Food-related words and facts for Māori Language Week
Posted 29 July 2010 // Basil Keane
Getting ready to enjoy some kai
This year’s Te Wiki o te Reo Māori (Māori Language Week) has the theme, Te Mahi Kai, The Language of Food.
To get you started, here are some kai-related terms: kūmara, rua kūmara, pātaka, whata, kurī, kiore, pūhā, poaka, wīti, rīwai, kāpia, ipu and kōhatu.
Though Māori ancestors came from Polynesia, one of the plants they brought with them, kūmara (sweet potatoes), originated from South America. The kūmara we eat today is different from kūmara eaten in pre-European times. It was imported in the 19th century.
Māori stored kūmara in elaborate sealed pits located in the ground known as rua kūmara. Other food was stored in pātaka (carved storehouses), or on whata (elevated stages).
Kurī (Polynesian dogs) and kiore (Pacific rats) were delicacies. Along with birds, kurī and kiore were potted in their own fat and considered a luxury item in pre-European times.
Pūhā and porkbones are a classic Māori meal. However, while pūhā is native to New Zealand, poaka (pigs) were only introduced to New Zealand from the late 1700s. Māori bread and rīwai (Māori potatoes) are also post-European developments as wīti (wheat) and potatoes are European introductions.
The gum from the kauri tree was known as kāpia. It was used as chewing gum.
Drinks were warmed by being placed in a ipu (container) and having kōhatu (heated rocks) placed into the container.
Ka pai Basil. I eat kumara all the time (partly because I can’t eat potatoes and also because it tastes good). I recently discovered, thanks to Jamie Oliver, that kumara is delicious roasted with slices of lemon, crushed coriander seeds and a bit of rock salt. Parboil them first then throw into a oily, pre-heated dish with the other bits and pieces. Yum.
I find your blog one of the finest inspirations on the Web, a great introduction to NZ culture. But this particular entry is making me hungry! Cheers!!
@Ron - it made me pretty hungry too. @Kerryn - I’ll definitely give your recipe a go. Nice suggestion.