Historic Events In Early New Zealand - Card 6 - "Tapu" Feeding

Card number 6 of 30. Text says;

"Tapu" Feeding
A "Tapu" person was usually fed with a long-pointed stick or was obliged to eat off the ground. Liquid was often directed straight into the mouth to avoid contaminating a vessel.

A detailed description of what tapu means to the Maori people is at NewZealand.com. In context of a individual, their evolving spirituality is directly related to stronger tapu. This usually occurs as a result of age and to a degree the wisdom that comes from that.

To maintain the sanctity of tapu, certain behaviours or actions were prohibited.

To disregard the rules of tapu was an offence to the gods. Those concerned forfeited divine protection and were therefore exposed to supernatural evils.

In a broader context 'waahi tapu' relates to places or things and their relationships with the people who reside close by. This generational relationship and lore is often overlooked in the cause of progress, its value then becomes lost from memory along with the ties linking people to an area. The below video reaches into some of the lore of the Maori tribes to explain more (the impatient can jump to about 1:10)...