1840 - Polack, J. S. Manners and Customs of the New Zealanders [Capper reprint, 1976] - Chapter I

HAUPATU, A CHIEFTESS OF WAI POA.

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MANNERS AND CUSTOMS

NEW ZEALANDERS.

CHAPTER I.

THE primary instruction of a young New Zealander is the study of war, or rather, the practice of the deceptive cunning that shall compass with eclat a predatory excursion, and falling upon the enemy at a period when least expected and unprepared. True legitimate valour has nothing to do with the composition of the warrior, but superior tactics in

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deceit and treachery; and it was a full knowledge of this ingredient in their character, that induced Captain Cook to observe, "Never trust a. New Zealander." In justice to them, we must however remark, that until within a few brief years, insincerity begat habitual mistrust, and in those parts where Europeans have been located for many years, a better order of things has been manifested, and is usurping the old and blood-shedding regime. An open warfare on a plain is rarely or ever entertained, especially if the forces are equal in number, but the respective combatants look out for a comfortable and well-sheltered curtain, such as a stockade, or in lieu thereof, projecting rocks, trees, bushes, and the forest. The method they have of firing at each other is agreeable to their general method of fighting, as the brave warriors hastily discharge their pieces, while lurking behind a fence, and the only apprehension the leader can have of a "return killed" occurring among his vigilant troops, is arising from accident; as the natives generally carry a small bag of powder attached to their necks, and as they are careless how they discharge their pieces, the powder often ignites and kills the bearers. The prime impetus to the commencement of a fight is the practice of the war-dance, which, inspires courage, and indomitable hatred towards the enemy, whose nerves in return arc supposed to be contrarily affected. Each of the belligerents perform the dance previous to the battle, during every interval

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and at the close, by the victors. This wild movement is performed by the entire army, entirely naked, except a belt and cartridge-box well filled, firmly attached round the waist. During this melee, muskets are discharged in the air, the united yells of perhaps a thousand men, and at times treble that number, all of whom attempt to outvie each other, their voices being stretched to the topmost bent, and bodies keeping time in volitory movements uniform with each other. Some of them jump several feet from the ground, each trying in this also to emulate his neighbour. The feet falling with vehement force to the ground of so numerous a body, the yell in chorus, and the sound elicited by each man at the same moment clapping his left breast with his flattened hand, produces an astounding shock that may be heard in calm weather several miles distant. The valour of the combatants is principally shown in making sorties, there they present themselves (at a respectful distance from the musketry) before the enemy, making a variety of contortions of feature, and throw themselves into attitudes that would defy a European posture-master to copy. They almost roll their eye-balls out of their heads, distend their mouths to an extraordinary width, and show their contempt by darting their tongues in derision at the foe. Modesty is scouted in these exhibitions, the enemy is invited with vehement gestures and fitting language to take aim at the sternest portion

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of the human body as a natural target, and the fate that will eventually befall the besieged is elaborately recounted with all the truths of cannibal ferocity.

Wars are undertaken in the most desultory, careless, and slovenly manner. After the astrologers and wise men have predicted success to the tribe, an altercation ensues as to whom the war shall be conducted.

This natural question is often concluded in blows as in a Polish diet, and consequently, a civil fight ensues, which often puts an end to the original intentions of the tribes. Should such an untoward result be avoided, (and it is by no means uncommon,) arrangements are speedily made to commence forthwith, and each family takes with them as much provision as can well be carried by their servants and slaves, the latter of whom (on the route) are dismissed back again to the village, if they have no taste for the ensuing contest, to prevent a useless expenditure of provisions. The canoes are all carefully caulked with the down of bulrushes, and the valorous party put to sea, saluted with the parting lamentations, and addios of such ladies who choose security to honour, and feel contented in listening to tidings of the war, rather than becoming actual spectators and actors.

But many of the women attend their husbands and relations either as sutlers, or to assist their friends in the battle, either to prevent their husbands and lovers from obtaining more than one

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conquest, or to become themselves amatory victors of the enemy. 1 The confusion that prevails in the order of their going is indescribable. Clamorous, quarrelling, and riotous, all are consistent in mutually disagreeing with each other. One party will probably wish to land on such a place (the canoes well hug the shore) this meets with disputation, some others observe that the ebb-tide has commenced, and it is a waste of strength to proceed further; this assertion is perhaps outvoted by another portion of the select party, the lazy members refuse to paddle, the willing ones refuse to work alone, and thus confusion is heaped on confusion. At last night-fall approaches, when it behoves the valiant forces to look out for a lodgement on shore for the night. Here again they become non-plussed, one shore is tapued by a ghost, another by a cemetery, fears are enter, tained that an ambush may lie in wait on a third, the next place is, perhaps, too marshy and wet, the fifth is too dry, and wanting water for the thirsty warriors, and perhaps, if it was not for a swell caused by the breeze, the night would often be passed in discussions as to where the landing should be made, until the necessity of doing so

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would be past. As early as the canoes make the beach, the natives jump into the water pell-mell, and scamper into the nearest bush to procure sticks for building houses for the night, and if the weather prove bad, to gather grass to render the roofs impenetrable to wind and rain. This done, the canoes are hauled on shore above high-water mark, to prevent drifting to sea, all the provisions being previously carried on shore by the women and slaves. The muskets and ammunition are placed ready to be handled in an instant, and such is the carelessness of these people, that not unfrequently a greater portion of the night is passed in casting bullets, or making cartridges by the light of a large blazing fire inside the hut, and the lighting and smoking of pipes around; many accidents occur in consequence. Previously to partaking of food a portion is reserved in a small basket for the dryad of the place, which is hung on the branch of a tree near to the landing-place or tauranga . Similar precautions to propitiate the said atua are taken in the morning, oftentimes he is obliged to rest satisfied with a lock of hair, which is elevated in like manner. If the weather should set in bad for some days, a circumstance of frequent occurrence on the coast, the army continue in their encampments until the sea is fit to take and proceed on their voyage. The delays that occur make a sensible diminution in the commissariat branch, and as no thought is bestowed on the morrow, but each

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person invariably fills himself to repletion, serious privations are incurred which, is only compassed by sacrificing some slaves, with the hope of renovating the number afresh, in the ensuing campaign. Instead of conducting the famished troops with the utmost secrecy, so as successfully to steal on the crops of the enemy, every method is taken to prevent such a denouement , as instead of appearing in a body, detached canoes reach the shore, and each party instead of waiting for their comrades hastily rush to the right and left in search of prey or plunder, and but for the fear which overcomes the besieged, the whole of their assailants might be cut off, in small detachments, as they arrive. As soon as the enemy is seen approaching the fort (pa) which is always situated on high scarped hills, when such a situation can be obtained, the inmates immediately shout to their friends "e tawa! e tawa!! " (a fight! a war!!) These people hastily run to their plantations, dig up their provisions ripe or otherwise, and carry them into the pa , before the enemy gathers together in sufficient numbers to intercept them. 2 They also shovel

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earth against and over their rush-houses to prevent the fires and torches thrown by the besiegers from taking effect. On the beseigers losing their prey, they scour the adjacent country in search of any of the enemy who may be absent from the fort; in such cruises they are often successful, and as many as can be caught are sacrificed instantly as provender for the arny. The first caught is sacrificed to Wiro or le diable and Tu , the Mars of the country.

Eager to annoy the besieged and make them quit there lodgement, they commit every wanton excess that can raise their anger and vengeance, ransack the cemeteries, strew the sacred bones in every direction, or keep them to make flutes or ornaments, set fire to the raoui's in the wai tapu's , and finally, commit every gross enormity that in the eyes of a native can qualify a human being as a future companion to the devil. The besieged are generally stricken with fear, at the reckless conduct of their adversaries, and omit to take advantage of the numerous opportunities afforded to them by the enemy of cutting the latter off, as they roam in small bodies in every direction in search of food and plunder.

Missiles 3 are thrown from the fort, but the plun-

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derers take especial care to keep at a convenient distance, being alive to the truism, aware that,

During a protracted siege, the most direful sufferings are felt in the fort. With the invariable recklessness of these people, the provisions are never rationed out, but are consumed and wasted just as if a large supply existed. The dogs, pigs, rats, &c., are first attacked, then follows the wolfish desire of cannibalism, and the slaves are killed for sustenance, strange to say, this supply is lavishly consumed, with the improvidence natural to savages, leaving them to all the horrors of despondence, and grievous starvation. A flight from the fort is then proposed, but to what cause it can be assigned, it is impossible to state, but instead of quitting the place under cover of the night, and leaving fires burning to deceive the enemy, the besieged rush forth in the middle of the day, throwing down their fences, and giving warning to their enemies to follow. This is speedily taken advantage of; a chase is instantly given by the besiegers, who with dreadful yells, knock on the

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head every wretch they can come up with, who having no weapon of defence, and destitute of strength from long exhaustion fall an easy prey to the blood-hounds that follow. In such flights most natives are killed or become prisoners. A thousand persons have been known to be killed on the spot, most of whom were deliberately devoured by the victors, who force the slaves captured, also to partake of their late relations and companions. The gluttony of the victors has been such, that numbers have sunk under the horrible debauch unable to recover from their brutal orgies. On the field it is scarcely possible to distinguish friend from foe, as the limbs become so much mangled, heads dissevered, &c., that it becomes impossible to distinguish individuals of either party, neither sex is spared, and infants or children are alike barbarously devoured by the insatiate monsters. Human bones are gathered in tumuli and burnt.

The fortune of war does not always declare against the besieged, as their enemies in attempting to force the stockades are sometimes beat off with success, much presence of mind being evinced by the people of the fort, and should they possess a really valiant leader, they will follow the enemy in their flight, and generally in such cases wholly discomfit them, and obtain many prisoners. Such an evenement puts the besiegers to flight, who do not attempt reprisals until they have gathered a

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greater force, wherewith to commence the next campaign.

Surrenders are frequently demanded, during a war, on the part of the besiegers, and spies are sent to discover the state of the native citadel.