The Marae

Kia Ora!

I've posted pictures of Maraes before, but we were learning about the parts of the Marae in my Māori language class and I found it super interesting!

The Marae is a sacred meeting house and is the basis of traditional Māori community life. Types of events that occur in a Marae are celebrations, weddings, funerals, and tribal reunions. Every iwi (tribe) has their own Marae in the area where the tribe originates. Even today, if someone from the iwi dies, they will be sent to their Marae to be buried and the family will travel there for the funeral. Pakehas (Europeans) may not enter the Marae unless they have been invited by a Māori Elder.

Every Marae represents an ancestor of the iwi that it belongs to. In the above picture, every number corresponds to an important part of the Marae.

1) Tekoteko - The head of the ancestor

2) Poumua - front post

3) Maihi - arms

4) Raparapa - fingers

5) Amo - legs

6) Paepae - threshold

7) Tatau - door (for the living to use)

8) Mahau - porch

9) Matapihi - door (for the deceased) 

Tekoteko

During a meeting, the speaker will usually open with a Karakia (prayer). For example:

Kia uruuru mai                                   Fill me with

A Hau ora,                                         Vitality

A Hau kaha,                                       Strength

A Hau māia,                                       Bravery

ki runga,                                            Above    

ki raro,                                              Below

ki waho,                                            Outwards   

ki roto,                                             And Inwards

Rirerire hau                                      Let the wind blow and bind 

Paimārire                                         Peace upon you

Then they would say their Mihimihi (an introduction about themselves). This is so that everyone listening can gain an understanding of the speaker before they take in what they are about to say. Here's mine from my assignment:

Tēnā Koutou.

Ko Katie taku ingoa.

Nō Amerika ahau. I tupu ake ahau i Calumet, Michigan.

Nō Michigan ōku matua.

Nō Finland ōku tūpuna.

E noho ana au kei Highbury ki waenganui tetahi whanau Māori.

No reira. Ngā mihi nui tēnā tātou.

Hello everyone.

My name is Katie.

I am from America. I grew up in Calumet, Michigan.

My parents are from Michigan.

My ancestors are from Finland.

I am currently living in Highbury with a Māori family.

Conclusion. Many salutations to us all.

When the speaker is all finished, they can conclude with a waiata (song) such as this one:

Māku rā pea                                             Let it be me

Māku rā pea                                             Let it be me

Māku koe e awhi ē                                   Who assists you,

Ki te ara, ara tupu                                    Along the path, the path of growth 

Māku koe e awhi ē                                   I will assist you

Ka kite rā.

Katie