(this is me in front of one of the Mauri carvings as we entered their land)
It was a very emotional and powerful experience. The Mauri people of New Zealand are very connected to the land and take pride in where they have lived and live to this day. There is this very special ceremony that they have done forever and they make it possible for people like me to visit NZ and take part in it.
The Marae (the meeting house) is where all things in the village take place.
This was the place where warriors would meet any visitors and assess if they were friend or foe, then invite them in and welcome them in their tribe. Once you are welcomed you are able to come on the land and in the Marae whenever you want, but until then you are not allowed. At the Marae is everything from weddings to funerals.
A group of us waited outside the Marae until the warrior came and invited us in. Then we walked up the pathway, not on the grass because it is a sacred land. We took our shoes and any head wear off and were permitted to enter the meeting hall. This is where all celebrations take place. Once inside we were treated to songs, dances and games of the Mauri people. It was incredible to see their culture and their community. It was a privilege to take part in this.
The Mauri people were are extremely intelligent and strategic. They used the land and the elements in their favor to live, eat and create a life and legacy for themselves. In the summer they stayed by the ocean and in the winter they came to this spot: Natural Hot Pools and Mud Pools and a Geyser. The land has hot water springs all over it. In fact they have spots where they put corn in a bag and lower it into the ground and it boils the corn (we ate some it was YUMMY)
The only down side: the smell...sulfur. It actually wasn't too bad, but at one point the natural geyser blew and the smelly water got on us...there is a picture of it. Kind of gross but a natural part of how they lived.
It was so fascinating to see these people so graciously invited us into such an intimate ceremony and welcomed us in. What would life be like if we were quicker to invite people into our circles? If we had a history of hospitality that brought people into our world because we wanted them to experience what we were so proud to call family? The Mauri people have undergone so much in New Zealand, yet they are still a hopeful, hospitable people that love to share their stories,their traditions, their culture, their land, and their love.
What an experience! Deby and Grant and Beks and Greg continue to take good care of me and welcome me into their family and onto their land.
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