Takitimu
Preparation of Papa-whare or Foundation of a House
Preparation of Papa-whare or Foundation of a House.
The Main Entrance of Takitimu House
Showing the Mahau (verandah) and the carved doorway representing
Rongomai-wahine, the famous ancestress.
Placement of the Names of Figures of the Takitimu House
Commencing from the Back of the Western Corner of
the House.
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Name of Ancestors.
1. —Tu-Whare-Toa 2. —Pikiao 3. —Ngaherehere 4. —Pourangahua 5. —Te-O-Tane 6. —Taraia 7. —Te Whati-Apiti 8. —Rongo-Whakaata 9. —Kahutapere 10. —Konohi 11. —Tupai 12. —Mahaki 13. —Whakarau 14. —Tuhoe-Potiki 15. —Rangi-Te-Ao-Rere 16. —Uenuku-Kopako 17. —Tama-Te-Rangi 18. —Tapuwae 19. —Rangi-nui 20. —Whiti-Kaupeka 21. —Tahu-Matua 22. —Tamanuhiri 23. —Kahukura-Nui 24. —Rakai-Paka 25. —Te Huki 26. —Kurahikakawa 27. —Hikairo 28. —Tu-A-Pawa 29. —Tama-I-Uia 30. —Rangi-Tane 31. —Te Rehunga 32. —Te Kapua-Matotoru 33. —Hauiti 34. —Pakanui 35. —Maniapoto 36. —Kurawari 37. —Ruapani 38. —Rongo-Kako 39. —Tamatea-Pokai-Whenua 40. —Tawake 41. —Tamahine-Ngaro 42. —Turi 43. —Ruanui 44. —Tara 45. —Te Matuahanga 46. —Te Kawiti 47. —Paoa 48. —Apanui-Mutu 49. —Puhi-Kai-Ariki 50. —Muri-Whenua 51. —Te Wera Hauraki 52. —Tama-Te-Kapua 53. —Ngatoroi-Rangi 54. —Hotu-Roa 55. —Ra-Katauri 56. —Toroa 57. —Tama-Ki-Hikurangi 58. —Mahina-A-Rangi 59. —Raukawa
Other Figures
- On the right-hand side "Maihi," or barge-board, is the picture of the Takitimu Canoe.
- And on the "Ama," or slab supporting the maihi, are two figures: On top, Tamatea-ariki-nui (Captain of the Takitimu canoe); Bottom, Ruawharo (Priest of the Takitimu canoe).
- On the left-hand side "Maihi" is the picture of the Horouta Canoe.
- And on the "Ama," or slap supporting the maihi, are two figures: On top, Pawa (Captain of the Horouta canoe); Bottom, Kiwa (Priest of the Horouta canoe).
- On top of "Maihi," or bargeboards, is the "Tiki," named Kahungunu.
- On top of the door lintel is the "Pare," named Rongomai-wahine.
- At the back of the right-hand side of the wall is the figure Hine-Matioro.
- And at the foot of the flagpole is the figure named Tu-Tane-Kai.
We will now note how a superior house, a whare whakairo, or carved house was built. The levelling of the floor space was done by the eyes as well as they could, and then, to find out any uneven spots, the builders waited for a shower of rain and then took note of where the pools lay. Having levelled the site, the four corners of the oblong building were marked by means of stout pegs driven firmly into the earth, those marking the rear end of the house being first inserted. This rectangular space was squared by means of measuring the diagonals. The cord employed was termed taura ta-tai. A cord was carried right around the rectangular site outside the four pegs, and, when stretched taut, this cord served as a guide in aligning the wall posts of ends and sides, as also the posts erected at the front and rear walls to support the ridgepole.
A house depended for stability on the ridgepole. The side posts were not designed to bear the weight and the thrust of the roof, hence, the ridgepole and its supporting posts were baulks of a considerable size, hewn into shapely form with much labour. The rear post for the ridgepole, the pou-tuarongo, was erected in the middle of the rear wall, while the pou-tahuhu was in the middle of the front wall. If a large house, a third supporting post for the ridgepole (tahuhu) was set up in the middle of the house; this is the pou-toko-manawa (or heart supporting-post). The walls of our superior house were composed of wide, flat slabs or planks (poupou) of hewn timber set in the earth, while the spaces between the slabs were lined with decorative panels to be described anon. The roof was supported by massive hewn rafters (heke) the lower ends of which were fitted into the upper ends of the poupou, the mortice hole made to receive them being a square one, called waha-paepae, or semicircular, termed whakaruar-whetu. It is noted that rafters of such a house are often curved somewhat, not straight hewn, the convex side being uppermost. The upper ends of the rafters were so fashioned as to fit against the ridgepole, being provided with a shoulder The ridgepole was, in some districts, secured to its supporting posts by strong ties of aka, or vines, that fitted into channels on the posts. In some districts, we are told, that they were hollowed to accommodate the curve of the under part of the ridgepole. No form of nail was known; lashing supplied their place.