Rongo-mai

A celebrated demigod ancestor of some of the tribes. He went with Ihingā and others of his friends to visit the dread Miru in her infernal abode (see Tatau-o-te-Pō). There they learnt magical charms, witchcraft, religious songs, dances, the games of Ti, Whai, etc., from the deities in the underworld. They also learnt the "guardian charm," kaiwhatu.

One of Rongo-mai's men was caught, and was claimed by Miru in sacrifice, as utu (payment) for having imparted the sacred knowledge, but Rongo-mai and the others got safely back to the world again.

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