MAORI SONGS.

Gisborne Times, Volume XXVI, Issue 2344, 10 November 1908, Page 5

MAORI SONGS.

DEFENDED FROM CRITICS.

Many writers have praised the thought ,feeling, and expression represented in the Maoris’ songs, but their singing is usually described as monotonous, expressionless, and tuneless. Mr. Elsdon Best, wlioes literary work has placed before the public clear sketches of the inner life of the people who once lived in Tuhoe Land, in the fastnesses of the North Island, says that in this respect the Maoris have been misjudged. In the advance sheets of the “Official Year Book,” he has published a very interesting article, in which ho describes their methods of singing and defends them from unsympathetic critics. Ho states that the Maori has an excellent ear for even the slightest modulations of a voice, and that he is quite a marvellous time-keeper. Vowel' sounds that confuse many Europeans are clear to the Maori musician. He detects the slightest inflections of the voice that are not easily descemed. Every Maori song has its proper tune. It is not unusual for a Maori to decline to sing simply because he ,does not know the air of a particular song. The Maori chants or intones his songs. He makes the delivery musical by a melodious utterance, which is between air and recitative. He produces the melody by a slight modulation of his voice, by lengthened vowel sounds, and by allowing his voice to fall 'at the end of a line or a stanza. There is no gaiety, no joy, no merriment, no lightness, not even humour, in the k tunes, airs, or words of the Maori’s songs. They ..express sadness, solemnity, affection, auger, '"derision, regret or desire, and they are often very dramatic. In the old days, songs and incantations were recited at almost every turn. They '.ware clasified so as to be available for use in every phase of life, from hauling up a canoe to the onslaught of battle. The different class of songs had their proper names. There were lullabies to sooth the fretful children, love songs, and vilifying songs, which express deadly hatred and desire to slay, cook, and eat enemies- The life of the ancient Maori, in fact, seems to have been full of song, and in it ho seems to have found the best means of expressing his deepest thought.