|
Whitu-whitu,
waru-waru, kani-kani e! |
Seven-seven,
eight-eight, dancing-dancing eh! |
- 1 Ara!
- Although
Te Ara is usually translated as 'The Path," in this
case Ara! is an exclaimation.
2
titiro māketu
- Look with evil thoughts, look with lust, look hard.
A lusty young man's courting song
This appears to be a "Saturday Night Fever" type of song for a lusty young man to attract an equally lusty young woman as his wife, so it is strange to hear it now sung prettily as a poi dance by young girls. Or sung by an aging opera diva!
These other songs have originated as lusty young Māori men's songs are also now sung as poi dances in a pretty-pretty fashion:-
Me He Manu Rere
He Püru Taitama e
Epo i Tai Tai e.
Hanara (Arnold) Reedy 1903-1971
Ara! Ka Titiro is credited to an "A Reedy." This is most probably Arnold Reedy of Hiruharama, who was noted for his song-writing skills.
Hanara (Arnold) Reedy was Born at Whareponga, the oldest of ten children of Materoa Ngarimu, an ariki of Ngati Porou, and her husband John Marshall Reedy, who in turn was the son of Thomas Reedy and Mihi Takawhenua Ngawiki Tuhou.
As a boy Hanara was tutored and disciplined by tribal kaumatua from whom he learned the customs, traditions and history of Ngati Porou and the Maori people.
He was regarded as an authority on waiata and moteatea. Some of his waiata and haka, such as Taumarumaru and Pohiritia e te Tairawhiti are regarded as classics. Me He Manu Rere is also thought to be his waiata.
During World War II Hanara served with his cousin, Lt Moana Ngarimu, in the Maori Battalion. He reached the rank of captain before being captured on Crete in 1941 and held as a prisoner of war.
After the war Hanara returned to farming at Hiruharama. In 1947 he was appointed to a number of royal commissions on Maori land grievances. Hanara's ability to speak passionately and fluently in both English and Maori marked him as one of the most respected orators of his time. (Full biography at DNZB.)