Te wiki o te reo Māori
This week my class has been learning about Te Wiki o Te Reo Māori language week. We’ve been learning about hangi and how they are made and what kind of Kai you put in a hangi. Hangi is a traditional Māori food that can be cooked two ways.
Hangi can be cooked two ways one way is the traditional way when it’s cooked in the ground and another way is being cooked in a hangi cooker. Things that can be put in a hangi is: heihei (chicken) Kōtero (potato) Kumera (sweet potato) Reme (lame) Matene (mutton) ika (fish) Paukena (pumpkin) Kāpeti (cabbage) Mītikau (meat) Hāmana (salmon) Poaka (pork) Uwhi (Yam) Kōura (saltwater crayfish) Harore (mushroom) Kāroti (carrot) and also stuffing.
Most Hangis are served with hei hei, kāpeti, Mitikau, and stuffing. Before people eat, some people do a karakia which is a Māori prayer, it basically means a prayer when they are grateful they pray to be thankful for their food.
At lunch there are actives to celebrate Te wiki o te Reo Māori week there are poi’s, rakos, reading Māori books, and making Māori art. There are Māori legends like the fire queen also known as Mahuika the fire, Hina the god of the moon and Tama-nui-te-rā the god of the sun.
In my opinion Te wiki o te reo Māori week is a fantastic way of celebrating the culture of Māori and our people.