[pg 59] When the food was set before Kahu and Ihenga, Ihenga took up some of the kohukohu in which were wrapt two kumara, and held it in his hand, while Kahu chanted the following karakia:—
Rangi, great Rangi,
Long Rangi, dark Rangi,
Darkling Rangi, white-star Rangi,
Rangi shrouded in night.
Tane the first, Tane the second,
Tane the third, &c.
(Repeated to Tane the tenth).
Tiki, Tiki of the mound of earth,
Tiki gathered in the hands,
To form hands and legs,
And the fashion of a man,
Whence came living men.
Toi,
Rauru,
Whetima,
Whetango,
Te Atua-hae,
Toi-te-huatahi,
Tuamatua,
Houmaitahiti,
Ngatoroirangi,
And your first born male
Now living in the light of day.
While Kahu chanted thus, the kohukohu was held in the hand of Ihenga. Kahu then proceeded with the direct male line—
Tangihia,
Tangimoana,
Tumakoka,
Tukahukura,
Tuhoto,
Tarawhai.
[pg 60] There ended the recitation of Kahu, and he went on to his own proper line—
Houmaitahiti,
Tama,
Tuhoro,
And to your offspring born to life,
And to the light of day.
This is your kohukohu of the horohoronga,
To make light the weight of tapu.
He is free, he is released from tapu.
He goes safely where food is cooked,
To the evil mighty spirits of Night,
To the kind mighty spirits of Night,
To the evil mighty spirits of Light,
To the kind mighty spirits of Light.
Then the kohukohu was offered as food to the stone images, and was divided for Houmaitahiti, for Ngatoroirangi, for Tama-te-kapua, and for Tuhoro, and was pressed into their mouths[43]. This being done Ihenga took up another kohukohu, and held it in his hand raising it aloft, while Kahu chanted the following karakia:—
For Hine-nui-te-po,
For Whati-uri-mata-kaka,
For the evil old women of Night,
For the kind old women of Night,
For the evil old women of Day,
For the kind old women of Day,
For Kearoa,
Whose offspring is born to life,
[pg 61] And to the bright light of day,
This kohukohu is offered for you,
The kohukoku of the Ruahine.
He is free, he is no longer tapu.
The female Atua were then fed with the kohukohu as in the former case. Then part of the kohukohu was offered for the mother, Whaka-oti-rangi.[44]
Turn away Night,
Come Day.
This is the kohukohu of freedom,
And deliverance from tapu.