Māori Language Week 2010
Kai Time
Charles Hemus, Kai time, circa 1900, watercolour, Reference: A-367-030
Kai Time
PROVERBIAL AND POPULAR SAYINGS OF THE MAORI
From Te Ao Hou No. 26 March 1959
Ko te amorangi ki mua, ko te hapai o ki muri.
He whakatauki tenei e mohio whanuitia ana. Ko te “amorangi” he tohu atua. Na, ki te whaka-hokingia mai ki nga tikanga o tenei ra, me ki e penei ana te whakatauki nei: “Ko te Atua ki mua, ko nga kai ki muri.” I te taenga tuatahi mai o te Whakapono ki Aotearoa nei, e mau tika ana tenei whakatauki. Ka mahingia e nga kaumatua e nga kuia hoki a ratou mahi katoa, tae atu ki te tunu kai, i nga ra o te wiki, mutu atu ana i te Hatarei, kia noho tapu ai te Ratapu; kia kore ai he mahi, he aha. No roto i enei ra, kua tahuri nga tikanga katoa; kua waihongia ko nga kai ki mua, ko Te Atua ki muri rawa-
The emblem of the god in front (first), the food bearers to the rear (last).
This is a well-known Maori proverb, and when given a modern version, it reads: “God first, and food last.” When Christianity was first introduced into this country and until recent times, this proverb as appertaining to God was strictly observed. The elders did all their manual work during the week, on Saturdays the meals for Sundays were cooked in order that Sundays could be kept holy. In recent times, however, the order has been reversed—Food first, and God after—well after!
Read the whole article on Te Ao Hou
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