MAORI MEMORIES

Wairarapa Daily Times, 3 March 1934, Page 4

MAORI MEMORIES

(By J.H.S. for “The Daily Times. ”) TETAHI WHAKARITE OTHER MYTHS. Maui Nukurau (Maui the deceitful) played a nasty trick on his wife Rohe. He was ugly as she was beautiful. He asked her to change faces with him, and this she naturally refused. Throwing her into a mesmeric sleep lie elfected the transfer. Rolie was so nauseated that she deserted him and went to the underworld as the Death goddes'aui is also debited with treachery to his own Taokete (brother-in-law) husband of his sister Hina, by changing him into a dog! . With all his weakness, Maui as the greatest Fish Story teller of the world, occupies an outstanding place m a egorical history. His exploits in navigation and discovery completely outnvalled those of Columbus, and, according to Mark Twain, Maui would certainly be regarded as more virtuous, for lie was never known to be on a l)list. * * t Maui is credited with the invention of the Matau wheua (bstrbed bone fish hook), and the Hinaki (eel basket) with its unique inverted trap entrance. An old mythical storv says that Tinirau, the ocean god, had a tame whale (tollora) upon which he rode the storm. When Tinirau's sou was born, he lent the Tohora named Tutunui (obstinate monster) to the magician Kaeo, who was empioved in the ceremonies required to make the child a great voyager and warrior. Kaeo resented the warning against the obvious need to avoid shallow water, and maliciously rode the whale ashore when he and his tribe roasted and ate the carcase. The delicious odour wafted across the ocean to Tinirau, who sent a Palii Whakawai (beguiling party) of beautiful women to capture Kaeo whom they charmed and brought back to Tinirau, mesmerised by love. The enraptured priest was slain and-'eaten because of Ins ingratitude and treachery to his benefactor.