Marae: The Heart of Maori Culture

- Blurb -

Marae are unique places where Maori culture is expressed and upheld. They are repositories of genealogy, provide a sense of pride for Maori as symbols of identity and are vibrant places where people experience authentic Maori culture. This book is a comprehensive, concise guide to the marae, including the space and how it is arranged, the buildings on a marae, the functions of and gatherings held at marae, and the cultural understandings and va lues underpinning marae custom and protocol. The photographs and text work together to clearly identify the buildings on the marae, the constituent parts of buildings and features, such as woven panels and carvings, and the events held at marae and roles people have. There is a step-by-step guide to a powhiri, or welcome ceremony, showing and describing what happens, the people involved, what they do, and the values and understandings underpinning the ceremony. There is also a close look at the outside and inside of a wharenui, or meeting house, showing each of the elements and features that make it up. Maori cultural concepts are explained and discussed and a glossary of Maori terms is provided.