Powhiri
The Maori ceremony that welcomes visitors onto a marae.
Also: pohiri, welcome ceremony
The powhiri is the formal welcome of visitors onto a Maori marae, or meeting ground. It begins with a call, karanga, by a woman of the hosts, answered by a woman of the visitors, as they walk slowly forward. Speeches, whaikorero, follow in order, each speaker ending with a song, and the visitors give a koha, a gift, usually money. The two groups then greet with a hongi and a handshake, and share a meal, which makes the guests part of the place. The ceremony removes the sacredness of the visit, so that everyone may move freely. It is also used in schools and workplaces.
Region: Oceania