Māori Terms Flashcards
Atua
Polynesian supernatural being or spirit.
Hapū
a sub-tribe or pregnancy.
Hongi
deliberate contact between two noses, symbolising moments in creation stories. Sharing breath.
Kai
food.
Kaikaranga
woman who starts a karanga.
Kawa
Māori rules, rituals, practices and behaviour.
Karanga
a chanted exchange.
Karakia
incantations and prayers used to invoke spiritual guidance and protection.
Kinaki
song or chant after a whaikorero.
Koha
gift. Integral to the idea of manaakitanga.
Manaakitanga
respect, reciprocity, kindness.
Manuhiri
visitor or guest, especially at a Māori meeting house.
Marae ātea
open meeting area in front of the wharenui.
Pepeha
phrases that define and describe iwi, hapu, and whanau. Normally a gift given and received- though all depends on the circumstances.
Poroporoaki
a formal farewell ritual initiated by visitors, an opportunity to thank the tangata whenua.
Pōwhiri
Māori welcoming ceremony.
Rāhui
a restriction, sometimes in terms of war, death (someone drowning), allowing resources such as paua to regenerate (but in these cases is legislation). Not an authoritative source of law, but most people follow. Not going to get punished if you violate. Relates to utu (reciprocity, balance).
Rangatiratanga
governance is exercising rules over everyone, while rangatiratanga is about sovereignty. Governance sits below sovereignty.
Tangihanga
enduring ceremony for mourning somebody who has died.
Tapu
sacred, e.g. not touching your head, as it is tapu.
Tino
the best of something, if sitting before the word. Extends meaning.
Utu
reciprocity and balance.
Waerea
protective incantation.
Waiata
a song. Normally both parties, entering and hosting, perform one of these. Confirms the entering process.
Wero
Māori challenge to test the intentions of visitors.
Whaikōrero
a discussion between two people, often men, or a Māori speech.
Whakaeke
movement of the manuhiri onto the marae space, or (in some cases) into the ancestral house.
Whakapapa
family tree, genealogy.
Whanaungatanga
kinship with everyone around you. Your relationships with people, and their relationship with the natural world. Connections, relationships. Environment, people, gods.
Wharenui
communal house of the Māori, generally at focal point of Marae.
