In this episode, Liam Kokaʻua interviews two traditional knowledge holders – Pāpā Mike Tavioni and Pāpā Makiuti Tongia about the mountain, Te Rua Mangā, more commonly known today as “The Needle”.
They discuss some unusual aspects of the mountain, including its “tapu” reputation and its strange rock formations. By understanding the mountain’s traditional name, a connection between the rock formation and traditional fishing practices beyond the reef is made. Liam and others then hike the mountain to put this knowledge into context.
Watch the whole series: [ Ссылка ]
About Te Mekameka o te Pā Maunga
This six-part series follows Liam Kokaʻua (Ngāti Makea Ārera) to Rarotonga as he embarks on a personal journey to document cultural and ecological knowledge associated with the island’s mountains.
Liam interviews two prominent tumu kōrero (knowledge holders) of the island: Makiuti Tongia and Mike Tavioni, to gain insights as to how we, in a modern age, can unravel the kōrero (oral traditions) of Rarotonga’s mountains.
In doing so, we can discover historical and scientific knowledge from these narratives, which have been embellished over generations. Liam is joined by other interested hikers as they ascend five prominent mountains and apply this Indigenous knowledge into context.
The series is a language resource predominantly presented in Reo Rarotonga, the Māori language of Rarotonga. Subtitles are provided in English and Māori, with the goal to support people learning Reo Rarotonga as a second language.
Funded by Nia Tero and Auckland Council – Pasifika Success team.
