Writing Your Pepeha: Sharing Ancestral Identity

Understanding Māori traditions of introduction Connecting with whakapapa and whenua Year 8 Social Studies

What is a Pepeha?

A traditional Māori way of introducing yourself Connects you to your ancestral places Shares your whakapapa (genealogy) and identity Often part of a mihi (formal greeting) Tells others who you are and where you belong

Traditional Elements of Pepeha

{"left":"Ko [name] tōku maunga - My mountain\nKo [name] tōku awa - My river\nKo [name] tōku iwi - My tribe\nKo [name] tōku hapū - My sub-tribe","right":"Ko [name] tōku marae - My marae\nKo [name] tōku whānau - My family\nKo [name] ahau - I am [name]"}

The Wisdom of Pepeha

'He aha te mea nui o te ao? He tangata, he tangata, he tangata' - What is the most important thing in the world? It is people, it is people, it is people

Building Your Own Pepeha

Think about places that are special to you Consider your family connections and heritage What mountain, river, or natural feature represents strength to you? What community or group do you belong to? Start with: 'Ko _____ tōku maunga' (My mountain is _____) Work through each element step by step

Examples of Modern Pepeha

Reflection Question

How does sharing your pepeha help others understand who you are? Think about: - What it reveals about your values - How it connects you to place and community - Why this might be important in New Zealand society

Using Your Pepeha

Part of formal introductions and mihi Helps build connections with others Shows respect for Māori culture and protocols Can be shared at school events or community gatherings Remember: practice makes it feel natural Speak with pride about your connections