Kia ora (good day)! One of the hidden gems of New Zealand and the Māori tradition is the marae. Few vacationers have stepped foot in a marae, not to mention know what it’s or what its significance is within the Māori communities.
Explore the unknown of this sacred sanctuary of the Māori individuals, the intricate and detailed artwork and buildings and the indigenous traditions that maintain the marae collectively as a communal and ceremonial floor.
In This Article
What Is a Marae?
A marae (pronounced as ma-rye) is a communal, ceremonial and sacred floor that serves non secular and social gatherings. These communal grounds belong to a selected iwi (tribe), hapū (sub-tribe) or whānau (household).
The many buildings a marae can home include a wharenui (a carved assembly home), wharekai (a eating corridor and cooking space), marae ātea (an open area within the entrance) and loo blocks. Some maraes even embrace housing for his or her kaumātuas (elders).
Maraes are thought of sanctuaries of refuge for the Māori individuals and supply amenities that permit them to proceed dwelling their lifestyle throughout the total construction of their norms and values. Maraes are registered as assembly places and as a reserve beneath the Te Ture Whenua Māori Act 1993 (or Māori Land Act 1993).
What Is The Significance of a Marae?
In Māori tradition, a marae is on the coronary heart of the neighborhood. They think about a marae as their tūrangawaewae (a spot to face and belong, a way of id). Traditional Māori oratory, language, values and social etiquette are all absolutely expressed on the marae.
A marae is a house the place ancestors are current and the Māori be taught concerning the world and life throughout their youthful years. Maraes host many non secular and social gatherings reminiscent of āhuareka (celebrations), hui (conferences), tangi (funerals) and different vital tribal occasions. These additionally function locations to host academic workshops.
The marae is sacred to the dwelling and a memorial to those that have handed on. As a end result, the marae requires respect upon getting into. The marae promotes social integration by encouraging id, shallowness, satisfaction and social management.
Maraes are one institution the place Pākehā (a white New Zealander versus a Māori particular person) can work together with Māori on Māori phrases and acquire a deeper understanding of what it means to stay in a bicultural tradition. A pōwhiri (formal welcome) is required to enter a marae.
A pōwhiri is a conventional introduction course of that welcomes and permits visitors and hosts to get acquainted and be taught extra about one another. Traveling to New Zealand and visiting a marae, you’ll expertise this intimate custom.
About The Physical Structure of a Marae
A marae is often rectangular and bordered by a fence fabricated from stones or wood posts, making a boundary of the marae and having buildings for particular capabilities. The amenities have intricate decorations, conventional and elaborate carvings, and sculptures.
The intricate sculptures that regularly cowl their exteriors and interiors convey tales and hint ancestors. As talked about beforehand, a marae consists of some key buildings and buildings — let’s be taught extra about two of the important buildings:
Wharenui
The marae and the wharenui have a complementary relationship — collectively, they’re the point of interest of the neighborhood, with the wharenui because the central constructing. A tribal assembly place that represents a selected ancestor of the tribe contains these options:
- Tekoteko (carved determine) represents the ancestor’s head and sits on the rooftop in entrance.
- Maihi (entrance barge boards) represents the arms to welcome guests.
- Amo (upright carvings on both aspect of the wharenui) represents the legs.
- Tāhuhu (ridge pole operating down the size of the roof) represents the backbone.
- Heke (rafters) that reaches from the tāhuhu to the poupou (carved figures on the partitions) represents the ribs.
Wharekai
The wharekai are the eating halls or consuming places the place the “inner man” is happy. The wharekai primarily hosts neighborhood meals, though different occasions may additionally happen there. The wharekai exists independently, not at all times as a bodily actuality, however in sure circumstances as an thought or perception.
Tapu (sacred high quality) dictates the place individuals can and can’t eat meals and the place they will and can’t devour drinks. Food is noa (a standard component) and the polar reverse of tapu to the Māori. The tipuna whare (assembly/ancestral residence) has tapu, and folks can’t eat in it. However, the wharekai is tapu-free — the 2 are at totally different ends of the spectrum.
The Human Structure of a Marae
A marae consists of two distinguished human buildings — the tangata whenua (native individuals) and the manuhiri (guests or vacationers) — let’s be taught extra about these two human buildings:
Tangata Whenua
The locals who’ve tūrangawaewae (situational id) to the marae through ancestry are generally known as tangata whenua — the unique inhabitants of New Zealand. They maintain the proper to determine on kawa (procedures) on the marae. They also can make authoritative selections on gatherings, outline duties and specify customer duties and obligations — the tangata whenua additionally get pleasure from offering hospitality to others on the marae.
The sequence of roles on the marae follows life itself — from a younger baby with freedom, progressing to their teen and grownup years with extra duties — starting on the rear and ultimately reaching the entrance of the marae as a revered elder when older:
- Young youngsters: Children have the liberty to reign over the marae. They can play wherever they please, besides when a ceremonial welcome happens. Children on the marae are thought of each revered and essential neighborhood members. Thus, all adults are mother and father to all youngsters. Doesn’t it remind you of the proverb, “It takes a village to raise a child”?
- Teenagers: Teenagers even have the liberty to reign over the marae. They carry some accountability to the neighborhood, like arranging and cleansing stools and tables, serving meals, pouring drinks and different primary guide labor that ensures guests are properly taken care of.
- Adults: All adults have duties within the wharekai. They play a task in every step of the meal preparation course of, from ordering provides to serving meals. Adults keep many elements of the marae, from homes to lawns and gardens. Their duties embrace holding the lavatory block clear.
- Elders: When evaluating an elder to an grownup, it’s tough to inform the distinction. It varies from marae to marae. In some areas the place there are few elders, the adults tackle the function of elders. The neighborhood respects their elders for his or her knowledge, steerage and experience.
Manuhiri
On a marae for Māori locals, guests are the second most vital group. Visitors must comply with the kawa of the tangata whenua to not offend or disrespect the marae and Māori. By respecting traditions, the manuhiri contributes by honoring native norms of habits and through koha (assist present given by the manuhiri to the tangata whenua).
Visit New Zealand Māori and Experience Their Marae With Windstar Cruises
New Zealand’s Māori tradition is wealthy with indigenous traditions, and the marae is on the coronary heart of their neighborhood. A marae is a sanctuary for the tangata whenua. These places permit them to proceed dwelling their lifestyle, from the intricately detailed carvings on the wharenui to the elders sharing their experience with the youthful generations. Get the expertise of a lifetime and turn into a welcomed customer in a marae.
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