Ms+Newbold's+Class

= Tiki =

Welcome to Jan Newbold's Class.

On this page we will add information and resources about Maori Symbols.

Our learning focus
How artists use symbols and motifs to interpret Tiki from various cultures in the Asia and Pacific region. Is it culturally sensitive to appropriate sacred symbols?

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A hongi is a traditional Maori greeting in New Zealand. Many people know is as nose touching when you encounter someone else. The Māori custom of pressing noses in greeting is very ancient and refers to the mythological figure of Tāne Mahuta, who shaped a figure from earth and breathed life into it through the nose to create the ‘woman formed of earth’, Hineahuone. A hongi is done by pressing one’s nose and forehead simultaneously to another person. It is used at traditional meetings among Maori people and on major ceremonies and services especially in more culturally formal situations such as on a Marae. A hongi serves a similar purpose a handshake does in modern western culture. In Maori culture there are many customs and general behaviour guidelines for daily life and interaction. While these concepts are constant, their practice can vary between each tribe. Some of the main customs are; greetings (how you say hello and introduce yourself); Powhiri (the formal welcoming ceremony usually done to new visitors or guests at a Marae); Karanga (the call inviting strangers to enter the meeting place); Whaikorero (the art of Maori places); Mihimihi (a less formal introduction given by people); Marae visits (a guide of what to do on a Marae); and Tangi (Maori funeral protocol and customs). These are all commonly based on experience and learning that has been handed down through generations. It is based on logic and common sence associated with a Maori world view. 
 * Hongi **
 * Customs **
 * By Swati **

__Haka:__ A haka is an ancestral war cry, dance or challenge from the Maori or New Zealand people. It is a posture dance performed by a group, with vigorous movements and stamping of the feet with rhythmically shouted accompaniment. The Haka was usually performed before a battle/war. The [|New Zealand rugby team] 's practice of performing a haka before their matches has made the dance more widely known around the world. The [|New Zealand basketball team] also perform a haka before each game. They perform these as if to say, “I challenge you” You will have all seen the All Black’s perform the Haka, it is like they are getting ready for battle.

__Tattoos: __ Tā moko is the permanent body and face marking by [|Māori] , the indigenous people of New Zealand. Traditionally it is distinct from [|tattoo]  and tatau in that the skin was carved by uhi  ( chisels) rather than punctured. This left the skin with grooves, rather than a smooth surface. The marks in general are spirals drawn with great nicety and even elegance. One side corresponds with the other. The marks on the body resemble foliage in old chased ornaments, convolutions of filigree work, but in these they have such a luxury of forms that of a hundred which at first appeared exactly the same no two were formed alike on close examination. But they don’t use the chisels anymore, now they just get normal tattoos.

Maori Elder

Kaumatua is the Maori word for elder though sometimes male elders can be called koroua. To be considered as an elder you either have to be mid 60s or older or despite your young age you can be considered an elder because of the knowledge and leadership ability’s you have. . In the Maori community elders are considered leaders of the whanau (family) and a great blessing and the younger generation turn to them for help. They are recognised for their life experiences and knowledge they have gained over their years. Elders are expected to take leadership and perform roles and duties throughout everyday life in the wider family and tribal community. Especially when it comes to big decisions and tribal councils. Also while parents were working elders are expected to look after the children. Because the elders know all the traditions, recipes and methods they pass their knowledge down to the younger generation.

Moari Waka

<span style="font-family: 'Century Gothic',sans-serif;">Maori wakas used to be used just like we use cars today. New Zealand water ways were like roads holding many wakas from different tribes holding people and goods. The first people who came to New Zealand were Polynesians traveling on large wakas. Waka are built from tree trunks. In Polynesia the wakas were thin and unstable due to the thin trees used. But Maoris were different they made large stable wakas because of the big trees found in the New Zealand forests. Maoris take pride in their wakas naming them, carving stories and patterns in them and saving the grandest for the most special occasions. The paddles used to move the waka were also made of wood. As well as this some had sails make of reed or flax. The anchors were made of large stones tied with rope or vine. The largest waka made was 30 metres long and could hold up to 100 people. As well as carrying people and goods they were also used for fishing. Most wakas had the basic parts-

<span style="font-family: 'Century Gothic',sans-serif; font-size: 14pt;">- <span style="font-family: 'Century Gothic',sans-serif;">Hiwi: or hull in English is the body of the canoe

<span style="font-family: 'Century Gothic',sans-serif; font-size: 14pt;">- <span style="font-family: 'Century Gothic',sans-serif;">Tauihu: front of the boat

<span style="font-family: 'Century Gothic',sans-serif; font-size: 14pt;">- <span style="font-family: 'Century Gothic',sans-serif;">Taurapa: the stern at the back of the boat

<span style="font-family: 'Century Gothic',sans-serif; font-size: 14pt;">- <span style="font-family: 'Century Gothic',sans-serif;">Rauawa: the sides of the waka By Samantha :)

=__** Waiata - Singing **__= Traditional Waiata, or songs, were not just sung for entertainment, but were created for a specific purpose. The most common type of Waiata contains history, Family history or even tribe history these songs were sung to an audience, but were more commonly sung to the younger generations to pass down knowledge from their ancestors. Waiata are normally sung quite slowly. Waiata was made up from a few notes which were repeated throughout the entire Waiata, just put in different orders. Not all music came from the Maori; in fact some were adapted from European music.

By Arianna

<span style="color: #10cf9b; font-family: 'Century Gothic',sans-serif; vertical-align: baseline;">The dictionary definition of a marae is “the courtyard of a Maori meeting house, especially as a social or ceremonial forum.” Basically a Marae is used for community meetings where they talk about celebration, grief or issues in the community. All around the New Zealand there will always be a Marae nearby. Each Marae will have a wharenui (meeting house) and a wharekai (kitchen and dining room). <span style="color: #10cf9b; font-family: 'Century Gothic',sans-serif; vertical-align: baseline;">By Montana.S.
 * <span style="color: #10cf9b; font-family: 'Century Gothic',sans-serif; font-size: 18pt;">Marae definition - **

= =  **<span style="color: #0000ff; font-family: 'Hobo Std',sans-serif; font-size: 16pt;">The significance of whales in the Maori Culture ** <span style="font-family: 'Myriad Pro Light',sans-serif;">Whales have a very big significance to the Maori’s culture for many different reasons so we are just going to explain it to you in a small amount of time!! Firstly, the whale is known to be the mammal that brought the native Maori’s into New Zealand. If the whale rider didn’t ride on the whales back, they never would have landed on New Zealand. This would have changed New Zealand and its culture from what it is now!! They were also sometimes guardians of the ancestors canoeing to New Zealand.

<span style="font-family: 'Myriad Pro Light',sans-serif;">Secondly, Whales are significant to the Maori cultures because of their large mass of meat that Maori villages can eat. Maori people killed the whales to eat and use as utensils. Because whales are such large animals, their meat would last a village for months and they could also preserve it in desperate times of food such as droughts or when the village’s crops are running low. = =