tiri

A strip of flax leaf or toetoe so placed as to serve as an imaginary pathway for an atua. In sickness a tiri is suspended above the head of the sick person to facilitate the departure of the atua who causes the disease. A tiri is also suspended near the kaupapa, when he desires his atua to visit him. It is also applied to signify the karakia used on such occasions.

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References

Source

  • Shortland, Edward. (1882). Maori Religion and Mythology. London: Longmans Green, p. 108.

This article incorporates text from Maori Religion and Mythology (1882) by Edward Shortland, which is in the public domain.