Tikanga Māori
Tikanga Māori refers to the traditional customs and practices of the Māori people, the Indigenous inhabitants of New Zealand. Rooted in the concept of "tika," which means "right" or "correct," tikanga serves as a guiding framework for culturally appropriate behavior, promoting respect and understanding within social interactions. These customs are deeply connected to Māori origin stories and their relationship with the land, encompassing principles of guardianship over the Earth. Learning tikanga is essential for fostering respectful connections, especially among those in government and social services, as it allows for better understanding of Māori culture.
Tikanga also addresses specific cultural beliefs, such as the tapu (sacredness) associated with the head and regulations surrounding food practices. For instance, sharing meals is a vital component of welcoming guests and removing their tapu status. In contemporary New Zealand, respect for tikanga Māori has become increasingly significant, influencing various sectors including education, health care, and environmental governance. The resurgence of the Māori language and cultural identity is closely linked to the recognition and integration of tikanga within broader societal contexts. Understanding and honoring tikanga Māori is a vital aspect of engaging with the cultural heritage of New Zealand.
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Tikanga Māori
Tikanga are practices or customs of the Māori people, the Indigenous peoples of New Zealand. The idea comes from the word tika, meaning “right” or “correct,” and is also known as societal lore. Individuals who learn tikanga can avoid acting offensively and understand what is acceptable under various conditions.
Cultural beliefs and practices are rooted in the origin stories of the people and tied to the land. Acting in terms of tikanga means one is behaving in a culturally appropriate way and includes such concepts as providing guardianship of the Earth.
Tikanga can also have other applications. Understanding tikanga and the reasoning behind these practices helps individuals better understand the people and improves relationships. For example, government officials and those involved in social services should understand cultural practices to ensure that they are respectful and acting in the best interest of the community.
Overview
Colonists from Europe, or Pākehā, arrived in New Zealand in the late eighteenth century. For some time, the population of newcomers was relatively small. However, this changed following the signing of the Treaty of Waitangi in 1840 and the establishment of a British government in New Zealand. The new political leadership regarded British culture as dominant and preferred over the Indigenous Māori culture. Well into the twentieth century, official policies included pushing Māoris to move to urban areas and abandon their cultural traditions. A civil rights movement during the 1970s led to official recognition of the cultural significance of the Māori people, apologies for government failures, and institutional respect for their ways. New developments included teaching their language and traditions in schools and learning and following tikanga.
Some tikanga are related to the head, which the Māori view as tapu. Tapu can mean sacred but also negative or out of the ordinary. Heads are tapu, so one should not touch another person’s head without permission. Anything related to the head should be treated carefully. For example, a person should not sit on a pillow because the head is placed there.
Many practices are related to food, which can be involved in welcoming others and celebrations. Food can be used in removing tapu. For example, visitors or manuhiri are tapu because they are unknown; a meeting ceremony, which concludes when newcomers and hosts share a meal, removes tapu, and the visitors become ordinary or noa. Food should never be passed over anyone’s head. Tables that hold food or are used for serving or eating food should be treated with care. One should never sit on or place bags on these tables.
Tikanga is an important concept for those working in many fields, such as health care. For example, because of the principles of tapu and noa, hospital microwaves and refrigerators or freezers that are used for food must not be used for any purpose related to the body, such as hot or cold compresses that will be applied to the body. Combs and brushes may not be put on a table where food is placed. The patient’s clan may wish to perform rituals such as offering prayers or, in the case of a patient’s death, performing spiritual rites and prayers to cleanse the room where the patient died.
Respecting tikanga Māori remains an important initiative in New Zealand in the twenty-first century, and its principles enter into many facets of private and public life. Honoring tikanga Māori has played an integral role in the resurgence of the Māori language and the recognition of a distinct Māori cultural identity. Tikanga Māori comes into play in the governance of Māori land and through environmental concerns. Incorporating tikanga Māori into education, business, the arts, health services, and social programs have also been initiatives in New Zealand.
Bibliography
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