March 18, 2024
Ancient ritual caps Te Atiawa-Outward Bound course
Te Atiawa o Te Waka-a-Māui Trust has revived an ancient rite as part of its long term relationship with Outward Bound.
Twelve Te Atiawa whānau members last week completed Te Toki o Awa. a five-day course which delved into tikanga, te reo Māori, and the significance of their heritage.
The haereng finished with te tikanga a Tohi, a rite where a tohunga brushed their shoulders with karamū branches that had been dipped in in the Waitohi Awa.
Trust CEO Justin Carter says the ancient tikanga was out on warriors preparing for battle to instil in them the energy and power from the river’s waters, and the last time it was known to have been performed was on soldiers who departed as part of the 28th Māori Battalion.
He says it’s vital the ritual is preserved for future generations, ensuring its role in strengthening Te Ātiawa’s identity and resilience.
Mr Carter says Te Toki o Awawas a genuine co-design between Te Ātiawa and Outward Bound aimed at delivering a journey of self-discovery and cultural reconnection for their people.
Outward Bound course design manager Jen Riley says the development of people and facilitating connection to others and te taiao, the environment, is at the heart of the organisation’s mahi.