Te Taha wai Marae

Te  Taha wai

Marae

Yesterday Rms. 2, 3 and 5 went to Te Ta Tawhai Marae. After we got out of the bus we got into our positions and walked towards the marae. We had to stop half-way to remember those who had died. Then the tangata whenua came to meet our teachers and the students. After that the tangata whenua went back to the marae and she then did a karanga outside the marae. Then we took off our shoes because that is one of the protocols and also because the marae is sacred.

The boys had to sit in the front and the girls sit at the back. We also had a speech after everybody was seated. After the speeches we had some songs and then had a hongi. After the hongi we had the washing of hands and we then had to go to the Whare kai. Then it was my marae. We then had some activities. They taught us how to weave also. We learnt an action song and we then we had to do our own panels. We had to see all the panels in the marae and we would get to do our own patterns on the paper panels that we got. Then the teacher from room 5 had a speech to say to the owners of the land. Then the girls had to be on the left side of the marae and the boys on the right side. And we did our last song. The boys then did a haka and we then had to put on our shoes and get on the bus.

By:Shania