been any remarkable sign of late years, from the time of the arrival of the Rongo-pai (= Gospel), like the signs seen in this island when men were tapu, when karakia had power. One sign seen in this island was the Ra-kutia (= the closed sun). At mid-day there was darkness, and the stars were seen. After two hours perhaps of darkness, daylight returned. Our fathers saw this sign: but there are now no signs like those of former days.
CEREMONY OF TUA.
When a male child is born to a Chief, all his tribe rejoice. The mother is separated from the inhabitants of the settlement, to prevent her coming in contact with persons engaged in cultivating the kumara, lest anything belonging to the mother should be accidentally touched by them, lest the kumara should be affected by her state of tapu; for the sacredness of any rehu-wahine is greatly feared.
When the child is about a month old, and strives with its hands to reach its mother's breast, the ceremony of Tūa takes place. Two fires are kindled; one fire for the Ariki, one fire for the Atua. The food to be cooked on the fire is fern-root. Then the tohunga takes the child in his arms, and repeats this karakia:—
A healthy lung.
Breathe strong thy long,
A firm lung,
A brave lung.
Severing[1] for your bravery,
**tilling food,
- ↑ The severing of umbilical cord is here referred to.
