Last week, I received this stone as a part of our rangahau (research equivalent) journey as practioners in the field. Being within the research group of our Wananga (Maori indigenous higher place of learning ), we were each asked to reach into the kete (woven basket) and to see which one came to us. This was the stone that was retrieved and it came from the South Island of NZ.As a group, we commit to participating in rangahau on behalf of our Wananga and as a part of my commitment to indigenous research, I continue to share my rangahau journey through this blog, books and presentations or speaking engagements to the public, in schools and wherever I'm asked to share.
In Te Ao Maori, (worldviews) environmental objects are believed to have a mauri (spiritual force) very similar to ancient Samoan beliefs. This is seen in the significance of greenstone known as 'pounamu' which is a prized possession and one which I received a few years ago.
The stone will be a constant reminder, for me, about the importance of our journeys to encourage our next generations to learn and to hold fast to their cultural identities and the knowledge that has been passed down to us for centuries.
It's also a reminder that although we exist, we also have a limited time upon this earth, and that it's the spiritual and organic things that matter more so than possessions or prestige, that we all will return to the elements (bodily) but spiritually, that's another story...
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