Natural Sound The communities of the Chatham Islands were the first human settlements to greet the new dawn. As the first awakening of light heralded the new dawn, traditional Maori observances were performed by the Chatham Islands cultural group - Te Ra Te Ao Maramanui o Te Rangi. The Karanga or call begins. 'The purpose for us here is this mountain called Rangaika - which is calling the present Tama-bui-te-Ra(sun) Where he (Tama mai-te-Ra) stands. For our mauri ,for our mana. Where he brings peace and love. All above and below.' As the Karanga continues, the community group perform a haka. The Karanga continues 'The son of the sky,the sun,climb,weave,search and advance your way through. Daylight is near Tama-nui-te-Ra. Daybreak, Daybreak for the New World. The son of the sky, the sun. In the pre-dawn glow, Mount Hakepa is silhouetted against the horizon. A Moriori descendent, Bunty Preece, stands with his granddaughter Portia. Preece and the other assembled elders sing the Karakii. This ancient prayer calls to lift tapu or 'taboo' and strengthen the people. It is said in reference to whales and seals and all things that come to the Chathams by sea. The 'Dawn chorus' begins. Through dance, mime and song 8 youngsters from the Islands make a symbolic gift to the world of kindness, peace hope and strength - each represented by a bird. Throughout the performance -called the Dawn Chorus - traditional Maori observances continue with song (waita) and whaikorero. The children lie as if asleep, entwined on the ground. Their scarves of yellow, green, blue and red symbolise the sun, the earth,the sea and fire. Four elders come forward. They are of Moriori, Maori, German and English descent. Each selects a child to give their present of a cloak. They place the cloaks on the children. Each cloak represents an attribute the children will need to survive the future. The attributes are symbolised as birds: Kindness by the Kiwi; peace by the Dove; hope symbolised by the Chatham Islands Black Robin that was saved from extinction and lastly, the Albatross for strength. As the children put on the cloaks, they begin their dance portraying the birds they represent. The other children admire the birds and want to be like them. The children sing a specially composed song and the cultural performance begins: 'O islands of beauty,of sunshine and rain, My corner of tranquility and calm, One searches, yet finds no other place, More dear to this heart of mine. You lie in a vast ocean, With little protection from winds of Antarctica sea. Your beauty is age old, With centuries of time. And to cold winds you heedless be. Beaches of pure bright golden summer, Meet the natural green of your native bush that smells of fresh morning, No lovelier sight have I seen. Neath tangled bracken and rich fertile soil, Lies an abundance of wealth to procure. The rapists will rape this fruitful land, til your beauty exists no more. Your wealth shall become you not at all for you are richer in being as you are, And though voices of power and money may change you, You shall be dear to my heart. O islands of Chatham, So unique in your beauty, And characteristic ways, Though I am destined once more to temporarily leave you, Where belongs the heart, it will stay. As the song concludes,an elderly respected woman - Auntie Ollie Seymour - begins the Korakia. The cultural group then say the Lord's Prayer - Te Inoi O Te Ariki An islander - Andre Day - signals the dawn by sounding a conch horn. The elder Auntie Ollie Seymour calls out the welcome - "Haeremai,Haeremai,Haeremai." A waita (song) continues as the sun rises over Mount Hakepa. BACKGROUND You can license this story through AP Archive: http://www.aparchive.com/metadata/youtube/e5800b326b66c3de9f2cae8739e49418 Find out more about AP Archive: http://www.aparchive.com/HowWeWork

• published: 21 Jul 2015
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