74 
NATIVE BAPTISM. 
The answer was frequently given in such incoherent terms, 
that the priest only could interpret their meaning; the whistling 
of the wind—the moving of the trees—a flash of lightning 
a peal of thunder—a whirlwind—the flying of a bird even 
the buz of an insect—or anything which might occur, after 
the uttering of the karakia, would be regarded as an answer, 
and favorable or otherwise according to circumstances. 
Dreams are very common vehicles of communication ; the 
spirit being supposed then to visit the realms of Po, and hold 
communication with the inhabitants of the other world. They 
also consulted the Niu for such purposes (see Niu).* The 
priest was the usual companion of the chiefs, and he generally 
managed to make the responses of the god to suit their wishes, 
if his own feelings were the same ; but at times, when the 
chief undertook any expedition which was not agreeable to his 
followers, it generally happened that the god also was adverse 
to the undertaking as well. 
The natives had a kind of baptism (He Told) for their 
children : when the navel string came off, then the child was 
carried to the priest. The ceremony commenced by his taking 
the navel string (te iho), and burying it in a sacred place, over 
which a young sapling, either a ngaio, karaka, or kaliikatea was 
planted, which, as it grew, was he tohu oranga (a sign of life) 
for the child. The end of the waka pakoko rakau (idol), was 
placed in the child’s ear, that the mana (virtue of the god) 
might be transferred to him, and the following karakia was 
repeated :— 
Taria kia ahuatia to ingoa. 
Ko wai to ingoa, 
Ko rongo to ingoa, 
Tenei to ingoa, 
Wai kui maneane. 
Wait till I pronounce your name. 
Wliat is your name ? 
Listen to your name, 
This is your name, 
Wai kui maneane. 
The priest repeated a long list of names, and when the child 
sneezed, that which was then being uttered was the one 
selected. The names repeated were those of ancestors. The 
priest, as he pronounced the name for the child, sprinkled 
* Page 91. 
