Tsunami

Kumara: Religious Aspect

Kumara: Religious Aspect

Mara tautane:

Before planting kumara there was a ceremony.
This took place away from the main crop. Kumara were set apart for atua.

Rituals for planting.

A karakia was said before planting A tapu was set in place unit harvest.

Harvest.

At harvest the tapu was lifted  (Pure).
The first kumara were set aside for the atua.  A hakiri was held.

Mauri.

The mauri (life force) of the kumara crop was  protected by taumata atua
-stone images representing atua rongo in particular or Atua kiato- wooden
pegs with carved heads  were inserted into the ground.