Real meaning of Maori customs


                                                The real meaning of Maori customs

       
                                              
At Rawhiti, Mata Howard shared the real meaning of common maori words and customs. The classroom was the sea and the forest. We use them every day  but without thought of the deeper meaning.

The first custom demonstrated was the Hongi - commonly practice and similar to a handshake - out of politeness. Touching nose and forehead without further thought. However, the true meaning is about  sharing breath and connecting another person's past, present and future.  With consideration of the meaning behind the custom, this gesture takes on a totally different intent and people really connect. The prayer at the dinner table is only meaningful if there is a real connectedness and genuine thankfulness for the food.

The second discussion was about 'whakaronga'. The word is commonly translated to English as 'to listen'.That is partially correct, but the complete meaning is to STOP- Stop what you are doing and open your mind and heart, then receive learning and focus on the message.

'Titero' was the third learning. The full meaning is simply 'to look'. We all look, but do we see everything? For example, we look at a bird but do we see the beauty of the feathers. We must develop new 'critical' eyes to see the detail and beauty around us, to see the obvious and beyond.          

                     

In old Maori culture there was tradition that all wrong doings must be retaliated - UTU. Christianity introduced a new concept to Maori - FORGIVENESS. This offered more than one way to deal with injustice towards a person and demonstrates how cultures can learn from each other and live in harmony. creating a better future for all.

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