2. The month June has been translated, at some time, as He Maro. Such a connection can be explained by referring to summer solstice north of the equator. But on Easter Island He Maro (June) is the month of winter solstice, and the sky roof is very low. Sun light has left and it is as if sun had been covered up in a loin-cloth (maro). ... Manuscript E locates Hanga Te Pau indirectly to He Maro, by letting the canoe of Ira touch ground there on the first day of that month ... But maro also means a banner of bird feathers tied to a stick, a proper gift to the king in the darkest of times (especially as the chickens develop much feathers at that time of the year). Feathers are like fire, and both sun and king need to be supported with new energy. Furthermore, maro sticks were used to mark the border lines of the king: ... Nuku Keku was ... in charge of the feather garlands (maro), which served to mark the boundaries of the royal residence. He had pounded (the staffs with the feather garlands) into the ground. The middle (te tini) was located in front of the bay of Hanga Rua. The feather garlands went up, continued, and reached Puku Parari. They went up again and reached Puku O Heha. From Puku O Heha they formed (a line) to the side, to Aro Huri. From Aro Huri they turned again toward the sea and reached Maunga Koua, went down, went their way, and reached Hira Moko. (He) made a second line (? he rua taupa) of feather garlands ... The month He Maro marks the beginning of the boundary for the new sun (year). Maybe a single strand of maro signifies 'boundary', e.g.:
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