Cultural Landscape: Speaks to Me

• In Event: Roundtable Session 84
  In Roundtable Session: Moi: Indigenous Knowledges—Maths and Sciences

Abstract

Narratives are “acts of reclaiming ......indigenous cultures, languages” within which there is conscientisation of indigenous philosophies and intellectualisation. They are the socialisation that makes sense of experiences and of relationships with the environs. Connelly & Clandinin (1990) note that, "Humans are storytelling organisms who, individually and collectively, lead storied lives” .

Narratives are crucial for a people who maintain their identity by mechanisms of socialisation and whose culture is maintained and sustained as cultural heritage. Through the articulation of oral traditions the reality of Maori is articulated. Meaning goes beyond the sharing of stories but also to validating identity.

Author

• Meremaihi Williams, Te Whare Wananga o Awanuiarangi