Maori Culture--a Special Kind of Welcome

Rotorua and Te Puia provide cultural insight, history, hands-on opportunities, and maintain conservation and ecology as priorities. The land is a sanctuary for native wildlife, vegetation has been restored and the geothermal valley is constantly monitored by a full land management team. Walkways and tracks guide visitors safely through the area, protecting both the land and the people.
A woman in traditional robes comes out of the Maori meeting house and explains that soon we will be greeted by Maori warriors.

Maori Hostess in traditional feather robe to explain how our visit will proceed

The warriors will blow shells to announce our arrival, and then send a their leader out to greet us.
At this point, she asks for a volunteer male who speaks English to act as our ‘chief’.  When no one steps up, a woman pushes her husband forward.  Our Maori greeter goes on to explain that the  warrior will approach us,  will dance in a threatening way, making motions of attack with his spear.  His face will be threatening and his purpose will be to make clear that if we are not friendly, we will be destroyed.

But then he will drop some token at his feet for our chief to pick up.  The chief must never turn his back on the warrior, but step back, showing he accepts this token and comes in peace.  Then the Maori warrior will re-enter the meeting house, and we can follow, after removing our shoes and hats in respect.

Our guide explains that women may not sit in the front: that is reserved for men.  The woman adds as an afterthought that she will never abandon us but will be there throughout and to help our ‘designated’ chief.

The explanation is done.  We are ready.  Our ‘volunteer’ chief turns to his wife who waits with us, raises his shoulders in an exaggerated ‘HUH?” shrug.  He is from Holland.  He hardly understood a word.  He speaks about as much English as my cat.

I turn to Kate and say,  ‘I think we are about to die.’

Fortunately, our chief’s wife is an apt translator.  We are saved. 

The Maori warriors come out and all goes as planned.

The announcement our arrival :

         

Warriors blow on shells to announce the arrival of visitors

The leader approaches:

He drops a token of peace.

Our chief’s wife instructs him on how to behave. (whew!)  We are welcomed into the meeting house.
As instructed, we leave our shoes and hats at the door, the women file obediently into the back rows, and the men proceed to the front.

Once we're settled, the warriors sing (sort of) in a very intimidating way.  And this is their peaceful welcome.

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Next: Maori welcome continues.