Monday, December 07, 2009

Mystical Family Festival at the Maori Marae


Mystical Family Festival. My World for this week.
The Festival was held at the Maori Marae at Waikawa, not a place I have been to often as I am not a Maori person, so I was keen to take some photos.
When we arrived I straight away bought a Rose Quartz Crystal triangle to put on my windowsill with other interesting gem stones I have collected, then we went into the dining hall and enjoyed a lovely Devonshire Tea of coffee and a delicious scone topped with jam and cream. While we enjoyed the scone I looked around the big room, which was nicely and simply set out for the morning tea and later for lunch, there were many lovely Maori carvings totems and beautifully intricately carved wooden panels that told a story and had great meaning to the Maori people. I asked a lovely elder lady called a Kuia ( a respected older wise women )who had a pretty Moko (tattoo on the chin) if she would allow me to take her photo and she agreed.
We went back outside intending to visit all the little stalls that were set up around the grounds, but the first one I stopped off at was a Reflexology practitioner, I got talking to her and asked for a short session of the lovely foot massage. Wow it was so lovely, I had been working all night the previous night so I was pretty tyred, she just relaxed me and made me feel so much better i decided to have a double length session, it was well worth the price. After that I was so lanquid and relaxed that I didn't feel up to wandering around any more, so I made my way back to the car, on the way I past the big Meeting house with its lovely carved poles and panels, there was a group of visiting entertainers gathered on the steps as I took a photo in passing.
There was also some interesting stone art poles and carvings on top of the palisade around the Marae.
A very interesting place to visit, but I do wish I had been feeling less sleepy had taken more photos and looked at more stalls as there were people taking aura photos, doing healings and tarot readings plus massage artists and possably other types of mystical alternative forms of treatment that I never saw.

20 comments:

Nessa said...

This looks like such a fascinating place.

Giant Crickets Invade Norway

Jean said...

fences made of branches..cool

A smile from SJ =)

rainfield61 said...

I have heard about the dances of Maori before.

Chloe m said...

Neat. I remember this! I went when I was a girl. Thanks for sharing these photos, it was a trip down memory lane.
Rosey

Stephanie V said...

Really interesting post, Glennis. There are certain similarities between the Maori culture and our Haida people in their artwork and buildings.
If I ever get to that festival, I'll remember to enjoy any reflexology opportunities after I've seen it all.
Good tip.

Pèira de Roseta said...

A very good post and nice photos. One is missing: the rose chrystal on your window sill..

Anonymous said...

The festival sounds and looks interesting. Thank you for sharing your pictures of the beautiful works of art.

kleine-creative-Welt said...

your photos looks so interesting - it is exciting to be regarded -
greetings - Ruth

Oman said...

truly a mesmerizing event. thanks for sharing.

Pooch Purple Reign said...

wow....very cool and interesting event. all the healing arts are what im into! sounds great. glad you had a relaxing time
~laura

Arija said...

Glennis you probably took the best option with the foot reflexology. By the sound of the effect the practitioner was probably also a Reiki practitioner and the best thing for you was to go home and take a nap. The sights you missed and the other threrapies you can catch up with some other time.
Great pictures.

claude said...

Surely an interesting festival.

Ayie said...

looks like an interesting festivity!

Marja said...

Great pictures Nice Marae We have a big one in Christchurch. I went to that Marae with my mum when she was here and we had a night with dancing singing and a Hangi loved it

Amrita said...

Very interesting glimpses into Maori culture together with the Devonshire tea spread...two different worlds.

When i was in school I went to a Christian camp where we learnt a Maori song and dance from a lady from NZ.
If we had fences of wood the people would cart them away for fuel. Ha...ha

இ Baŋäŋaz இ said...

Thanks for sharing, I'm going places with a click.

ChrisAu said...

great site you have there, Glennis. Now, i can learn abt NZ! :)

elena marin-alexe said...

Foarte interesant blogul tau.Ai prezentat acest festival cu mult talent.FelicitariGlennis!
Te astept pe blogul meu "hai la plimbare".

roughterrain crane said...

They have a unique culture. Very interesting

elena marin-alexe said...

My dear I ask you something: you are of Indian origin? I like much scenery as if some Indian ...