ENDNOTES.
Reading edition
1 karakia] Philosophical and meditative hymns used as incantations.—Editor.
2 pa] A pa is a fortified village, a stronghold.
3 Kahikatea… my friend the Forest Tree] The Maoris regard the Kahikatea, or white pine, with much poetical feeling.—Editor.
4 rangatira] Gentleman.
5 the green lizard that will summon me to Reinga] The Maori believes that when the little green lizard looks at him meaningly it is a summons for him to depart for the spirit world within three days.—Editor.
6 tiki] An ornament of jade fashioned in the image of Tiki, the first man, and worn round the neck.—Editor.
7 white-winged taniwhas] The taniwha of the Maoris is a mythical monster of the deep. When they first saw the Pakehas’ ships they set them down as taniwhas.—Editor.
8 kohutukutu] The wild fuchsia—the only deciduous native tree.—Editor.
9 wharekura] An ancient Temple of Mysteries.—Editor.
10 Zun the Terrible] Wanaki has a note here to the effect that, although the Maori’s pronunciation of this name was ‘Tunu,’ he prefers to preserve it in what he avers was its original form, viz., ‘Zun.’—Editor.
11 matakite] Clairvoyant.
12 tapu] Sacred.
13 its spirit had fled beyond Wai Ora Tane] The bourne from which no traveller returns.—Editor.
14 matakite] A seer—a clairvoyant.—Editor.
15 mana] Power, prestige.—Editor.
16 kumara] The kumara is a kind of sweet potato.
17 Taranaki glowed… thundering Tongariro] According to ancient legend Tongariro and Taranaki, standing together, were rival volcanoes for the hand of a smaller mountain near by, named Pihanga. They fought, hurling great rocks at each other, until at last Taranaki withdrew to the seashore, where he now stands.
18 Whaka ariki] A battle-cry.
19 heitiki] A small image of polished jade, held very sacred.
20 waiariki] A warm spring.
21 taepo] Devil—the hobgoblin of the night.—Editor.
22 weka] The Maori hen—a rare ventriloquist.
23 Makutu] Bewitchment.
24 crying ‘Utu! Utu!’] Utu is payment, compensation for injury.—Editor.
25 marae] The open space.
26 utu] Payment, compensation—an eye for an eye.
27 Upokokohua!] “Boil your head.” All Maori curses relate to cooking or giving in cookery, to boiling or being boiled.—Editor.
28 This letter, with its enclosure from Miriam Grey to Kahikatea, reached me just as the task of editing this work was finished.—Editor.