Solomon Rahui
Solomon Rahui
Solomon Rāhui is of Ngāi Tūhoe and Kāi Tahu descent. He is a reo and tikanga educator, musician, composer, and kapa haka teacher. He was featured on Kā Iere o Horomaka, and has contributed to the Ngā Hau Ngākau art collective. He is passionate about reviving and renewing traditional indigenous knowledge and practices for future generations.
Karakia
Traditional, presented by Solomon Rahui
Introduction:
The following Ngāi Tahu karakia was recited at the birth of a pēpi. The repetitive use of the word “uha” (femininity) references the cervix, birth canal or vagina as the pēpi transcends completely out of their mother’s body. The term “Ka pō te uha” (the femininity is darkened) is used, which suggests that post birth the cervix begins to close, and the birth canal becomes dark. It seems that this karakia is addressing the pēpi, calling the pēpi into being, into the realm of Te Ao Marama (the world of light) (Morgan, 2020; White, 1887).
Kupu:
Mohura, mowairaka
Ka pō te uha, te uha
Me paka ki whea
Te piro, te uha
Te rae, te uha
Te uru, te uha
Te tukemata, te uha
Te ihu, te uha
Te konohi, te uha
Te taringa, te uha
Te waha, te uha
Te kakī, te uha
Te kēkē, te uha
Te ū, te uha
Te poho, te uha
Te kaokao, te uha
Te tuarā, te uha
Te pito, te uha
Te hope, te uha
Te papa, te uha
Te kumu, te uha
Te tīnana, te uha
Te io, te uha
Te pona, te uha
Te waewae, te uha
Mohura, mowairaka Ka pō te uha
Traditional, Kāi Tahu