Tuesday, March 23, 2010

Maori Welcoming Ceremony



We were lucky enough to be invited to a Maori (New Zealand's indigenous people) welcoming ceremony.

Roacco and her husband were incredibly kind and the Willamette students stayed two days and one night at the Maori Learning Center.

The Maori traditionally greet each other by touching noses. This represents the first breath between the two people (and all of their ancestry).

The plants are what are used to make their baskets and weavings.

1 comment:

M & D said...

What an incredible opportunity! The baskets look wonderful. Have you signed up for a basket making class yet? The students were so lucky to get to be a part of this--this is what exchanges are all about!