Kia Ora! Although I have arrived in Dunedin, my home for a good chunk of time, I have not yet finished detailing the many exciting happenings of Orientation week. So I’ll give you a short update of now, and then go back to telling you some things from before—in case you are confused about the messy timeline. If only I could spend all my days writing and not elsewhere, we would be more up to date. No worries!
Now
I have moved into my flat on Castle Street—also known as the party street where many a couch has been set fire on the pavement outside. I have 3 flatmates—a Kiwi, a Californian, and a Texan. We get along extremely well—the cold weather is a good bonding experience as we huddle for warmth, bake cookies just to get oven heat, and hang out in the common room. I suppose I might as well admit it now in case you haven’t already guessed, I am pretty chilly here. It is not the outside that bothers me, my wool socks and I can handle that. Rather, it is the sub-zero inside temperatures that are pretty unbearable. Although it may only be 20-30 degrees (Fahrenheit) outside it tends to feel colder inside…don’t ask me why this cruel fact of life exists. I’m not sure what I did to deserve it, but I’m being extra good to hopefully reverse weather patterns with my awesome karma…
Anyway, because electricity is so expensive here, heaters are only allowed on special occasions due to their tendency to suck up large amounts of the electric bill. Hence, my new love affair with a little sweetheart I like to call 3 Cents a Night Electric Blanket. We spend many an hour together cuddling in bed, and are sure to be very happy together over the next few months, until I can move on to a more exciting relationship with a pair of shorts I’ve got my eye on.
Now, that you are caught up on my new hot and cold love life, let me share with you a Maori experience from a little while back…
Then
The traditional greeting in New Zealand, that I consistently hear/see, whether it be in a nightclub or the grocery store, is Kia Ora.
hello
howyoudoin
whazzzzup? Whazzzzup! Whazzzzup?
thank you
and so on.
In simple terms, Kia Ora is a greeting, a farewell, and an expression of gratitude.
In more complicated terms, Kia Ora describes the deep Maori connection to the spiritual world within every person. Sounds sort of cheesy at first meet, but it is actually quite beautiful.
Typically, when two Maori people greet one another, they clasp their right hands in a handshake, brace themselves with their left hand on each other’s shoulders, and touch noses twice—each time breathing out a short breath of air through their noses. The touching of the noses is the exchange of “the breath of life.”
Kia Ora itself translates into: Kia- “to be” Ora-“alive”
Thus, by greeting someone with a Kia Ora, you are recognizing her or his one and precious “life force” breathing within. This life force is not restricted to one’s personal being. With a formal traditional Maori greeting, the Maori chief gives a short speech, recognizing the presence and assistance of three different entities travelling with the persons present. First, Io or God—the spiritual being who created all of Heaven and Earth and is always present. Next, the person’s ancestors and loved ones—who profoundly influence and protect our lives. Finally, one’s own life force—flowing through the body and connecting with the world surrounding it. This life force (or spirit) is depicted by the Maori in their dances, where the Maori constantly quiver their hands as they move. The small shaking illustrates the sacred breath of life moving within the person and are an absolute necessity to any Maori dance.
A simple “Kia Ora!” encompasses this entire philosophy of God, ancestors, life, and so on into its two short words.
So if you ever come across a Kiwi who greets you with one, make sure to say it back!
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