Hatiti and Horowai talk (No. 69)
The continuing story of Ahu
and Ahuahu her husband in a Maori village in Aotearoa before European
settlement of New Zealand.
(Missed an episode? Click on Ahu in the labels bar for previous posts.)
“Hatiti, may we talk?” Horowai said as she
sat next to her mother on the shore having found a spot to rest out of the wind
that blew in from the sea.
“Of course, my precious daughter.” Hatiti
replied as she touched Horowai’s face with her hand.
“I cannot wait.” Horowai said simply.
“The wedding is soon my precious” Hatiti
replied. She knew what Horowai meant; she wanted Tangaroa to possess her now
before the marriage. “Even though you are not Ahuahu’s daughter you are still
regarded as a puhi and inviolate. You must be perfect and untouched when you
marry Tangaroa.”
“Hatiti, Tangaroa and I have been playing
together for years he knows me already. Since I could walk it has always been his
hand that I held. We know each other. There is no part of me he has not
touched.”
“But he has not…?” began Hatiti.
Horowai shook her head, and smiled a tiny
smile as she hugged her mother “Not quite.”
Hatiti was silent for while as the sound of the
surf on the sloping black sand beach beat its steady rhythm. Hatiti looked at
her daughter and felt like crying at how beautiful she was. It seems as though
in but a few shorts weeks she had gone from being a child and now she was a
woman. A strong brave determined woman that she loved so much that she wanted
dearly to say that it did not matter, no one would notice…but on the other hand
some might guess; it had to look right. Their plans for the wedding would have
to be upgraded.
“Horowai it must be seen that you are a woman
of high rank. I will arrange for you to visit your aunt Hinewai and you will
stay with her at the village where the Kakas call until the wedding.”
Horowai started to protest and wept with
sadness that she would be parted from Tangaroa for a week or two. Hatiti
wrapped her arms around Horowai and they rocked each other both hugging and
crying at the same time.
“It will be a test for both of us” said
Hatiti, “When you are married, you will start a new life away from me. It is a
time all mothers dread; to see part of them taken away. But I am so glad it is
Tangaroa who will look after you. I have seen how he touches you; just like
Ahuahu touches me. The short wait will be worth while my dearest one.”
With tears streaming down her face, Horowai
nodded. “I know that it is the right thing to do but I also wanted you to know
how much he is to me he has always been there for me and he always will.”
“I
have never doubted that, Horowai. The gods saw our pain and sadness many years
ago when your father Kaihutu died and our happiness now is them rewarding us.”
They were still hugging each other quietly
when Ahu found them on the beach.
Oh this is a big deal indeed, Horowai’s and Tangaroa’s betrothal! In my catch-up of No 68, Horowai treads bold, but darling that she is, everything is cool. And in this episode, Hatiti’s image control seems wise, but is it? What might befall beautiful Horowai while she is in the village where the Kakas call? Likewise, what might befall Tangaroa? It puts me on that glorious edge like all your other Ahu and Ahuahu episodes, Old Egg : )
ReplyDeleteDoes this site have a page on Facebook?
ReplyDeleteWouldn't it be nice if such morals still applied these days. A nice installment that, sadly, seems so old-fashioned - but right.
ReplyDeleteAs Ahuahu is headman and his family highly respected, different standards are applied to his daughters who are expected to be untouched or 'puhi' when married. This was not the case for the rest of the population where trying out for compatibility was common and encouraged. Even Moana who married the then chief's son Paikea was treated this way too as she lived with Ahuahu and Ahu.
ReplyDelete(See chapter 59).
Oops! That should be chapter 55 for Moana's wedding.
ReplyDeleteThis is a big change for all of them. I can understand her impatience, but it's good to wait the few days left. Unless you're planning on blindsiding us with something.
ReplyDeleteI agree with Altonian. It's such a shame that the custom of keeping themselves pure for their wedding, (both sexes) was special. It is a shame it is now more or less a forgotten custom and being virgins for the one you love doesn't seem to matter anymore. This is a lovely mother, daughter chapter.
ReplyDeleteThis is such a sweet installment. I wish people were more like this now.
ReplyDeleteWhat a lovely moment. I like the reference to a mother losing part of herself when her daughter marries, such a bittersweet love. So frequently your pieces end with spiritual hope. I love that Hatiti acknowledges the presence of the gods and the little karmic note at the end.
ReplyDeleteWould that there could be more waiting for what will come as opposed to having to have it all right now.
ReplyDelete