Whale Rider quotes (linked to context flashcards)

Question 1

Maori Renaissance

Answer 1

‘A regular instruction period for the men so that we would be able to learn our history and customs’

Question 2

Teaching Maori

Answer 2

‘The establishment of language nests … which Koro had established a year before’

Question 3

Colonialism (in Papua New Gineau)

Answer 3

‘Jeff had told her I was Maori but it was obvious that I was still too dark’ - Rawiri

Question 4

Nuclear testing in the sea

Answer 4

‘A flash of bright light had scalded the sea … seven young calves had died’

Question 5

Maori Whalers

Answer 5

‘I went to stay with my uncle who was a whaler’ - Koro

Question 6

Chieftainship inheritance

Answer 6

‘I will have nothing to do with her. She has broken the male line of descent in our tribe’ - Koro

Question 7

Mana and connection to ancestors

Answer 7

‘It sounded as if she was warning them. The orca suddenly dived’

Question 8

Kahu’s leadership

Answer 8

‘I was top of my class this year. And I’m the leader of the culture group. I love singing the Maori songs’ - Kahu

Question 9

Whales as a connection

Answer 9

‘It is the birth cord joining past and present, reality and fantasy’ - Koro

Question 10

Koro’s acceptance of Kahu

Answer 10

‘You’re the best grandchild in the whole wide world. Boy or girl, it doesn’t matter’ - Koro

Question 11

Kahu’s destiny / spear

Answer 11

‘Child your people await you. Return to the Kingdom of Tane and fulfil your destiny’

Question 12

Kahu as spear

Answer 12

‘I thought I saw something flying through the air, across the aeons, to plunge into the heart of the village’ - Rawiri