Ngawaka E Whitu (The Seven Waka) |
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Ngawaka e whitu e tau nei |
Seven waka landed here |
| Source: Translated and annotated by Rewiti Wiki - Early twentieth century there was a popular theory that Maori 'migrated' here in one swoop on seven waka. This song is about those waka. This song is considered quaint these days, but is a party song favourite, and taught throughout schools. Notice the reference is made to paddle - this is now considered incorrect. Naturally these waka would have been whau-rua "double hulled" voyaging waka (like the Hokulea). The names of the seven waka are: Tainui - Waikato tribes/central north island Te Arawa - Te Arawa tribes / Rotorua Mataatua - Eastern Bay of plenty tribes (appears in Cook Islands geneologies as "Te Mata Atua - face of the god"). Tokomaru - Taranaki tribes / west coast, north island Takitimu - East Coast tribes/north island (Cook Islands refer as Takitumu and have a district as the same name) Kurahaupo - northern and some western tribes Aotea - Taranaki tribes / West Coast |
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