Hui links Indo-Maori culture

A hui of Maori Indians has been a step forward in Hindu-Maori whakawhanaungatanga.

The first hui (gathering) of Maori Indians with the theme "Coming together, working together, growing together" was held on October 5 with the aim of teaching more Maori who have Indian whakapapa (heritage) about their Hindu culture.

More than 80 people aged from 1 to 79 participated in the first hui at the Tangatarua Marae at Waiariki Institute of Technology.

Hindu Council of New Zealand general secretary and hui co-ordinator Guna Magesan said the hui was "a real success" and a step forward in Hindu-Maori whakawhanaungatanga (relations). "While it has enabled Indo-Maori to now network with one another, the hui has also generated a strong desire among participants to learn more about India and its culture and traditions."

He said the main purpose of the hui was to bring Maori-Indians together where they could meet one another, share stories, and learn and experience a little of their Hindu culture.

"Participants thought it particularly fitting that the inaugural hui should be held at a marae whose name translates to 'two peoples' and that the marae's carver, Lionel Grant, is himself of dual Maori-Indian heritage."

People from Auckland, Hamilton, Rotorua, Whakatane, Opotiki, Kawhia and Wellington attended, and there was even a participant from Perth in Australia.

Dr Magesan said the programme was designed to include academic, cultural and social sessions, with workshops devoted to the more social aspects of Hindu culture - vegetarian cooking, rangoli (traditional Hindu decorative art), and mehndi-moko (temporary henna tattoo) where designs from both cultures were taught. He said women also had an opportunity to learn saree wearing.

"The post-hui feedback has been overwhelmingly positive and participants are already thinking about likely topics and workshops for next year's hui such as Indian mihi and whakapapa, language and religion, and the development of whakapapa connecting participants."

Dr Magesan said Rotorua would be the venue of the next Maori-Indian hui to be held in October 2013, running alongside the Rotorua Deepawali Festival.

"The theme of the 2013 Rotorua Deepawali Festival will be Maori Indian Deepawali, and the co-ordination committee will include people of Indo-Maori descent."