Best. — The Maori Genius for Personification. 13 



the Maori lived in a world to which we have no access ; we emerged 

 from that world many centuries ago, to enter a new and very different 

 sphere. 



The Maori had a loving regard for the earth, for was not Papa, the 

 Earth Mother, the mother of mankind ? Far above him he saw Rangi, 

 the Sky Parent, upon whose breast the Whanau Marama, the Children of 

 Light, were arranged by Tane the Fertilizer, who traverses the head of 

 Rangi accompanied by Tane-te-waiora, the cheering sunlight. The moon 

 was to him Hina-keka, Pale Hina, she who follows in the wake of the sun 

 god, and. in times of stress, becomes Hina-uri, or Darkened Hina. In the 

 transient comet he recognized Auahi-tu-roa, he who brought fire to man- 

 kind ; and in Maru he resolved celestial phenomena into a protecting deity 

 and a war god. When a meteor darted across the heavens he knew that 

 Tamarau was active ; and he saw in the brilliant rainbow Uenuku spent 

 with his long, hopeless search for the Mist Maiden. When the chill winds 

 of winter smote him he knew that Paraweranui was abroad ; when the 

 heaving breast of the Ocean Maid troubled his rude craft he knew that the 

 Whanau Puhi were gambolling on Mahora-nui-atea ; when the golden 

 trail of Tane gleamed athwart placid seas he knew that the Wind Children 

 had retired to their haven. Far overhead he beheld the many-coloured 

 battalions of Tukapua and the Cloud Maid, as they hurried forth from the 

 Cloud House, harassed by Tawhirimatea. When Mahuika assailed in fiery 

 wrath the offspring of Tane-mahuta he saw the countless legions of Te 

 Ihorangi darting to their rescue, while Mahuika found fair haven within 

 Hine-kaikomako. In the ceaseless contest between Parawhenuamea and 

 Rakahore he saw the origin of Hine-tuakirikiri (the Gravel Maid), whose 

 multitudes protect the body of the Earth Mother from the wrath of the 

 Ocean Maid, and of whom it was said, " He ope na Hine-tuakirikiri e kore e 

 taea te tatau " (A troop of the Gravel Maid cannot be numbered). Yet 

 another stubborn defender of the Earth Mother was Hine-one, and all 

 footsore travellers welcomed the advent of the Sand Maid. 



Even so the Maori of yore traversed the path of life, the life he gained 

 from the Earth Mother and from Tane. As he passed down that path he 

 was protected by the offspring of the primal parents, by anthropomorphic- 

 personifications, and by the spirits of his dead forbears. When the path 

 became faint as he neared its end, when Whiro and Maikinui destroyed 

 his body, when his spirit traversed the Broad Way of Tane that leads to 

 the spirit world, it was then that the Dawn Maid fulfilled her vow made 

 in the days when the world was young, and protectpd her children who 

 sought refuge within her realm. 



And Tane the eternal, who saw the birth of man, guides his spirit 

 down the Golden Way, and knows that the end is well. 



