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Show 26 - Roa set about trussing the body of his uncle in the custom of the Maori folk. He drew the knees up until they touched the body, and then he secured them in that position with a cord. He dressed the body in superior garments: his uncle's best piu piu or flaxen skirt, his feathered chieftain's cloak, and woven chest and headband. Next, Roa oiled and combed the hair and adorned it with plumes. He fashioned the tufts of snow-white albatross-down into ear ornaments. With red paint he made esoteric markings on the face of his dead uncle. A greenstone pendant was hung around the neck, and the initial burial preparations were completed. Roa then helped to rebuild the taiwhetuki or House of Death, which was damaged in the battle. Although the taiwhetuki was only slightly damaged, a new one had to be built because it was not a Maori custom to repair a house. All of the other whares in the village would have to be rebuilt in the days that lay ahead. All that was left for Roa to do was to prepare a casket for his uncle's body. This is where his duties ended, for the tohungas or priests took care of the rituals. These rituals were tapu or very sacred, for they embodied know- |