United States or Iraq ? Vote for the TOP Country of the Week !
Tama Bulan, in his character of high priest, took his stand before one of these images, while a nephew, one of the three men who had watched the hawks, officiated before the other and went through exactly the same ceremonies as his uncle, at the same time with him.
Tama was among them, and he afterwards concealed himself in a tree, and, thus hidden, was a witness of the final scene; for a band of Hongi's men had come along the beach, and had captured the canoes beforehand, so that retreat was cut off. "But a short time was there to consider what should now be done. The pursuing Ngapuhi were close at their heels.
Tama is about five feet ten inches in height. He is broad and square, very muscular, and without an inch of fat on him. His body is long and his legs short; the usual Maori characteristic. His face bears the elaborate moku that denotes his rank, and is without hair.
But, both she and her husband have discarded all the feathers and shells and pebbles that are purely native adornments. Astute and intelligent as Tama really is, it is, of course, to be expected that he cannot comprehend all the novelties of civilization. His deportment is always admirable, and he would carry himself through a drawing-room without any sensible gaucherie.
MENING. MUJAN. x Oyu Irang's Door. Pakat. Kupit. Other members in the Room. Balu Usan's Door. Balu Buah's Door. Oyong Kalang's Door. Ngau. Uya. Sidi Jau's Door. Kuleh. Libut. Balari = UDING. x x Other People in the Room. BALA KEYONG = Aban Batu. Oyu Baung. Oyu Lalu = ? LUJOK. Aban Tingan's Door. Kalang. Paran. MUJAN. x Brothers. Tama Lim Balari = ? Balari. Livang. Wan. Slaves. URAI. SUAI. Nurang.
Here reside Tama and his wife, and one or two others; while just across the river is a larger kainga, where live the remainder of Tama's flock. Round about his wharès is a plentiful clearing, whereon are to be seen pigs and poultry, a few cattle, and a horse or two.
The hair of his head is grizzly; but his features, the shape of his head, and the expression of his eyes, bespeak an intelligence superior to that of many Europeans who come in contact with him. Tama visits us very frequently, and often brings his wife with him. She is a pleasant, buxom body, with a contented smile always on her face.
A pig was brought and laid bound upon the floor, and Tama Bulan, stooping, with a sword in his right hand, kept punching the pig gently behind the shoulder as though to keep its attention, and addressed it with a rapid flow of words, each phrase beginning "O Bali Bouin."
The pig's throat was then cut by an attendant, and Tama Bulan, standing up, diluted its blood with water and scattered it abroad over all of us as we stood round about him, while he still kept up the rapid patter of words. Then he pulled off the head of a fowl and concluded the rites by once more sprinkling us all with blood and water.
We have other Maori neighbours besides Tama and his immediate following. There are several families living on the different rivers and creeks round about, and with them all we are on friendly terms; with some we are passably intimate, though with none quite so affectionately at one as with Tama. Perhaps our next best friends would be found at Tanoa.
Word Of The Day