A hongi - touching of forehead and noseAotearoa (Land of the Long White Cloud) was first settled by Maori about 1000 years ago. According to the Maori, Kupu was the first explorer who came across the Pacific on his waka hourua (voyaging canoe) from his original homeland, Hawaiiki (which is believed to be near Tahiti), to his new home country Aoteroa.
European settlement in the 19th century meant a loss to the culture and language from the Maori. But since the 1970s, Maori culture, language and custom have enjoyed a profound revival and since the Maori Language Act of 1987, Te Reo Maori has been one of the two official languages of New Zealand. Estimates of the number of Maori speakers range from 100,000 to 150,000.
European settlement in the 19th century meant a loss to the culture and language from the Maori. But since the 1970s, Maori culture, language and custom have enjoyed a profound revival and since the Maori Language Act of 1987, Te Reo Maori has been one of the two official languages of New Zealand. Estimates of the number of Maori speakers range from 100,000 to 150,000.
This week is Maori language week so we can make an extra effort to learn the language. More Maori will be spoken on TV. A soap was undertitled in Maori for example and even google New Zealand is offered in Maori. Here is a practise in Te Reo Maori:
Kia ora. Hi.
Kei te pēhea koe? How are you?
Kei te pai ahau. I’m good.
Ka nui te ora. I’m great.
Me koe? And you?
Ka mau te wehi! Awesome!
Ka kite ano. See you again
Kia ora. Hi.
Kei te pēhea koe? How are you?
Kei te pai ahau. I’m good.
Ka nui te ora. I’m great.
Me koe? And you?
Ka mau te wehi! Awesome!
Ka kite ano. See you again
Aroha (Love) Marja
The first words I learnt from a Maori where:-
ReplyDelete"Sweet as" and "Choice."
kia ora
ReplyDeleteHaere ra Marja
xxx
Sweet as? I thought they got that from you over the ditch.
ReplyDeleteHaere mai KB
Ka kite ano!
very nice, marja...thanks for sharing
ReplyDeletehug, p
I love that pic Marja....what a lovely custom.
ReplyDeleteSounds difficult but really interesting.
ReplyDeleteQuite a challenge and harder than Arabic!
Greetings and love from New York.
It seemed so wrong when they tried to stop the Maori from having their own language. I am so glad it has been remedied.
ReplyDeleteKia ora.
ReplyDeleteKei te pēhea koe?
thanks for teaching me few words.
Good day
Ka kite ano.
Thanks Patriciia and gypsy
ReplyDeleteYep it's hard I only know a few words
Yes I enjoy hearing it Missy
I agree Meggie. Your language includes your culture and therefore part of your identity. If you take that away from people you take part of them
Ka nui te ora Deepak
Ka kite ano
Kia ora, Marja
ReplyDeleteI hope this is right in this language. I think I need many time to learn this language.
Nice that you post about this language; I think it is wonderful to hear people talking in this language.
I hope you are not going to write in this language; otherwise you need to make a translation
Great job, Marja and beautiful picture
Very great post,Marja!
ReplyDeleteKa kite ano!