Maori Lore

Author : George Grey
Publisher :
ISBN 13 : 9781330360477
Total Pages : 517 pages
Book Rating : 4.3/5 (64 download)

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Download or read book Maori Lore written by George Grey and published by . This book was released on 2015-06-25 with total page 517 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: Excerpt from Maori Lore: The Traditions of the Maori People, With the More Important of Their Legends The first edition of "Polynesian Mythology and Maori Legends," from the pen of the late Sir George Grey, saw the light in 1855; the second edition was published in 1885. It is a difficult matter now to procure a copy of either of these editions. Through comparatively recent events - the appearance in London of Maori contingents more particularly - interest in the Maori people has greatly developed, and there are many who would gladly avail themselves of an opportunity to become acquainted with the past of the race, so far as a knowledge of that past is obtainable from their traditions. It has not always been recognised that the History of the Maori and the Legends of the Maori are quite different things; the legends and traditions fill this volume; the history will appear later. By the strict process of word-for-word transmission which characterized the teaching in their wharekuras and schools the traditions of the Maori people have come down through the centuries, so that to-day they are found in the work of Sir George Grey set forth in almost as perfect a condition as they were when first they became the chief part of the Maori's mental existence. In "Polynesian Mythology" the legends are to be found not only in their correct form, but the language may almost be said to be a literal translation of the words in which they were originally clothed. In the preface to his first edition Sir George Grey wrote, "I fear in point of care and language it will not satisfy the critical reader, but I can truly say that I have had no leisure to carefully revise it. The translation is also faithful... I have said that the translation is close and faithful; it is so to the full extent of my powers, and from the little time I have had at my disposal. About the Publisher Forgotten Books publishes hundreds of thousands of rare and classic books. Find more at www.forgottenbooks.com This book is a reproduction of an important historical work. Forgotten Books uses state-of-the-art technology to digitally reconstruct the work, preserving the original format whilst repairing imperfections present in the aged copy. In rare cases, an imperfection in the original, such as a blemish or missing page, may be replicated in our edition. We do, however, repair the vast majority of imperfections successfully; any imperfections that remain are intentionally left to preserve the state of such historical works.