Note 16 — Introductory material

While the two were calling, Umi heard them, and so he answered the old men by saying: “Come in. We have no one at home except myself; all the people and Kaoleioku have gone up to the mountains to work in the fields; I was made to stay at home to receive you two upon your arrival.” At the call of Umi the two entered the house. When Umi saw that the two had entered, he went out, took up the log of wood, lifted it over his head and threw it down onto the ground breaking it into small pieces. Umi then followed this by lighting the umu,16 and on account of the liberal supply of kindling wood and leaves a great volume of smoke arose, making it impossible for the old men to properly see how the wood and the umu were prepared. Umi then grabbed the pig and, after letting it squeal for a while, let it go, not killing it. The pig was released and allowed to get away on the side where the smoke was thickest. After the kindling wood had burnt up he covered the umu with grass only. After this was done Umi went to the awa bush and pulled it up whole.