Karakia

Performer(s):

Turi Tama (M); Rave Pitomaki (M); Mrs Tini Terekainuku (F); Tepaki Mokotupu (M); Mrs Utivara Mokotupu (F); Pākuru Rima (M); No'ovai Pakūru (F); Māti Joseph (M); Tau Eitiare (M); Paiti Nuku (M); Mrs Mitua Hewitt (F); Usia Tarūia (M); Mrs Teei Usia Tarūia (F)

First lines from recording:

Tangaroa te titi

Tangaroa te tata

Date Recorded: 01 Sep 1967

Location: Nikaupara, Aitutaki, Cook Islands

Accession Number: 83/130.01b

Notes:

The people of Aitutaki are descended from Rū, who came from 'Avaiki in his canoe Ngapuariki with 11 warriors and 29 beautiful women. They left the island of 'Avaiki because it was over-populated. On the seas they met a great storm. Rū's canoe arrived on the NE side of Aitutaki at a passage named by Rū 'Otu-te-pō (Night of the full moon). The canoe became stuck on the reef and Rū' sent his four brothers to get pandanus trees to use for rollers. While the canoe was being pushed off the reef, one of the brothers named Verituamaro fell under the canoe and was killed. The other brothers expected Rū to commemorate this event by naming a place after Verituamaro but Rū did not do so. Two of the brothers were offended at this and left Aitutaki for New Zealand. The names of these two men are not known. Translation to the song: Tangaroa supreme on high, Tangaroa supreme below, Sweep away those angry clouds, So that Rū's canoe can reach land; Tangaroa, who was called upon by Rū in this story to calm the waves, was the primal Polynesian god of the sea. For a note about him see HM36.

Use this link to cite or share this resource: http://ampm.auckland.ac.nz/handle/id/86838

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