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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.

Figure 54.Production of fire, hika ahi.

Figure 54.
Production of fire, hika ahi.

The best wood to use is the banyan, aoa, but various other woods were used. The under piece is termed the kau ati. The upper active piece is the kau rima from the fact that the rima, hands, are actively used in its manipulation. It is shaped in the form of a wedge in front and cut away below. Fig. 55. The two hands are clasped over the kau rima which is rubbed along the kau ati until a groove is formed. When the groove deepens, the small particles of wood collect at the front end of the groove. page 52The rubbing increases in speed and the rapid friction causes the fine particles to smoulder. The judicious application of gentle blowing causes it to light up. This process of
Figure 55. The shaping of the fire stick.

Figure 55.
The shaping of the fire stick.

a.—From above. b.—From the side.

rubbing is called hika ahi. If the fire does not come quickly the operator spits on the kau rima and rubs it on the ground. This no doubt causes some coarse particles to stick to the kau rima and increases the friction.

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.