powhiri

Pōwhiri is the traditional Māori welcoming ceremony. It is a complex ritual that can take place at a marae, a sacred meeting ground, or in other significant locations. The pōwhiri is a formal process designed to establish and affirm the relationship between the hosts (tangata whenua) and the visitors (manuhiri). It begins with the call to enter, often a karanga, a high-pitched call performed by Māori women, which invites the visitors to approach.

Following the karanga, there is often a wero, or challenge, performed by a warrior to test the intentions of the visitors. The visitors then perform a mihimihi, a formal exchange of speeches where each side introduces themselves and their reasons for visiting. This is followed by the hongi, a traditional greeting where visitors and hosts press their noses and foreheads together, symbolizing the sharing of breath and life force. The ceremony concludes with a sharing of food, called a hākari, which signifies the cementing of the relationship and the full acceptance of the visitors into the community. The pōwhiri is a vital part of Māori culture, embodying principles of respect, hospitality, and mutual understanding.