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Message: <blockquote data-quote="Mirth" data-source="post: 1043413" data-attributes="member: 5242">Puna Tani stood forth...Never taking his eyes off the atua at the prow of the arriving vaka, the young shaman lifted his battleclub above his head and the weapon became magically infused with light. Picking up the chant, he began to swing his club through the air in wide arcs paying respect to Rangi, the Sky Father. Next Puna Tani brought his left knee up to his chest and drove his foot down hard onto the beach. Doing the same with right knee, he began the ritual dance to honor Papa, the Earth Mother. Slowly, the dance brought him forward to the ocean's edge. Kicking the water up into the air and onto the beach, Puna Tani at last joined Tangaroa, the father of the sea, back together with his parents Rangi and Papa. Having shown respect for the sky, earth and sea, the way to Nukutere was finally open, all that was needed was a doorway. Puna Tani now turned his back on the arriving visitors, thereby showing his trust in their intentions. Pulling a sweet potato from a pouch at his side, the shaman split it in two and threw the halves far apart on the beach. With a final chant, he swept his battleclub through the tide, throwing a great spout of sea spray into the air. The magical light faded from the weapon and in the falling water a rainbow appeared, each end originating from one of the sweet potato's halves. With this last act, Puna Tani called upon the grace of Tangaroa's brother, Rongo, the father of song, flowers, crops and peace to bless the festivities and welcome all to Nukutere.</blockquote>

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