Te Hiakai Tangata by Hirini Moko Mead

Author:Hirini Moko Mead
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Huia (NZ) Ltd
Published: 2022-03-15T00:00:00+00:00

7

HOW TE HIAKAI FELL INTO THE PIT OF TE RANGIATA

Meanwhile, Pōhutukawa was at home at Puketapu, wondering who would be the successful warrior from Te Waewae’s and Te Aorere’s army. Who would be her husband? If everything went to plan, Te Hiakai would be dead and she would have a husband. She knew that before the sun set some members of the tribe would know her destiny. In a way, she wasn’t that keen to know because she wasn’t attracted to any of the local warriors.

It was almost dark before her brother Tūteweriweri returned home. The news wasn’t particularly good. He related the events of the day, telling her how they’d been outwitted by Te Hiakai. Firstly, Te Hiakai hadn’t fallen into the pit at Tuarā-rangaia; then he wasn’t caught in the net that had been prepared for him. He hadn’t been killed: nothing had happened to him. Pōhutukawa went to bed satisfied with what she’d heard.

By now, the people were fed up with this so-called army, which talked a lot but couldn’t kill Te Hiakai. They heard about the long pursuit to Te Awa-a-te-Atua, then to Rūrima and to Moutohorā, to White Island and eventually to Paepae-o-Aotea. One man grumbled, ‘We wasted our time digging the pit, making a net, scraping all those spears and chasing that taniwha! What good has come of doing those things?’

‘Only the taniwha has any brains in his head,’ said another. ‘He embarrassed our army; now the whole tribe is shamed.’

However, there was no one angrier than Te Waewae himself. First, he was abused by the people because he didn’t succeed in killing the taniwha. Second, he was angry with Te Hiakai because no matter what he planned, the taniwha seemed to get the better of him. Third, he was full of compassion for his army, which had fought the taniwha valiantly for no result. Fourth, he had been shamed.

When he returned from Paepae-o-Aotea he went straight to Pōhaturoa to perform incantations to the gods and to Tūmatauenga, god of war.

‘Oh Tū, what wrongs have I committed that you didn’t support my army? Why didn’t you show me the way or give strength to my army so I could kill this taniwha? Why didn’t you show us compassion? Now my heartbeat quickens. My hand quivers. My mana rises up. Affirm it! It is done!’

As soon as he completed his karakia he went home. He remained silent, avoiding contact with people, not even talking to his family. He retired to bed, but his thoughts wouldn’t let him sleep. What could he do? What could he do?

This was the first time in his life that an enemy had so thoroughly embarrassed him. He was a warrior of great reputation among his peers. But now his mana was diminished.

Tokatūmoana was also angry. He’d thought the people would see how brave he was on this day when they’d set out to slay Te Hiakai. But the taniwha was the brave one, and he, Tokatūmoana, was shamed. He’d never have a chance to get near Pōhutukawa.

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