Pūrākau

Pūrākau is a Māori term for stories which contain mythological perspectives concerning the nature of reality and the human condition. A pūrākau is a story within which is contained models, perspectives, ideas of consequence to the people who recite them. They contain what Mircea Eliade calls ‘exemplary models’ concerning how the world came to be and how we might live within it. Pūrākau generally are not trivial stories but rather contain such things as the creation of the world, the creation of the human being, the deeds of the gods, illustrious ancestors and more. Because pūrākau refer to, indeed conjure up, the spirits of illustrious forbears, pūrākau are therefore sacred texts.

 

‘ Native Traditions by Hukiki te Ahu Karamu o Otaki ¬Jany 1st 1856’ is a publication which contains pūrākau recited by Hūkiki Te Ahukaramū of Ōtaki in 1856. This book contains mythological stories and traditions well known in the canon of Māori history, literature and tradition. They include:

This publication contains a re-presentation of a manuscript written in 1856 by Sir Donald McLean – first Minister of Native Affairs – at the dictation of Hūkiki Te Ahukaramū, a Ngāti Raukawa chief. A facsimile of the original manuscript is presented as well as an edited version and English translations. As the manuscript was written in Māori, the publication is presented primarily as a work of literature in that language. Hence, the text will be of interest to Māori language speakers generally and particularly those interested in traditional Māori literature. The translations into English, however, will assist English speakers toward gaining an understanding of Māori mythological material as presented by a 19th century ancestor of the Ngāti Raukawa people.

You can buy this book here.