The Hongi
What is a hongi?
A hongi is the pressing of noses, which symbolises the exchange of the breath of life
When does the hongi happen?
When the tangata whenua side indicates that the speeches are complete, the manuhiri speakers approach the tangata whenua to hongi
What to do.
- You put both people’s right hands together and shake them firmly with a little squeeze and also look them in the eye and say kia ora
- Put your left hand on their right shoulder and gently rest it on their shoulder
- Finally you put your face forward and touch noses
- Now you let go
The hongi is a greeting that shows respect to tangata whenua therefore you must do it correctly
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