Title: Infinite threads : 100 indigenous insights from old Maori manuscripts /
Authors: Ryan, Mariko B.
Year: 2020
Subjects: Maori (New Zealand people) Philosophy.; Maori (New Zealand people) Folklore; Maori (New Zealand people) Social life and customs; New Zealand literature Maori authors.; Insight; Manuscripts, Maori; Insight; Manuscripts, Maori; Maori (New Zealand people); Maori (New Zealand people) Philosophy; Maori (New Zealand people) Social life and customs; New Zealand literature Maori authors; Māoritanga; Tohunga; Whakataukī
Abstract: "For thousands of years, the Maori tohunga, sages, passed closely guarded knowledge to new generations of sages, using only an orally coded system. Two hundred years ago, they started recording that knowledge into secret manuscripts. Why did they suddenly abandon their oral traditions? Who were they writing for? Can this indigenous knowledge provide us with a beacon in our time? Infinite Threads presents rare excerpts from old manuscripts, interprets them, and reveals their insights through the voices of the old sages. Their words, by turns, are gritty, loving, blunt, funny, rousing. Their writings are eloquent expressions for what moves us--love, rage, compassion, grief, joy, fear, and identity. Discover how the writings help us understand our power, integrity, and purpose--and maybe even this strange world we now live in. Read about the oceanic voyages, creatures in their lairs, love trysts, living cosmos, deeds of all kinds, and how they teach us to connect with one another, the world, and universe. Learn about the colonial history that nearly obliterated an indigenous esoteric knowledge system--how the sages saved it and why it matters. Follow the author's journey beyond the confines of her social and cultural conditioning, from fear towards freedom, and her ultimate decision to share these insights." -- Author's website.
Contents: Outlandish territory -- You don't have to clap -- Trajectory -- Bobbing beer bottles -- The old man -- Colonial dreams -- River of myths -- Putea Whakairo -- Complicated mess -- Not a single tooth -- Nitty-gritty -- I write because -- 100 indigenous insights. Rituals of encounter ; Changing perception ; Source of knowledge ; Protecting knowledge ; Beyond the material world ; Leadership ; Who we are ; Human nature ; Women and men ; The world ; What next? -- What it takes -- About the author.