George French Angas (1822 - 1886) visited New Zealand in 1844. During this time, he sketched and painted many Maori Rangatira. One of which, was the chief Muriwhenua; who was located at Aotea. In an annotated inventory list; the South Australian Museum; records that once arriving at "the residence of Reverend Mr Smales .... Angas sketches Paora Muriw[h]enua". Paora Muriwhenua, was the son of Irohanga; see genealogy below.
Having the name Paora, almost suggested that he had converted to Christianity; However, in The New Zealanders Illustrated, where the lithograph was first published, Angas makes a summary of his subject, Muriwhenua; and describes him as a heathen who is not willing to renounce the Maori religion.
The following summary accompanies the lithograph of Muriwhenua
"1. MURIWENUA is the oldest chief of Aotea, a harbour on the west coast, a few miles to the northward of Waingaroa. There is a Wesleyan mission station at Aotea, and this chief, though still a heathen himself, and unwilling to renounce the religion of the Tohunga, is friendly and well-disposed towards the Christians. Muriwenua cannot be less than from eighty to ninety years of age; he has a remarkably tall, spare figure, and his dishevelled hair and grisly beard impart to him a savage appearance. Formerly he was one of the most courageous warriors of his day: now he is regarded as possessing unusual powers of sorcery, and has much influence amongst his tribe. He is represented wearing a beautiful topuni, or war mat, of dog's hair; the colours of which are so assorted into stripes as to resemble a tiger's skin. In the distance is part of Aotea Harbour, with the mountain of Perongia beyond."
"Muriwhenua went to Aotea to live when the churches were built, lived there to an old age and died and was brought to Waipa for burial amongst his own people" (Waikato MB 16/68)
Paora Muriwhenua died without issue, but survived by two sisters who had descendants.
No comments:
Post a Comment