New Zealand - Maori People

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of the first haka. Instead of Tinirau’s women performing a haka they performed a kapa haka which make Kae smile and laugh, revealing his overlapping distinctive teeth. (Smith). The modern value of the kapa haka is that it has been and continues to be vital in sustaining and developing the Māori language and culture. There is an annual festival called the Te Matatini kapa haka festival. This festival is exclusively for Māori traditional performing arts. There are many other festivals and competitions that focus on kappa haka’s performed by New Zealand’s youth. Dances like the kapa haka are very important to the Māori people because it allows them to stay rooted to their history and culture in a modern society. It also allows them to share their knowledge with others through the form of dance.

A powhiri is a cultural exchange or welcoming ceremony. It is between the Tangata whenua, the hosts or local people and the Manuhiri, the visitors. A powhiri takes place at a Marae. A marae is a sacred “house” or community gathering place. The beginning of a powhiri takes place when the two groups are facing each other with a considerable distance between them. The Tangata whenua stand in front of the marae or next to it and a male will come forward and chant and dance with a spear. The men stand in front and the women are behind them in lines. Traditionally this served the purpose for the male warrior to see if the visiting group was friends or foes. After it has been established that the visitors are friendly, and elderly women will perform a chant called the Karanga. Then a chanter from the visiting group will respond back. Once the Karanga exchange between the two chanters is finished both groups with move into the marae where the ceremony continues. Once inside the two groups will exchange whaikorero (speeches). The speeches are made in Maori and the native tongue of the visiting group. The whaikorero (speeches) for both the groups consist of them talking about where they came from, about the people and what they have to share with the other group. When Māori’s talk about where they come from they trace their lineage and history back to the sky. So they will mention where in New Zealand they are from, talk about the mountain and waterfall then down to the valley and stream that leads to where the marae is. At the conclusion of each whaikorero (speech) a waiata (song) will accompany it. This part of the ceremony takes up the most time because the exchanges of waiata (songs) can go on for long periods of time. At the conclusion of the ceremony the manuhiri (hosts) will invite the visiting group to hongi (press noses) and hariru (shake hands) with everyone in the group. The best part of the powhiri is the hakari, the feast which lifts the tapu or sacredness of the powhiri. This allows the two groups to intermingle and connect with one another. Powhiri’s are still practiced and incorporated into the lifestyle of the people in New Zealand. It allows for the Maori to practice their traditional ways and to also learn the ways of other Maori people or new visitors. (Marae Protocol)

        Learning more about the Maori culture has shown me that not all cultures die after coming into contact with Europeans or Westerners. It affected my outlook on culture (as a whole topic) even more than ever. I learned that although certain traditions cannot be practiced the same way they were practiced in the past, they can still be practiced to hold onto cultural significance. I also realized the power/significance of immersing cultural traditions with everyday lifestyle. It may seem peculiar to others to have cultural traditions incorporated into everyday lifestyle but once you start then it just becomes easier and easier every day. The Maori have incorporated cultural traditions into their everyday life style which makes it easier to perpetuate the culture because the younger generation become exposed to it at a young age. At a young age kids are taught the traditions or haka, singing and storytelling of their ancestors. When these kids grow up the learn to understand and appreciate their history and culture. Then when they are adults they are able to share with others their passion and love for their culture. Now some of these practices are referred to as the “old traditional ways” and seem foreign to most natives. But as time goes on these different cultural practices will become a part of their social norms.