Maori Legends
Retold by Ron Bacon.
Illustrations: Cliff Whiting, Robert fahnke, Philippa Stichbury. Publisher: Shortland Publications. $9.95 hardcover
$6.95 paperback
The three Maori legend books come in very attractive format with the illustrations dominating the text. Perhaps that’s as it should be as the stories were meant to be told rather than written. That takes nothing away from the lively language of Ron Bacon who keeps his narrative to the basics. I felt the use of more maori words would have improved the thrust of the legends, kept to a closer spirit of intent and taught more parents and children about maoritanga.
The time has changed in this country when maori words took second place to english. Words like aroha have no english equivalent and so should be used in preference. Perhaps the publishers didn’t want to risk some children and
parents not being able to understand taura harakeke for the flax ropes with which Maui snared the sun, or patu for the club used to hit the sun. PW
Permanent link to this item
https://paperspast.natlib.govt.nz/periodicals/TUTANG19850201.2.38
Bibliographic details
Tu Tangata, Issue 22, 1 February 1985, Page 32
Word Count
170Maori Legends Tu Tangata, Issue 22, 1 February 1985, Page 32
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