Parihaka - Social Studies - Music Through Time 2021

~ Parihaka ~

This week in Social studies we have been learning about the story of Parihaka and why it's a significant event till today. 

What is the main message of this song?

The song tells the story of the Taranaki Parihaka peaceful protest and the inspiring leader Te Whiti.

What line explains their passive resistance method?

'Te Whiti he used the language of the spirit,

Then stood accused, the madman and his dream,

He saw the train go roaring through the tunnel,

He heard the voice travel on the magic wire,

But he loved the silence of the river,'

What does'you can't pull out the roots' refer to?

Under the leadership of Te-Whiti Parihaka started to protest using zero violence.

The people of Parihaka ploughed the land.

'you can't pull out the roots' means that the soldiers can't get rid of the crops that Parihaka grew during their passive resistance movement.

How does this song show the significance of Parihaka?

It show significance because it was a story that was untold and hidden for years and it took the government over 100 years later for an apology.

The raukura, the single white albatross feather worn by Te Whiti and Tohu's followers, symbolizes peace.

What is Parihaka?

Parihaka is a small village in Taranaki.

It is a settlement for Maori people located 55km south west of New Plymouth. Behind Parihaka is Mount Taranaki. There are events that took place around Parihaka it happened from about 1860 to 1900 have affected the political, cultural and spiritual dynamics of the entire country.

Passive Resistance

in 1878 the government began surveying the confiscated southern Taranaki lands for Europeans settlement. in May 1879, under the initial direction of Tohu, Parihaka reclaimed this land by ploughing it.

• Instead of fighting, the people of Parihaka send out ploughmen to cultivate the land and workers to build fences.
• The first ploughmen were arrested but offered no resistance. Other came to take their place. They too were arrested.

Parihaka importance in New Zealand history

Because the Maori used passive resistance as a form of protest against the Europeans, instead of just going out and killing people like other Maori may have done. This is an important event because it was a non-violent war between Maori and Europeans.