General Etiquette / Ngā Ritenga Flashcards
Tikanga
to be correct, accurate, true, right, fair, proper, appropriate
This term derives from the word ‘tika’ which has a number of meanings including: to be correct, accurate, true, right, fair, proper, appropriate.
Tikanga [Tika-nga] is essentially the process of doing things the right way. Tikanga therefore can be interpreted as the correct procedure, protocol, custom, habits, lore, method, manner, rule, way, meaning, plan of action, practice – a set of values and practices that have been developed and continue to develop over time, which are deeply embedded in the local community (whānau, hapū and iwi).
Kawa
marae protocol
Refers to marae protocol – customs and practices of the marae and wharenui, in particular those relating to the formal processes that take place on the marae such as pōwhiri / formal welcomes, whaikōrero / formal speeches and mihimihi / speeches of greeting or introduction
pōwhiri
formal welcomes
whaikōrero
formal speeches
mihimihi
speeches of greeting or introduction
Ngā Ritenga
the normal way of doing things
Can be translated as the normal way of doing things—habits, general practices and etiquette.
waharoa
carved entry
leading into the marae grounds
Tiakitanga
Guardianship, Protection
the process of caring for someone or something
hau kāinga
local people of the Marae
Wharenui
meeting house
tūpuna
ancestors
mana
prestige, integrity
Mana can be interpreted by terms such as prestige, influence, authority, charisma, status or spiritual power. All individuals have an element of mana at birth. The mana of a person (or group) grows by the acts and achievements they express and fulfil during their lifetime.
Marae Ātea
Courtyard before the Wharenui
It is believed that when walking across the Marae Ātea, you are crossing through the domain of Tūmatauenga and, upon entering the Wharenui, you are entering the domain of Rongomātāne. Therefore, in removing your shoes before entering the Wharenui, you are ensuring that unwanted parapara from the outdoors remains outside and both domains are fully respected.
Tūmatauenga
God of War and Man, also known as Tū
Rongomātāne
God of Peace and Cultivated food, also known as Rongo
wetekina ō hū
remove your shoes!
Parapara
Dirt, filth, negative spiritual energy
Kaupapa Māori
Māori initiatives
Tikanga Māori
Māori customary practices
kāinga
homes
homes and living spaces
Tangohia tō pōtae
Take off your hat
Remove your hat before entering, if you happen to be wearing one.
Kaua e noho ki runga i ngā paparahua
Don’t sit on food tables
Refrain from sitting on any tables used for kai / food or for preparing kai – this includes benches within the kāuta / kitchen.
Kaua e waiho i ō kākahu ki runga i ngā tēpu
Clothes stay off tables
Do not leave kākahu / clothing items on tables (especially those dedicated to kai). It is very important not to place kākahu or items used to adorn or worn on the māhunga / head on tables. The head of a person is considered to be very tapu / sacred therefore, objects that come into contact with the māhunga should not be placed around kai or food preparation areas.
Te tapu o te tinana
The body is sacred
The tinana / body as a whole is tapu, however certain parts of the tinana are more tapu than others. For example, it is not appropriate to pass food over the māhunga of another person or pat a person on their head (especially if they are new to you). Cutting hair at night or burning hair is restricted and stepping over the feet or body of a person lying down is considered a breach of tapu (especially if it is a woman stepping over a man).
kākahu
clothing
māhunga
head
kāuta
kitchen
tinana
body
wāhine
women
mate marama
menstrual cycle
For wāhine / women who practice tikanga Māori, there are some activities that become restricted during their mate marama / menstrual cycle. These activities include:
- Refraining from certain harvesting practices such as gathering harakeke / flax or gathering kai (whether from the garden or foraging).
- Not performing the karanga / ritual call of welcome during pōwhiri.
- Not engaging in kauhoe / recreational swimming or while gathering kaimoana / seafood.
Hapū
pregnant
Wāhine also need to be mindful while hapū. A couple of key things to remember is not entering urupā or whare mate / dedicated spaces where a tūpāpaku is present.
Urupā
cemeteries
Tūpāpaku
a deceased person’s body
Whanonga Pono
Values & principles
also referred to as Mātāpono or Uaratanga.
Tapu
Tapu can be explained as being sacred, prohibited, restricted, set apart from daily use or forbidden.
Mana and tapu go hand in hand – the more mana an individual or event has, the greater the tapu of that person, group, object or situation.
Noa
Noa is the opposite state of tapu. It is to be free from the extensions of tapu, to be ordinary, unrestricted or void.
Whakanoa
to remove tapu
Wāhine / women were seen as a potent form and agent of whakanoa / to remove tapu, or return something to a normal state. Because of the ability of wāhine to whakanoa, they were never to purposely walk or step over a tāne / man, for fear of removing his mana and tapu.
Aroha
Love or to love, feel compassion, sympathy, affection and empathy.
Tūrangawaewae
A place where one has the right to stand
It is the whenua / land and place that one comes from, giving an individual rights of occupation and a voice in their local community. This connection and empowerment was traditionally confirmed through whakapapa / genealogy. Nowadays, tūrangawaewae can also be a place where one feels empowered, connected and accepted.
Manaakitanga
Manaakitanga is the extension of hospitality, kindness, generosity and support
It is the action of elevating the mana / prestige, status of another above your own. Especially when you are hosting manuhiri / visitors or caring for another person or group of people
Whanaungatanga
the process of developing a genuine connection and relationship through shared experiences and working together providing people with a true sense of belonging
Derives from the concept of whānau / family and whanaunga / relations or relatives.
Rangatiratanga
can be translated as leadership, the mana to exercise authority, prosperity and the overall wealth of the collective. It is the process of weaving people together for the greater good.
Tohungatanga
Tohungatanga derives from the term tohunga / expert, skilled person, priest, healer or interpreter of signs.
Tohungatanga can therefore mean proficiency, expertise, competence, mast
Ūkaipō
Ūkauipō is a place (or person– generally a female/mother figure) that one draws strength from. A person’s source of sustenance or real home.
Kotahitanga
unity, solidarity, connectivity, togetherness
The concept of kotahitanga derives from kotahi / one, single, to be united.
The state or process of being united in thought, vision, purpose and act
Me ako ā tātou tamariki, he kawenata Te Tiriti o Waitangi
Ōna pūtaketake, He manaakitanga; He whanaungatanga; He rangatiratanga; He tohungatanga; He ūkaipō
Otirā, kei tua ko te aka matua, tōna ingoa ko te Kotahitanga.
We must teach our children that the Treaty of Waitangi is a covenant.
Its ‘roots’ are Manaakitanga; Whanaungatanga; Rangatiratanga; Tohungatanga; Ūkaipō;
But beyond all of these is the ‘parent vine’ whose name is Kotahitanga
A saying by tohunga, scholar, writer, healer, minister and philosopher – Rev. Māori Marsden.
