My Marae Recount
On the 1-2nd of May my class went to the Arahura Marae because we were
going to learn about the legend of greenstone, learn about the carvings at
the Marae and learn about Maori culture. It wasn't really a long trip to get
there. Also Room 5 came with us.
going to learn about the legend of greenstone, learn about the carvings at
the Marae and learn about Maori culture. It wasn't really a long trip to get
there. Also Room 5 came with us.
When we got to the marae we waited in silence because there was a lady
doing the call of welcome (it's a special part of their culture).
doing the call of welcome (it's a special part of their culture).
Then we entered the marae and the spine of the Marae was glowing with
lights and they changed colour. It was AMAZING! Then we did the Hongi to
finish off the Powhiri. Next we were invited to have some kai in the food
area. The food was pretty good! We had to give it a blessing called a Karakia.
Then we were allowed to have a play outside the marae. It was actually a big
area to play in.
lights and they changed colour. It was AMAZING! Then we did the Hongi to
finish off the Powhiri. Next we were invited to have some kai in the food
area. The food was pretty good! We had to give it a blessing called a Karakia.
Then we were allowed to have a play outside the marae. It was actually a big
area to play in.
10 minutes later we went down to the Arahura River. Everyone was fossicking
for greenstone everywhere. One of the members of the Marae (his name
was Jerry) came down with us and told us not to look for green but look for
blue and white stones. Which did seem a bit odd but it worked. We were
very lucky to go down to the river with Jerry because the public is not
allowed(its private property). He even told us the legend of
greenstone/pounamu.
for greenstone everywhere. One of the members of the Marae (his name
was Jerry) came down with us and told us not to look for green but look for
blue and white stones. Which did seem a bit odd but it worked. We were
very lucky to go down to the river with Jerry because the public is not
allowed(its private property). He even told us the legend of
greenstone/pounamu.
Later, I was down the river further still looking for the hidden greenstone
and then I saw something bubbling from the water. I realised it was a spring!
A spring is fresh water from underground that the earth creates. It was so
awesome to find it because me and my friends started mining there for
greenstone/pounamu(we didn't find any though).
and then I saw something bubbling from the water. I realised it was a spring!
A spring is fresh water from underground that the earth creates. It was so
awesome to find it because me and my friends started mining there for
greenstone/pounamu(we didn't find any though).
One thing I loved about going to the marae was seeing inside the wharenui.
The Marae lighting was realy cool to see when we walked in but the things
that attracted me as if I was a magnet, was the carvings. All of them had
green, blue and red lines over their faces. Some of their eyes were Pounamu
and some were just painted. Even at the top of the Marae their koruru was
different because instead of it being carved with wood it was carved with
greenstone(it is the only one in NZ).
The Marae lighting was realy cool to see when we walked in but the things
that attracted me as if I was a magnet, was the carvings. All of them had
green, blue and red lines over their faces. Some of their eyes were Pounamu
and some were just painted. Even at the top of the Marae their koruru was
different because instead of it being carved with wood it was carved with
greenstone(it is the only one in NZ).
I’m glad I went to the Marae because I got to learn about a different
culture and how it all worked.
culture and how it all worked.
THE END
By Flynn photo's below:
This is the only tekoteko made out of Pounamu in NZ.
