Tangi procedure

Tangihanga or Tangi is a traditional Māori funeral that is held on a marae. 

Each iwi differs on how they honor those who passed away. Tangihanga generally takes three days with burial on the third. From the moment of death, the tūpāpaku is rarely aone. The tūpāpaku is transported to the marae. There they are welcomed with a pōwhiri and will lie in state for at least two nights, usually in an open coffin, in the wharenui.

Throughout the tangihanga, the tūpāpaku is flanked by the whānau pani,who take few and short breaks, dress in black, and sometimes wreath their heads in kawakawa leaves. Around the coffin, flowers and photographs of deceased relatives are placed.

Visitors come during the day. They may speak frankly of his/her faults as well as virtues, but singing and joking are also appropriate. Free expression of grief by both men and women is encouraged. Traditional beliefs may be invoked, and the deceased is told to return to the ancestral homeland, Hawaiki, by way of te rerenga wairua, the spirits' journey. The close kin may not speak. It is traditional for mourners to wash their hands in water and sprinkle some on their heads before leaving the area where the tūpāpaku lies in state.

On the last night, the pō whakamutunga, the mourners hold a vigil and at a time assigned by custom the coffin is closed, before a church or marae funeral service and graveside interment ceremony, invariably Christian in modern times. As with the area the tūpāpaku lies, it is traditional for mourners to wash their hands in water and sprinkle some on their heads before leaving the cemetery. After the burial rites are completed, a hākari is served. Mourners are expected to provide koha towards the meal. After the burial, the home of the deceased and the place where the deceased died are ritually cleansed with karakia  and desanctified with food and drink, in a ceremony called takahi whare, trampling the house. That night, the pō whakangahau is a night of relaxation and rest. The widow/widower is not left alone for several nights following.

Powhiri

The powhiri is a ceremony of encounter.Traditionally the reason was to find out whether the visiting party were friends or enemies. As the ceremony progressed and after each side became some what friends, it became a formal welcoming of guests by the tangata whenua. As the ceremony progresses the tapu surrounding manuhiri is removed, and they become one with the tangata whenua. It begins with the karanga, the strong high pitched voices of women from both sides, calling to each other to exchange information to begin the purpose of the visit. In traditional times a wero was performed by a warrior/s, advancing on the manuhiri to look them over and further establish intent.The tangata whenua will perform the haka powhiri, a chant and dance of welcome, during which the manuhiri are symbolically drawn onto the marae. Next is the mihi by the orators from both sides. An expert will display his knowledge of whakapapa, mythology and his mastery of language, rhetoric and dramatic presentation. During whaikorero links between the ancestors and the living are made and genealogical links between tangata whenua and manuhiri are made. The kaupapa of the occasion will be discussed and maybe issues and concerns might be aired.Each speech is followed by the performance of a waiata or sometimes a haka by the orator's support group. The quality of the performance is a matter of critical concern and reflects on the orator and the party of the orator.At the completion of their speeches the manuhiri will present a koha to the tangata whenua. Then the manuhiri move across the marae to hongi with the tangata whenua. The hongi is a gentle pressing of noses, and the two sides become one.The powhiri concludes with the sharing of kai called hakari. The food removes the tapu from the manuhiri so the two sides may complete the becoming friends or allies.

Pepeha

Tena koutou katoa

Ko Liam taku ingoa

Ko Rangitoto taku maunga

Ko waitemata taku awa

Ko Takitimu taku waka

Ko Ngati Kahungunu taku iwi

Ko Ngati Kahungunu toku marae

No Tamaki makaurau ahau

Kei Tamaki makaurau toku kainga inaianei

Ko Rosmini taku kura

Ko Mayes taku whenau

Ko Sean taku matua

Ko Karen taku whea

No reira, tena koutou, tena tatou katoa.

Tuhinga Te Reo

I te rua tekau ma tahi o pipiri i te tau rua tekau tekau ma rua. I tera mutunga rahoroi. I oma au ki te awa kaukau ai.I a matou e kaukau ana I whara I a bob tona waewae.I a I te puna kaukau I tupou au ki roto I te wai.I a au I reira I tutaki matou I etahi kotiro. Naku nga aihikirimi I hoko mo matou. Na Hemi raua ko bob matou I mau atu ki te ropu. Ia matou e taraiwa ana I kite maua I tetahi tanagata e hikihaiki ana. I tikina nga inu e Hemi. Kaore matou I hoko rare. Na te mea he nui rawa te utu. I a matou e kai ana I korero matou mo te kapa opango. Ko te wahanga pai o te ra ki a matou ko te wa I kite ai au I aku hoa.

Tuhituhia Na Liam Mayes