Sidestep: Bullroarers...and why this is important

The bullroarer is known to the Maori as a huhu, purorohu, turorohu, rangorango, wheorooro, and purerehua.

Bull roarers are used worldwide. In Africa, South and North America, Canada and Australia. Also in Melanesia, Micronesia (Caroline Islands) and in NZ, where it is called the 'pūrerehua'. There are in fact no old examples to show, nothing dated pre-European yet they are said to be 'traditional' and I believe that to be the case. So let's assume they were in existence before the European came.

It is said they are 'traditional' and are:

• Used in initiation ceremonies.

• Used to summon spirits.

• Used to frighten away spirits.

• The voice of a god.

• Used for producing wind, or rain, or thunder, or lightning.

• Tapu to women.

• Used as a toy.

But how come there are no examples in the Pacific Islands of Polynesia? Now think about that one...The Maori have a bull roarer yet they were supposed to have come from Polynesia. They did. So where did they learn about the bull roarer? From the Melanesian already living here?

There are other twirling objects used to make noise such as in Hawaii and the Cook Islands but these were coconuts with drilled holes that made a shrill sound when swung around the head. The Pacific Islands have no flat type bull roarers like the Aborigines...except NZ.

This is important because of origins! If it is an old 'traditional' and 'cultural' item (unproved), then it came from Melanesia not Polynesia. That means the Maori saw it in use here by those of Melanesian descent when they arrived. If the pūrerehua isn't traditional, then it was adopted only since the European came and therefore not cultural at all, certainly no more cultural than wearing clothes, or using metal tools, whaling or farming cattle.