Pieces in the Puzzle
We are like a human tuna (or eel, in English) that snakes its way back down from the front of the wharenui along the right-hand side to where the tangata whenua greet us with a kiss and hug or with a hongi (the traditional Maori greeting featuring the pressing together of noses). I’m reminded of a wonderful Children’s Book called ‘Watercress Tuna and the Children of Champion Street. “It’s a classic New Zealand story of a tuna that leaves his creek and visits the children of Champion Street.
As he visits each child, they pull something out of his mouth: Kelehia gets a kie, Karen gets some shoes, Hirini gets a piu piu, Tuaine gets a pate, Roimata gets a poi, Kava gets a hau, Nga gets a pareu, Losa gets an ula, Jason gets a paper streamer and Fa’afetai gets an ailao afi. The children all go out on to the street and dance day and night. Watercress Tuna is a fun celebration of dancing and music.” I noticed one day when I was visiting my daughter Mede at her campus flat (N.Z. word for apartment) that she still has it in her bookshelf, it’s a heart-warming story.
The line winds its way back up around the opposite side of the room where we are then seated opposite our hosts. “For Maori this is a time to give thanks for the safe arrival of their visitors and to remember those who have passed on into the spirit world. Karakia are prayers that acknowledge a spiritual presence and bring everyone together. They ask assistance from a superior being to give spiritual protection to all those who are participating in the powhiri.
Although still an important component of Maori culture today, karakia, interpreted and used in the modern sense, are quite different to what was used by the ancestors of present day Maori. In former times, karakia were composed to meet every possible contingency in daily life. Before the arrival of Christianity, Maori tohunga or priests established oral communication with their gods by means of karakia. When applied to a specific realm or occasion, each karakia would identify and acknowledge gods, demi gods and lesser spiritual deities so that nothing untoward should befall those involved.”
Once the karakia is completed, things begin to lighten up. It’s time for the mihi (greetings) and the whaikorero (formal speeches) and to talk a little about the reason for our gathering – Nama’s unveiling. As we face the entrance that we came through, the speakers stand in the sun drenched doorway, the sun behind them surrounding them with a warm golden glow that like their words of welcome warm our ears and hearts too. I felt Nama was around us, watching us. In my mind’s eye another piece of the puzzle’s border had been put in place.
