The oriori / waiata is usually done after each mihi in a pohiri.
The oriori is a chant which ´makes or breaks´ the
speech. Sometimes it is referred to as a relish or a garnish of a spehch. It
should uphold the mana of the speaker and the group.
Each item should be chosen with care - the manuhiri should never chant to the tangata whenua a chant with the words "Haere Mai" in it. The reason for this is that Haere Mai
means welcome and it is not appropriate for the manuhiri to welcome the tangata
whenua! This also applies for every other occasion, you would not chant a
happy chant at a sad occasion, nor a sad chant at a happy occasion.
Nowadays, people tend to sing items that have modern tunes, which are
called waiata. However, it is often at our Tangaihanga, the richness of Maori can be heard, calling
through the ages in the traditional items.
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