Tūrangawaewae – a place to stand

 

 

Tūrangawaewae as foundation

Tūrangawaewae is one of the most well-known and powerful Māori concepts. Literally tūranga (standing place), waewae (feet), it is often translated as ‘a place to stand’. Tūrangawaewae are places where we feel especially empowered and connected. They are our foundation, our place in the world, our home

Marae as tūrangawaewae

King Tāwhiao’s granddaughter, Te Puea Hērangi, fulfilled this saying when she established Tūrangawaewae marae at Ngāruawāhia. A person’s marae (tribal forum for social life) is often seen as their tūrangawaewae. For each person, the marae is the place where their ancestors are present, where they spend their formative years and learn important lessons. They gain the right to stand upon their marae and proclaim their views about the world and life.

Pepeha – tribal sayings

Tūrangawaewae can include other places as well. Many tribes identify themselves in terms of their mountains, waterways and important ancestors. When Ngāti Koata identify themselves, they say:

Ko Maungatapu te maunga

Ko Mahitahi te awa

Ko Ngāti Koata te iwi.

Maungatapu is the mountain

Mahitahi is the river

Ngāti Koata is the people.

Here, the sense of tūrangawaewae is broadened into a region and located within a wider world.