This thesis examines and reveals pre-colonial and colonial organisation of oral traditions,
attitudes and positions in relation to significant Tainui ancestresses. Mana wahine, womanist,
Kaupapa Māori and Indigenous autoethnography are key theories and methodologies that I have
used to reclaim, rediscover and retell their herstories. This approach allows for the
contexualisation of Tainui women based on Māori cultural values and practices. The women
examined are Whakaotirangi, Marama, Ruapūtahanga and Rehe Hekina Kenehuru. The
information that informs this thesis is from textual sources including those from the chiefly
narrated accounts, publications, newspapers and manuscripts.
This thesis is a challenge to patriarchal understandings and interpretations of female
inferiority in ancient practices, including karakia and whakapapa rites. I argue that the study of
ancient karakia, whakataukī and tradition reveals that Māori women held a place of the highest
regard and at times exerted power of a stronger force than their male counterparts: only the
women’s voice could whakatika certain events. Tainui women were crucial representatives
between the earthly and the spiritual domains. Significantly, I have ‘restoryed’ the ancestresses,
the effect being to reclaim a powerful place for women in Māori societies in contemporary times.
| Identifer | oai:union.ndltd.org:canterbury.ac.nz/oai:ir.canterbury.ac.nz:10092/9977 |
| Date | January 2014 |
| Creators | Gordon-Burns, Diane |
| Publisher | University of Canterbury. History |
| Source Sets | University of Canterbury |
| Language | English |
| Detected Language | English |
| Type | Electronic thesis or dissertation, Text |
| Rights | Copyright Diane Gordon-Burns, http://library.canterbury.ac.nz/thesis/etheses_copyright.shtml |
| Relation | NZCU |
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