rāhui

See also: rahui

Maori

Etymology 1

From Proto-Eastern Polynesian *rafui, from a suffixed form of Proto-Nuclear Polynesian *lafu (“prohibit”).

Noun

rāhui

  1. 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
  • → English: rahui

Verb

rāhui

  1. (stative) be reserved, be restricted
Derived terms

Etymology 2

From a suffixed form of Proto-Polynesian *lafu (“group of animals or birds”).

Noun

rāhui

  1. bundle
  2. flock, herd, mob, swarm, cluster

References
  1. “rāhui” in John C. Moorfield, Te Aka: Maori–English, English–Maori Dictionary and Index, 3rd edition, Longman/Pearson Education New Zealand, 2011, →ISBN.
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