ABSTRACT
The ceremonies of Takarito began after sunrise, on Christmas Day, 1928. The Ariki Kafika advised his elders and others whom he desired to attend, and the cortége moved off along the track to Faea. While the majority of the men were away collecting provisions the Ariki and a few followers proceeded to Takarito. The first rite performed there was the Clearing of the Marae, which was done in die same manner as that of the ground in Uta. The greater the importance of any piece of ritual, the greater its effect upon the weather. The carpeting of Takarito is a very important rite. The men enclosed it in the baskets, thrust a stick through the top and, shouldering it, carried it down the path which led to the beach at Matafanga. This was called the sacred path, since it led direct from Takarito, and was the road of the god.
