hummingcrow: one squall voice

Speechmaking and Song

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This video continues the performance group’s greeting to the audience. It’s a lot like the experience of Powhiri (the Maori ceremony to welcome visitors to their community). Specifically this segment is comparable to whaikorero (speechmaking) and waiata (song). You can learn about the kawa (protocol), parts and significance of Powhiri by exploring NewZealand.com.

Mark does a great job as an orator. Though we do not understand the Maori language, the intent of his speech is crystal clear. He helps us with his gestural language and his facial expressions. A waiata (song) always follows such a speech. It means that the singers support what has been said.

This is something I love about the Maori people I met. They are committed to preserving their language and culture, which they do for their children by immersing them in it. That means no compromise with respect to te reo (the Maori language). The Maori have the utmost respect for their guests, but they do not pause to interpret for them during formal greetings like this one. They trust in themselves that the spirit of their intent will come through, and they trust in you to take it in, to get it.

You may think the video is too long at over four minutes, but I challenge you to value another culture and language enough to watch and really listen. There are ideas being expressed for which English has no words. Therefore this moment is a treasure beyond measure.

Ooh! I found the words to this song.