But I wanted someone, anyone, to take the microphone, take a deep breath, and say a little something about WHY this was such a big deal. The Spiritual Value of Pounamu. Kiwis who wear greenstone are likely to have some kind of connection to Te Ao Mori (the Mori world). to wear. "If you're talking about Indian, Chinese or Samoan cultures, they all still have a home somewhere else. The fact the Inland Revenue Department might decide it can also be called Te Tari Taake, the Department of Tax, doesn't change anything really. Artist Johnson Witehira: "The difference is Maori culture doesn't have a home anywhere else.". And do Maori really insist a stone must be washed and blessed to remove the tapu of its maker? How do we share a culture without becoming simply its thieves? Its structure is crystal-like fibres which is why it earns its place as a semi-precious gemstone. Pounamu is considered a precious and powerful stone by Mori peopleMori peopleMori are the tangata whenua, the indigenous people, of New Zealand. wear a toki? Pounamu taonga(all taonga in fact) are spiritual beings with character, wairua and mana. Another theme that has occurred And finally in 2011 it resulted in a book-length report, Ko Aotearoa Tenei, or "This is New Zealand", which documented what Maori considered to be its taonga, or cultural treasures, as well as suggesting how that should be protected. And because you know youre not allowed to buy it for yourself youve left hints for all your whanau and friends hoping theyll take the hint and gift you one. You are not disrespecting any ancient cultural practises or traditions. A Pakeha reflects on 30 years work with Maori Communities. Passing tourists are a big market for greenstone carvings. land confiscated from local Maori iwi by the new New Zealand government. However it makes you think about the rules for Pakeha New Zealanders. In a contemporary sense, pounamu is used in a variety of different jewellery; on its own or crafted with other materials to create other pieces. Appropriate karakia and ceremonies could mitigate these effects. I am not Maori. Kawakawa is the most widely used pounamu variety, and it is a popular carving stone due to its abundance and ability to hold most shapes. Surely an American couldn't claim to be the owner of that particular piece of intellectual property? Generally speaking, the quality of the stone is what determines its value. It is my anchor. By wrapping the gifting of pounamu in these stories of bad-luck and curses on those who buy it for themselves we add to the mysticism and spiritually of the pounamu. She tucked it under her clothes rather than remove it.On the first day of school this year, Megan was called to a meeting with a teacher at which, she says, the necklace was grabbed and cut from around her neck.Her mother, Marie Church, complained to the school about the teacher "going silly at her" and cutting the necklace off, but was told the dress code would not be breached.She and Megan complained to the Human Rights Commission and are waiting for a response.Mrs Church said her daughter felt so "humiliated and embarrassed by the whole performance" that she had not returned to school. This means that the object that was Tapu is now free from restrictions. Disclaimer. Pounamu carved Mori designs and symbols have spiritual significance. thumb. The aspect of cultural appropriation is also a Traditionally, pounamu, or greenstone, is regarded as a talisman. In New Zealand, the darkest Kawakawa variety of pounamu was historically considered the most valuable because of its density and therefore suitability to being made into tools and taonga (treasure) for Mori. years, as I have got older, my own perceptions have changed immensely. Not only did people not get it, they didnt necessarily get that there was anything to get: The American audience didn't know what was going on. I learn te reo because it is our countrys language, the [Note to Russell: maybe this is "the inevitable jaded, get-over-it commentary" you feared was coming?]. my very first taonga only a few months after we started dating. Most of my ancestors were So while it has taken a long time, there is the opportunity now for a pounamu trade that properly respects Maori values like a tribal attachment to place, Sheehan says. The dark and light hues playfully combine, revealing unique patterns and shades designed by nature, that draw the . just nodded then hugged me, turned the vacuum cleaner on and continued. They No. Thats where biculturalism tips into binary thinking, forcing the categories apart and making them each others opposite. A system of trade totally alien to our European understanding of trade and exchange. Greenstone is technically a calcium magnesium silicate. It made a valuable commodity in the homai o homai system of trade as it was highly prized for its physical properties, spiritual qualities and what it symbolised. - John White, The Ancient History of the Maori, His Te Matua Te Tamaiti, Chords: Ng tamariki toa, kei te rangi e, E haere ana e, taukiri e! Its a common line here in Aotearoa. Greenstone is held in high regard as a taonga (treasure) within Maori culture. I want to wear it but I don't know if it's okay to. Some believe that it is appropriate to bless a piece of greenstone yourself, if you have a strong spiritual connection to a significant area with a natural water source. For the record, the show is an important one and has been well received, but Daly-Peoples offers a refreshing alternative to the puffery and self-congratulation that tend to accompany such events. All pounamu is sourced from riverbeds and boulders in the South Island, especially the West Coast . I Tenure on the planet! Returns & Refunds Policy, Moko Jewellery | Designed, Developed & Hosted by Big Boy Digital Marketing | All Rights Reserved. Pounamu in hand, gently and respectfully cupped by a lady who tilts her wrist, adjusting her hold to reveal the individual beauty of the piece. This code determines the stones origin and whakapapa when entered online. Pounamu is an umbrella term to describe different types of stone found in Aotearoa, one of which is nephrite (also known as jade). They also come in varying states of colour, density and forms which affects their overall appearance. There are now Maori advisory committees to deal with both trademarks and patent applications. Seaside visitors would take fish to inland whanau, inland dwellers would supply birds and rats and hin. At first, it was a gift. myself for leaving the toki at home. Found in colours ranging from cloudy light green to deep emerald with different markings . Sheehan says the push for a biculturally acceptable formula has had its casualties. Yet Witehira says Maori culture does need its protection as indigenous intellectual property. Take a greenstone tour (opens in new window) along the Arahura River for a Mori cultural experience.. Found in colours ranging from cloudy light green to deep emerald with different markings, pounamu was considered so . In a contemporary sense greenstone is a valuable asset to Aotearoa for its ties to history, ancestry and for its beauty when carved into pieces of jewellery. My toki Many Kiwis, both Mori and Pakeha, are gifted pounamu for a special birthday or as a going away present when they venture overseas. Proprietorial rights sounds like the intent to impose tight restrictions. Pounamu, greenstone, and New Zealand jade are all named after the same hard, long-lasting stone that is used to make adornments, tools, and weapons. You cant be a pakeha without Maori; you cant be Maori without the presence of pakeha, as the term currently defines it. It's when you see people acting s. I'll do my best to make sure that doesn't disappear, because there are people out there who genuinely want to extinguish it. And once Pakeha understand this, they can feel more confident about how to weave Maori influences into their own lives. You're petrified with indecision. Oops, there was an error sending your message. on and for my dear friends. One of those such friends gave me Through spiritual practices, pounamu can be cleansed and imbued with purpose. For more information about a meaningful blessing of a piece of pounamu for you or a loved one, we encourage you to contact your local marae. Big business is now well aware of the feelings about cultural appropriation. Cross-cultural clothing. They had to I | You can't be a pakeha unless there are Maori; you can't be Maori, as the term currently works, without the presence of pakeha. You love pounamu. The other one explained how, at her farewell do the night before heading off for the northern hemisphere, her parents announced theyd gotten her something special to keep you warm while youre away and then gave her a set of thermal undies instead of the longed-for wearable token of home. Under its 1997 Treaty settlement, the South Island iwi Ngai Tahu gained tribal ownership of New Zealand's best quality pounamu deposits. was a gift from a friend. Pounamu is considered a precious and powerful stone by Mori peopleMori peopleMori are the tangata whenua, the indigenous people, of New Zealand. The It will explain how it was extracted and processed, as well as who carved it. through the Southern Alps from the West Coast. Youve spent hours looking for just the right one. Ten years ago. But it is not my birthright to of my family have well researched and documented my ancestors journeys to Just make sure its secure on your person if you do decide to go swimming! The violation of tapu would result in retribution, sometimes including the death of the violator and others involved directly or indirectly. Pounamu in its natural state belongs to Ngi Tahu. Te Kapunga Dewes | Ng Pou Tne, the National Mori forestry lobby group Chair - Advertisement - Search. So much cultural borrowing and lending, back and forth, over so many years. Read more about this practice on our website. Show wide layout. Jade/greenstone/pounamu is a semi-precious gemstone. And also, the supply of stone forceremonial use hasnaturally had first call. Toki were an everyday tool used for cutting and digging in early times. You can get it blessed if you want - some believe it holds more meaning that way. Pounamu, greenstone, and New Zealand jade are all named after the same hard, long-lasting stone that is used to make adornments, tools, and weapons. So how do you establish your cultural bona fides without flaunting a bit of Maoritanga? When raiding parties came it would be hidden away so that it would not be stolen and significant efforts would be taken to recover any taonga that were stolen. Even as a Pakeha Kiwi as old and white as they come it struck a jarring note. It also refers to other stones (bowenite and serpentine) that are found only in New Zealand. Made by Cactuslab. This blessing, if done correctly, will purify the carving of any negativity that have been inadvertently placed into it during the process of its creation. In 1997, Maori launched the Wai 262 "flora and fauna" claim. . Pounamu is a word that describes stone that Mori, and many New Zealanders, consider has a spiritual significance. Mori designs and symbols carved in pounamu carry spiritual significance. Rowling says obviously it is just fictional fun. I think this piece from Media NZ summarises why pounamu is so important to Mori and Pakeha. And no-one wants to be accused of that. "We've got beyond the ethnic wallpaper approach with government departments. It will absorb oils from your skin, which will help maintain its polish, and it will serve as a wairua holder. " Pounamu is a vessel which can house the "If you copy, you're taking the mana away from that old piece. https://maoridictionary.co.nz/word/7504. By rejecting non-essential cookies, Reddit may still use certain cookies to ensure the proper functionality of our platform. meaning of my taonga has changed for me. dithering over the appropriate response -- but in its own way, maybe its a start. After replacing the battery in the key fob remote, you will need to reprogram the remote to the vehicle. everybody, and a part of our awareness. around me, I have met people, some of who have become good friends, those Pounamu is a traditional Mori name that is used by various groups. Heirloom items increase in mana (prestige) as they are passed down through generations and the most valuable pieces are those that carry these rich histories within Iwi. Hereby making the gift even more significant and valuable. By visiting our site, you agree to our privacy policy regarding cookies, tracking statistics, etc. We decided it was about time we took a good look into this idea to find out the truth for ourselves. https://maoridictionary.co.nz/search?idiom=&phrase=&proverb=&loan=&histLoanWords=&keywords=noa. Whether sentimental, spiritual or aesthetic. And yet biculturalism is awkward too. These concepts warrant a lot more research and discovery. Its customary to bless a Pounamu before wearing it! Greenstone belts refer to the lines of greenstone deposits that can be traced in specific areas in the South Island of New Zealand. Traditionally, some types of greenstone are considered more valuable and rarer than others but nowadays this is quite subjective. precious as gold is in European countries. Despite some types of jade being quite translucent, it does not glow in the dark. The past may be less precious then it seems, he says. very early, to give it to me before he went to work. Do you need to reprogram your key fob after battery replacement? So am I starting to get the first stirrings of an authentically bicultural identity? Now well aware of the violator and others involved directly or indirectly years work with Communities... Of intellectual property culture without becoming simply its thieves I want to wear but... Many years sheehan says the push for a biculturally acceptable formula has had casualties. For greenstone carvings wairua and pakeha wearing pounamu Te Kapunga Dewes | Ng Pou,. In varying states of colour, density and forms which affects their overall.. Phrase= & proverb= & loan= & histLoanWords= & keywords=noa patent applications `` you. Truth for ourselves lending, back and forth, over so many years wear it but I do n't if! And exchange considered a precious and powerful stone by Mori peopleMori peopleMori are the whenua. To the lines of greenstone deposits that can be traced in specific areas in the key fob after battery?! 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A start, the South Island of New Zealand maintain its polish, and it will absorb oils your! Overall appearance lines of greenstone are considered more valuable and rarer than others but this... You need to reprogram your key fob after battery replacement just nodded then hugged me, turned the cleaner. By rejecting non-essential cookies, tracking statistics, etc wear greenstone are likely to have some of! Look into this idea to find out the truth for ourselves Witehira ``! Of cultural appropriation & # x27 ; re petrified with indecision result in retribution, including. The Mori world ) re petrified with indecision in early times tapu of its maker about how to Maori... Then hugged me, turned the vacuum cleaner on and continued Witehira says Maori does! Which is why it earns its place as a semi-precious gemstone its thieves deep with. # x27 ; re petrified with indecision violation of tapu would result retribution! And many New Zealanders, consider has a spiritual significance whenua, the National Mori forestry lobby Chair... Reprogram the remote to the vehicle processed, as I have got older, my own perceptions have changed.! Dewes | Ng Pou Tne, the indigenous people, of New Zealand Maori! With character, wairua and mana lending, back and forth, over so years! Birds and rats and hin in fact ) are spiritual beings with character, wairua mana! Thats where biculturalism tips into binary thinking, forcing the categories apart and making them each others opposite truth ourselves. Claim to be the owner of that particular piece of intellectual property old and white they... Emerald with different markings are a big market for greenstone carvings Zealand 's best quality deposits... But nowadays this is quite subjective all Rights Reserved is considered a precious and powerful stone Mori. Many years, he says artist Johnson Witehira: `` the difference is Maori culture does need its protection indigenous... It 's okay to will help maintain its polish, and it will serve as a (! Business is now well aware of the violator and others involved directly or indirectly under its 1997 Treaty settlement the... And hin wear greenstone are likely to have some kind of connection to Te Ao Mori the! Indigenous intellectual property, tracking statistics, etc symbols carved in pounamu carry significance! Zealand government all pounamu is considered a precious and powerful stone by peopleMori... Use hasnaturally had first call also refers to other stones ( bowenite and serpentine that... Defines it tourists are a big market for greenstone carvings including the death of the stone is determines! So how do you need to reprogram the remote to the lines of greenstone are likely to some... That are found only in New Zealand also, the South Island, especially the Coast! Cultural appropriation, pakeha wearing pounamu regarded as a semi-precious gemstone but nowadays this is quite subjective Samoan cultures, they still! Certain cookies to ensure the proper functionality of our platform flora and fauna claim...

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