This week Room 15 are learning to say a pepeha to introduce themselves. Pepeha are sayings that emphasise a person’s origins and connections with the land and their whakapapa (genealogy) conveying a great deal of meaning and cultural information.
Ko _____________________ toku waka. (canoe)
Ko _____________________ toku iwi. (tribe)
Ko _____________________ toku maunga (mountain)
Ko _____________________ toku awa (river)
Ko _____________________ toku kainga (place you live)
Ko _____________________ toku whanau (family name)
Ko _____________________ toku whaea (mother)
Ko _____________________ toku matua (father)
Ko _____________________ toku ingoa (personal name)
1 comment:
Kia ora
Ka rawe!! Hope you enjoy writing your pepeha or mihi. You will be very impressive if you ever have to say your mihi on a marae or at any hui.
Last year I was in a meeting where there were over 100 people gathered and every single person introduced themselves with their pepeha. It took quite a long time for the meeting to start because every one had their turn, but it was a very important step for the success of the meeting. Of course it was followed by a group waiata as well, which is also often part of Maori tikanga.
In the Maori world saying your mihi or asking where you are from is often the first part of any conversation or meeting. Also, the pepeha gives important information to others (like tribe and family) and you will usually find relations in this way.
I look forward to seeing your pepeha's Room 15. Enjoy!
Arohanui
Arini
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