Legends/History

Tu Tangata, Issue 22, 1 February 1985, Page 31

Legends/History

by Te Paki Cherrington

We sometimes moan about pakeha people writing about us. We are told we should view their work using pakeha historical criteria. Why on Aotearoa should we? We have our own criteria!

Yet from time to time publications come out in which there has been Maori input either as author, translator, or illustrator. There is beginning to be a proliferation of such publications with a hint of almost ‘‘band wagon”. Some of these are excellent and cannot be faulted. Others are very much at fault. There are various expertises in the Maori world. There are our experts at teaching the language, at waiata, at whaikorero, at karanga, at legends, and at any topic there is in our world.

It is indeed rare to find one person combining all areas. Therefore it means every Maori should be extra vigilant when they are asked to have input to a publication. One has to ask ‘‘What is the expertise I have to offer this publication? Is it a combination of expertises? If so, do I have each expertise? If I have not, then I must find the person with that expertise and consult with them”.

This may be done easily by checking with your local branch of Nga Puna Waihanga (N.Z. Maori Artists and Writers Society) who will refer you on if they are not able to answer your query immediately.

Every Maori must be vigilant however and must learn the legends and history of their own area. You cannot do so with an area not yours.

Errors in spelling, translation, and in particular tribal versions of legends, can be avoided in publications by asking those who have the expertise.