Marae Inquiry

 marae
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A marae (in New Zealand Māori, Cook Islands Māori, Tahitian) malaʻe (in Tongan), malae (in Samoan and Hawaiian[citation needed]) is a communal or sacred place that serves religious and social purposes in Polynesian societies. In all these languages, the word also means "cleared, free of weeds, trees, etc." It usually consists of an area of cleared land roughly rectangular (the marae itself), bordered with stones or wooden posts (called au in Tahitian and Cook Islands Māori) perhaps with terraces (paepae) which were traditionally used for ceremonial purposes; and in some cases, a central stone ahu or a'u. In the Rapanui culture of Easter Island "ahu" has come in a synonym for the whole marae complex).
For more information go to this website http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Marae

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Marae are Māori community facilities that usually consist of a carved meeting house, a dining hall and cooking area and the marae ātea (sacred space in front of the meeting house).
Marae are symbols of tribal identity. They are meeting places where people can discuss and debate issues. Marae are considered by Māori as tūrangawaewae - standing places, places of belonging.
If you are arranging a visit to a marae, preparation is important. Before the visit:
It is useful to find out about what will happen and what you will be doing. Knowing the kawa (ceremonial practices) of the marae will help you to understand and participate in the pōwhiri (formal welcome ceremony). Speak to someone at the marae about this.
Plan your time of arrival with the tangata whenua (local people of the marae). In most tribal areas you should plan to arrive during daylight. The tangata whenua initiate the pōwhiri by issuing a karanga (formal welcoming call). There may be a period of waiting before the karanga is issued.
It is best to organise a kaikaranga (one or two women who can karanga – respond to the call of welcome) in advance of the visit. If a kaikaranga is not available, advise the tangata whenua and seek their guidance.
Nominate Māori speaker/s (male, unless advised otherwise) to deliver the whaikōrero. Speaker should be good speakers of Māori and be able to speak on behalf of the group reasonably well.
Prepare waiata (songs) to support your speakers. You will need one song for each speaker.
Gather koha - usually a donation of money placed in an envelope to be given to the people of the marae.
Organise any extra kōrero such as a speaker from the tangata whenua to talk about the local history or the marae. Where possibel arrange this before your visit.
Learn about the etiquette of the marae. Some marae can provide a list of these guidelines e.g. whether alcohol is permitted, where food and drink can be consumed, any areas that are out of bounds.
Visiting a marae is a unique experience. Be prepared and you will enjoy the experience immensely.
Share your marae visit experience, read about associated protocols:
Greetings: How you say hello and introduce yourself
Pōwhiri: The formal welcoming ceremony
Karanga: The call inviting strangers to enter the marae or meeting place
Whaikōrero: The art of Māori oratory
Mihimihi: A less formal introduction given by individuals
Tangi: Māori funeral protocol and customs

 For more information go to this website http://www.korero.maori.nz/forlearners/protocols/marae.html

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The Marae, sacred open meeting area, generally situated in front of the "whare runanga", communal meeting house, is the area of greatest mana, the place of greatest spirituality ; the place that heightens people's dignity, and the place in which Māori customs are given ultimate expression.

He aha te mea nui? What is the greatest thing?
He tangata! It is people, He tangata!
He tangata! It is people, He tangata! It is people.

The Marae is the turanga-waewae of the Māori. It is the basis of traditional Māori community life. It is their home. In the Marae official functions take place in : celebrations, weddings, christenings, tribal reunions, funerals.
People may be called to a "hui" on the Marae. The literal meaning of "hui" is to congregate, to gather together. As opposed to other meetings, "hui" are usually run according to Māori protocol. If the "hui" concerns a dispute between two parties, both sides present their argument, and an agreement is reached at the end according to consensus. Otherwise, a further "hui" is called for.

For more information go to this website http://history-nz.org/maori5.htm

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Thank you education-resources.co.nz for this image

Thank you for this image gorentals.co.nz.

My question is what dose it look like on the inside ? I will find that out in week ten.