Tangihanga: Evolution of Māori Customs
The Evolution of Tangihanga: How Māori Funeral Customs Are Changing
In Māori culture (Te Ao Māori), there is no gathering more significant, more demanding, or more sacred than the tangihanga. It is the ultimate hui—a time where the living gather to grieve, the ancestors are invoked, and the sanctity of whakapapa is affirmed.
For centuries, the protocols (tikanga) surrounding death have been the pou (pillar) of identity. However, culture is not static; it is a living, breathing entity that adapts to survive. From the great urban migration of the 1950s to the digital disruptions of the COVID-19 pandemic, the traditional Māori funeral has undergone profound shifts.
Whether you are studying New Zealand history, planning a farewell for a loved one, or simply seeking to understand the changing face of Aotearoa, this guide explores how tangihanga has evolved while keeping its heart beating strong.
1. The Essence of Tangihanga: What Remains Unchanged?
Before examining what has changed, it is vital to understand what has remained constant. Despite external pressures, the core kaupapa (purpose) of the tangi remains untouched.
- The Tūpāpaku is Central: The body is never left alone. The deceased is not hidden away but lies in state, almost always in an open casket, to be addressed, wept over, and embraced.
- Kanohi ki te Kanohi: The priority of "face-to-face" contact. Physical presence is the highest form of support for the bereaved family.
- Expression of Grief: Unlike the often stoic Western funeral service, a tangi encourages the loud, public, and physical release of emotion (mamae).
- Whanaungatanga: It remains a time to reconnect, resolve past disputes, and strengthen family bonds.
Note: The resilience of the tangihanga is a testament to the culture. While the method may change, the mana (prestige) and wairua (spirit) of the ceremony are fiercely protected.
2. Pre-European and Early Contact: The Traditional Baseline
To understand the evolution, we must look at the origins. Historically, tangihanga were lengthy, deeply spiritual affairs that could last weeks, depending on the mana of the deceased.
Traditional Practices
- Preservation: Before modern embalming, bodies were preserved using oil, ochre (kōkōwai), and salt. They were often seated upright, knees to chin, wrapped in fine cloaks.
- Duration: Tangi could last weeks to allow distant hapū to travel by foot or waka.
- Burial: Burials were often secret. Bones might be exhumed later, scraped clean, and hidden in caves to prevent desecration by enemies.
The Shift to Christian Burial
With the arrival of missionaries, practices began to blend. The "sitting" posture was replaced by the Western lying-down coffin. Christian prayers (karakia) merged with traditional incantations. By the late 19th century, the three-day tangi ending in a church or chapel funeral service and burial in an urupā (cemetery) became the norm.
3. The Great Migration: Impact of Urbanisation
The most significant structural change to tangihanga occurred post-World War II, during the massive migration of Māori from rural papakāinga (villages) to cities like Auckland and Wellington.
The "Urban Tangi" Dilemma
Separated from their ancestral marae, the bereaved family faced a difficult choice: take the tūpāpaku home (a logistical and financial challenge) or adapt to the city?
- Use of Private Homes: It became common for the body to lie in state in a suburban garage or lounge room if a return to the rural marae wasn't possible.
- Funeral Homes: Reluctantly, some whānau began using funeral parlours. This was initially culturally jarring, as it separated the family from the tūpāpaku at night—a breach of the rule that the body is never left alone.
- Shortened Duration: The demands of the western workforce meant the traditional 3-day (or longer) mourning period was often compressed to fit weekends or statutory bereavement leave (usually only 3 days).
4. Economic Pressures and the Changing Role of Koha
Tangihanga are expensive. Feeding hundreds of mourners for three days, transport costs, and funeral director fees average between $7,000 and $10,000 today.
Evolution of Koha (Gifting)
Traditionally, koha was often resources: sacks of kumara, meat, seafood, or labor.
- Monetary Shift: Today, koha is almost exclusively money to help cover the immediate costs of the tangi.
- Digital Koha: A modern phenomenon is the "bank transfer koha." While convenient, elders often debate whether this lacks the mana of placing an envelope on the marae during the pōwhiri.
- Funeral Insurance: There is a rising reliance on funeral insurance and WINZ grants, though these often fall short, leaving the bereaved family in debt.
5. The Digital Disruption: COVID-19 and Technology
The COVID-19 pandemic was a catalyst for rapid change. When lockdowns banned gatherings, Māori culture was forced to innovate instantly.
The Rise of the "Zoom Tangi"
- Livestreaming: Once considered a breach of tapu to film an open casket, livestreaming became essential. It is now a standard option for whānau overseas who cannot return home.
- Immediate Burial: During Level 4 lockdowns, bodies had to be buried immediately without a tangi. This caused immense spiritual distress (mamae), as the grieving process was "short-circuited."
- Digital Tangi Pages: Facebook groups and online memorial pages have replaced the newspaper death notice for many whānau, creating a perpetual digital space for grief.
Key Insight: While technology solved a logistical problem, many experts argue it cannot replace the wera (warmth) of human touch and the physical sharing of tears (roimata).
6. Contemporary Issues: Intermarriage and "Body Snatching"
As New Zealand becomes more multicultural, the intersection of Māori tikanga and Western law has created friction.
The Dispute Over the Body
A growing issue is the conflict between a Pākehā spouse who wants a private, Western funeral service, and the Māori whānau who want to take the tūpāpaku back to the ancestral marae.
- Tikanga vs. Law: Under NZ law, the executor of the will has the final say. Under tikanga, the whānau/hapū decides.
- Compromise: Modern tangihanga often involve complex negotiations—perhaps one night at the family home (for the spouse) and two nights at the marae (for the iwi).
7. Comparison: Traditional vs. Contemporary Tangihanga
The following table highlights the shift in practices over the last century.
8. The Role of Whānau Pani (The Chief Mourners)
One element that has remained distinct but evolved in execution is the role of the whānau pani (the bereaved family).
- Traditional Role: Historically, the whānau pani would stay by the body continuously, fasting, wearing greenery (pare kawakawa) on their heads, and not speaking. They were the focus of the grief.
- Modern Adaptation: Today, while they still sit by the casket, the restrictions on fasting have relaxed in some areas. However, the emotional burden remains; they rely on the extended hapū to run the kitchen and the funeral service logistics so they can focus entirely on mourning.
9. The Future: Decolonising Death and Eco-Burials
We are currently witnessing a "Neo-Traditional" movement. Young Māori are questioning the cost and environmental impact of Western-style funerals (embalming fluids, concrete liners, polished wood).
Returning to the Earth
- Para-kore (Zero Waste): A push to remove plastic and non-biodegradables from the tangi.
- Flax Coffins (Waka Kūpapa): A return to woven flax caskets (kōpaki) rather than expensive timber.
- Natural Burials: Moving away from embalming (which puts chemicals into Papatūānuku/Earth Mother) and returning to natural decomposition, arguably closer to pre-European tikanga.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
1. Can non-Māori attend a Māori funeral?
Absolutely. A Māori funeral is an open event. You do not need an invitation; your presence is a sign of respect. However, it is important to arrive at the right time (usually during a pōwhiri) and follow the lead of the locals.
2. What should I wear to a tangi?
Black is the standard colour. Conservative, tidy dress is expected. Women should opt for modest skirts or dresses (historically long skirts were required, though pants are now accepted on many marae—check beforehand).
3. Why is there usually an open casket?
In Māori culture, seeing the person is vital for closure. It allows the living to speak to the dead, weep over them, and acknowledge the reality of death. The casket is rarely closed until the final service.
4. Who are the Whānau Pani?
The whānau pani are the immediate bereaved family. They occupy a special place near the coffin and are supported by the wider community, who take care of cooking and hosting duties.
5. Has the role of women changed in tangihanga?
The roles remain distinct but are evolving. Traditionally, the Karanga (call of welcome) is the domain of women, and Whaikōrero (formal speech) is the domain of men. While most marae strictly uphold this, some urban contexts allow more flexibility.
Summary
The story of the tangihanga is one of resilience. While the tools (Zoom, funeral homes, chemical embalming) have changed to fit the modern world, the heart of the custom remains ancient. It is still about connection, grief, and the safe passage of the spirit.
As Aotearoa continues to change, the tangihanga serves as a reminder: we may walk in a modern world, but our feet are still planted on ancestral ground.
For more on how technology is shaping funerals, our Digital Funeral Programs article explains livestreaming and interactive memorials. If you’re considering a green or community‑based remembrance, check out 3 Ways to Create Living Memorials. Our post on Affordable Traditional Funeral Care also highlights cultural considerations for Māori and other communities.
Next Step for You
Are you planning to attend a tangi soon and feeling unsure about the protocols?
I can write a specific "Step-by-Step Guide to Tangihanga Etiquette for Beginners" that covers exactly what to do from the moment you park your car to the moment you leave the dining hall. Would you like me to generate that for you?