Tīmoti Kāretu shares his thoughts about the recent Whakamana i Te Pae o Huaki-pōuri Wānanga held in July 2014: In 1978 in an essay, in the publication Tihē Mauri Ora, entitled Kawa in Crisis I stated: I suggest that apart from the two distinct speech-making patterns of pāeke and tau-utuutu (speakers following on or alternating), all tribes formerly practised a similar kawa. It is recent times that kawa has degenerated in some areas into confusion. The fact that tribes are now actively trying to revive and retain their kawa with little compromise as possible means that people again feel there is something of value in such observance. These many years later Ngāti Kahungunu has realised what dire straits it is in and while kawa (marae etiquette and procedure) was not the principal focus of the wānanga whaikōrero (high level oratory) and karanga (the ritual calling of the women) were. Both these practices are cultural imperatives and a major part of kawa. Tribes throughout the country are realising that there needs to be a succession plan hence the greater attention to the younger generation, to their command of the language and their ability, within this very decade before us, to assume the role of their elders on the marae. As the older generation of speakers becomes fewer by the day so it becomes ever more urgent for the young, linguistically capable to sit on their tribal paepae. It is because of this need, and because of the importance of whaikōrero and karanga to the tribe and its identity that Ngāti Kahungunu called together its young and old to indulge in debate and discussion about the whole issue. The gathering, the first in recent times, proved to be an overwhelming success but further such wānanga need to be in the pipeline. As more and more tribes come to realise the dearth that there is of speakers and knowledgeable people within the tribe so more and more such wānanga will continue to be conducted. It is thanks to Te Waka Toi that this particular wānanga was able to take place. Let me conclude by again referring to the essay mentioned in the beginning: To welcome someone and to be welcomed warmly with all the attendant rituals is a moving experience. To never again be drawn forward with the karanga and to never again hear kuia call farewell to the dead, to never again hear the eloquence and excitement of the whaikōrero and waiata, to never again enjoy the warmth of the wharenui, a warmth engendered by all these elements - all this would be to witness the death of part of the justification for human life. And so it is to avert and to impede the further loss of whaikōrero and karanga that Ngāti Kahungunu has taken this initiative which I wholeheartedly applaud. Hei konā mai rā i roto i ngā mihi ki a koutou o Te Waka Toi i tautāwhi nei, i whakaaro rangatira mai nei ki te iwi o Ngāti Kahungunu. Nā Tīmoti Kāretu
Posted on: Tue, 12 Aug 2014 22:48:21 +0000
Trending Topics
Recently Viewed Topics
© 2015