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Mistified
Chapter 14
Arrival at the Marae
We arrived at the Marae, but didn’t just walk up
and knock at the door. An elder gentleman met us on
the path and first greeted Nana Grace by placing their
foreheads together and touching noses.
Aroha explained, “He is Koro Hemi, Nana Grace’s
cousin. The greeting is called hongi. It is traditional at
the Marae and usual greeting between many original
peoples of the Pacific.
As he was greeting Aroha, I thought this is way too
intimate and close with someone I don’t even know. As
usual, my mind was racing, then as if an inner voice
was scolding me; I made a conscious decision to just
stop thinking so much and let myself experience the
moment.
However, after he touched noses with me, I was
startled by his next actions. He held me at arm’s length
then pulled me close in a big bear hug and began to
wail:
“Aue… tau-kiri e…”
“ Oh... Beloved - we are of the same skin,” explained
Aroha…
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