Chap. V.
As this country is divided into small principalities, whose chieftains are almost constantly at war with each other, the wandering of the natives is prevented by its being rendered unsafe; a bond of society is therefore formed for the safety and protection of the members of each principality. This society is divided into classes, each distinguished by devices variously tattooed on their faces and persons. These classes consist in those educated for the priesthood, or the performance of their religious ceremonies; others to arms, by far the most numerous class; and the remainder may be considered the cannaille, or vulgar multitude.
But little is known of the religion of these people; the chief objects of their adoration are the sun and moon; with the stars they are well acquainted, and have names for a great many of them; the moon, how ever, is their favourite deity. They believe it to be the abode of a man, who, at some distant period, paid a visit to New Zealand, and who they believe is still very anxious for its welfare and that of its inhabitants.
The annexed plate represents an ornament formed of the green talc I before mentioned, which they intend for a likeness of this protecting deity. It is worn round the neck of both sexes, particularly during times in which peril is apprehended.
When paying their adoration to the rising sun, the arms are spread and the head bowed, with the appearance of much joy in their countenances, accompanied with a degree of elegant and reverential solemnity: The song used upon this occasion is cheerful and not destitute of harmony; while that made use of upon the going down of the sun is mournful, and accompanied by such actions as evidently denote sorrow for his departure.
The song upon these occasions is usually sung by one person, to which there is a chorus, in which the whole company join: and I believe that they not only unite their voices for the purpose of adoration, but that their hearts are also filled with the same sentiment.
The song used to the moon is mournful, and their accompanying actions denote a mixture of adoration and apprehension.
My short residence among these people prevented me from acquiring an intimate knowledge of their religion; I can, therefore, only mention such circumstances as cursory observation induced me to believe related to that subject: the native I brought to England with me wishing always to avoid any conversation on this head. Upon some occasions I noticed that they were peculiarly observant of cleanliness; for instance, after cutting or combing their hair, they never make use of their hands to feed themselves, but are fed for one or more days after that operation by some one of their relatives.
The head seems to be generally considered an improper part to be touched by any kind of food, nor do they ever like articles of that description to be over their heads, though at some distance.
Between the beams of the ship were nettings filled with potatoes, under which the natives had a very great aversion from sitting.
My reason for believing that this aversion was produced by ideas connected with their religion was, that they always expressed their disgust in the strongest manner, and that nothing but force could induce them to remain in that situation. They would enter no further into an explanation of their feelings than matta matta very bad.
Their expressions of horror upon these occasions, however, were not greater than those of an Hindoo when touched, and consequently contaminated by a piece of animal food.
There are many other customs and ceremonies that appear to be dictated by a superstition connected with their religion, but as it would be impossible for me to speak with certainty upon the subject, I shall not venture any doubtful conjectures upon them.
They have an idea of a variety of rewards and punishments in a future state.
Near the town of Tippoonah is an island appropriated to the purposes of sepulture, and is, in all probability, considered sacred.
One of Tippeehee's wives being sick, and thought to be past recovery, was sent to this island to end her days: her majesty had two female attendants, who ministered to her wants till death released her from her sufferings.
The graves on this island are marked by pieces of wood at the head and foot, and preserved from disturbance by the superstition of the natives.
This singular practice of sending a person to die in a particular place affords a striking instance of the similarity of customs between two countries situated at a great distance from, and which, probably, never had any communication with each other: the Hindoos deposit their dying patients in the Ganges.
London, Publish'd by Murray, Fleet Street, 1807.