Ruri Rongoā
Kaupapa Māori Rōpū
Ko Ruri Rongoā te kaupapa | What is Ruri Rongoā?
- Ruri Rongoā a regular online (sometimes in-person) hui for takataapui poets and poem appreciators, run by Hinemoana Baker supported by Mana Tipua
- These sessions are free of charge for participants.
- He kaupapa Māori, he kaupapa takataapui hoki a Ruri Rongoā. Heoi anō he kaupapa reo Pākehā. The language of the sessions is mostly English with Māori language very much present and, when appropriate, translated.
- 'Ruri' is one word for a 'short love ditty, poem or jingle'. Rongoā is something medicinal and healing.
He aha te tikanga o ngā wānanga nei? | How do the sessions run?
- We gather for two hours in total, with a 5-10 minute break half way through.
- Ruri Rongoā happens via Zoom, so takatāpui all over the motu (and the planet) can join.
- Each session = 10-20 mins mihimihi; then the rest of that hour reading a queer, indigenous poet; short break; then one hour writing (and sharing*) our own poems.
- At the end of the two hours, we share our poems, but this is *not compulsory!
- No preparation necessary, but we will send out the poem/poet the day before.
- The first hour we read another indigenous queer poet's work, and the second hour we write our own.
I sometimes also give a couple of tips about how to perform or read aloud, so that can also be a component of the rongoā side of things. It's a really simple format, very low key, no homework and no prep required. At the same time, I feel it is a powerful thing to gather together at any time, in any way, and strengthen each other's minds and hearts through the power of poems.
Ko wai a Hinemoana? | Who is Hinemoana?
For those of you who I haven't met or worked with yet, I am Hinemoana Baker, I come from Raukawa, Toa Rangatira, Te Āti Awa and Kāi Tahu on my Dad's side, and Germany and England on my mum's side. I grew up in Nelson and in Whakatane. I live and work in Te Whanga-nui-a-Tara Wellington, still quite fresh off the plane from nine years living in Germany, and I'm currently writing a collection of poems called 'Exhaust World'. You can read more about me here: www.hinemoana.co.nz
I first joined the Mana Tipua massive at their Noho Raumati in January this year, at the beautiful Rāpaki Marae, with Ngāti Wheke hosting us like absolute legends. From that hui, and the whakaaro rakatira of Khye and Kahu from MT, was born the idea of Ruri Rongoā, a wānanga space of appreciation, expression and repair, where we can get together, read other indigiqueer poets, and then respond to their work by writing poems of our own.
Mā wai a 'Ruri Rongoā'? | Who can come to Ruri Rongoā?
- If you are takataapui / one of our Māori rainbow whānau, you are welcome!
- You don't need to have read or written poetry before at all.
- If you could do with a two-hour oasis of creativity and community, come along.
Me āta pānui | Important note
Ruri Rongoā is a space to come together and share, and is named for the healing this can bring. It's not a professional therapy space, it is a shared group session of like-minded peers. We're mindful of each other's capacity, so our kawa is to check in before sharing heavy things in our poems and our kōrero. This can be as simple as a "this poem contains descriptions of trauma". This gives people a chance to mute or tap out for a minute if they need to.
We also understand that poetry can bring up vulnerabilities in us, as readers as well as writers. Quite often queer poetry talks about or makes reference to sex and the body in ways which, while they are radical and wonderful and celebratory, can also be difficult for some of us. We encourage you to read the poem/s for each week before the session, to be sure that it is a text you want to spend time with.
