| Wharenui (Meetinghouse) |
| Around the world indigenous cultures hold certain sites to be sacred. This is another picture of one of them. In Maori culture, gaeneology (whakapapa) is of great importance. Included in each person's whakapapa are sacred landmarks that help to locate that person in time with the ancestors (tipuna) and also in the place where each person belongs. The marae is the main meeting place for iwi (tribes), hapu (subtribes) and whanau (families) A person's marae is a vital part of that person's whakapapa. Most marae are located in a person's home district. But marae can be built anywhere Maori congretate for enjoyment, serious meetings and ceremonial occasions, such as tangi (funerals). The Wharenui is the centrepoint of the marae. It is the 'Big House'. No visitor can enter the Wharenui without invitation and ceremonial welcome (Karanga) and challenge by a warrior armed with taiaha (spear), onto the marae. Once the welcome has been accepted, guests are treated with great grace and honour. The wharenui is itself the tipuna (ancestor) whom it represents. An excellent link to learn more about Maori culture is www.culture.co.nz The following description is reprinted with the owners' permission. The Maori meeting house, the Wharenui, reflects the tradition, spirit and history of the iwi (tribe) and hapu (sub-tribe). The meeting house is usually a symbol of the ancestor from whom the local tribe has ascended. The Marae, the area in front of the Wharenui, is of greater importance than the house itself, but is nevertheless a part of it. The inside of the house is the belly, the main roof rafter is the backbone, and the two front boards are the arms. Wharenui interiors are usually very elaborately carved, featuring figures of ancestors, spirits and gods, telling stories of the great feats of the beings depicted. Outside, where the roof peaks in the front, there is usually a fine carving of the tipuna (ancestor) to whom the Wharenui is dedicated. The Wharenui is the place where Maori gather to celebrate or mourn, to discuss family matters, or to welcome distinguished guests, and indeed for any occasio |
| Art of Fractal--Wharenui |
| A Little More About My Country |
| This page last updated August 22, 2001 Aotearoa New Zealand time A Proud Aotearoa New Zealand site. Copyright 2001 merren parker All rights reserved I don't steal from you, so please don't steal from me email me instead <:-) |
| I am constantly updating these pages and changing things around. If you would like to hear about these changes as I make them, please email me, and I shall let you know. If you would like a unique fractal and reading for yourself, please email me. |
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| MY FRACTAL GALLERIES |
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| Wharenui. This fractal depicts the spiritual symbolism of the Wharenui, with the ancestral spirit reach upwards, beyond the physical reality of the the structure. |
| This Wharenui fractal shows more of the interior symbolism--the ribs of the tipuna (ancestor) and through into the belly, where the people become at one with the tipuna, the gods and spirits, and with each other. The red ochre colour I have used is typical of the colouring used in wood carving for many purposes, including Wharenui. |
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