Hongi Ceremony - Photo: CARMEN TEPUKE
Hongi is a traditional greeting ceremony of the Maori people, the first people to explore and live in New Zealand.
To perform hongi, two people standing across from each other touch their noses and foreheads. They can shake hands afterwards if they wish.
According to Maori belief, when people greet each other by touching noses, they share the breath of life with each other. They form a special bond that helps to erase cultural and geographical distances.
Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh performs the hongi ceremony at the welcoming ceremony according to traditional Maori rituals - Photo: NHAT BAC
People who have never set foot on New Zealand soil, known as “manuhiri” (guests), become “tangata whenua” (islanders).
The hongi greeting is commonly used in traditional Maori meetings or at major ceremonies, such as the Powhiri ceremony. However, many Maori still use hongi in everyday life.
The origin of hongi comes from Maori folklore about the creation of mankind. They believe that the gods created the world's first woman by molding her body from the earth and breathing life into her nostrils.
For the Powhiri, this is a Maori ceremony to welcome special guests. The Powhiri includes many speeches, cultural and artistic performances and hongi.
Maori warriors - Photo: US DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE
At the beginning of the ceremony, one or more Maori warriors will cautiously approach the guests and demonstrate their power. The Maori warriors will shout loudly, grimace, and make strong gestures to show that they are ready to use violence against the guests if they have bad intentions.
The Maori warrior then placed a wooden knife and a fern branch on the ground. The visitor was required to bend down and pick these two objects up.
After that, guests can admire the "fiery" Haka dance or some other type of performance depending on the arrangement of the organizer.
The Powhiri welcome ceremony ends with the aforementioned hongi ceremony. An intimate gesture that bridges the gap between guests and locals.
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