What are two purposes that the hei-tiki serves in traditional Maori culture?
Origins and materials One theory of the origin of the hei-tiki suggests a connection with Tiki, the first man in Māori legend. According to Horatio Gordon Robley, there are two main ideas behind the symbolism of hei-tiki: they are either memorials to ancestors, or represent the goddess of childbirth, Hineteiwaiwa.
What do tiki necklaces mean?
The Maori tiki symbolizes fertility and childbirth. The frequently occurring hands placed on the loins are said to illustrate this meaning. As a necklace it is used as a good luck charm. A protector against evil spirits. Above all the Maori tiki is also a symbol of commemoration of ancestors.
Can men wear hei-tiki?
One is the wearing of Hei-tiki. These are pendants worn round the neck by both men and women. They are usually made of a type of greenstone, which the Maori call pounamu, and take a human form. Hei-tiki are highly valued and personal, they are passed down from generation to generation and often given special names.
What is a taonga mean?
treasured possession
Taonga or taoka (in South Island Māori) is a Māori language word which refers to a treasured possession in Māori culture. Due to the lack of a direct translation to English and the significance of its use in the Treaty of Waitangi, the word has been widely adopted into New Zealand English as a loanword.
What’s the translation for Hei Tiki ‘?
The hei tiki is a small personal adornment, fashioned by hand from tough pounamu (New Zealand greenstone or nephrite jade), and is worn around the neck. Hei means something looped around the neck, and tiki is a generic word used throughout Polynesia to denote human figures carved in wood, stone, or other material.
What is Hawaiian Tiki?
Hawaiian Tikis are spiritual figures who use their big, scary mouths and menacing expressions to frighten away evil. Tiki sculptures can be used inside or outside and become a great conversation piece. In the Hawaiian mythology there were 4 main gods: Ku, Kane, Lono and Kanaloa.
Why do people wear Hei Tiki?
According to one idea, the hei-tiki protects its wearer against the vengeful spirits of stillborn infants, who have been deprived of the chance to live. Another theory holds that the figure represents the Polynesian god Tiki, the creator of life.
What is a pounamu stone?
Pounamu is a hard, highly valued stone mainly found as boulders. It is also called greenstone or New Zealand jade. It is treasured by Māori because: it is strong and beautiful. it is a sign of status or power.
What is kotahitanga mean?
unity
Kotahitanga means unity, and Kotahitanga movements aim to unify Māori on non-tribal grounds. Some have been religious, while others focused on political power, protest or social issues.
Did Māori wear earrings?
The men in the tribe were traditionally the ones who wore the large ornate pendants and carved earpieces. Maori earrings were crafted from a range of materials, from bone, stone, teeth and pounamu. They were also combined with more fragile and temporary elements.
What does Tiki stand for?
Tightly Integrated Knowledge Infrastructure
TIKI
| Acronym | Definition |
|---|---|
| TIKI | Tightly Integrated Knowledge Infrastructure |