The Heart behind the Face

Hinerangi - Pou at Te Ahua Point, Piha

We can walk through life without having actually lived it to it's fullest, often being held back by past trauma which has essentially affected us today.  I read a brilliant article today which talked about a subject close to my heart.  Although the perspective derived from a woman of Native American descent, as a Maori woman I felt the similarities and it struck a deep nerve with me too.  It's right that as Maori woman, we are talked about by non Maori in a sense that has people think they are essentially us.  We are portrayed as hard woman, gang related woman with big mouths, loads of hair, dark glasses and missing teeth.  While that may be the case as portrayed in movies, it is not the only us  that exists on this earth.  As Maori women we feel from a depth that the heart can not contain, our love is intense and giving and our spirits are strong and full of life.  Instill hate, pain and grief and a totally different woman is bound to stand before you.  Where did the stereotypes derive from and how can we claim back that which is ours.  That feeling of goodness is ours, it's not up for sale or for the taking, you must hold fast and you must nurture it.  Getting back to the community concepts that our Tupuna once upheld, where our talks as women took place in a safe setting to allow sharing of knowledge.  Our community of Maori women were important factors in modelling birth, motherhood, breastfeeding, changes in the body, being a woman, wife, nurturer, gatherer, hunter and respected member of the community.  Integrity wasn't a new concept, yet me are stereotyped in today's society is unimportant, insignificant and non contributing members to society.  Well to do folk are looking down at us with judging, questioning communication.  We were brought up with non verbal communication skills, so yes your opinions are very transparent through your body language.  

Our matriarchs were committed to holding the esteem of their tribe on high, which transferred through hosting, composure, eloquence in speech, service to their people and the wider community.  That's who Maori woman are.  Those are the values lacking with our kotiro Maori today, yet we as mothers, grandmothers, aunties, nieces and cousins can change that stigma, we can alter the stereotypes and create a path focused on the values set down by our Tupuna long ago.  What would such a task take?  It takes the voice of one woman in her community to make those changes, it takes the voice of one woman to set a foundation to build on with the highest possible values.  We can change the DNA of the abuse, alcoholism, drug abuse, child abuse, violence and inhuman acts to each other.  We as woman can do that.