Rite Of Passage: Traditions Of Funerals In Maori Culture

Funerals are highly ritualized services that observe the passage of the deceased and Maori identity is said to be closely intertwined with funeral rituals and tangihanga mourning ceremonies (P. Sinclair 1990). When thinking of Western funeral rituals, the ideal way to mourn a loved one would be having the deceased in the casket within the desired location. Finally, the family determines the deceased’s final place of rest, and grieve with the loss of their loved one (Schafer 2011). However, for the Maori people within New Zealand, their funerals consist of a more personalized post-mortem ritual (P. Sinclair 1990). To be able to discuss Maori funerals, personal observations and participation will be included to analyze these ceremonies. The important components of rituals and how they relate to Maori funeral rituals will be discussed in this essay. These funeral practices relate to rituals as they have a series of prescribed practices, important stages of the ritual, being able to achieve an end result, and including the rite of passages.

It is important to discuss what a ritual is and why it is so crucial to society as we know it today. George Gmelch (1971, p.2) defines rituals as prescribed behaviors, which have no empirical connection between the reason why the actions are done to the desired end. A common example in Western society could be as simple as coffee. This daily routine of obtaining coffee in the morning can be used to ensure a good day at work, school, etc. Many rituals have important stages of the ritual, continuing the coffee example, would be to ensure that your route to obtaining the coffee is correct, your order, how the barista makes your coffee, everything can be described as a ritual and the stages conducted within the ritual are important. Though this can be considered as a ritual, many anthropologists believed to have a ritual, there needs to be a rite of passage. This can be described as the movement of an individual from one status to another, a sort of social transition that affects an individual’s identity within society (Berry 1984).

Any ceremony that follows a rite of passage has a similar structure. First, the initial stage happens, which is called separation. This is the individual being taken from the normal environment and subjected to an unknown one. Secondly comes the transition stage, where a new sense of identity is created by the individual. Finally, reintegration, which is the beginning of the final status being confirmed, and the individual is incorporated back into society (Berry 1984). Funerals are a great tool in understanding what a ritual is, what it hopes to achieve, and describing what a rite of passage is. Following this rite of passage helps give structure and identity to members of society. Funerals can be used as an example of these rites therefore it is important to analyze the rites of passage through the rituals and traditions of the Maori funeral.

To describe the ritualized ceremonies of a Maori funeral, it is important to include a personal observation. I attended a tangihanga very recently, it was for my great-grandfather whom I had never met before and if I did, I was too young to remember. I come from both Maori and European descendants. Traditionally, I was used to going to the funeral home, seeing my loved one in the casket, hearing many speeches, and their final resting place which would be of them being lowered into the ground. However, I was very confused to see my great-grandfather, in an open casket, in a home. Everyone was singing and most were joyful to see all of the family come together to support one another. Realizing today when I think of my European grandfather passing when I was much younger and not experiencing the same commemoration that I did with my Maori great-grandfather, it made me understand the immense traditions that are held in Maori culture.

Being from two different cultures puts in perspective different types of taboos each culture has. A taboo explained by George Gmelch (1971, p.3) is a sort of prohibition on a certain action, word, or individual. Death within my Western culture views death as a taboo, so when one passes, they have to put them to rest as soon as possible rather than Maori culture who sleep around the deceased body for days. These funeral traditions were so incredibly different from what I was used to. Sleeping in the same room as a deceased loved one is not common in Western culture, which I was accustomed to at the time, however upon reflection, it gives a sense of understanding to the processes of grieving. The Maori people have ceremonies that are so closely intertwined with their national identity, they of course need to keep these traditions alive throughout their lives even till their ultimate death.

Commonly referred to as tangihanga or tangi ceremonies, these are used to commemorate the passing of their loved ones. Each ceremony can be different due to different tribes and nations within New Zealand; however, they do follow relatively the same ritualized experiences (P. Sinclair 1990). As mentioned before, Maori funerals also follow a rite of passage and follow a series of ritualized practices. When a loved one passes, it begins the initial rite of separation. The rite begins at the time of passing, as the deceased detaches from their old identity (being alive) and move towards their new identity (being deceased). Maori tradition includes the body never being alone until their final rite into reintegration (final resting place). Bodies need to be embalmed as they need to be prepared for the family to see and to have the family able to sleep next to the body. After the medical procedures are conducted to make sure the body is in the condition it needs to be for the families, they are taken home or to a communal area such as a wharenui. Welcomed with a powhiri, considered to be a sort of chant sung by a family member to invite the deceased into the home. The loved ones then will sleep with their deceased loved ones ranging from one to two nights. This can be considered as the transition stage, or the liminal stage as the individual has not yet crossed into their new identity yet remains in-between their new and old identity. The open casket is usually surrounded by flowers, native ferns, photographs of the deceased, and many will place mats underneath the coffin for the deceased never to touch the ground.

Many songs will be sung, mourning and grieving will be at the site of the deceased one. This is used to comfort the families as well as to commemorate the lost loved one. Friends and other relatives will make speeches of the deceased, whether it be speaking of the great memories they shared, or the grudges held against the person, the families and friends speak their truths one last time before they no longer get to be with their loved ones. This free expression of grief is meant to help the journey of the spirit, to guide them into whatever path they choose in the afterlife. With the deceased close kin usually sitting near to their casket, they listen to the stories and memories of their loved one once more before having to depart from them. After the nights spent with the deceased is over when the sun rises (or even at midnight to the sun setting) the coffin is closed for good and is transported to the final ceremony. This final ceremony can be at the marae funeral home (Schafer 2011), graveyard, and a church which is more common within New Zealand’s Christian society (Schafer 2011). With the loved one being in a stage of no return, this is the final transition and is the reintegration back into society with a new identity; being deceased. Mourners will provide gifts (koha) or say prayers (karakia) (P. Sinclair 1990) until the body is on its way to its final resting place, which could be within a gravesite chosen by the families or the body will be cremated (Phillips 1954).

To the Maori people, the death of a loved one is not used to separate the deceased from the living, rather a way to appreciate the lives they once lived. Though this is true, they still follow the traditions they learned from their ancestors. These highly ritualized acts follow a rite of passage to help guide the way for the deceased. By creating this rite of passage, not only helps create new identities for the individuals that have passed but gives the families more time to come to terms with the loss of their loved one. These ritualized practices remain important to Maori identity as it appreciates the lives that once lived and acknowledge that being surrounded by your family is essential until your final days of living. A tangi is meant to help the mourning process, thus why there are certain prescribed practices within the funeral. These ritualized practices are there to help the family rid themselves of grief and to enjoy their final days with their beloved family member.