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Questions and Answers
What organizations exist to ensure the integrity and protection of te Reo Māori?
Which term refers to the ground in Māori culture?
What plays an integral role in maintaining the unique identity of the Māori nation?
Which term in Māori culture refers to treasure?
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How is the Māori language protected against erosion?
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What is the main knowledge system that includes mythological tales known as Pakiwaitara?
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Which genre of traditional Māori narrative focuses on tribal lineage information?
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What type of stories often describe creation, battles between gods, heroes, and historical events in Māori tradition?
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Which major form of communication among Māori was traditionally done through spoken word using proverbs and riddles?
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'Iwi', 'Whenua', 'Taiao', and 'Rangahau' are four main groups that classify words in Māori based on their:
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'Ata Rangi', 'Ranginui', and 'Papatuanuku' are examples of what kind of expressions in traditional Māori culture?
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Study Notes
Te Reo Māori is the indigenous language of New Zealand's Māori people. It has been used by Maoris since before European contact. Traditionally most communication among Māori was done through spoken word, using proverbs, riddles, waiata, mōteatea, karakia, whakarongo, ngākau, whakaora, kupu marie, pūrangi, and tikanga.
One major form of traditional storytelling was through mythological tales known as Pakiwaitara. These were part of the knowledge system called Tikanga o te Wairua, which means 'the ways of spiritual things'. They would often describe stories of creation, battles between gods, heroes, and events of historical importance. Another key genre of tradition narrative was Whakapapa or genealogy narratives, where tribal lineage information was passed down from generation to generation. Many also have supernatural elements including magic, power figures, sacred sites, songs, chants, spells or rituals. Some of these mythologies can be found in books like Hawaiki Nui, Moana Nui, Papa Atahura, and Tama Tuhu.
Another important aspect of traditional Māori culture is their extensive use of metaphorical expressions such as Ata Rangi (day), Ranginui (sky father) & Papatuanuku (earth mother). There are many examples of this in their language with words being classified into four main groups according to their origin and meaning; Iwi (people), Whenua (land), Taiao (nature) and Rangahau (knowledge). These categories reflect how central land and nature is to Māori cultural identity and worldview. For example, there are specific terms related to the sea, such as moana (sea) or takotako (wave) while others relate to the earth, such as whenua (ground) or taonga (treasure).
In modern times, efforts have been made to preserve and promote te Reo Māori. Organizations such as Te Taura Whiri i te Reo Māori (Māori Language Commission) exist to ensure its integrity and protect it against erosion. While some say the language has lost much ground due to English influences, it remains culturally significant and continues to thrive within the traditional contexts it holds meaning in. Even today, traditional stories play an integral role in maintaining and preserving the unique identity of the Māori nation through oral transmissions from one generation to another.
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Description
Explore the traditional forms of storytelling among the Māori people, including Pakiwaitara mythological tales and Whakapapa genealogy narratives. Learn about the importance of metaphorical expressions and the preservation efforts for te Reo Māori in modern times.
