Talk:Papaioea

What does Papaioea mean?

I was told by a non-Rangitāne Māori woman, and I'm apologetic if I'm spreading an incorrect rumour, that Te Papaieoa means something like "the particular colour the water goes when the human remains are ready to eat", in reference to a specific wetland that had some physical property and/or spiritual significance and which was therefore used to prepare bodies (by sustained immersion) for ritualistic cannibalism. Cannibalism was obvsiously generally widespread, so it's not outside the realm of possibility that there are toponyms that refer to it, though I have no idea if this technique "works" so to say. Was this one reason Rangitane was opposed to the name's adoption? I can't find anything online that gives a translation of the name. I'd appreciate any sources that might shed some light. Rippling0142 (talk) 04:05, 18 November 2024 (UTC)