Hinenui-i-te-pō

I question the interpretation of 'whakamā' to mean 'shame'. 'Whakamā' literally means 'to cleanse' and we can see that the use of shame as a translation of whakamā represents the use of a moral framework that does not belong to this story, to interpret this story. Instead, I think the theme of cleansing is about Hine seeking to establish her own integrity, identity and position in the world as connected but distinct from Tāne. She is fashioned by Tāne from the earth (Papatuanuku) but in time she makes a journey which is about establishing her own place in the world. If one looks at wisdom traditions throughout the world, one finds the feminine associated with two things - setting the boundaries (guardians of the threshold) and transformation. And so it is with Hine in our traditions. (remembering we are talking about qualities first, not gender.) Hine sits at the threshold between night and day, te kaitiaki o te tatau pounamu. She ushers in new life and receives in death. As it is a fact of life that no one comes to this existence except through the feminine, through the mother, it is not too much to suggest, therefore, that one leaves this life in a similar fashion. Hence, Hine as both 'tītama' and 'nui-i-te-pō'. Of course, this arrangement is manifest in our pōwhiri upon the marae. Hinenui-i-te-pō stands at the threshold, the gateway, on to the marae (the womb of Hinenui-i-te-pō). The guys doing the wero are the fantails at her thighs. Hine also appears near the doorway into the meeting house, now as Hinetītama ushering pōwhiri participants to make the journey into Te Ao Mārama, represented by the whare. The role of the karanga is to 'whakaahua', to bring these qualities into being.

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

'Te Tiriti o Waitangi' hui held at Tūrangawaewae Marae, Ngāruawāhia 20 January 2024

Image
National Identity Workshop in Kimiora, Tūrangawaewae Marae, Ngāruawāhia 20 January 2024 I was fortunate to attend the ‘Te Tiriti o Waitangi’ hui called by Kingi Tūheitia at Tūrangawaewae Marae, Ngāruawāhia, this past Saturday, 20 January 2024. It was an historic event and showed, among other things, how the Kīngitanga continues to be an extraordinary institution. Although it has had its ups and downs in recent times, there is no other institution in the Māori world that can call for and host such a hui. The Rātana Church is an extraordinary institution too and hosts major hui, and recently Te Matatini has become a significant event. However, it is only the Kīngitanga that regularly hosts such large hui bringing the various iwi of the country together. And it is not just its physical capacities, capabilities and infrastructure that enables it to host hui of this kind. It is also because of the depth and complexity of the relationships it holds with every iwi of the country - even those
Read more

Comparing the articles of Te Tiriti-o-Waitangi with the ACT Party’s proposed principles, Feb 2024

The ACT Party has proposed a ‘Treaty Principles Bill’ which they assert ‘would restore the mana of our founding document by ensuring it delivers what it originally promised in 1840: nga tikanga katoa rite tahi – the same rights and duties for all New Zealanders.’  They further explain: The Treaty Principles Bill will not change the Treaty itself. That was set in 1840 and will remain forever. What we are seeking to do is continue the process of defining the Treaty principles, for the first time incorporating the voices of all people through a democratic Parliamentary process, instead of through the Tribunal or the courts. See here for the source of these quotes and for further information from the ACT Party:  https://www.treaty.nz/ The ACT Party have placed three proposed principles on their website and it is helpful to compare these proposed principles with the actual texts of both Te Tiriti-o-Waitangi and the Treaty of Waitangi. Please note that the principles that appear on the ACT P
Read more

Hineruhi: The Mythical Paragon of Feminine Dance

Hineruhi is dawnlight - a beautiful, soft, feminine light that shines forth at the beginning of day. She is the dawn maid, the dawnlight that sparkles and dances upon the morning dew. She sparkles, glimmers, radiates. She cleanses and makes things pure. She is playful and light. The Hine energy takes us across thresholds - receiving and transforming. As Hinetītama, she facilities the birth from Te Pō to Te Ao. As, Hinenui-i-te-pō, she facilitates the transition from Te Ao to Te Pō. The Hine energy is concerned with passing through doorways and entering new realms and her song comes in the form of the karanga. Hineruhi receives, transforms and offers. She receives Tāne's gift, nurturing it, transforming it, ready to make offerings to the world. Her lover is Tānerore. She inspires him as he inspires her. We delight to be in Hineruhi's presence. She cleanses us and she awakens our spirits. The Māori word for beauty and one we can associate with Hineruhi is 'pūrotu'.
Read more