Māori proverbs called ‘whakataukī’, ‘whakatauākī’ or ‘pepeha’ are
sayings that reflect the thoughts, values and advice of past
generations.
They are usually very succinct and often use metaphor to
convey key messages. A short whakataukī will often be so accurate in
capturing a thought or moment, there will be little need for any other
words to explain it further.
Proverbs are important to the revival of
Māori language – they carry flair, imagery and metaphor embodying the
uniqueness of the language.
Māori proverbs comment on many aspects of Māori culture including history,
religious life, conduct, ethics, land, warfare, love, marriage, and
death. Some sayings refer to cultural practices or attributes that have
since changed or no longer exist. However, most can be adapted and
applied to present-day situations.
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