The new babies are named (No 54)

The continuing story of Ahu and Ahuahu her husband in a Maori village in Aotearoa before European settlement of New Zealand. In this episode Kamaka with his tongue in his cheek wants to take his first grandson, only a few days old, fishing! (Missed an episode? Click on Ahu in the labels bar for previous posts.)

 

Ahu and his wives invited Kamaka and Hoata to have a meal with them so they could make the names of the new babies known. Moana was allowed to invite Paikea too and she was very pleased that he was given permission to attend. Kamaka was very glad he now had a grandson which he had particularly asked this of Ahuahu when Hatiti became his second wife.

All the children were very excited that there was so many people gathered in their home and there was much laughter until finally Kamaka said “What will you call your new children, Ahuahu?”

Ahuahu smiled at Kamaka and replied “Ahu and Hatiti have asked that their names be the ones they have chosen.” Not revealing that for all the other babies Ahu had given birth to she had named them as well. “I have agreed to this as the names mean so much to all of us including you Kamaka.”

“Hatiti’s baby was born first and she asked that his name be Rauora because she was saved from the tidal wave and was restored to you as a daughter and able to bear you your grandchildren.” Then added modestly, “It is also to thank me too because I was there.”

All the children clapped and then Hoata said “And your daughter Ahu, what have you both called her?”

Ahu shyly looked up from cuddling her new baby and nodded to Ahuahu to speak.

Ahuahu then continued “Ahu has chosen a name to show that our new baby binds us all of us together. We have named her Houhia and she is to remind all the children that we all belong to one another.

Kamaka nodded then said “That is all very well but how soon can I take Rauora fishing with me?” And everyone laughed.

All this time Paikea and Moana were sitting together and secretly linking and unlinking their fingers thinking no one could see them. Ahu beckoned Tangaroa to her and told him to talk to Paikea as he did not have anyone to talk to except Moana. So he went to talk to the two young lovers and Moana glanced up to look at Ahu. Ahu merely nodded to indicate they should talk to other people. Tangaroa though started the conversation asking Paikea about his family.

“Paikea, do you have sisters?”

“They are much older and have married. They are not in the village any more now they are married. One has gone far away beyond the Big River and the other is inland beyond the smoking mountain.”

“So you have not seen them for some time?”

Paikea replied “I have not seen them since they were married but my mother has been to see them both. The oldest sister Pania is with child so my mother will want to visit her again when the baby is born.”

Having broken the ice with Paikea, Tangaroa then suggested that Paikea come fishing with his father.

“Tangaroa” Paikea whispered “I am trying to get Moana to live with me not the other way around.”

“You could live here” Tangaroa insisted “There is plenty of room in Hatiti’s house.”

At this Moana giggled and shook her head. “One day Paikea will have a house built just for him and me, but we can visit each other’s houses now whenever we want. Do not worry Tangaroa, I will always be part of this family and we will live in Black Sands.”

“In any case Tangaroa I should wait for Ahuahu to ask me to go fishing,” said Paikea, “but who would help my father then?” 

Rauora  - Saved

Houhia - Together