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Maori Religion and Mythology Part 1

Ritual Pertaining to Agriculture

Ritual Pertaining to Agriculture

Owing to the singular beliefs of the Maori with regard to the powers of his gods and of material but inanimate mediums, likewise in the life-principle of plants, there were a considerable number of ceremonial observances and formulae connected with agriculture. Inasmuch, however, as these matters have been described in detail in a former paper on Maori agriculture, it is not proposed to repeat such description here. The ceremonies pertaining to firstfruit functions are of particular interest. The amount of ceremonial connected page 385with the first-caught birds of a season, and fish in a new net, is surprising, and was increased by the belief in the fertility of forests, birds, &c., being controllable by human agency. A study of forest-lore alone, with the art of the fowler, throws much light on native modes of thought. This latter subject has been dealt with at length in the pages of the Transactions of the New Zealand Institute.