Lecture 9: Pōwhiri Flashcards
(33 cards)
What is the primary purpose of a pōwhiri?
To clear the tapu of manuhiri (especially waewae tapu), determine their intentions, and establish or strengthen relationships between groups.
Who are the two groups involved in a pōwhiri?
Tangata whenua (hosts) and manuhiri (visitors).
What does the term waewae tapu mean?
Refers to manuhiri who have never been to a marae or specific place before; they are considered to have heightened tapu.
How has the purpose of pōwhiri changed over time?
It has evolved with changing environments—practices differ between places, with some continuing old traditions and others adopting new ones.
What is kawa in the context of pōwhiri?
Tribe-, area-, or marae-specific tikanga (customs) that guide how pōwhiri is conducted.
What is the difference between a mihi whakatau and a pōwhiri?
pōwhiri is about addressing spiritual safety and tapu, while mihi whakatau is more about social connection and hospitality.
There are 8
What are the stages of a pōwhiri?
Numbered in the order that they would usually occur
- Waerea
- Wero
- Karanga
- Whakaeke
- Whaikōrero & Waiata tautoko /
waiata kīnaki - Koha
- Hongi
- Hākari
What is waerea?
Protective incantation quietly performed at the beguinning of a powhiri
Who performs the waerea?
Performed by the manuhiri before going onto and while entering a marae - Usually done by a male (rangatira)
Performed quietly while deciding other roles in the subsequent pōwhiri
What is the wero?
A ritual challenge used to assess the intentions of manuhiri. A taki (symbolic dart) is laid and picked up to show peaceful intent.
Who performs the wero?
a toa (warrior) from the tangata whenua - usually performed by the strongest warrior/s
What is karanga?
a ceremonial call of welcome to visitors onto a marae, or equivalent venue, at the start of apōwhiri
Some are short, some are long
Who performs the Karanga?
Performed by women on both sides - Usually older women
What is the purpose of a karanga?
It weaves a spiritual rope between the groups and expresses emotion and aroha.
The karanga is said to give breath to…
the feelings of our tūpuna (ancestors)
What is the significance of women performing karanga?
It reflects the unique tapu and leadership of women, making karanga the first voice heard in a pōwhiri.
Define kaikaranga
Caller
What happens during whakaeke?
Manuhiri slowly move onto the marae ātea. Tangata whenua may perform a haka pōwhiri.
Some iwi include waerea at this stage.
What is whaikōrero?
Oratory speeches usually delivered by men from both groups
Call it the main part because it is the longest
Where do women and men sit during the whaikōrero?
men sit at the front; women and children sit behind them - the purpose of this is to ‘protect’
Whaikōrero occurs within the realm of….
Tūmatauenga (conflict)
What are the kawa (customs) of speaking order in whaikōrero?
There is tikanga around the speaking order
Pāeke: All tangata whenua speak first, then manuhiri.
Tāutuutu: Alternating speakers from each side.
Whakawhitiwhiti: A hybrid of the two.
Define kaikōrero
orator, speaker
Can women speak during whaikōrero?
In some iwi, yes. Though typically performed by men, women can give orations depending on the kawa of the marae.
