New Zealand - Māori Culture
Marae
The marae consists of the meeting house, the wharenui, and the open space in front of it. The wharenui is used for meetings and public gatherings. People are welcomed on the marae with the powhiri. The powhiri starts with a warrior doing a wero. Long ago the wero was done to see if the visitors were peaceful. If they were peaceful they were welcomed onto the marae.
The marae consists of the meeting house, the wharenui, and the open space in front of it. The wharenui is used for meetings and public gatherings. People are welcomed on the marae with the powhiri. The powhiri starts with a warrior doing a wero. Long ago the wero was done to see if the visitors were peaceful. If they were peaceful they were welcomed onto the marae.
Source: Ko Tane
After the wero the women sing a karanga to welcome the guests onto the marae. After that the men do a haka.
The Haka
The haka is a traditional challenge that is performed before any visitor can enter the marae. It is also done as a war dance for as a celebration. You can see the All Black's rugby team doing the haka below.
The haka is a traditional challenge that is performed before any visitor can enter the marae. It is also done as a war dance for as a celebration. You can see the All Black's rugby team doing the haka below.
The Hongi
The hongi is a traditional Māori greeting. Māoris greet visitors by pressing their noses together and exchanging the breath of life. Click on the video to learn more.
The hongi is a traditional Māori greeting. Māoris greet visitors by pressing their noses together and exchanging the breath of life. Click on the video to learn more.
The Kōruru
If you look at the picture below you will see the kōruru. It stands for one of the ancestors of the tribe. His head is at the top of the wharenui, his arms are the eaves of the building, the door is his mouth and the window his eye.
If you look at the picture below you will see the kōruru. It stands for one of the ancestors of the tribe. His head is at the top of the wharenui, his arms are the eaves of the building, the door is his mouth and the window his eye.
When you go inside the building you see the ridgepole, which is the ancestor's backbone and the rafters, which are his ribs. The other statues in the meeting house stand for other ancestors.
Traditional Māori Carving
Traditional Māori carvers are not allowed to make the carvings of people too realistic. Therefor the statues only have 3 fingers.
Traditional Māori carvers are not allowed to make the carvings of people too realistic. Therefor the statues only have 3 fingers.
Source: Te Puia
Greenstone (pounamu) and bone are also carved. Some of the carvings are based on plants that can be seen in the environment and some are based on stories of spiritualism. Both men and women wear this jewellery.
Moko
It wasn't just pounamu, bone and wood that were carved. People's bodies were also carved. Tattooing is done with needles now but long ago the pattern was drawn on the body with charcoal. Then the pattern was cut out with a chisel. The colour was put in the groove. Only a little was done at a time because it was so painful. Sometimes it took years to finish the pattern. Long ago tattoos were put on the faces of important men and women in the tribe. If you look at the man's face you will see that the two sides are different. It is the family tree. On one side there is the father’s line. On the other the mother’s line. On the women’s faces the tattoo is only on the lips and the chin. Sometimes tattoos were put on the men’s thighs and buttocks too!
It wasn't just pounamu, bone and wood that were carved. People's bodies were also carved. Tattooing is done with needles now but long ago the pattern was drawn on the body with charcoal. Then the pattern was cut out with a chisel. The colour was put in the groove. Only a little was done at a time because it was so painful. Sometimes it took years to finish the pattern. Long ago tattoos were put on the faces of important men and women in the tribe. If you look at the man's face you will see that the two sides are different. It is the family tree. On one side there is the father’s line. On the other the mother’s line. On the women’s faces the tattoo is only on the lips and the chin. Sometimes tattoos were put on the men’s thighs and buttocks too!
Weaving
Source: Te Puia
It was much colder in New Zealand than it was in Hawaiki (the Māori's ancestral land) so they had to make much heavier clothes like cloaks. They make the cloak with the flax and decorated them with bird feathers. The feathers that were most sought after were those of the kiwi.
Hangi
Singing
While singing the singers move their bodies to the rhythm of the songs. They also move their hands from side to side in order to give the words life. This is called the wiri. Some singers lift their feet to the rhythm of the song. Others sway their bodies to the rhythm.
While singing the singers move their bodies to the rhythm of the songs. They also move their hands from side to side in order to give the words life. This is called the wiri. Some singers lift their feet to the rhythm of the song. Others sway their bodies to the rhythm.
Poi
Long ago the poi were used by the men to develop flexibility and dexterity. Nowadays women use the poi while singing. They twirl the poi in the air to represent birds and insects in flight. They also use the poi to beat out a rhythm.
Long ago the poi were used by the men to develop flexibility and dexterity. Nowadays women use the poi while singing. They twirl the poi in the air to represent birds and insects in flight. They also use the poi to beat out a rhythm.
Long Poi
Single long poi, double long poi or quadruple long poi are used. Click on the video below to see them being used.
Single long poi, double long poi or quadruple long poi are used. Click on the video below to see them being used.