A Leaf from the Natural History of New Zealand
Amusements
Amusements.
Araporaka, stilts
Haka, dance
Kahu, native kite; made in shape like a bird, of reeds stitched together
Kaihora, whippingtop; much the same as the European one, only rather longer
Kaihotaka. Syn. with Kaihora
Kanikani, dance of a jeering character
Kokiri, pole: flattened on the top for a person to stand on, and inclined over deep water; a favorite amusement to run up to the top, and then jump into the water
Kopere, to sling by a stick with a piece of string tied to the end of it
Kotaha, sling
Mawi, game something like cat's cradles; the cord being made to assume the form of houses, canoes, and men; Mawi was its author; it appears to be connected with ancient tradition
Meke, pugilistic game
Morere, swing; a lofty pole with ropes attached to its top
Moto, to fight with the fist
Mu, draughts: an introduced game
Neti, game of skill, in which young men try who can dart a fern stalk to the greatest distance along the surface of the ground
Ngaoreore-tamaiti, nursery song
Pakau, Pakaukau, Syn. with Kahu
Patere, dance in a canoe
Piu, to skip; a skipping rope
Poi, ball, with a string appended, with which it is played; a game with the hands also
Ponokawakawa, game
Porotiti, game which consists in twirling about a small oval piece of wood
page 82Potaka. Syn. with Kaihora
Pouturu, stilts
Raratuna, game
Rorekiore, game
Ruriruri, native play of singing in chorus
Ta, whip for a top
Takaro, general name for play; also, to wrestle
Tureureu, game
Tau, game
Tauramaki, game which is played in deep water, by two persons trying who can keep the other longest under water
Ti, game played with the fingers
Tutukai, played with a number of stones; a game consisting of the opening and shutting of the fingers and bending the arm in a certain manner, and uttering the whole of the following words at a breath:—Ka tahi tikarua, ka haramai tapati tapato reka rau ua ka noho te kiwi ka pohe wa tautau topi topa ka huia mai ka toko te rangi kai ana te wetu kai ana te marama o te tui e rere ra runga o te pera peka o hua kauere turakina te are to wiwi wawa ke ke ke te manu kei Taupiri
Tutungarau, to dance the war dance.