Karakia
As part of the tikanga of Waka Ama, karakia (prayer) is recited before we engage with activities on the water. Karakia often pay respect to Tangaroa (god of the sea) or to kaitiaki (guardians) of the waterways. Karakia before paddling is useful for bringing everyone together and it also helps to focus the crew and make them mindful of the task ahead.
Below are some karakia for use with Waka Ama.
Whakataka te hau
Whakataka te hau ki te uru (Cease the winds from the west)
Whakataka te hau ki te tonga (Cease the winds from the south)
Kia mākinakina ki uta (Let the breeze blow over the land)
Kia mātaratara ki tai (Let the breeze blow over the ocean)
E hī ake ana te atākura (Let the red-tipped dawn come with a sharpened air.)
He tio, he huka, he hauhunga (A touch of frost, a promise of a glorious day.)
Whano, whano, tū mai te hoe,
Haumie, hui e,
Taiki e!
Tangaroa
Tangaroa wai nui, Tangaroa wai roa
Nāu ko te hōhonu, Nāu ko te rangiwhāwhātanga
Nāu ko te ngarungaru, Nau ko te marino
Nāu ko te huanui a ō tātau tīpuna i Te Moana-nui-a-Kiwa
Tangaroa te wai ora, Tangaroa te wai tapu e
Whano, Whano, tū mai te hoe
Haumi ē, hui ē
Tāiki ē
Ko te hā
Ko te hā (the breath)
Ko te rā/pō (the day/night)
Ko Tangaroa (God of the sea)
Ko te mana (the authority/prestige/power)
Ko te kotahitanga o ngā mātāwaka (the unity/oneness of all canoes)
Haumi ē (to join)
Hui ē (come together)
Tāiki ē (let it be so)