276 POLYNESIAN RESEARCHES. 
Oro was the pricipal war-god, but he was not 
the only deity whose influence was important on 
these occasions. Tairi, Maahiti, Tetuahuruhuru, 
Tane, and Rimaroa, cc long hand, or arm,” the 
ancient gods of war, were all deities of the first 
rank, having been created by Taaroa, according 
to their fabulous traditions, before Oro existed. 
In modern times, however, Oro’s influence has 
been principally sought m war. This they imagined 
was the chief object of his attention; and when 
it proceeded in its bloodiest forms, it was supposed 
to afford him the highest satisfaction. Somewhat 
of his imagined character may be inferred from 
the fact of his priest requiring every victim offered 
in sacrifice, to be covered with its own blood, in 
order to his acceptance. The influence ascribed 
to the gods in war may be in a measure inferred 
from the frequent and sanguinary appeals made to 
them at its commencement, and during every peued 
of its progress. 
When war was in agitation, a human sacrifice 
was offered to Oro, and was denominated the 
Matea: the ceremony connected with it was 
called—fetching the god to preside over the nuz 
or army. The image of the god was brought out ; 
when the victim was offered, a red feather was 
taken from his person, and given to the party, 
who bore it to their companions, and considered 
it as the symbol of Oro’s presence and sanction, 
during their subsequent preparations. The com- 
mencement of war, the violating of a treaty, was 
called the aoti a pito, the cutting of the cord 
of union; whenever this took place, a human 
victim was offered by the offending party, to pre- 
vent the gods from being angry at their treachery. 
A human victim, called the Amoatabu, was also 
