Today I got a very very special present from my Granny who went to the South Island in New Zealand for a holiday. She got my brother and I each a necklace called a Pounamu, a greenstone pendant which is very very sacred in Maori culture. What makes the Pounamu even more special is that you can not buy them for yourself you can only receive one as a gift. What's also very interesting is that overtime the more you wear your Pounamu it changes its colour to a honey gold.
The New Zealand and Maori cultures are very important to me as I am from New Zealand. Learning about my Pounamu and wearing it proudly show that I am proud of where my family and I came from.
Thank you Granny for the Pounamu I will treasure it for ever and ever!
It looks beautiful Antonia. My Maia is turning 5 in July and we are going to buy her one for her birthday. She's very unsure about going to school, even though the school she is going to is part home school, part classroom school. She really enjoys wearing my pounamu, which is such a special toanga to me. I got mine for my 18th birthday from my Aunty, its from the South Island too. It sounds like you have a very kind Granny to buy you such a special gift.
ReplyDeleteAntonia, you write beautifully. A very special pounamu for a very special girl!
ReplyDeleteLovely Antonia! I knew about the gifting being important, but didn't know about the colour changing. So you've taught me something new!
ReplyDeleteDid you know that the Te Reo name for the South Island is Pounamu? hehe.
I hope you enjoy wearing your special piece of New Zealand. :)
Jess and kidlets