Exploring Mana, Manaakitanga and Karakia across cultures

In a section dedicated to cultural connections, the 2018 Perspectives of Asia and Asian Peoples from a Te Ao Māori Perspective report by Asia New Zealand Foundation identified specific shared cultural values across Asian and Māori cultures. Among the shared cultural values were aspects of mana, manaakitanga and karakia.

In this article, I delve into the Māori concepts of mana, manaakitanga, and karakia and how similarities exist within the broader context of Southeast Asian cultures. While acknowledging the vast diversity across Māori and Asian cultures, I aim to highlight potential parallels, contrasts, and underlying principles that resonate across these cultural landscapes. I believe that by examining these core concepts, we can better appreciate the rich tapestry of shared connectedness across both cultures.  

Mana: A Comparative Perspective 

Mana, a Māori term encapsulating authority, prestige, and spiritual power. I explored the concept of mana with Tania Te Whenua, an honorary adviser for the Asia New Zealand Foundation, in Season 1 of the Our Connectedness podcast, where she explained,  

“Mana is often translated as integrity. It's sometimes translated as authority. Sometimes it's translated as prestige, but mana is really a divine concept, which stems ultimately from what might be translated in English as the gods as the first source of mana, the divine source of mana, and we believe that mana is succeeded through whakapapa connection from the gods.” 

“If I'm using that term loosely to both humankind, if you like to all of the children of the gods, which includes humanity. But it isn't exclusive to humanity, it also includes all of the elements of the natural environment around us. So, again, when I'm speaking I'm introducing myself. I'm doing so as a demonstration of my authority to speak, if you like, which is really my mana.  

“It's inextricably linked, it's interconnected to and interdependent on the mana of the gods and all things which stem from the gods, which is not exclusive to humanity, it includes the natural environment around me.”  

And so when speaking. I am defining, if you like, through reference to key geographic features the ultimate privilege that it is to inherit mana as an element of the natural environment, as a human being.”   

I had never understood the concept of mana from that perspective, especially the idea that the first source of mana is the divine creation. I could see similarities in this explanation of mana from an Islamic perspective where everything human and in the natural environment has a Divine source.  

The concept of mana finds echoes in various Southeast Asian cultures. In many of these societies, hierarchical structures and the concept of face are paramount. The Confucian notion of junzi, for instance, emphasizes moral authority and leadership, akin to the Māori understanding of mana. 

Southeast Asian religions, such as Hinduism and Buddhism, incorporate the idea of spiritual power or energy, often linked to personal or collective well-being. This resonates with the spiritual dimension of mana. The concept of barong in Balinese culture, representing a protective spiritual force, shares similarities with the protective aspects of mana. 

However, the specific manifestations of these concepts vary significantly. While mana is often associated with personal attributes and lineage in Māori culture, its equivalent in some Southeast Asian cultures might be more closely linked to social position or wealth.  

Manaakitanga: Hospitality Across Cultures 

Manaakitanga, the Māori practice of hospitality and care. I explored this with Tania Te Whenua and Dr Dione Payne in Season 1 of Our Connectedness. I learnt from Tania that the root of the concept of manaakitanga – is the word mana which I discussed earlier - aki is to recognise, maintain, upholding uplift and tanga which is a word used for people or communities.  

As Tania states “in other words, manaakitanga is a reflection of the principle of reciprocity that in order to maintain my own mana as a person I must recognise, maintain, uphold and uplift the mana of the other person. We often loosely translate it as hospitality. But really, it's a much more in-depth concept than that.”  

As Dr Dione Payne suggested “translations of Māori words are mere shadows of the words themselves.”  She also stated that the concept of manaakitanga notes that “You are not an individual – you are a representative of everyone who has gone before you. Manaaki is acknowledging we are all connected through our ancestors.”  

Manaakitanga has parallels in the rich traditions of Southeast Asian hospitality.  The concept of adat in Malay culture, encompassing customary laws and etiquette, includes elaborate hospitality rituals. While often interpreted as a form of passive acceptance, the Thai concept of mai pen rai (never mind) can also be seen as a manifestation of hospitality, emphasizing the importance of maintaining harmony and avoiding conflict.  

Filipino culture is renowned for its warm hospitality, expressed through practices like bayanihan (mutual cooperation) and pakikisama (getting along with others). The Indian culture places an unparalleled emphasis on hospitality, a value deeply ingrained in its social fabric. The cornerstone of Indian hospitality is the ancient Sanskrit adage, "Atithi Devo Bhava," which translates to "The guest is equivalent to God." This philosophy underscores the profound respect and reverence accorded to visitors.  

These values across different cultures undoubtedly align with the spirit of manaakitanga. However, the specific expressions of hospitality, such as food sharing, gift-giving, and the role of kinship, vary significantly between cultures. 

Karakia: Spiritual Expression and Ritual 

Karakia, as Māori prayers or incantations, find counterparts in the diverse spiritual practices of Southeast Asian religions.  

Hinduism, Buddhism, Islam, and indigenous animistic beliefs incorporate prayer, ritual, and the invocation of divine or spiritual forces. When I interviewed Dr Dione Payne and asked her about the significance of karakia, what she said has always remained with me. Dr Payne said performing a karakia is about “grounding and elevating you beyond your moment, your ideas, your own worries – the physicality goes away, or the emotion sits to the side, and then the spirituality settles in.” 

Bali's Hindu-based culture is particularly rich in ritual and prayer, with ceremonies like sembahyang (worship) and mecaru (offering) demonstrating the importance of spiritual connection. In Thai Buddhism, chanting and meditation are central to religious life. These practices share similarities with the purpose and function of karakia. 

However, these spiritual expressions' specific content, form, and context vary widely. While karakia often focuses on connection to the natural world and ancestors, Southeast Asian prayers may emphasize different deities or spiritual concepts. 

The concepts of mana, manaakitanga, and karakia provide a lens through which to explore the shared values and aspirations of Māori and Southeast Asian cultures. While these concepts manifest in diverse forms and contexts, they reveal underlying principles of respect, hospitality, and spiritual connection that resonate across these cultural landscapes. 

It is essential to acknowledge that this comparison simplifies complex cultural systems. The nuances and complexities of each culture are vast and multifaceted. Still, by examining these core concepts, we can foster a deeper appreciation for the human experience's interconnectedness and cultural diversity's richness. 

 -Asia Media Centre