Eyeopening

Wednesday, 21 July, 2004 by Donna V. Whitmore

We were welcomed very warmly in a moving welcome by the Maori. We experienced the Powhiri (welcome) and the Karanga (call by the women) to the Manuhiri (visitors [us]) followed by the Hongi (pressing of noses in meeting). The Maori men lead the women into the meeting and sit in the front of the group, women behind, the tradition of the Maori. The men then perform speeches or Whaikorero, followed by Waiata or song.

We learned and performed some Maori songs with the traditional accompanying motions. It was a lot of fun! "Ehara I Te Mea," a Maori song, is simple, but beautiful too.

We were treated in the evening to the movie "Whale Rider," a movie about and performed by Maoris and filmed in New Zealand. It is a great movie and always brings tears. I understood much more about the movie after having spent the morning with the Maoris and learning what we did about their culture.

My early-on impression of the Maoris is that they are a very gentle, kind, soft-spoken, proud and honorable people.

Word for the day: EYEOPENING