Second Report
Discovery’s Guapacha
(Cristhian Guapacha): Hi people, how are you?!!!!
(Cristhian Guapacha): My name is Cristhian Andrés Guapacha, and we are in Discovery’s Guapacha. Today I am in New Zealand at the Rotorua, this city is located in the north. We are in a MARAE (Maori temple), and I’m listening a background music, this music is called POKAREKARE ANA, and it is sing by Maisey Rika student of St Joseph's Maori Girls school. In this moment I’m with three beautiful Maori women, they are Aroha (Carolina Sánchez), Emere (Indira Cordoba) y Tahupotiki (Carolina De los Rios). Before start with the interview, I prepared a brief summary of the Maori History.
(Cristhian Guapacha): Origin of the Maori:
The Maori are a Polynesian ethnic who arrived in New Zealand from Hawaii between the tenth and the fourteenth century (900- 1300 A.D.). According to Maori mythology, the ancestors came from a mystic land called “Hawaiki”, this mystic land would be where the migrations began. According their legends, the Maori migrated from “Hawaiki” to “Aotearoa” with seven boats who founded the seven original tribes. Also, they think that the souls of dead depart from the Cape Renga, located northwest of the north island.
European colonization is recent (Abel Tasman- 1642), in 1769 British explorer James Cook established friendly relations with some Maori and the Maori had contact with Dutch sailors of whalers since 1780. Also, the prisoners who escaped from the ships exposed to the indigenous population to external influences. New Zealand became a British colony by the signing of the “Treaty of Waitangi” in 1840, this treaty established British rule, granted the Maori British citizenship, and recognized Maori land rights. European conquest reduced sharply the Maori population, in 1840 was estimated for 100.000 natives and 2.000 whites, in 1896 was estimated for 42.000 natives and 700.000 whites. The present Maori population is around 600,000 or 14% of the country's population, and Maori live in all parts of New Zealand, but predominately in the North Island where the climate is warmer.
Well!!!! Tahupotiki (Carolina De los Ríos), I’m seeing your dress, and i like, please tell me what are you wearing?
(Carolina de los Ríos): Maori traditional dress: a band on the head, a striped corset and skirt ("piupiu") that accompany the ‘dancer’s balls "poi" spin. The collar best known are coulombs heitiki, which was conferred great value, the length ranged from 6 to 20 inches and consisted of a human figure with head bowed over his shoulder, like a fetus, which hung from a cord.
(Cristhian Guapacha): This morning when I was arriving to the hotel, I felt a rich scent of the food. Do you can tell me, what are your traditional dishes?
(Carolina de los Ríos): Although Marae have modern cooking facilities, the hāngi, a traditional way of cooking food in Polynesia, is still used to provide meals for large groups because the food it produces is considered flavourful. The hāngi consists of a shallow hole dug in the ground. A fire is prepared in the hole and stones are placed on the top of it. When the stones are hot the hāngi is prepared for cooking by leaving the hot stones and some of the coals at the bottom of the hole. The food is placed on top of the stones, the meat first, with the vegetables, such as kumara and potatoes, on top of it. The hāngi is then covered with leaves or mats woven out of flax (or wet sacks) and left to cook. Finally, soil is heaped over the hāngi to keep the heat in.
(Cristhian Guapacha): some people told me that there a festival. What about matakiri festival?
(Carolina de los Ríos): Heralded by the rising of the star constellation known as Matariki, the Māori New Year signalled a time for connecting with, and giving thanks to the land, sea and sky. It was a time for the community to come together to farewell those departed and acknowledge the year gone by. It was also a time to turn to the future, welcoming the new generation to the world and planning for the year ahead.
(Cristhian Guapacha): You know, tell me about some words or Greetings of Maori translate to english?
(Carolina de los Ríos): Sure, for example: Kia ora Tatou: Hello all; Kia ora: Hello; Haere mai: Welcome; Kei Pehe you koe? : How's it going? ; Kei pai you: Well; Tino pai: Very good; Haere ra: Goodbye; Ka kite ano: Until next time (until then); konei Hei ra: See you later; Aotearoa: New Zealand; maunga: mountain; awa: river; wai: water; Mane: Monday; Turei: Tuesday; Wenerei: Wednesday; Taite: Thursday; Paraire: Friday; Hatarei: Saturday; Ratapu: Sunday; the numbers are: one: Tahi/Kotahi; two: Rua; three: toru; four: wha; five: rima; Six: Ono; Seven: Whitu; eight: Waru; nine: Iwa; ten: Tekau.
(Cristhian Guapacha): thanks to Tahupotiki (Carolina De los Ríos) for the interview. Well, hi Emere (Indira Cordoba) I see you have some tattoos, tell me about the Maori tattoos please. How are the tattoos of the Maori culture?
(Indira Cordoba): Maori tribal tattoos are delicate and elegant design, made of black lines and white space.
(Cristhian Guapacha): currently people like to use the designs of tattoos Maori culture. Which are the most used? And what is its meaning?
(Indira Cordoba): Tattoos are the most widely used of the turtle; its design is very elegant and composed of different strokes in black, never in color. Its meaning is peace and tranquility, and the other most used tattoo is the butterfly that means joy and freedom.
(Cristhian Guapacha): Please, I want to you tell us about the myth of the creation of tattoos.
(Indira Cordoba): According to Maori mythology, tattooing began with a love story between a young man by the name of Mataora (which means "face of vitality") and a young princess of the underworld by the name of Niwareka. One day, Mataora Niwareka beat, and touches her Mataroa leave the kingdom called "Uetonga." Mataora, full of guilt and anguish followed after his princess Niwareka. After many trials and after overcoming numerous obstacles Mataora finally reached the realm of "Uetonga" but with his face paint shabby and dirty after their trip. Family Niwareka Mataora mocked bedraggled appearance. In his humble status, Mataora apologized to Niwareka, she finally agreed. Niwareka father then offered to teach the art of tattooing Mataora, while Mataora also supported the art of Tanika - the twisting of the borders of the coat of many colors. Niwareka Mataora and returned him to the human world together, bringing with them the arts of ta moko and Tanika.
(Cristhian Guapacha): I listened a lot about The Moko. What is The Moko?
(Indira Cordoba): The Moko is the male facial tattoo, is similar to an identity card or passport. For men, The Moko shows their rank, status and their ferocity, or virility. The Moko indicates the power and authority. The male facial tattoo - Moko - is generally divided into eight sections:
- Ngakaipikirau (range). The area of the front of the center.
- Ngung (position). Around the eyebrows.
- Uirere (hapu rank). The eyes and nose area.
- Uma (first or second marriage). Temples.
- Raurau (signature). The area under the nose.
- Taiohou (work). The area of the cheek.
- Wairua (mana). Chin.
- Taitoto (state of birth). Jaw.
(Cristhian Guapacha): Thanks Emere (Indira Cordoba) for answer me. Well, Hi Aroha (Carolina Sánchez), do you can tell me please about the Maori music?
(Carolina Sánchez): Yes, sure.
(Cristhian Guapacha): What does the music mean for you?
(Carolina Sánchez): Everything in nature is sacred, it represents the gods and it’s alive. A mountain for example, could be a sister to another, and everything that exists has a spirit called “mana”, even manufactured objects. If “mana” is touched by someone who is not authorized, it can bring disgrace to the tribe.
(Cristhian Guapacha): You have a song that is used by some rugby players, what does it mean?
(Carolina Sánchez): It is a coordinated dance with words sung in lilting tone is strong, claims the enemy to approach and addressed.
Haka Ka Mate
| kia rite! kia rite! | ||
| kia mau, hi! | ||
| Tinga ringa pakia | ||
| Waewae takahia kia kino nei hoki | ||
| kia kino nei hoki | ||
| Ka mate! Ka mate! Ka ora! Ka ora! | ||
| Ka mate! Ka mate! Ka ora! Ka ora! | ||
| Tenei te tangata puhuru huru | ||
| Nana nei i tiki mai | ||
| Whakawhiti te ra | ||
| A upa....ne! Ka upa...ne! | ||
| A upane kaupane whiti te ra! |
It can be interpreted thus "come to me, look into my eyes, I’m waiting, I have no fear of you" facial expressions, grimaces and arm movements, culminating in a step forward, gray's position who is ready to attack with a spear and the tongue extends out fully for a threatening manner. Some say that the meaning of the language to be is just to intimidate, others say it was an invitation for dinner, in which the enemy would be the main course.
(Cristhian Guapacha): which are their traditional arts?
(Carolina Sánchez): Our traditional arts are whakairo (wood carving), kowhaiwhai (beam patterns), raranga (weaving), tukutuku (entramandos), ta moko (tattoo), waiata (songs and chants), haka (dance), puoro taonga (instruments traditional music), karanga (traditional call of welcome), whakakorero (oratory) and rakau mau (the art of weapons).
(Cristhian Guapacha): Well people!!!! Is all for today. I thanks to Aroha (Carolina Sánchez), Emere (Indira Cordoba) y Tahupotiki (Carolina De los Rios) for your time, also, to the supreme authorities of the tribe. See you in other Discovery’s Guapacha, today from New Zealand, tomorrow from anywhere in the world.
