Every culture has its genesis, a beginning, a creation history. It is these histories that shape and give order to the world of that society. From these stories, lessons are learnt which shape a ‘world-view’ or philosophical standpoint (value and belief system).
For Māori, the recording and transmitting of social history was oral inclusive of whakapapa, whakataukī, pepeha, waiata, pakiwaitara and pūrākau (the telling of stories in metaphoric fashion).
Jayne Matenga-Kohu states ‘They [pūrākau] influenced and regulated social attitudes both publicly and privately, and gained physical expression through tikanga (customary practises)’.
Pūrākau today are often described as myths, fanciful stories consigned to the bookshelves of children however like religious symbols, myths aren’t invented; they arise from the unconscious. They use supernatural explanations for natural phenomena and cosmic issues like creation and death. They need not be historically accurate as they are designed to teach a moral lesson or esoteric truth.
The following video clips tell parts and variations of the story of Maui, whom some tribes believe, fished up New Zealand.
For Māori, the recording and transmitting of social history was oral inclusive of whakapapa, whakataukī, pepeha, waiata, pakiwaitara and pūrākau (the telling of stories in metaphoric fashion).
Jayne Matenga-Kohu states ‘They [pūrākau] influenced and regulated social attitudes both publicly and privately, and gained physical expression through tikanga (customary practises)’.
Pūrākau today are often described as myths, fanciful stories consigned to the bookshelves of children however like religious symbols, myths aren’t invented; they arise from the unconscious. They use supernatural explanations for natural phenomena and cosmic issues like creation and death. They need not be historically accurate as they are designed to teach a moral lesson or esoteric truth.
The following video clips tell parts and variations of the story of Maui, whom some tribes believe, fished up New Zealand.
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