This article gives some of the basic rules for learning to karanga.
These rules are based on traditional Maori Tikanga.
Know Tikanga especially Marae Protocol. Karanga is an intergral part of Marae protocol and pohiri so you have to know that to be able to karanga, else you may stand in the wrong place or walk to the wrong place or not pause in the right place or other things that could get you into trouble.
The right to karanga is the sole domain of women as whare tangata gives them the ability to open the tapu of Te Maraenui Atea o Tumatauenga to allow safe passage across for the manuhiri. This can not be done by girls whose whare tangata has not yet awoken.
Before you learn to karanga, you need to check with the senior women in your whanau on the blood lines for permission. If your whanau has women who karanga, they would be the best ones to teach you.
Karanga should be done in one continuous breath, ensuring that the "rope" weaved is not broken
Once the first karanga has started, each consecutive karanga should start before the previous one finishes, again, ensuring that the "rope" that is weaved is not broken
A woman should not karanga when they have their mate wahine or are hapu, as their state has changed and will not allow the atea to be opened
A woman has the right to refuse to karanga and pressure should not be placed on them to do so. They may be saying no because the above has happened, but they do not want to tell everyone their personal business.
The note for the karanga is the note that comes natually - there is no right or wrong note
Karanga is a practical art and you need the practical practice before you should karanga.
If you are at a hui and there are women older than you, wait to see if they organise who will do the karanga - do not overstep them.
In some areas there are men who "call" when going onto a marae, but this is known by another name with another set of rules and will not be covered in this section.
Tikanga Index