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Takitimu

Karakia Tiri I Te Mohiotanga, or Charm to Instil Knowledge

Karakia Tiri I Te Mohiotanga, or Charm to Instil Knowledge.

Prior to entering the whare-wananga or house of instruction, the pupil would be taken to a sacred water (pond, spring, pool or stream), and made to stand alongside or in the water. The priest then sprinkled water on the pupil's head and repeated the following charm:

"Te umu tirama nuku, te umu tirama rangi,
Ko koe kei wetekia noa tia e koe.
Whiwhia ou ngakau, ou mahara,
Kia puta ki te whaiao, ki te ao marama.
Tena te umu ka eke, te umu kei akoe,
Na te umu o enei korero.
Ka ma nga koromatua,
Ka ma hoki tenei tangata."