From a Māori perspective, looking after our waterways is essential for the wellbeing of both our environment and ourselves. Waterways are a source of life and sustenance, providing us with food, water, and spiritual connection. In Māori culture, waterways are seen as taonga (treasures) that must be protected and nurtured.
Indigenous people from around the world have long held a deep connection to the land and its waterways. Our rivers, lakes, streams, and oceans are seen as living entities (Such as the Whanganui river). The health of these waterways is linked to the health of the people who inhabit them. If we fail to look after our waterways, we risk damaging not only our environment but also our own wellbeing.
The health of our waterways is also closely linked to the health of our land. Pollution from runoff can cause serious damage to ecosystems in rivers and lakes by disrupting natural cycles and reducing water quality leading to algal blooms that are toxic for both humans and animals alike.
A key component to highlight (by Māori) that has served the natural world for centuries, is the importance of an interconnected relationship with the water, the land & the whole of the natural world. It is the notion that we are not separate from nature, but one, with nature. And so conservation efforts such as marine reserves & protected parks that seperate humans from their ability to sustain an intermit relationship with the natural world, too, do not necessarily align fully with a Māori perspective on looking after waterways & land. This is where tikanga - customary practices have served Māori in pre-colonial times.
Tikanga - customary lore, are unwritten protocol that have in many ways through organic relationships between human & nature, been long practiced to sustain overall environmental wellbeing. Because environmental landscapes varied from region to region across Aotearoa, New Zealand, these were not always enforced in the same way. The saying "the health & wellness of our waterways & land is indivisible to the health & wellness of us as people," gives a glimpse to the foundational & shared principles of tikanga. And it is here, that despite customary practices being different in execution, the fundamental principles were the same.
Looking after our waterways is also about recognising their spiritual significance. Māori view waterways as a source of spiritual nourishment, providing us with an opportunity to connect with the natural world and to reflect on our place in it. It is therefore important that we take time to appreciate and respect these taonga.
It is therefore essential that we look after our waterways. And by doing so we are looking after ourselves in return. It is about recognising their spiritual significance and taking steps to protect them from the impacts of modernisation. By doing so, we can ensure that these taonga remain healthy for generations to come.
Connect with us on social media:
Instagram: @kiitai_culture
Facebook: @kiitaiculture
Comentarios