Today is the first day of Maori language week. We are celebrating it by taking a moment to sing a waiata as a school. At 12:00 our intercom rang and Whaea Maryanne started the whole school off singing a waiata over the intercom. People around NZ are doing the same things at the same time.
The reason we are doing this is because at 12:00 pm on September 14th 1972, 30,000 signed a petition and gave it to Parliament. It was about the use of Maori language. Back in the day you were not allowed to speak your native language, if you spoke your native language in school you would be hit with a cane, so when people spoke their native language to their friends it was like swearing! We must treasure our language.
Nice job guys! I like the idea your class had of singing. I like how you added a fact at the end! :)
ReplyDeletehi room four im justin and i really find this post intresting
ReplyDeleteHi Room 4 my name is Alyzae and I am a student at Wesley intermediate school, I find this very interesting and cool. What Waiata did your school sing ?
ReplyDeleteHey Room 4 , My name is Amethyst. I am a student at Wesley Intermediate School, I found this really interesting and cool. It's kind of sad how back in the day people who were Maori weren't allowed to talk their native language. But what waiata did your school sing?
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