. The clerks who were recording were unable to take it down in shorthand, and the chief was highly disgusted with his eight clerks—all had received college education—and their chairman for insisting on his repeating it and going slow. It took him three days to give his records. As the matter is of great importance to all northern Maoris the Executive Committee has decided to take a further record throughout the district till the history is completed. It was unanimously agreed that when the records were complete a final meeting should be held at Hokianga, when an invitation would be sent to the Minister of Native Affairs to be present. Re Te Tai will hand over to him the records for safe keeping by the Government for the benefit of future generations of the Ngapuhi Tribe.