Hello, you have come here looking for the meaning of the word
rāhui. In DICTIOUS you will not only get to know all the dictionary meanings for the word
rāhui, but we will also tell you about its etymology, its characteristics and you will know how to say
rāhui in singular and plural. Everything you need to know about the word
rāhui you have here. The definition of the word
rāhui will help you to be more precise and correct when speaking or writing your texts. Knowing the definition of
rāhui, as well as those of other words, enriches your vocabulary and provides you with more and better linguistic resources.
Maori
Etymology 1
From Proto-Eastern Polynesian *rafui, from a suffixed form of Proto-Nuclear Polynesian *lafu (“prohibit”).
Noun
rāhui
- restriction of access to a place (as a form of taboo)
Usage notes
Traditionally, a rāhui was placed on an area, resource or stretch of water as a conservation measure or as a means of social and political control for a variety of reasons which can be grouped into three main categories: pollution by tapu, conservation and politics. Death pollutes land, water and people through tapu. A rāhui is a device for separating people from tapu things. After an agreed lapse of time, the rāhui is lifted. A rāhui is marked by a visible sign, such as the erection of a pou rāhui, a post. It is initiated by someone of rank and placed and lifted with appropriate karakia by a tohunga.[1]
Descendants
Verb
rāhui
- (stative) be reserved, be restricted
Derived terms
Etymology 2
From a suffixed form of Proto-Polynesian *lafu (“group of animals or birds”).
Noun
rāhui
- bundle
- flock, herd, mob, swarm, cluster
References
- ^ “rāhui” in John C. Moorfield, Te Aka: Maori–English, English–Maori Dictionary and Index, 3rd edition, Longman/Pearson Education New Zealand, 2011, →ISBN.