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The Chief’s Funeral

           Forabouthalfanhourthefuneralprocessionremainedoutofsight,inthehollowvalley,andthencameinsightagainwindingupthemountainside;thedistancegaveafantasticeffecttotheundulatingmovementofthislongserpentinecolumn.

           Thetribestoppedatanelevationofabout800feet,onthesummitofMaunganamu,wheretheburialplaceofKara-Tetehadbeenprepared.AnordinaryMaoriwouldhavehadnothingbutaholeandaheapofearth.Butapowerfulandformidablechiefdestinedtospeedydeification,washonoredwithatombworthyofhisexploits.

           The"oudoupa"hadbeenfencedround,andposts,surmountedwithfacespaintedinredochre,stoodnearthegravewherethebodiesweretolie.Therelativeshadnotforgottenthatthe"Waidoua,"thespiritofthedead,livesonmortalfood,asthebodydidinthislife.Therefore,foodwasdepositedintheinclosureaswellasthearmsandclothingofthedeceased.Nothingwasomittedforcomfort.Thehusbandandwifewerelaidsidebyside,thencoveredwithearthandgrass,afteranotherseriesoflaments.

           Thentheprocessionwoundslowlydownthemountain,andhenceforthnonedareascendtheslopeofMaunganamuonpainofdeath,foritwas"tabooed,"likeTongariro,wherelietheashesofachiefkilledbyanearthquakein1846.

           

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