Karakia
Karakia can be an important practice for whānau. If whānau are not familiar with karakia, there are some examples they could use.
Karakia will mean different things to different whānau. Read Whakatipu Te Pihinga 2, page 19, together with whānau.
Ask them:
- What do you think about this information?
- What have been your experiences of karakia when you were growing up?
- What role does karakia or prayer have in your whānau now?
This conversation may help you to understand their beliefs and values. For some whānau, their experience of karakia or going to church will be a normal occurrence. For others, saying karakia or attending church may be less familiar.
How, when and where karakia are used will vary.
- Opening hui, guiding a journey, blessing kai, welcoming the new day or giving thanks for it at night are common times when karakia are used.
- Karakia are also used to farewell the dead at tangihanga.
- Often karakia are followed by the singing of waiata or hīmene.
Ask whānau:
- What do you think people get from karakia?
- Do you know any karakia?
- Have you ever thought of learning one or making one up?
Two karakia
If whānau are not familiar with karakia but are interested to know more, they might like to start with one of these:
Karakia kai (Blessing for food)
Nau mai e ngā hua o te wao,
O te ngahere, o te wai tai, o te wai Māori.
Nā Tāne, nā Rongo, nā Tangaroa, nā Maru.
Ko Ranginui e tū, iho nei,
Ko Papatūānuku e takoto ake nei,
Tūturu, whakamaua kia tina, tina
Haumi ē, hui ē, Tāiki ē
Welcome the gifts of food
from the sacred forests, from the cultivated gardens
from the sea, from the fresh waters
The food of Tāne, of Rongo, of Tangaroa, of Maru
I acknowledge Ranginui who is above me, Papatūānuku who lies beneath me
Let this be my commitment to all!
Draw together! Affirm!
Karakia tīmatatanga (Opening)
Whakataka te hau ki te uru
Whakataka te hau ki te tonga
Kia mākinakina ki uta
Kia mātaratara ki tai
E hī ake ana te atakura
He tio, he huka, he hau hū
Tīhei mauri ora!
Cease the winds from the west
Cease the winds from the south
Let the breeze blow over the land
Let the breeze blow over the ocean
Let the red-tipped dawn come with a sharpened air.
A touch of frost, a promise of a glorious day.
How does this topic relate to Tākai resources?
Baby wall frieze – Waiata mai – Sing to me
Six things children need – Te mahi pono – ngā hua me ngā hapa – Consistency and consequences
