#tupuna

[9ezmoko]

Why was I trying to validate myself?

Before receiving my Moko Kauwae felt I needed to validate myself, looking back now I think wtf was I thinking when in all reality I had already been validated by my tupuna who had fought for me to be where I am today who had chosen me to be born into this world with a craving for life so I was always trying EVERYTHING and I mean literally everything so my qualifications range from Daughter, Sister,Cousin, Mother, Partner, Aunty, Mechanic, Dive Master,MEC & Public Health Kai awhina, Ambulance Officer, Kai Hoe, Youth Mentor, Bird watcher, Project manager, Logistics Manager, Fire Officer, Social Worker, Conservationist, Educator, Whanau, Hapu and Iwi Practitioner,I think I even tried to be an alcoholic until my children came along, these are but just a few I was always looking for approval I was always looking for validation when all I needed to do was choose myself, validate myself and realize I was enough most of all show my children sometimes we have to choose ourselves and step up when something is placed in front of you, you have two choices take the leap and say well I tried or walk away with no regrets. 

1 life 1 opportunity!!

[9ezmoko]

Did I get validation like we all seek when deciding to get my Moko Kauwae?

At first I thought I had to speak te reo or walk a particular way and go to my kuia (nannies), Koro (grandfathers)for validation but when I researched my whanau lines I realized on both my mother and fathers side there was no one, I thought I had to go to a hapu hui and beg for their approval to find when I sat in the whare hui (meeting house) there was no one who had moko kauwae, even on our tupuna wall?.........Finally I went to my mum the one person I respected the most in this world and wanted her to see it before she died (She’s been diagnosed with Leukemia), I wanted her approval and when she said “Thats the most beautiful thing a wahine maori can ever have is a moko kauwae” I made it my soul purpose to get it done but what I didnt realise is the universe already chose me. All I had to do was choose me!!

[iwilecomte]

♢ K A M A T E ♢ K A O R A ♢ What you know is not yours to take to the Grave... but if you share it & inspire others then it will Live.....ake tonu atu!! #tupuna

[kapatotapa]

The internet can be a wonderful thing sometimes and has connected me with many people throughout Aotearoa. One valuable connection I have made is with my cousin Tahi Walsh who now lives all the way in Germany. He has been inspiring in his passion and love of all things Māori. He showed me these whakaahua, sourced from the Auckland Heritage Images website and DigiNZ, and made me look closely at their taringa (ears). It is well documented that Māori used aute rolled up and placed in their ears. I can’t help but look at these portraits and imagine that these ribbons were once made from aute?

"By the time British and French explorers reached NZ, the only remaining Maori use of tapa was decorative rolls in mens' perforated earlobes"

"The ornaments consisted of very small white rolls of tapa cloth thrust through the holes, often with a greenstone pendant hanging below"

Roger Neich - Pacific Tapa 

I would love to make one of these. I think they are called pōhoi. An area I would definitely like to look into more closely.

[ajnalotus]

The all seeing eye by tupuna