Page:Maori Religion and Mythology.djvu/93

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CH. vi.
NAMING LAND.
79

younger brother, and for this reason I gave him your cousin for wife."

"It is well," said Taramainuku; "has not your son, Tawaki, a child?"

"Yes, Uenuku."

"Then carry home with you his cousin to be his wife."

To this Kahu consented. So Taramainuku's daughter, Hine-tu-te-rauniao, was given to Kahu to return with him to Rotorua. The son of Uenuku -and Hine was Rangitiki.

Then Taramainuku's wife placed food before the guests, toheroa[1], eels, hinau[2], kumara, hue[3], and a basket of para.[4]

When Kahu saw the para, he asked, "What food is this?"

"It is para," replied his nephew.

"And where does it grow?" asked Kahu.

"It grows in the woods."

"Ho!" said Kahu, "this is the food your ancestor ate. It is the raho of your ancestor, Tangaroa. This is the first time I have tasted para. You must call this place Kaipara."

Kahu returned homewards from Kaipara, but Ihenga stayed with his elder brother. Kahu returned by way of Waitemata, embarking in a canoe at Takapunga. He

  1. Toheroa, a species of bivalve.
  2. Hinau, berry of Elœocarpus dentatus.
  3. Hue, a small gourd.
  4. Para, a species of fern having a tuberous root.