There ended the recitation of Kahu, and he went on to his own proper line—
Houmaitahiti,
Tama,
Tuhoro,
And to your offspring born to life,
And to the light of day.
This is your kohukohu of the horohoronga.
To make light the weight of tapu.
He is free, he is released from tapu.
He goes safely where food is cooked,
To the evil mighty spirits of Night,
To the kind mighty spirits of Night,
To the evil mighty spirits of Light,
To the kind mighty spirits of Light.
Then the kohukohu was offered as food to the stone images, and was divided for Houmaitahiti, for Ngatoroirangi, for Tama-te-kapua, and for Tuhoro, and was pressed into their mouths[1]. This being done Ihenga took up another kohuhohu, and held it in his hand raising it aloft, while Kahu chanted the following karakia:—
For Whati-uri-mata-kaka,
For the evil old women of Night,
For the kind old women of Night,
For the evil old women of Day,
For the kind old women of Day,
For Kearoa,
Whose offspring is born to life,
- ↑ Hence the term horohoronga (=swallowing) given to the ceremony. It is to be remarked that the distinguishing name given to various ceremonies was taken from some striking circumstances connected with it,—thus, a sacred oven is named kohukohu from the leaves of the plant in which the kumara was wrapt: &c.
