11. Pōwhiri & Tauparapara
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This week we (re)turn to look at the kaupapa of pōwhiri – particularly the use of tauparapara in whaikōrero.
Go back and look at the “1. Pōwhiri” – it provides foundational information on the kaupapa of pōwhiri – use it to review and develop your understanding.
As we become more familiar with pōwhiri we begin to see the depth of meaning in the tikanga and the language. This semester, as we focus on localised curriculum, we will think about some of the differences in the tikanga and language of pōwhiri in different rohe or areas.
Mahia: Before class, spend some time researching the tikanga and protocols for pōwhiri in the area you are working. Who gives the whaikōrero? What order are the speeches made in? What are some important waiata in your area?
This resource on the kawa of the marae from Te Ara is a good place to start.
For your Kete
Waiata:
This song begins with the famous tauparapara:
Ka tangi te titi
Ka tangi te kaka
Ka tangi hoki ahau
The performance linked here occurred at the coronation celebrations at Turangawaewae in 2019.
You may not learn all the words to this song, but enjoy the performance. It demonstrates the power and joy of being able to come together to share songs and sing them together.
Titiro: Watch the performance here.
Karakia:
E te Atua
Homai ki a mātou
Tōu māramatanga
Tōu rangimārie
Tōu kaha me tōu aroha
Mō tēnei rā
Āmine
Have you used this blessing yet? It can be used to begin or conclude time together. What words do you recognise?
Mahia: Spend some time revising this karakia so you can use it confidently and fluently.
Tauparapara:
An important part of whaikōrero is tauparapara.
“A tauparapara is the first utterance by an opening speaker. It is a tribal poetic chant containing traditional or philosophical statements that usually contain genealogical references (Rewi, 2004), or links to whakapapa.”
This explanation of tauparapara is from the Ministry of Education’s Te Mahau website, which goes on to look at a specific tauparapara in depth and is a good example of how the knowledge contained in tauparapara can support understanding in an educational context. Here is a more in-depth explanation of tauparapara if you are interested in a deeper understanding.
There are some tauparapara available to listen to online, including these ones complied by Te Hira Moana Wharenui:
More straightforward: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rPLzHH18jKI
More extended: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dLK51hw6kFU
Kōrero/Tuhituhi: Which tauparapara have you heard being used? Which tauparapara are common to the area you live? It is important to consider the origins of tauparapara, as they also help listeners to identify where speakers are from. Collect them and bring them to the group.
Whakaaroarohia:Identify one or two tauparapara that it is appropriate for you to learn and use. Ensure you understand the kupu so that you can use them fluently.
Take note: Tauparapara are poetical refrains and therefore the grammatical structure and kupu are often idiomatic. What grammatical structures and kupu do you recognise – for example the verbal structure of “Ka tangi te titi …” and where do you notice grammatical structures that differ?
Pronouns
Spend some time revising the pronouns you will hear at pōwhiri.
Remember, there are finer distinctions in personal pronouns in te reo than in English.
Figure 1 (which can be found here online) identifies the speaker in green and the listener in blue. The people being referred to by the pronoun are circled.
Figure 1 – Personal Pronouns in te reo
Mahia: Find 5 people and practice using the correct pronouns.
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