1922 .] 
Best.—Divinatory Rites of the Maori. 
309 
The Niu. 
This was a very common method of divination among the Maori folk, 
and many writers have described or mentioned it. The word niu is also 
applied to the topa or koke, at least when practised for the purpose of divina¬ 
tion. The word topa denotes a childish pastime of former times. A leaf 
Fig. 2. —The niu : Throwing. 
Fig. 3.—The niu : Contemplation. 
of wharangi (Brachyglottis repanda), from which the petiole has been 
removed, has the lower end of a seed-stalk of some tall grass inserted in the 
base of its midrib. This balanced contrivance is launched from a height, 
as from the bank of a river, and. if well balanced and launched by a swift 
movement of the hand, will glide through the air for a considerable distance 
ere coming to earth. This term niu is one of much interest. It is a far- 
spread Polynesian name for the coconut, and the coconut was much 
