Karakia are prayers or incantations. They are generally used to ensure a favourable outcome to important events and undertakings such as tangihanga (the ritual of farewell to our deceased), hui (meetings), unveilings etc., however they can cover every aspect of life
With the introduction of Christianity to New Zealand in the 19th Century, new karakia were written to acknowledge the Christian God and Jesus Christ. These karakia have been used since that time, however there is a current move towards using our more traditional karakia (which were often chanted or ‘sung’), which call upon many of our Atua (Gods/guardians) for direction; these karakia are poetic and full of beautiful imagery and metaphor. It is important however to remember that there are not always appropriate English words which can fully reflect the essence of the Māori words used; often literal translations need to be considered metaphorically
Maori Prayer for the Earth
Whakataka te hau ki te uru
Whakataka te hau ki te tonga
Kia mākinakina ki uta
Kia mātaratara ki tai
E hī ake ana te atakura
He tio, he huka, he hau hū
Tīhei mauri ora!
Whakataka te hau ki te tonga
Kia mākinakina ki uta
Kia mātaratara ki tai
E hī ake ana te atakura
He tio, he huka, he hau hū
Tīhei mauri ora!
Cease the winds from the west
Cease the winds from the south
Let the breeze blow over the land
Let the breeze blow over the ocean
Let the red-tipped dawn come with a sharpened air.
A touch of frost, a promise of a glorious day.
Cease the winds from the south
Let the breeze blow over the land
Let the breeze blow over the ocean
Let the red-tipped dawn come with a sharpened air.
A touch of frost, a promise of a glorious day.
A prayer for our earth
He karakia ki a Papatuanuku
E te Atua kaha rawa,
all-powerful God,
you are present everywhere,
in the whole universe,
and in the smallest of your creatures.
You have amazing love for everything that exists.
Fill us with this love to help us protect life and beauty.
Fill us with peace
that we may live as brothers and sisters,
not harming anyone.
E te Atua o ngā tangata rawa kore, God of the poor,
help us to always include others
because all life is precious in your sight.
Bring healing to our lives,
that we may protect the world
and not harm it,
that we may create beauty,
not pollution and destruction.
Touch the hearts of people who always want more
and forget about the poor and Papatuanuku, Mother Earth.
Teach us to understand
that we are brothers and sisters with all of creation.
Fill us with wonder and awe
as we journey towards you.
We thank you for being with us each day.
Encourage us, we pray,
as we work for
justice, love and peace.
Kia tau te rangimarie.
Amene
