Waiata-ā-ringa: Will waiata-ā-ringa Replace Classical Chant in the New Century?

Abstract

I never cease to be amazed at the fact that many of the young people today, who are actively involved in the field of Maori language and custom, prefer to accompany whaikorero with waiata, performed in the traditional uni-son style, to waiata-a-ringa the contemporary action song with the rhythms and harmonies so attractive to the ear.

In traditional chant many of the references and allusions are unknown and uncomprehended therefore one might consider them to be unappealing to the young people for that reason, but such would not seem to be the case.

In recent generations waiata-a-ringa were in the ascend-ant and the older waiata on the decline with the exception of the tribal areas of Te Arawa, Mataatua and certain parts of Ngati Porou. I say 'certain' with regard to the area of Ngati Porou because the marae of Tokomaru Bay, territory of Tuini Ngawai the composer whose songs dominated the war years 1939-45, very rarely, if ever, sing traditional chants after whaikorero but rather, sing the songs of Tuini Ngawai and more recently those of her niece, Ngoi Pewhairangi. North of Tokomaru, in and around Ruat6rea, traditional waiata are still performed.