Tohunga
In the traditional culture of the Māori of New Zealand , a tohunga is an expert practitioner of every conceivable skill or art, whether religious or otherwise. Tohunga can be competent priests as well as healers, navigators, house builders, artists, boat builders, teachers or advisers. The equivalent name in Hawaiian culture is "Kahuna" (see Huna ).
In the context of the Polynesian social order, the experts occupied the second highest position after the kings and chiefs . Their knowledge has been passed on from generation to generation within the family.
terminology
Some examples according to Sir Peter Buck (Buck 1974, p. 474)
- Tohunga ahurewa: priest of the highest category.
- Tohunga kiato: priest of the lowest category.
- Tohunga matakite: Diviner, seer.
- Tohunga whakairo: house builder.
- Tohunga tātai arorangi: astute man.
- Tohunga tārai waka: boat builder.
- Tohunga puna ora: healer, medicine man
See also
literature
- Te Rangi Hiroa (Sir Peter Buck): The Coming of the Maori. Whitcombe and Tombs, Wellington 1949 (2nd edition, reprinted. Ibid 1974).
Web links
Commons : Tohunga - collection of images, videos and audio files
Individual evidence
- ↑ Maori Religion and Mythology Part 1 . Retrieved April 7, 2015.
- ^ Louise V. Ihimaera : He ara ki te ao Mārama . A pathway to understanding the facilitation of taha wairua in mental health services . Ed .: Massey University . Palmerston North 2004, p. 39 (English, dissertation).