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6. As to
Metoro's choice of the word henua instead of talking
about the 'tree' there are several different alternatives. Most simple is
just to accept his statement, implying that
the
rat is standing on the earth (the sun animal is not
climbing the 'tree').
This is not so ridiculous as it first appears to be. To explain why
is, though, no easy task. The best way may be to begin by referring
to Manuscript E:
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... The
canoe continued its exploration and in a sweep sailed on
to Hanga Te Pau. They went ashore and took the
food with them. They pulled the canoe onto the beach and
left it there. Ira sat down with all the other
(companions) and spoke to Makoi: 'You shall mark
the land for me and make it known (by its names)!' After
that, Ira spoke these words: 'This is the digging
stick (? ko koko), Kuukuu. You shall work
the land for me and plant the yam roots!'
Makoi
named the place Hanga Te Pau, 'the landing site
of Ira'. So that they would remember (? he
aringa, literally, 'as face'), the open side of
Hanga Te Pau was given this name. Ira got up.
They all climbed to the top of the hill. They climbed up
on the tenth day of the month of June ('Maro').
They reached the side crater (te manavai) and
looked around carefully. Makoi said, 'This is the
Manavai of Hau Maka'.
They
climbed farther and reached the top. They saw the dark
abyss and the large hole (of the crater Rano Kau).
They all said, 'Here it is, young men, the dark abyss of
Hau Maka.' They made camp and constructed a
house. Kuukuu got up, worked the ground, and
heaped up the earth for the yam roots ... |
I suggest Kuukuu, the planter, is a playful name for the
spring sun. It is he who is doing the important work, watering
the plants with his rain and warming them with his rays. Kuukuu is the
'rat'. His rays are 'standing' on the earth.
In this view henua must be imagined as horizontal, not
vertical:
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