Sunday, 27 April 2014
Kia pēnei te māroro o te kākahu me te mangemange
Let your clothes be made as strong as mangemange that never wears out
While attending the Second Māori Indian hui in March in Rotorua, Maraea Rakuraku learns about the way Māori with Indian whakapapa self - identify. She also hears about the two Indians who acted as Homeguards during the Second World War and how anglicising an Indian surname to Grant gave way to the beginnings of an artistic, sporting dynasty in Te Arawa.
A butcher knife in hand, clad in white gumboots standing in the freezing works line never stopped Tipene Harmer from making up rhymes or believing he could make a living as a bonafide hip hop artist. Maraea Rakuraku visits him where the magic happens at Trans Awa Media Studios at Waiohiki, Hawkes Bay.
We all know them, they’re in the whānau, you may even be one yourself – Whāngai or kids brought up by grandparents. While today, it can be for more economical or practical reasons for some, it’s a chance to indulge mokopuna or enjoy a second chance at parenting. Whatever the reason, it’s an aspect of Māori culture that has shaped many Māori or to quote Toni Huata, “I wasn’t skinny”! The Ngāti Kahungunu musician invites Te Ahi Kaa into her home based studio.
Waiata featured:Tautoko, Westside Hori performed by Tipene from the Album Westside Hori yet to be released (2014)