MAORI MEMORIES.

Waikato Times, Volume 113, Issue 18927, 22 April 1933, Page 3

MAORI MEMORIES.

INTERESTING VIGNETTES (Recorded by “J.H.S.") THE REVOLT OF WOMAN. Maori women bore burdens an sables, men carried only weapons am glories. Hori’s three wives lay un ier an unmarked grassy mound In th sacred urupa at Te-lcu-iti. The othe lay the renowned warrior followei ;hem to Te Reinga. Whether in man’ sstimate their bodies were good o evil, their Aitua (spirit) returned t the Atua (God) who had lent ther is temporary tenants. Death had n terrors, for they knew not Hell o iny name for it. Hori was given sostly marble mausoleum worthy o lis fame. The interment was preceded by iveek of weeping and wailing, with in tervals for fun and feasting, to refresl their endurance. Such, proceeding were, whether'at a wedding, a birth sr a funeral, just the occasion fo i display of the emotions. Whether in sympathy or sorrow 'evolt or rejoicing, woman Is eve ■nore emphatic than man, and here sh jives proof. Indignant that in deatl their sisters had ben excluded fron the beautiful home of marble, the *ose in a body, and with- axes am reduced the costly tomb i' ’uin.- Then followed a free flgh Detween the sexes, which ended onl; •vhen the boys of the tribe started ai ixciting chase after a football. Hap )ily sore scalps, scratched faces, am nissing tufts of hair were the onl; wounds. The wail of the Tangi-a ;ahu (lament,for the absent spouse igain brought peace; Hori’s body rest jeside the three wives. The law o Jtu ends all quarrels, and peace reign: n the Kainga.