Grasp the other person’s hand , as with a handshake, lean forward and gently press noses and foreheads together; forehead to forehead, nose to nose, breath to breath. A hand on the other’s shoulder is also acceptable, instead of grasping the hand. It is often followed by a handshake, or a kiss on the cheek for women.
How do the Maori people greet each other?
Māori ritually greet each other with the hongi . This involves two people pressing their noses and foreheads together, holding each other’s heads, and breathing in simultaneously to share the same moment and breath. This special greeting is generally reserved for formal Māori events.
How do you use a hongi?
The ‘Hongi’ is a traditional Maori greeting in New Zealand used by the Maori people . To hongi you press your nose and forehead together with the nose and forehead of the person you are greeting. Many people of Maori decent prefer to hongi, instead of shaking hands.
What is a hongi and why is it important for Maori culture?
What is the hongi and why is the traditional Maori greeting so sacred to the people of New Zealand? The hongi is the traditional Maori greeting that sees two people welcome each other by rubbing or touching noses . It is a New Zealand tradition that comes from the Maori legend on how women were created.
Do females do the hongi?
Two kuia (women elders) press noses in the ancient Māori greeting called the hongi in 1963 at Tūrangawaewae marae, Ngāruawāhia. Both sexes greet each other this way in Māori society, especially in more culturally formal situations such as on a marae.
Who can hongi?
The ‘Hongi’ is a traditional Maori greeting in New Zealand used by the Maori people . To hongi you press your nose and forehead together with the nose and forehead of the person you are greeting.
Why is a hongi important?
The meaning of hongi roughly translates to the “ sharing of breath ,” which is a fairly significant gesture. Once a visitor, also referred to as a manuhiri, enacts the hongi with a local, a sense of responsibility is also imparted to that individual about their place in the delicate ecosystem of the island.
What does the hongi symbolize?
The traditional Māori greeting, the hongi (Māori pronunciation: [ˈhɔŋi]) is performed by two people pressing their noses together; some include, at the same time, the touching of foreheads. ... In the hongi, the ha ( breath of life ) is exchanged in a symbolic show of unity.
How do Omanis greet each other?
While hand shakes are the most common form of greeting, Omanis are known to still greet each other in the traditional way by exchanging a kiss on the cheek . 3. Omanis tend to rely on concrete facts and information to guide them in business dealings.
Which country greet by pressing noses?
New Zealand : Hongi (touching noses)
Known as hongi, this traditional Māori greeting in New Zealand is done by pressing your nose and forehead to another person’s at the same time.
How does a powhiri start?
This is the first and unique call of welcome in the pōwhiri. It is performed by women and is usually started by the tangata whenua (the people who are welcoming you and your ancestors) and is followed by a response by the manuhiri (the new people and visitors). Kai karanga open the spirirual realm.
How do you Honi?
“The ancient custom of honi when meeting another included touching foreheads together, inhaling, kissing the other on the cheek or lips, hugging and then exhaling.
Do you close your eyes when you hongi?
While shaking hands, the left hand of each person may be placed on the other’s near shoulder. The head is bent, the eyes are lowered or closed , and noses are pressed together either once or twice.
What does a Ta Moko tell?
Each moko contains ancestral tribal messages specific to the wearer. These messages tell the story of the wearer’s family and tribal affiliations , and their place in these social structures. A moko’s message also portrays the wearer’s genealogy, knowledge and social standing.
What country greetings kiss on the cheek?
In the Netherlands and Belgium , cheek kissing is a common greeting between relatives and friends (in the Netherlands slightly more so in the south). Generally speaking, women will kiss both women and men, while men will kiss women but refrain from kissing other men, instead preferring to shake hands with strangers.
What is a hongi in English?
hongi in American English
(ˈhɑŋi) noun. NZ. a Maori greeting in which noses are pressed together .
