Karanga does not exist in a vacuum. To carry karanga well there is an onus on the kaikaranga not only to have awareness of the tikanga associated with a variety of situations and kaupapa but also an understanding of the role she plays in upholding the mana of the hapū and marae. Aunty Kiwa Hutchins expressed this beautifully in the Te Karaka article, Karanga – A Call From The Heart.
“Our times have changed but the role of kaikaranga is still one for a woman who understands that when you karanga for Ngāi Tahu, you represent the whole iwi and it is your obligation to ensure the hapū and iwi are being portrayed in the best possible way. It is a big responsibility. It is a duty and an obligation that we need to fulfil because we are the face of our tupuna.”
This wānanga is the third in a series of wānanga karanga planned until June. In this particular wānanga we will share mātauranga, kōrero and experiences associated with whakaeke ki runga i te marae, whakawātea, whakatūwhera and the role of the paepae wāhine in relation to the paepae tāne.
These wānanga are for those women who are currently active practitioners of karanga on our marae and those who are highly likely to step up to be the kaikaranga for their marae and hapū. It’s also for our wāhine who keep our paepae warm, those that sing the waiata, those that help prep the whare and marae, those who care for the tikanga a tāua mā, a pōua mā.
Bring some kai to share for lunch and a cuppa. And, come prepared to add your kōrero and mātauranga to the communal kete.
These wānanga are part of Te Whare Wānanga o Te Ruahikihiki, a project supported by Ngāi Tahu Fund.
For more information please contact Puamiria on puamiria.parata-goodall@ngaitahu.iwi.nz or on 021 233 1000.