Maori Music: Pokarikari Ana and Aotearoa/New Zealand
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| Maori Music: Pokarikari Ana and Aotearoa/New Zealand |
Maori music has a particular charm for listeners not only in New Zealand but outside as well. Traditional love songs have great inspiration not only for singers but for listeners. "Pokarikari Ana”, a traditional Maori love song is an example of such a love song that was composed in 1914, the troubling time of World War 1. This song has been translated into English from Maori and sung by singers around the globe (Thomas, 2007). The song exhibits human emotions, within a particular cultural heritage inspirational enough to be remembered when soldiers were away from their homeland (NZ Folk Songs, 2021).
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Pōkarekare ana ngā wai o Waiapu, Whiti atu koe hine marino ana e. |
They are agitated the waters of Waiapu, If you cross over girl they will be calm. |
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E hine e hoki mai ra. Ka mate ahau I te aroha e. |
Oh girl return to me, I could die of love for you. |
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Tuhituhi taku reta tuku atu taku rīngi, Kia kite tō iwi raru raru ana e. |
I've written my letter I've sent my ring, so that your people can see I'm troubled. |
What is a Waiata?
Waiata in the Maori language means song or chant. These are traditional songs that include love songs. Waiatas are sung without using music in a traditional manner at the end of a speech or in a gathering to support people. Waiatas are sung to avoid tapus (restrictions). Waiatas are sung to engage, motivate, calm, and entertain listeners. The listeners feel relaxed. Waiatas are sung without many body motions avoiding the use of musical instruments. The traditional ways to sing waiatas are practised in the present-day music world. Different Maori tribes have their own waiatas that they have been singing for centuries in gatherings and events. These songs were composed by traditional tribesmen and women and present a rich history of tradition, love and culture. Some waiatas are considered common property because of the universality of the message these songs show (Korero Maori, nd).
The relevance of Pokarikari Ana to Aotearoa/New Zealand
Pokarikari Ana was first sung in an army base in Auckland (NZ Folk Songs, 2021). It represents New Zealand's cultural history, especially after World War I when Maori soldiers from different tribes met each other and sang traditional waiatas. This song has become the national identity of New Zealand and is considered an unofficial national anthem. This song has Maori as well as Pakeha, European characteristics (Thomas, 2007). During the COVID-19 lockdown, Pokarikari Ana was sung around New Zealand as a symbol of unity to motivate people to overcome pandemic miseries (NZ Herald, 2020). It is believed that Pokarikari was originally written as a letter by a soldier in 1912 to Queenie Ryland a resident of Tokomaru Bay (New Zealand Folk Song, nd).The importance of having Te Reo Maori in music
The inclusion of Te Reo Maori in music contributes richness to musical language. The presence of Te Reo Maori in music means the combination of waiata and music that ensure a flow of musical words with greater rhythm, sentiment and the development of emotional language for musical expression. Te Reo Maori in music develops a particular phonological expression relevant to traditional identity and culture. It is without any doubt a major source of learning the language. One of the core purposes of using Te Reo Maori in music is the development of oral language through music and waiatas (Ministry of Education, nd).Waiata's contribution to New Zealand Music
Waiata serves a variety of purposes in music. Waiatas can be sung to show sadness after a death of a person or used to complement a whaikrero. Waiatas were used to teach children, and these are used in present day teaching as well. Waiatas encourage people to become involved in a cause and express grief in times of bereavement. Waiata may be used to document the history of a tribe by presenting a connection between tribal history and ancestors, events and locations (Manatu Taonga Ministry of Culture & Heritage, 2014).References
Korero Maori. (nd). Waiata-Song. Korero Maori. https://www.korero.maori.nz/forlearners/waiata.htmlMinistry of Education. (nd). Te whakawhanake i te reo ā-waha mā te puoro me te waiata: Extending oral language through music and songs. Te Whariki Online. https://tewhariki.tki.org.nz/en/teaching-strategies-and-resources/communication/talking-together/talk-tools/oral-language-music-and-waiata/
New Zealand Folk Song. (nd). Words and Tunes: Origins. Pokarekare Ana for Mobile Phones. https://folksong.org.nz/pokarekare/mobile2.html
NZ Folk Song. (2021). Pokarekare Ana. Home-Maori Songs- Kiwi Songs. https://folksong.org.nz/pokarekare/
Thomas, A. (2007). Pokarekare: An overlooked New Zealand Folksong? Journal of Folklore Research. Indiana University Press, 44(2/3), 227-237. https://doi.org/10.2979%2FJFR.2007.44.2-3.227
Manatu Taonga Ministry of Culture & Heritage. (2014, October 22). Story: Waiata tawhito-traditional Maori songs. TEARA: The Encyclopedia of New Zealand. https://teara.govt.nz/en/waiata-tawhito-traditional-maori-songs#:~:text=Waiata%20serve%20many%20functions.,to%20ancestors%2C%20events%20and%20places.
NZ Herald. (2020, April 17). Covid-19 corona virus: New Zealand Called to nationwide Pokarekare Ana sing-along. Entertainment NZ Herald. https://www.nzherald.co.nz/entertainment/covid-19-coronavirus-new-zealand-called-to-nationwide-pokarekare-ana-sing-along/BUYYJWIOEOF7MX3MCN6WLNMAHI/