The James T. Callow Folklore Archive

HUI HOUSE

THE MAORIS PEOPLE BELIEVED STRONGLY IN THE SPIRIT AND FOR
THIS REASON THEY ONLY HAD ONE DOOR IN THEIR MEETING
HOUSES (HUI HOUSE) ALWAYS OPENING TO THE NORTH SO
THAT THE SPIRIT OF THE DEAD PERSON WOULD GO DIRECTLY
NORTH TO THE ANCESTRAL BURIAL GROUND. THE HUI HOUSE
WOULD BE COMPARED TO OUR FUNERAL HOMES. WHEN SOMEONE
DIES IN A MAORI VILLAGE IN NEW ZEALAND (MAORI PA) THEY
BRING THE BODY TO THE MEETING HOUSE, WHERE IT IS
LAID IN THE CENTER OF THE END WALL, FACING NORTH. THE
NEXT OF KIN REST CLOSE TO THE DEAD PERSON. AFTER THE
FUNERAL THE PEOPLE RETURN TO THE MEETING HOUSE AND
THE NEXT OF KIN MUST SLEEP AT LEAST ONE NIGHT IN THE
PLACE WHERE THE DEAD PERSON HAD LAIN. THE SHOVELS
WHICH WERE USED TO DIG THE GRAVE ARE PUT INTO RUNNING
WATER FOR A FEW DAYS TO CLEAN THEM FROM THE BAD SPIRIT.

Submitter comment: INFORMANT RECALLS A NATIVE BORROWING SHOVELS FROM THE
SISTERS BECAUSE THEY ARE LOOKED UPON AS BEING
"TAPOON" OR HOLY AND THEN THEIR SHOVELS WOULDN'T
NEED TO BE PURIFIED.

Where learned: ITALY ; ROME

Date learned: 10-00-1970