Other formats

    TEI XML file   ePub eBook file  

Connect

    mail icontwitter iconBlogspot iconrss icon

The Material Culture of the Cook Islands (Aitutaki)

Short Weapons

Short Weapons.

(1.) Stone axe. One informant stated that a stone axe, toki, mounted on a short handle, was used in fighting. There was no information as regards the short thrusting weapons like the mere of New Zealand.

(2.) Dagger. There were no regular short stabbing weapons of the dagger type. On one historical occasion, however, an iron-wood autui needle was used with effect. According to Aitutaki tradition, a giant from Mangaia, named Tahiri-te-rangi, overran the country. Pukenga of Tautu disguised himself as a woman and concealed an autui needle in a bunch of Dracaena leaves used as a fan. As Tahiri-te-rangi approached Tautu, Pukenga met him and invited him to stoop and exchange the customary greetings. As Tahiri stooped down, Pukenga stabbed him in the eye with the thatching needle and slew him. He then raised the hakariro, or cry of exultation.

Pukenga toromata kia Akamake,
I toro ai te mata o Tahiri-te-rangi.
E Kenga e! Te kuramea,
Kuramea ka hei ki taku rima.
     E ha ha.

Pukenga, eye-stabber of Akamake,
Through whom the eye of Tahiri-te-rangi
     Was pierced.
O Kenga! Behold the giant fish,
The giant fish caught by my hand.
     A ha ha.

In an account by Wyatt Gill1 there is quite a different version. However, the people of Aitutaki can point out the hollow in the ground where Tahiri-te-rangi is said to have been buried.