Māori birthing traditions
A wānaka was held at Arahura Marae on 19 March.
The hui was led by Kelly Waiana Tikao, who is a doctoral candidate eager to find out about Ngāi Tahu stories regarding conception, pregnancy and birthing rituals and practices prior to the 1960’s. Whānau gathered to listen to stories, waiata, karakia, whakaaro (thoughts) that were shared with Kelly and will contribute towards her thesis which will eventually become a resource for Ngāi Tahu whānau.
This hui was such a beautiful experience and I wish I had known about it when I was going through my birthing with my two kids.
Mahina Kaui, who came along with Kelly, specialises in taonga puoro (traditional Māori musical instruments) and their place in creation practices.
Mahina showed all of her taonga and talked to us about how every instrument might have been used for birthing rituals and showed us the different sounds that each makes.
We will be getting these beautiful wāhine back to our marae and will be calling all ages – tāua, pōua, tāne and wāhine – all are encouraged to attend to learn about Kelly’s work.
Kelly teaching us a game to get the heart pumping with Ani Mason.
Mahina giving us a kōrero.
Mahina showing all her taonga and explaining how these items might have been used around Māori births.