Every one of us descends from a few origin locations on this planet, having nomadically travels over centuries to become the peoples and cultures we are. Today we met up with Tangi Weepu-Kaitiaki of the Kati Waewae Hapu, or village, to learn about his people's journey to who they are today.
Tangi's tribe owns the Arahura River, the largest source of pounamu, or greenstone, in the world. We learned how each tribe on Maori have a river and a mountain that is uniquely their's. How New Zealand was initially populated by Polynesians ~1200 AD, and how the tribes evolve into who they are today. We shared our stories and heritage, then together, ventured out to his village and river.
He lead us to search for greenstone, learning that there are four varieties: kawakawa, kahurangi, īnanga and tangiwai. Each type varies by coloration and hardness. They range from very soft and malleable, to some so hard that they can be honed to a blade which can cut a person's head off with a skilled blow.
Some of our findings are shown here. All are rocks I fancied for making pendants from; not all are pounamu. None are polished, but will display their luster with applications of fine grit sandpapers, liquids, and transfer of sweat and heat from wear. We drilled holes and attached waxed string to some for pendants. I can see myself wearing different ones, depending on my mood and needs for remembrance of my and his past.
We sorted our findings and prepared some for wear next to a burned out house belonging to his family. Within, items of memory had been placed on a charred mantle. Memories of who had lived and visited there. Spirits that reside and will rise again with rebuilding. Elements in his circle of life
Life is rebuilding, sharing, and discovering connections within ourselves and others, if we have the humility to recognize that. Our five hours with Tangi was a celebration of all that. We returned to our beachfront hut, enveloped with the blessings of the day and hope for what a connected tomorrow may bring.
