Maori - Poutini and Waitaiki

Yesterday, in Maori, our teacher told us the story of "Poutini and Waitaiki". The characters were Poutini (that taniwha, the god) Waitaiki, the wife, and tamaahua, the husband. He asked us to choose which character we want to be in the story and rewrite it as the character's point of view/perspective. 

I wrote this yesterday and finished it. This is how I think Waitaiki would've reacted

-Suddenly, my vision went black...

I can hear my heart pounding, my eyes still shut, hearing a familiar sound, I slowly opened my eyes, my breathing became heavy.

Scared and confused, I looked around me, I felt the cold breeze hit my skin, I shivered as I slowly got up. 

The scenery in front of me caused my eyes to gleam, it was beautiful, I closed my eyes as I focused on the sound of waves crashing.

It was a melody to my ears. I then opened my eyes, slowly making my way to the water. Seeing my reflection, I look like a hot mess, I had nothing on, my long hair was covering my whole body. 

Tears flowing down my cheeks as I remembered I had a family to go back to. I looked around the unfamiliar surrounding, where am I? I thought.

I was terrified, my family needs me.

“Waitaki! Watch out!” A familiar voice called my name, I quickly turned around only to be met by a big light coming at me, I screamed, scared for my life. I looked at my hand, it was slowly turning into a dark green stone.

It was over…

My life’s over...

This is the picture of what it looks like...

Maori - Hangi

In Maori, yesterday, our class made our own presentation of how to make a hangi, we can work individually or in partners. Lhysette and I decided to be partners for this activity and we did really well on making the presentation on Google Drawing, we're both pretty happy and satisfied with the way it turned out.

Hangi links to the Matariki, traditionally, Maori people make hangi during Nu la (New Year), after it cooks, they offer it to wairua (spirits). 

With the Hangi, I've learnt that Hangi is New Zealand's traditional way/method of cooking. They cook it underground in an umu (an Earth oven) and wait for about 3 to 4 hours or so for it to cook. It's similar to "luau" in Hawaii and "umu" in Samoa. It feeds a lot of people like your whanau (family), the manuhiri (visitors). 

Interesting fact: Umu is called earth oven in Maori and a traditional method of cooking in Samoa.

Would I try hangi out in the future? No, it will take a lot of time, patient, people and effort; to prepare and if you were to feed a lot of people, they'll lose patience and be starving by then. It will also taste earthy which I'm not a big fan of.

Maori - Ta Moko

Yesterday, in Maori class, we learnt about Maori Face Tattoo, in Maori, it's called Ta Moko. We watched a video about the Legend of Mataora and Niwareka. After watching the video, we were told to write the story again but in our own words, writing down the Maori words as well. Mataora is the husband and Niwareka is the wife, Rarohenga/Rarohinga is the underworld, a place where all spirits lives, it's not hell nor heaven.

"The Legend of Mataora and Niwareka"

Mataora and Niwareka, they were living in peace, they were happy but one day Mataora he got jealous and hit Niwareka. Niwareka was hurt, she went to her people, to Rarohinga, the underworld. Mataora was guilty, he regretted his actions towards Niwareka, he wanted her back. He decided that he’ll go after his wife.

He then drew a hopara makaura on his face because he wanted to show Niwareka’s dad that he’s strong enough to protect his wife. Once he had finished, he travelled miles to miles to go where his wife, Niwareka is. Once he got to the underworld (Rarohenga/Rarohinga), his face was smudged with paint because he travelled through rain and the paint ran down his face. Niwareka’s family insulted Mataora because it wasn’t a Ta Moko he’s wearing. Mataora begged for his wife and her family’s forgiveness. Once he got forgiven, he was taught what Ta Moko actually is, he got it tattooed on his face, Niwareka’s father told Mataora that once he got the tattoo, he’ll never dare to hurt his daughter again. They headed back to their home. Niwareka, brining a Taniko and Mataora bringing a Ta Moko.

After that, we had an activity about it as well where we get to put draw hopara makaura (Maori Tattoo) on a face template. I researched pictures on googles for inspiration on my design and I ended up with this.

I put traditional crown with feathers to make it look more traditional-like.