Author: Rosie Riley
Life stamps are the experiences that one never forgets, for they imprint upon who they are and how they wish to become. So far, this trip has left me with many life stamps and it’s only been a week since leaving Portland.
We have been at Kakati Marae for two days now, and are sadly leaving in the morning. Upon the arrival to these sacred grounds, we were greeted by students of the Maori culture performing a traditional Powhiri as to warmly welcome us to their community but with an intensity that presented the strength and power they held as to warn us of their capabilities. I think all of us can attest to the intimidation we felt as we entered the Marae as the Maori boys flashed their pukana, facial expressions used as a scare tactic in war time, as we entered through the gates. Our hesitations quickly dissolved through the course of the Powhiri as tradition continued through exchanges of prayer and song between us and the Maori students. After practicing the pitch and tune for days, we sang “Somewhere Over the Rainbow” accompanied by Hope’s ukulele playing, as we swayed arms interlocked as to present the love and greetings brought from America to them. The students sang “Halleluiah” in Maori for us. We finished the welcoming ceremony with our first Hongi with the students, a traditional Maori greeting in which two people grasp each other’s shoulders and touch noses, then foreheads, while sharing an inhale and exhale as to represent the connection held between one another. Bonds ensued and we quickly became aware of the intense love within each one of these people through the openness and willingness to share their space, culture, and heart. We spent the entirety of our two days there learning about their traditions through workshops that the students prepared for us consisting of traditional Maori war dancing or Haka, weaving of the flax plant, language learning, poi dancing and traditional story telling.
The connection that these students had with their culture and the deep knowledge that they shared regarding their ancestral lineage and cultural timeline sparked many realizations within our group about the culture that we have back home. It was apparent that the concept of oneness with each other and the world surrounding are the reasons behind the sustainable and respectful practices that the Maori cultivate in their everyday life. This example of oneness within communities and with the land had us discovering the drive to become more connected to the native people of our country, to recognize and support the traditions of our people, rather than suppress it under the definition of New American culture. By connecting to those who are native of our lands, we may too begin to stray away from our individualistic mentalities and discover the power of oneness, within land, air, sea and being.
Our leaving ceremony brought with it many tears, for the connections we made were deep enough to last a lifetime. On the last night, we all chose rocks on the beach to present to a Maori student that we thought “rocked,” and they presented us pins as to remember this experience by. Matua Mike, member and teacher of the Kakati tribe, had taught us a few days previous about a special green stone called Poumanu in which represents the greatest of offerings that one can be given; one can only obtain this stone, worn as a necklace to protect against negative energies and hold light within, by receiving it from another in possession. Evan, a member of our group who has continued to shine and surprise us the entirety of this trip, is of Native American decent and shared with us some of his tradition. After everyone presented their gifts to one another, Matua Mike stood and exclaimed his previous knowingness of a Native brother among our group and presented Evan with the green stone Poumanu that he had been wearing himself for years previous. A prayer and blessing were then presented by all Maori students and leaders to Evan as he accepted his gift. A special and once in a lifetime moment that Evan, nor any of us, will ever forget.
A reoccurring lesson that our group has learned thus far, especially on the Marae, is that potential is not fully reachable on your own, for love created through oneness or community has the ability to heighten every sense of our being. The Maori further instilled within me the understanding that although we branch through differences, we are rooted within the purest of similarities. No matter our backgrounds, beliefs or standings, we all seek love. So why not give it to one another? Love has the ability to bind us as one people forever, through any circumstance.
I sit here writing this on the plane to the North Island with tears in my eyes and the beautiful landscape of South Island outside my window. I feel overwhelmed by gratitude and love, not only for the Maori, but for the people I have become so very close to on this trip; I feel personally connected to every student and leader within this group and have cultivated a love for each that will carry over to the life we share together in Portland.
Most importantly, I want to point out that the love that I hold for my little family back home feels present within me and stronger than ever. Mum, Dad, Jessica and Mikey, you have all created me to become the person that I am today. Through the love you have given me, I am equipped to spread love to all who are around me.
Any gap that I felt within myself before, has been diminished through the exposure of love from all who I have been with/encountered on this trip.
From our group to all of you back at home, we cannot wait to share this love when we find ourselves by your sides once again.
As Matua Mike would say, Nothing but Love.
Kia Ora.