Activity A: Understanding ancestry

Let’s develop understanding of where our ancestors came from.

He pitopito kōrero

“Through whakapapa, generations collapse into each other. We are at once the past and future, our mokopuna and tūpuna, existing in the present. This is how we understand, and travel through, time. The Western concepts of ‘past’ and ‘future’ occurring along a linear trajectory of time do not have a direct translation in te reo Māori.”

— Ngaumutane Jones (Kāi Tahu, Ngāti Kahungunu, Tainui, Tūhoe) & Hana Burgess (Ngāpuhi, Te Roroa, Te Ātihaunui a Pāpārangi, Ngāti Tūwharetoa)

Whakapapa is about a deep connection to the web of life and seeing yourself woven into it. To trace our place in the order of life, it helps to spend time considering our ancestors, so we in turn can understand ourselves as descendants.

We have all inherited genetic resilience and strengths from those that have gone before us. Noticing our stories – what our ancestors were dreaming of and the trials they have overcome – help us to develop a stronger sense of self of where we came from and what we stand for.

For many it can feel challenging to look at ancestry. Separation from where we have come from is part of many of our stories. For those who may be adopted or from refugee backgrounds, it can be particularly hard. If this is you, celebrate what you do know and centre the meaningful connections and relationships that you have around you today.

Begin by discussing with a friend what you already know about your ancestors. Go back as far as you can go. Think about who you could talk with to learn even more. Brainstorm with your friends or class, what pātai you might ask to learn more, such as:
- What are the full names of my ancestors?
- When were they born?
- What land were they born upon?
- What special stories are there about my ancestors?

Sometimes learning about ancestry can feel really big and really overwhelming. So that you don’t get overwhelmed, you might like to consider zooming in on just one part of it. You might want to:
- consider just one line of the tree, such as your mothers heritage
- learn about the whakapapa of someone you admire
- record information you have in common with your cousins
- trace ancestors back to where they emigrated from
- If you whakapapa Māori, you may want to dive deep into a hapū or iwi that you are affiliated with.

Hassall family tree, about 1909, maker unknown. Te Papa (PE.000110)

This family tree from 1909, is from the Hansell family. Often it is easy to find the dates and locations of our ancestors, and a little harder to find and locate the stories that go with them. See if you can find and focus on the story gathering, rather than the date gathering. These stories will tell you the most about who you are.

Knowing our ancestry helps us to understand our relationship to te taiao.

Discuss:

What was the land on which your ancestors were born?

What was their relationship to that land?

What is an important aspect of te taiao where you come from?

If you are tangata tiriti, what was it that drew your ancestors to Aotearoa?

What are the similarities and differences between Aotearoa and where you ancestors came from?

If you are Tangata Tiriti, pretend you are an ancestor who emigrated to New Zealand. Create a video diary or write a letter that records your emotions about leaving your homeland and coming to Aotearoa.
If you are Tangata Whenua, you may be able to learn mōteatea or oratory about tūpuna, hapū, iwi, marae, or rohe that you are connected to.
If you are interested in learning a pepeha, and are non-Maori, consider tikanga. You can read more details in this e-tangata article, Pepeha for non-Māori by Keri Opai.