Whakataukī
Whakataukī (proverbs and sayings) are important in Waikato-Tainui oral traditions. They often identify important places or symbols.
Map of Waikato-Tainui marae
Waikato-Tainui iwi live around and are linked to the Waikato River. Whakataukī (proverbs and sayings) about the river are important in Waikato-Tainui oral traditions.
For example, the following whakataukī helps to identify the tribal boundary for the Tainui confederation (Waikato, Raukawa, Maniapoto and Hauraki). Mōkau, near Awakino, marks the western boundary of Tainui. Tāmaki Makaurau refers to the greater Auckland isthmus, which Tainui has occupied since the arrival of the Tainui waka. Note that Māori refer to the head of Te Ika a Māui (the North Island) as being the higher point, meaning that Mōkau was considered to be above Tāmaki.
Mōkau ki runga Tāmaki ki raro Pare Waikato, Pare Hauraki Te Kaokaoroa o Pātetere Mangatoatoa ki waenganui Mōkau to the top Tāmaki to the bottom Pare Waikato, Pare Hauraki Along the Kaimai Ranges Mangatoatoa in between
The identity of Waikato-Tainui is closely linked with the river and the region. Many whakataukī refer to the river or the surrounding region. Tūkino Te Heuheu I, a paramount chief of Ngāti Tūwharetoa, cited this whakataukī to acknowledge Pōtatau Te Wherowhero during the search for a Māori King.
Ko Waikato te awa Ko Taupiri te maunga Ko Te Wherowhero te tangata Waikato Taniwha rau He piko, he taniwha He piko, he taniwha Waikato is the river Taupiri is the mountain Te Wherowhero is the chief Waikato of a hundred chiefs At every bend, a chief At every bend, a chief
Whakataukī refer to people or beings that are important to the iwi. The following refers to Waiwaia, a taniwha that travels along the Waikato and the Waipā Rivers. Waiwaia usually appears as a log travelling upstream against the current, often with a twig showing.
Ngā paenga rau o Waiwaia The many resting places of Waiwaia
Some whakataukī refer to historical events. For example, the following refers to the battle of Hingakākā, which Waikato-Tainui won. It refers to the deep green waters of the Waikato River where the battle was fought.
Waikato Horopounamu! Waikato the swallowers of greenstone!
Some whakataukī described traits of Waikato-Tainui iwi. For example, the following suggests that Waikato-Tainui showed no mercy to their enemies.
Waikato toimaha rau Waikato who prevent a hundred chiefs from uttering their final death wishes
The following refers to Poutūkeka, an ancestor of Ngāti Te Ata, who were well known for their supply of kākahi (freshwater mussels) from the lower Waikato and Manukau Harbour.
Ngāti Te Ata, waikū o Poutūkeka Ngāti Te Ata, nourishment of Poutūkeka
The following is another example. It refers to Ngāti Māhanga, who were renowned for their many resources and generosity.
Te uri o Māhanga Waka rere kai, whakarere waka Descendants of Māhanga Who gave away food and canoes
Linda Te Aho
Linda Te Aho describes the spiritual and healing properties of the river. Linda uses the river to destress from the pressures of a busy life and advocates participating in TriMāori and waka ama for everyday river experiences. Linda is a law lecturer at the University of Waikato and has a wealth of knowledge in Waikato-Tainui history, kawa and tikanga.
Another likens the distinctive curved shape of Waikato-Tainui paddles to the cunning that Waikato-Tainui people sometimes showed in arguments and disputes.
Waikato hoe nukenuke Waikato of crooked paddles
Whakataukī also refer to the water and fish as well. The following acknowledges the importance of water as a constant source of replenishment.
He huahua te kai! E he te wai! Preserved birds are the best! Ah no, water is!
Kākahi (freshwater mussels) were sometimes traditionally used to feed young children when mothers and wet nurses were not available.
Ko te kākahi te whaea o te tamaiti Ko whakangotea ki te wai o te kākahi The freshwater mussel is the mother of the child Suckled on the juice of the freshwater mussel
Eels were considered a highly prized food amongst iwi but were known for their elusive nature and ability to escape fishers. The whakataukī likened their slippery nature to something that is important but cannot be obtained.
Ko Tangaroa ara rau Kua kaheko te tuna i roto i aku ringa Tangaroa of many paths The eel has slipped through my hands
Being highly prized, eels were also compared to important people. The next whakataukī is used to describe that important people will act in certain ways.
He ika paewai anake hei tomo ki roto te hīnaki Nothing but eels enter the eel pot
The kōkopu (freshwater trout) was also described in whakataukī.
Me he korinorino kōkopu Ngā tama korowhiti a Tangaroa Like a moulted trout The jumping sons of Tangaroa
Waikato-Tainui and the other iwi along the Waikato River have many more whakataukī that refer to important places, histories and species of the Waikato River.
Awa and iwi
Lorraine Dixon talks about the relationship between the river (awa) and the people (iwi). She explains the spiritual aspect of the river and the importance of its connections with future generations. She also outlines some of the issues iwi have encountered when there are conflicting values between cultures.
Acknowledgements
This article was written by Jonathan Kilgour, Research and Projects Manager, Waikato-Tainui College for Research and Development.
Copyright: Waikato-Tainui Endowed Colleges Trust.
