New Zealanders have a great custom and meaning to protect nature

In Maori culture, rahui is a sacred activity of the iwi tribal group, based on philosophy

Maori is a nation that has lived for a long time in New Zealand. The Maori are considered to be indigenous people of this country until today, and are a nation with many unique cultures. One of them is rahui - a special ceremony with many cultural and spiritual meanings.

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And more importantly, the rahui was implemented to protect some types of natural resources that are gradually being lost.

What is Rahui really?

In Maori culture, rahui is a sacred activity of the iwi tribal group, based on the philosophy of "protection through prohibition". Accordingly when the rahui started, activities of moving and exploiting resources in certain areas were temporarily banned until they believed that the land had been "recovered" from the negative effects of the children. people.

Traditionally, the rite ritual aims to protect the sacred values ​​of the land where this ritual takes place. It is closely linked to the Maori conception of human power and responsibility for nature, and thus orthodoxizes the spiritual meaning of this custom.

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In the ongoing ritual areas of ruihui, people often put wooden symbols to inform people that the area is restricted or prohibited. The people of the iwi clan will also inform the local people, even the government and people may be invited to attend the main ceremony of the rahui.

They also took turns guarding the areas where rahui was taking place, to raise awareness for people about natural issues.

An example of rahui practice is at Waitakere - one of the largest parks in New Zealand. It has beautiful trails, dense forests, waterfalls and lots of unspoiled landscapes, attracting many people who love exploring nature.

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Rahui is done at Waitakere.

Therefore, the protection of resources and environment here is very important but also difficult.

At the end of 2017, the iwi made a temporary ban on the area on an area of ​​16,000 hectares. The purpose of the ritual then is to protect the kauri plant from spreading disease, which is mainly caused by the activity of humans and animals.

Initially the local government did not agree with this idea; however, after much discussion, they decided that closing this area was necessary.

Is Rahui legally acknowledged?

The answer is not complete. That is, even if it is forbidden, but it is only a tribe banned.

Only thing, not complying with the principle when rahui started could be considered a cultural violation. If you are ready to suffer the hostility of the local people, go ahead.

Occasionally, rahui can take place in sensitive areas, especially in over-caught waters. At Wakatu port in 2002, the rahui was first issued for two years, which banned all fishing activities and the last time the ceremony was carried out on the sea was at Maugnanui Bay.

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Rahui signs are plugged in the sea.

Although compliance with rahui may not be entirely mandatory, it also acts as a catalyst for change.

For example, the case of Waitakere Park, the discussion between the government and the iwi tribe also put pressure on both sides to offer solutions to protect resources here, thereby raising awareness for the whole rights and people about the importance of protecting nature.

Update 18 December 2018
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