The Maori culture

12 décembre 2010

The Tattoo (Ta Moko)

According to Maori mythology, tattooing commenced when a young man by the name of Mataora (which means “Face of Vitality”) fell love a young princess of the underworld, her name is Niwareka.

One day, Mataora wanted to go see his princess. He crossed all the forest and after overcoming numerous obstacles, he was arriving in the realm of “Uetonga”. But after his big travel, his face paint messed and dirty.

At this moment, Mataora was requesting to Niwareka's family to excuse him for his appearance. They accepted his excuses. Niwareka's father offered to teach Mataora at the art of tattooing.

And then, Nixareka and Mataora had returned to the human world, they teach the art of tatooing at all people who want.

MaoriWardance

The Haka:

Another special Maori culture is the "Haka"! It's a traditional dance from the Maori of New Zealand. It is aposture dance performed by a group, with vigorous movements and stamping of the feet with rhythmically shouted accompaniment. It was a dance which is knows in the entire world.

The Anthem:

The Anthem in New Zealand is: "God Defend New Zealand".

The Lyrics:

The English Version of New Zealand National Anthem: "God Defend New Zealand"

God of nations! at Thy feet

In the bonds of love we meet,

Hear our voices, we entreat,

God defend our Free Land.

Guard Pacific's triple star,

From the shafts of strife and war,

Make her praises heard afar,

God defend New Zealand

Men of ev'ry creed and race

Gather here before Thy face

Asking Thee to bless this place

God defend our free land

From dissension, envy, hate

And corruption guard our State

Make our country good and great

God defend New Zealand

Peace, not war, shall be our boast

But should our foes assail our coast

Make us then a mighty host

God defend our free land

Lord of battles, in Thy might

Put our enemies to flight

Let our cause be just and right

God defend New Zealand

Let our love for Thee increase

May Thy blessings never cease

Give us plenty, give us peace

God defend our free land

From dishonour and from shame

Guard our country's spotless name

Crown her with immortal fame

God defend New Zealand

May our mountains ever be

Freedom's ramparts on the sea

Make us faithful unto Thee

God defend our free land

Guide her in the nations' van

Preaching love and truth to man

Working out Thy Glorious plan

God defend New Zealand

The Māori Version of New Zealand National Anthem: "Aotearoa"

E Ihowā Atua,

O ngā iwi mātou rā

Āta whakarangona;

Me aroha noa

Kia hua ko te pai;

Kia tau tō atawhai;

Manaakitia mai

Aotearoa

Ōna mano tāngata

Kiri whero, kiri mā,

Iwi Māori, Pākehā,

Rūpeke katoa,

Nei ka tono ko ngā hē

Māu e whakaahu kē,

Kia ora mārire

Aotearoa

Tōna mana kia tū!

Tōna kaha kia ū;

Tōna rongo hei pakū

Ki te ao katoa

Aua rawa ngā whawhai

Ngā tutū e tata mai;

Kia tupu nui ai

Aotearoa

Waiho tona takiwā

Ko te ao mārama;

Kia whiti tōna rā

Taiāwhio noa.

Ko te hae me te ngangau

Meinga kia kore kau;

Waiho i te rongo mau

Aotearoa

Tōna pai me toitū

Tika rawa, pono pū;

Tōna noho, tāna tū;

Iwi nō Ihowā.

Kaua mōna whakamā;

Kia hau te ingoa;

Kia tū hei tauira;

Aotearoa

The Rugby:

The sport the most view and practice in New-Zealand is the Rugby. A lot of people, in this country, love this sport. The All Blacks are a very very good team in the world of rugby. They had winning the Rugby World Cup 1987 against the France 29 - 9.

The All Blacks are very famous by the Haka. They make this dance at the beginning of all match. This dance scares the opponents. There are many Haka, the famous is the Ka Mate

This Haka is Ka Mate, it was before the match ALL Blacks-England in 2004.

The lyrics of the Ka Mate :

Ringa pakia !

Uma tiraha !

Turi whatia !

Hope whai ake !

Waewae takahia kia kino !

Ka mate ! Ka mate ! Ka ora !

Tenei te tangata puhuru huru

Nana nei i tiki mai, Whakawhiti te ra

A upane ! ka upane !

Whiti te ra ! Hi !

This picture shows the posture of the Ka Mate.

There is a new Haka since 2005 : Kapa O Pango

The lyrics of the Kapa O Pango :

Kapa o pango kia whakawhenua au i ahau !
Hi aue, hi !
Ko Aotearoa e ngunguru nei
Hi Au,au,aue ha! Hi
Ko Kapa o Pango e ngunguru nei !
Hi Au,au,aue ha! Hi
I ahaha !
Ka tu te ihiihi
Ka tu te wanawana
Ki runga ki te rangi e tu iho nei,
Tu iho nei, hi !
Ponga ra !
Kapa o Pango, aue hi !
Ponga ra !
Kapa o Pango, aue hi, ha !