The Material Culture of the Cook Islands (Aitutaki)
The Production of Fire, hika ahi
The Production of Fire, hika ahi.
Fire was produced by the usual Polynesian method of rubbing a pointed stick along a longitudinal groove made in another. An assistant may hold the under piece of wood. Fig. 54.
The dry textile-looking sheath at the base of the cocoanut leaves, kaka niu, is used to kindle a fire from the smouldering particles on the kau ati. A piece was twisted (taviri) loosely and kept or carried about for kindling purposes.
Pehe for producing fire.
"Taviri, taviri te ure o Hiro.
Ka hanake e Hiro
Ki muri i te tua o Maina
Ka hika ai tana ahi e
Ka ka!""Twist, twist the fibres of Hiro!
Come up O Hiro
Behind the back of Maina Island
And then rub for fire.
It is alight!"
The comparison of the twisted cocoanut sheath material to Hiro, the famous navigating ancestor, was not an insult but, according to my informants, by reciting his name in such an important duty as fire-making, it helped to perpetuate and honour his name.