Maro Kura
Each evening the wise chief sat with some of his people in the
wharepuni, his newborn son in his lap. He had to convince his people
that this miniature red bundle would be able to keep them safe and
healthy in future years. So each night he chanted a soothing lullaby
to the newborn babe covering his loins, calling him his "kura." He
also had to lull his son off to sleep, so his chant begins with lots
of repetition - try rocking a 'baby' in your arms while reciting
this in a dreamy voice. Soon everyone knew the chant - and they were
nodding off to sleep too!
He was referring to maro kura that were treasured loin cloths worn by high chiefs in Tahiti and Rangiatea as symbols of their great powers. The kura were made from long, narrow pieces of fabric and decorated with the red feathers of a rare parrot. The feathers also decorated the high chief's headdress.
Awarua (two channels) is a harbour in Rangiatea with twin exit channels, and the chief was reminding his people that his son's ancestry and his special abilities could be traced all the way back to those tohunga in Rangiatea who had sailed up from Awarua 400 years ago.
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"Up from Awarua" because Polynesian navigation charts had the equator at the bottom and a giant stingray at the top getting hauled into Maui's waka.
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