|
How
- A Step-by-Step Guide to the Te Arotūriki Process - CONTINUED
DETAILS OF CONSULTATION PHASE
What to do if your meeting is on a Marae
Marae - the building (continued)
This large building has several names and can be referred to as (whare tupuna (ancestral house), whare whakiaro (carved house), whare nui (large house), whare hui (meeting house), whare moe (sleeping house) or whare runanga (council house). The whare nui is named after an ancestor, so the building itself is designed to represent this ancestor. For example, there will be a carving on the roof top, (tekoteko) at the front of the building representing the ancestor’s head. The carved pieces, extending down towards the ground from the head, are the arms (maihi) held out in a welcoming pose. When you go inside, this act is symbolic of entering the bosom of the ancestor.
The very solid beam that runs from front to back of the marae, represents the backbone (tahuhu) and the rafters (wheke) that extend from it are its ribs. Around the walls will be carved figures (poupou) and these will depict other important ancestors from the tangata whenua as well as other hapu. There are also poles supporting the roof provide a connection between Ranginui (the sky father) and Papatuanuku (the Earth Mother). The middle pole (pou tokumanawa) represents the heart and is usually more decorated than the other poles.
There are also patterned panels (tukutuku), or intricate weavings around the walls, in between the carved figures. Where the wood is not carved, it will be painted with patterns (kowhaiwhai), usually in red, white and black. Each pattern of the tukutuku and kowhaiwhai has special meaning.
The sacred place in front of the whare nui is called the marae atea and is also special. At times this will be used for the welcoming ceremony.
|
|