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CSI
The work of Nga Taonga Takaro researchers is as exciting as any of the drama and investigative discoveries on the hit TV programme CSI. A network of interested parties has collaborated over the past generation to collect together knowledges about matamatarongo (games/peace incantations), aro-takaro (games artefacts) and papa-takaro (fields of play) for traditional Maori games which were devised as important social mechanisms for tribal resilience. So far over three hundred games have been identified with just as many again going through a validation process involving additional scholarly research and ethnographic input from kaumatua/kuia and modern day practitioners. Of those being investigated some sixty have richly sourced whakapapa involving legendary lore, ancient artefacts and historic modes of play.
One of the games which has been successfully revived is known by several names including Ti-uru, Uru-ti and Turu-i. That is not unusual however as multiple naming was one of the constants within traditional Maori societies. Various waka have been confused through their renaming over the centuries, as have gods, legendary figures, tribal leaders, landmarks, stars, celestial phenomena and important events. Within the realm of Nga Taonga Takaro there are for example, over twenty terms for a taiaha, thirty-plus names for games' balls, another several dozen for distinctive body movements and well-over two hundred names for a collective of waka.
TI-URU: PRE-EUROPEAN ORIGINS
Ti-Uru is often referred to as The Game of Uru-rangi, God of the Heavens, with legends associated with the game reciting his omnipotent deeds. Historically the papa takaro, or playing field of Ti-Uru, was called a Pae-ote-Katuarehe, which infers the game required extremely high skill levels in pre-game and playing contexts. The centre of the field was dominated by several karangi (earthen mounds) around which play would revolve. Players competed to catch the Rakauto-Ure, or Ra-ure, a games baton, while atop a karangi. Teams vied to see which one could accumulate accolades, or nominated prizes, each time they'scored'. A version of the game also deemed that karangi could only be scored on once until all of them, perhaps six or seven, collectively called Te Huihui o Matariki, had all been scored on in a round. Two or more teams could compete at the same time whilst having several Ra-Ure in play at once. Often...