Unit 8 Te marae (The marae)
Whakataukī
Kia marae.
Behave in the way that a marae functions by being generous and hospitable.
Tikanga
Introduce the following aspects of tikanga Māori to your students:
- A marae is our focal point. A marae enables us to carry out our traditions and customs and express our values fully and with dignity.
- Marae kawa (local protocols) prevail when we gather on marae. Marae kawa differ from one marae to the next and across different tribal regions.
- We need marae for a number of reasons, including:
- Whaikōrero – that we may rise tall in oratory
- Tangihanga – that we may weep for our dead
- Karakia – that we may pray
- Hākari – that we may have our feasts
- Manaakitanga – that we may house our guests
- Hui – that we may have our meetings
- Mārena – that we may host weddings
- Hui whānau – that we may have family reunions
- Waiata and haka – that we may sing our waiata and perform our haka.
Beside the examples of te reo Māori in the following tasks and activities, English translations are provided to assist you. They are not literal translations, but how to say the same thing in English. This support does not mean that you should necessarily say the English. That depends on the task or activity and your students’ needs.