The Dance of the Flaming Fire

The Dance of the Flaming Fire, the Urangafi , followed immediately upon the Taomatangi , and in ordinary conversation the latter term was often used to cover both. The essential difference between them in point of procedure was that the one was held in daylight, the other from dusk till dawn. For the actual performance the men stood in a circle at the entrance to Marae with heads bent, eyes directed to the ground and wands lowered. The Ariki Kafika, deputizing for the Ariki Tafua, then recited the formula at the top of his voice. A cite of some importance towards midday was that connected with the taume. This was die name applied to the dry spathe of the coconut which was die most important ceremonial element of the occasion. A long pole, a dry bamboo stem, which was kept stored against a tree on the north side of Rarofiroki, was brought to the entrance to Marae at Fenumera.