Keeping Our Identity

Te Ao Hou, June 1965, Page 5

Keeping Our Identity To return to our pateres, paos etc., this is one branch of our culture that remains constant despite the ravages of time. As one of the very few taongas left to us by our tipunas, its value cannot be assessed in pounds, dollars or acres of land, but in love of race and pride of heritage—Maoritanga. This is a taonga no one could corrupt or take away from us, providing our group leaders do not neglect it. I cannot emphasise too much the importance of embracing our language and chants and keeping them Maori, for with their loss, the loss of our identity is inevitable. This is a tragedy that can only be warded off by studying our Maoritanga and in so doing, appreciating it. In the words of the proverb left to his people by Sir Apirana Ngata: ‘Grow up, little one, in the way of your day and age, your hands grasping the tools of the Pakeha for your physical well-being, remembering in your heart the works of your ancestors which are worthy of being worn as a diadem upon your brow; your soul ever turned toward God, Who is the creator of all things.’ He whakatauki tenei na Apirana Ngata ki a tatau te iwi Maori: ‘E tipu e rea, mo nga ra o tou ao, ko to ringa ki nga rakau a te Pakeha hei ara mo to tinana: ko to ngakau ki nga taonga a o tipuna Maori hei tikitiki mo to mahuna: ko to wairua ki te Atua nana nei nga mea katoa. Tena koutou, tena ra tatau katoa. na B. R. Kora Maunga Whau Maori Culture Group Auckland