Understand the power of karakia, what they are not, and why we use them.
Are you familiar with karakia? Where might you have heard one before?
Karakia are chants or incantations. They are part of tikanga (the customs, values and practices that have developed over time and are deeply embedded in the social context).
Tika means correct, true or fair, and nga is a suffix used to create nouns. Hence tikanga.
It is important to understand the concepts of tapu and noa and how these link to karakia. Are you familiar with these concepts?
| Tapu (special and sacred) |
Noa (ordinary and neutral) |
|---|---|
|
|
Concerning tikanga, it helps to understand that tapu and noa are to be honoured. These practices have rich and long traditions and are sometimes framed simply as ‘common sense’ or ‘best practice’.
- We don’t sit on a table or bench because we don’t want our bottom on the same surface as food preparation.
- We don’t wash our tea towels with our undergarments and clothes.
- We don’t put a hat on a table as the hat has been in contact with our head or we don’t sit on a pillow that is used for our head.
- Food is kept away from other bodily functions and spaces e.g. the wharekai (kitchen) and the wharepaku (toilet) are separated.
What is interesting to note is that kai (food), wai (water) and karakia can all be used to lift tapu and make things noa. In essence, to bring people together.
Let us first practice a simple karakia that you could use to open a lesson or meeting. This karakia was composed by Professor Rawinia Higgins and Dr Mike Ross. It can be used to start or close a meeting or event. It has no religious connotations so is suitable for any gathering. It has come from the publication Tikanga Māori at Victoria University (Te Whanganui-a-Tara).
Mauri Oho is a simple karakia for starting or opening a meeting
'Mauri oho
Mauri tū
Mauri ora
ki a tātou
Haumi e, Hui e
Tāiki e!'
Whakamāramatanga/Explanation:
'Life force awaken
Life force stand tall
Life force all wellness, good health for all
Join together, unite, the group is ready to progress for the purpose of
coming together'
Here are some pātai (questions) to support your whaiwhakaaro (reflection).
| How do I say/pronounce ____ in Māori? | He aha te kupu Māori _____? |
| What does ______ mean? | He aha te kupu ____? |
| Can you repeat that? |
Kōrero mai anō? |
| Is my pronunciation right? | Kei te tika taku whakahua i te kupu ___? |
| Why? | He aha i pērā ai? |
| What made it so? | Nā te aha i pērā / pēnā ai? |
| What is your thinking? | He aha tō whakaaro? |
| What is your knowledge? | He aha tō mōhio? |