Colenso William 1881. Contributions towards a better knowledge of the Maori race. Part IV - on their legends, myths, quasi-religious ceremonies and invocations, concerning the kumara plant. Transactions of the New Zealand Institute 14: 33-48
Traditions
Traditions
Colenso describes place of kūmara in Maori cosmology. Relates traditions of kūmara introduction according to various iwi - East Coast Maori, especially Ngati Porou (Kahukura and Horouta canoe); West Coast traditions (Turi and Aotea canoe); Thames (Hotunui, Hoturoa and Tainui canoe); Hawkes Bay (Pourangahua); Urewera (Pourangahua. who brought the varieties Kawakawatawhiti, Toroamahoe, te Tutaanga, te Kioiorangi, te Tutaetara, te Monenehu, te Anutai). Anurangi is given as a synonym of Anutai.
Colenso presents an invocation or karakia used at planting time and analyses the wording.
Describes the tradition of selecting a peculiarly-shaped abnormal and rather large root called "Pani's canoe". Cooked at a sacred fire as an offering to the tohunga, a thanks-giving for a prolific crop.
Related records
Bibliographic details
Contributions towards a better knowledge of the Maori race. Part IV - on their legends, myths, quasi-religious ceremonies and invocations, concerning the kumara plant.
