New Zealand is an amazing country not just because it is naturally beautiful but also because its locals have been able to preserve the many cultures that can be found there. There are many countries in the world that have lost their culture, but that is not the case in New Zealand. In fact, this culture in this country is still alive and is still being practiced and passed down from generation to generation, ensuring its survival. This is one of the things that makes living in the country quite amazing and immigrants can attest to that.
Among the many things that people can do in the country
would be to experience the culture for themselves. There are ceremonies and
practices that are really amazing and nothing beats experiencing it first-hand.
That is why immigrants are encouraged to go and do this whenever possible. One of
these ceremonies to try out is known as Pōwhiri.
What is Pōwhiri?
This is a welcome ceremony and it usually is done on a
marae, which is a meeting ground for the Maori. However, it is also important
to note that it can also be held anywhere else that its hosts choose. It is
done to greet visitors and do this in a formal manner. This does not have to be
all about greeting dignitaries or celebrities. It can be something as simple as
greeting visitors to the place, or welcoming new student immigrants who would
be studying in New Zealand.
What happens during Pōwhiri?
The entire ceremony starts with what is known as a wero, or
a challenge. A warrior that is one of the hosts would challenge the visitors to
be able to deem if they are friends or foes. This warrior would then put down a
feather or a small branch which the visitors would pick up as their way of
showing that they are friends and do not have any ill will.
After that, an elderly woman would call their ancestors,
which would be an indication that it was time to go to the marae. A woman from
the visitors would respond to the call and then all of them would walk to the
marae together. It is done quietly and slowly. The women would be in front of
the men.
With everyone on the marae, the hosts and the visitors in
New Zealand would sit in front of each other. There would be speeches, which
are mostly done by elderly men. Songs would then be presented after the
speeches are done. Gifts would then be given to the hosts, and then each group
would greet the other with a hongi which is done by pressing their noses
together. Then it would be time to feast!
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designed to help you move to New Zealand as soon as possible: http://globalvisasupport.com/nz.html.
You do not need a miracle to move to NZ. All you need to do
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