212 
WAKAPAKOKO IMAGES. 
being between the legs of the figure, but this was not an idol, 
merely a figure to strike terror in the enemy. These images 
were only thought to possess virtue or peculiar sanctity from 
the presence of the god they represented when dressed up 
for worship ; at other times they were regarded only as bits 
of ordinary wood. 
This dressing consisted in the first place of the r pahau , or 
beard, which was made by a fringe of the bright red feathers 
of the ] kaka, parrot, — next of the peculiar cincture of sacred 
cord with which it was bound ; this mystic bandage was not 
only tied on in a peculiar way by the priest, who uttered 
his most powerful spells all the time he was doing it, but 
also whilst he was twisting the cord itself, and lastly, 
painting the entire figure with the sacred kura ; this com- 
pleted the preparation for the reception of the god who 
was by these means constrained to come and take up his 
abode in it when invoked. But the presence of the atua was 
not supposed to be confined to these images, he more 
frequently took up his abode in the priest himself, who, when 
thus filled with his spirit, was so violently distorted in all his 
limbs, so frantic in his movements, foaming at his mouth as 
to appear filled with the god, and no longer the master of his 
own actions, his body was then entirely surrendered to him ; 
every word he uttered whilst in that state was regarded as 
proceeding from the god, and not from himself ; this was 
thought to be the case after uttering certain karakias, at 
other times he was only an ordinary person. 
When the chief wanted to carry any measure which he 
felt he had not sufficient influence to do by his own mana, 
or power, he usually called in the aid of the tohunga, who 
not only managed to be inspired when thus wanted, but to 
utter just what agreed with his chief’s wish, which coming 
direct from the atua at once convinced the people. 
The ariki, or head chief, in virtue of his office and position 
was likewise thought able to hold converse with his deified 
ancestors ; there appears to be some similarity between him 
and the high priest under the Mosaic Law, in being a tem- 
poral as well as spiritual ruler ; thus after the election of a 
