A Wellington man hopes to revive Maori birth rites and rituals through his PHD studies in oriori, traditional Maori lullabies.
Amster Reedy's research looks into the way the lullabies were used in the past and attempts to blow the dust off the old traditions. His PHD, written entirely in te reo, aims to revive the traditional lullabies.
“This tradition the oriori is a kind of karakia. It was to put the child to sleep but also used to bring a child into this world as well,” says Reedy.
Oriori are also a valuable tool used to pass on te reo to their mokopuna.
“It reminds the child of its world, who its ancestors are, what its mountain is, where its lake is, its traditions and genealogy. It says you are a person from this place,” Reedy says.