Whenua burial

Many families continue the ancient tikanga of burying a baby’s whenua (placenta) in ancestral land. For some, it is the ceremony to publically mark the birth of a child. This is the account of one such occasion for a whānau from Koukourārata.

Hot, dry, wind pinned skirts against legs, tousled hair and took off with Tāua’s hot-pink hat. Perfect weather for a fun celebration. Kahukura Wayne Manawatu Te Ra Sykes, aged seven months, was coming home for the first time.

Kahukura was born in Wellington in April 2015 to Pirimia Burger (Ngāti Irakehu, Ngāi Tūtehuarewa and daughter of the late Dr. Irihapeti Ramsden) and Darrin Sykes (Te Arawa, Mataatua). Like many uri living outside their rohe, Pirimia and Darrin felt it was essential to bury their son’s whenua on his tūrangawaewae.

Uncle Riki Pitama led the group of tāua, pōua, cousins, aunties, uncles and friends across the small block of land that has only ever been owned by generations of the same few families. Arriving at a newly created whenua burial area, Uncle Peter Ramsden explained to the group, the significance of the karaka seedlings he had planted there.

“These karaka trees come from Kawatea, a nearby bay,” Uncle Pete said “When Moki came down in the waka Makawhiua, he saw a grove of karaka trees and it was not too long after he claimed that area for himself, and for us.’

The atua Kahukura, and his role in the creation of the South Island was explained by Uncle Riki. According to ancient kōrero, Kahukura (represented by a rainbow), Tuterakiwhanoa and Marokura shaped the wreckage of the great Waka o Aoraki to become the valleys, waterways and land we live on today.

“Kahukura is a name that was used extensively throughout the beautification process of
Te Waipounamu,” Uncle Riki explained, “he or she, beautified not only the seascape but also the landscape of Te Waipounamu. Such an amazing atua whakaruruhau that we have.”

The spot to bury the whenua was chosen and the dry, hard earth was cracked and hacked at with spades and picks. A kete woven especially by the uncle of Kahukura encased the whenua. It was made from harakeke from the Sykes family homestead in Matatā, Bay of Plenty. Shells from Matatā beach were also poured in to symbolise Kahukura’s Te Arawa whakapapa. Three stones from his marae in Rangitāne were also added to the kete. All elements were then gently lowered into the whenua at Koukourārata.

After delicious kai back at the wharekai, excerpts from Pōua Tikao’s book, “Tikao Talks” were read by, cousins, tāua and pōua. They spoke again of Kahukura and his amazing deeds and beauty.

A Sand Ceremony concluded the day. Each person chose a vial of coloured sand to pour into a large glass jar. The sand represented the unique contribution that person would make to Kahukura’s life. One by one, children and kaumātua alike poured their sand or glitter. As the pink, yellow, blue and green layers grew Kahukura’s parents thanked everyone.

“Now we have a beautiful symbol, a rainbow, that represents the rich range of skills, personalities and colour that all of you have to share with Kahukura. In time he will look at it and see the many people who love him and who came together for him on this special day, in the special place.” Article submitted by Pirimia Burger.