Thursday, April 30, 2009

New Zealand / Hongi , Maori greeting

A Hongi is a traditional Māori greeting in New Zealand, says Wikipedia. It is done by pressing one's nose to another person at an encounter.

It is still used at traditional meetings among members of the Māori people and on major ceremonies.

In the hongi (traditional greeting), the ha or breath of life is exchanged and intermingled.

See similar greetings among Europeans (kissing on both cheeks), other Polynesians and Eskimos.

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