Note 9 — Introductory material

Liloa then said to his servants: “Go and get my gods and bring them in the presence of Umi to perform the ceremonies of circumcision.”9 When the gods were set before Umi, the ceremonies were performed and the navel of Umi was cut, and the sacred drum was beaten. At the sound of the drum, Hakau, the first son of Liloa, heard it, so he asked of the servants: “Why is the drum being beaten?” “It is being beaten because the navel of the new son of the king is being cut. The young man’s name is Umi.” When Hakau heard this he came to meet Umi in a great temper. When he saw Liloa, he asked him: “Is this your new son?” Liloa answered: “Yes.” And then he continued in a kindly way: “You shall be the king and he shall be your servant. You shall be above and he shall be under you.” By these kindly words of Liloa his father, Hakau’s temper was driven away and he pretended to be reconciled to Umi.