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Takitimu

Karakia Tatai Whetu

Karakia Tatai Whetu.

When it appeared that a frost was about to come and destroy crops, the priest would call upon the stars to prevent the frost. He would take a firebrand, and proceeding to the urinal, walk around it, vigorously waving the torch to cause it to break into flames. Then, casting the brand away, he would raise his hands with his index fingers pointing and moving as if counting, and recite the following:

"Katahi ti, ka rua ti,
Ka hara mai te pati tore.
Ka rauna, ka noho ki kiwikiwi,
He po, he wai takitaki no pi, no po.
Ka hua mai, kai ana te whetu,
Kai ana te marama.
Ko te tio e rere ra runga,
Ra te pekapoka rakau kotore.
Wiwi, wawa, heke te manu e e,
Ki o tau tihe e, mauri ora a.