Māori World Lecture 3
Tikanga: Underlying Values in Māori Culture
Introduction to Tikanga
Definition: Tikanga is a vast body of knowledge encompassing wisdom, values, and customs. It is practiced by whānau (families), hapu (subtribes), and iwi (tribes) in New Zealand.
Variability: Tikanga varies by region; each whānau, hapu, and iwi has its unique customs. For example, the speaker draws perspectives from northern Māori scholars, primarily due to ancestral ties to the northern region.
Importance of Regional Perspective
The definitions of tikanga may differ among Māori from different regions. Northern scholars like Māori Marsden, Margaret Mutu, and Machu Macaulay influence the speaker's interpretations.
Students are encouraged to draw from their own mana, tikanga, and whakapapa (genealogy) when understanding these concepts.
Kawa vs. Tikanga
Kawa: While discussing tikanga, the speaker clarifies that they will not cover kawa, primarily because it is less emphasized in northern Māori culture compared to the South. Kawa is often differentiated from tikanga in contexts outside the North. Not part of tests or exams.
Key Terms of Tikanga
The lecture focuses on essential terms associated with tikanga, including:
Tikanga
Mana
Tapu
Whanaungatanga
Kaitiaki
Kaitiakitanga
Rangatira and Rangatiratanga
Tikanga Explained
Definition from Margaret Mutu: Tikanga is described as the correct way to perform actions in Māori cultural contexts, deriving from the root word tikka, meaning right or correct. Thus, it denotes the right way of doing things.
Dynamic Nature: Tikanga is dynamic, meaning it isn't static but evolves based on time, place, and context. It reflects a flexible nature and should not be viewed as immutable traditions. Practiced in Marae and maori controlled environments.
Role in Contemporary Society
Tikanga is practiced significantly in marae (community meeting grounds), which serve as a bastion of Māori culture post-colonization. Marae are crucial for the preservation and enactment of tikanga.
Ongoing circumstances may necessitate changes in tikanga to benefit the people. If a practice does not enhance the mana and well-being of the people, it must adapt.
Oral Traditions and Decision-Making
Tikanga is derived from oral traditions, including creation stories and historical accounts of ancestral actions. Precedence from these stories is a guiding principle in deciding what constitutes tikka (i.e., what is right).
Whakapapa: Genealogy plays a crucial role in determining the correctness of actions based on historical performance and stories.
If I can’t be found within stories, oral traditions, it is not Tika, but Teka.
Tikanga vs. Teka
Tikka means correct, while the opposite, teka, means falsehood or what is inherently wrong. Understanding tikanga involves recognizing actions that uphold the principles benefiting the community.
Mana Explained
Definition of Mana: Mana is a multifaceted term that translates inadequately in English as respect, status, or power. According to Reverend Māori Marsden, mana is defined as lawful permission conferred by the gods to human agents, along with spiritual power to act.
It doesn’t mean Charisma, status, power, respect. It doesn’t have a single word meaning.
Components of Mana:
Authority: The divine permission to act.
Power: The spiritual energy bestowed by the gods to carry out these actions. (spiritual power from the gods, given power from the gods to make an action)
Types of Mana
Mana Atua: The mana belonging to the atua (gods/deities). This type represents the divine, enabling selected individuals to perform extraordinary acts like influencing weather or life. (To do god like things, like changing the weather)
Mana Tupuna: The mana inherited from one’s ancestors. This type of mana reflects familial roles and the importance of genealogy in leadership and authority.
Mana Tangata: The personal mana acquired through one's actions and contributions to society, encompassing the community’s recognition and respect for an individual’s deeds.
Mana Whenua: Reflects the mana associated with the land and is vested in those with ancestral ties to specific geographic areas. This includes rights and responsibilities over land use and preservation. (whenua means land and placenta. The earth mother feeds you - hence same word). Hapu and iwi are said to have mana whenua over particular regions and it’s resources. It is only for Maori people, this “power” cannot be shared. You may only have mana whenua if you have maori ancestry.
Ahi Ka (spelling?) is traditionally seen as the strongest assertion of mana whenua. It means to always be burning your fires if you are on land. In a literal and figurative sense, to always be in occupation. Not just to be in occupation, but the flourishing of communities upon the land.Mana Moana: Extends the concept of mana whenua to the ocean and its resources. This mana is linked to ancestral rights over seas, harbors, and lakes.
Mana Māori Motuhake: Defines Māori spiritual authority and power as autonomous, emphasizing independence and self-determination in relation to cultural practices. Motuhake means separate, autonomous, independent or distinct.
Tapu Defined
Definition: Tapu is linked to the English term taboo but cannot be equated directly. It signifies a condition under which certain persons, places, or objects are dedicated to the gods and rendered off-limits for ordinary use.
Marsen’s definition: ‘A person, place or thing is dedicated to a deity and by that act is set aside or reserved for the sole use of that deity.’Temporary Nature: Unlike sacredness that imparts a permanent state, tapu can be affected and lifted, acting as a form of social and spiritual control to protect and sanctify people and items.
Spiritual Implications: Violating tapu—as in touching tapu objects or entering tapu places—incurs spiritual consequences, requiring respect and recognition of spiritual laws.
Why make it Tapu? The point of taboo is to spiritually protect people, lands, resources and things that we treasure.
Mana & Tapu: The more Tapu you are, the more Mana you have and vice versa. The two are linked.
Applications of Tapu in Daily Life
Wahi Tapu: Places of special significance where tapu is imposed, such as burial sites or places of historic battles.
Rahui: A temporary restriction intended to protect resources that may be depleted or in need of restoration. Typically in pace for 3-4 weeks. The local people can place this over the area.
Example given was that fish take 3 weeks to digest food - if you die at sea and are eaten by fish/crayfish, you place the Rahui over the area, then nobody can fish in that area and by extension, not be eating a family member that is still being digested by any aquatic life.Everyday Practices: Certain customs such as the treatment of food, personal space, and public conduct are informed by the concept of tapu.
Whanaungatanga: Relationship Networks
Definition: Whanaungatanga relates to familial relationships and connections within a community, impacting identity and social behavior.
Terms: Key relational words include:
Tuakana: Older sibling or kin. Everyone in your age group/generation within the community you are related to. Essentially everyone your age group is your brother/sister.
Teina: Younger sibling or kin. As above - but younger.
Tungane: Brother of a sister. These are more powerful than just a word said to your age group - it is the implying of being protected by family - I will not harm you, I will look out for you etc.
Tuahine (f): Sister of a brother. As above.
Matua/Whaea (f): Collective term for parents/mentors or elders in a community. Could mean uncle/auntie. or mum/dad.
Kuia (f) and Koro (m): Terms for elderly women and men, respectively.
Tamariki / Mokopuna: Tamariki is children, Mokopuna is grandchildren. The principle is that every child in your community is your tamariki or mokopuna.
Kaitiaki and Kaitiakitanga
Kai - prefixed to a verb, means the doer of the action.
Tiaki - base meaning which translates to look after / care for, or guard.
Definition of Kaitiaki: Traditionally spiritual guardians of natural elements, often embodied in animals and landscapes, tasked with maintaining balance in nature. Normally as fish, animals, bird, trees or reptiles. Spiritual assistants of the gods. Each were imbued with spiritual power (mana) to ensure the mauri or life force of the natural world is healthy and strong.
They warn of something bad coming, like death or the natural world is at risk.Kaitiakitanga: Represents the actionable duty of humans as guardians, emphasizing the need for environmental stewardship and consciousness of spiritual relationships with nature. This was a new word that was introduced in the 80s for the government. It has given a complex understanding to what Kiatiaki is now, because it is now often associated with a person, rather than it’s original intent of spiritual guardians.
Rangatira and Rangatiratanga
Definition of Rangatira: A leader of mana deriving from genealogical seniority and personal attributes. This encompasses roles in community leadership. It is NOT gender specific, means man or woman.
Rangatiratanga: The expression of rangatira qualities, including exercising authority, self-determination, and governance. The significance of this stems from it being included in the term into Te Tiriti o Waitangi. It’s often mistranslated to mean ‘chieftainship’. More accurately, it is ‘exercise of power and authority
derived from the gods; exercise of chieftainship including sovereignty, rights of self-determination, self- government, the authority and power of iwi and hapū to make decisions and to own and control resources’.
Conclusion
The session examines the foundational concepts of tikanga, reflecting on their implications for identity, relationships, and the environment. Understanding these terms is vital for applying Māori values in tests, exams, and broader contexts in society. Students are encouraged to engage deeply with these concepts over time, as they embody the living essence of Māori culture and community life.