A Little Piece of Culture Pie

Last Wednesday, our group was granted two special field trips both of which opened my mind to many new ideas and views. It was my first look at the native culture, as well as a look at how a familiar culture conducts its business in unfamiliar territory. Both were eye opening, both sparked many questions, both taught me to think about the world as a larger place than I originally thought.

In the morning, we attended a traditional Maori Welcoming Ceremony, Powhiri.  This is was my first taste of a native culture that has deeper roots then the British culture that is predominate over the nation. Victoria University teaches Maori Studies, and therefore preserves many of the customs that the natives find beloved. We walked up a street I walk every day to class, pass buildings I find myself now not noticing, to a crossing that I cross everyday without a second thought. There we were met by our speaker. Since we do not know Maori, he spoke on behalf of us for the entire ceremony. He gave a brief description of what we were about to go through, then led us down an ally. We entered into the marea, the courtyard in front of the sacred house. This is dotted most predominately by a large wooden pole with sail looking like protrusions. The women stood in the center of while the men surrounded us. This traditionally is because outside of the house is the domain of the War god. The men are meant to protect the women. Then a woman exitted from the ornate sacred house, and began to speak. This is the call, and formally welcomes the visitors into the house, the domain of peace. Here all things must be kept  peacefully. We removed our shoes and entered the house. We sat men upfront, women behind (it is an extremely sexist society). There is then a speech given by the hosts in Maori. The then sing the most powerful lullaby. Our speaker then answered for us in Maori. The exchange is to be that of graciousness and to say that we enter into the house with those who have passed before us. That we travel with our ancestors. It is a concept that is often forgotten in our culture. That those who have passed, remain with us at all times. We then finished the ceremony with a traditional greeting called a Hongi. You press your noses together while clasping hands. It reminded me of a eskimo kiss. Then we were seated and invited to a traditional meal. This seems like a simple ceremony. However, I by no means did it justice, partly because I am writing this a week later and partly because it is something you must experience.

Follow this link for a more accurate description, which I highly suggest reading. Their culture is facinating. Maori Culture 

Oh on a side and funny note, the traditional meal simple consisted of a traditional British tea...I found that a bit ironic. They asked us to sing a song in exchange for the one they sang. So all of us, at a nice conservative meal, stood up and sang the only song Georgia Tech students know how to sing. Boy, did we belt all of the words. We are Ramblin Wrecks from Georgia Tech, and hella of engineers, and damn proud of it. No matter what the setting is, that song invokes a sense of pride in all that sing it. Thank you Miller Templeton and Randy McDow for ensuring that I knew it. I know understand the importance you tried to convey to us up in that lodge. That songs makes us all proud. It unites all graduates, students, any one a relation to the school. Miller once told us that it is one of the most internationally recognized fight songs. I am proud to say we were able to give a few more people a part of our home, a part of what makes Georgia Tech special. I am proud to be a Ramblin' Wreck. I will always be.

After singing our song, we were lead back into the traditional house for an explanation of Maori culture and the ceremony we just went through. We talked with one of the professors of Maori Studies. She was the most engaging and excited speakers. She loved her culture and loved showing it off. She made learning a sometimes in-graspable and unrelatable aspect easier than learning about something that I already know about. She pointed out some of the most the culturally important things. I learned a whole lot, a whole lot.

1) The Maori respect their ancestors in a much reverent and dignified way. They consider ancestors anyone who has already gone on. That means a younger relative that has died is still an ancestor and therefore demands respect. Ancestors give guidance and form the pilliars of their culture. I mean that literally as well. The house wall support system are carving of ancestors. Each with their own story to tell, their own importance to the culture, each have something to teach and give to the next generation. The culture really respects that and carries them with them. They do not mourn death, rather see it is an opportunity to carry on their knowledge and their spirits along side of them.

2)  They have meaning behind everything. Everything tells a story. Their wall coverings tell a story. Their carved posts tell a meaning. Patterns have importants. Every action, word spoken, gesture made means something more than what initially meets the idea. I wish I had more time to experience this culture. It is fascinating.  They are a proud people. They are proud of their past. They are proud of their stories. They like to depict those things.

We exited the house, walked down the street and into a completely different culture. Our own. Following the traditional visit, we visited the US Embassy. Another culture shocking experience, this time is was my own that shocked me. I am the first to say I am naive when it comes to American policy. I know relevant laws and policies that affect my average day, but not much more else. This is a shame. This is something I need to fix. The government isn't a bad entity. It does amazing things. It can do better, but the first place to start is learning what it is currently doing. With that being said, learning about American policies and relations towards New Zealand was amazing. New Zealand has a strong sense of a national identity. They have certain beliefs and hold fast to them. They don't allowed genetically modified foods, the do not allow nuclear anything. They uphold the safety and sancity of their citizens, they believe that each and everyone can make a change in their government. They hold themselves to a high standard using Australia as their basis. They are a remarkable country, both political and socially.

During our visit, we had the second in command, the person in charge of communications, their New Zealand representative, and one other person whose job I wished I remembered. Everyone brought their unique opinion on what America could do better, what they were doing, and where relations with New Zealand was going. The discussion soon turned into a discussion more about New Zealand but I still learned so much about American policy. I want to go home and look more into how the government decides thing, like how we will work with other countries to stop sex trafficking. I live in Atlanta and had no idea of much of a global issue it was, let alone, that countries all of the world are working to stop this issue. I should know these things. I learned the growing value of social media. The Embassy is using  facebook, twitter, blogs unlike any entity before to better their ability to reach Americans living in New Zealand, to get their feedback. It is simply amazing how technology is changing how governments are conducting business.

These two visits taught me that I have so much in this world to learn; however, I also need to start with my own backyard. You cannot begin to judge or criticize any culture or government with out first learning the facts. Who knew that this little scientist could be so interested in politics? I guess I owe Dr. Barke, Amira, and a few others a lot of thanks.