Te Reo Maori (Maori Language) part 2

This is a continuation for entry I wrote before. As this is still the Te Reo Maori week her in New Zealand, we need to practice to speak (korero) in Maori. Today 30 July 2009, we practiced some Maori songs (Waiata Maori) at Peachgrove Playcentre. Fathini (my eldest daughter) started to sing some Maori songs since yesterday. I want to share some songs that we sang today.

Pakipaki Tamariki Ma

Pakipaki, pakipaki, tamariki ma(x2) Kanikani, kanikani, tamariki ma (2) Rere, rere, rere, rere, tamariki ma(x2) Peke, peke, peke, peke, tamariki ma (x2) Hurihuri, hurihuri, tamariki ma (x2) Hikoi, hikoi, hikoi, hikoi, tamariki ma(x2) Oma, oma, oma, oma, tamariki ma (x2) Titiro, titiro, tamariki ma (x2) E moe, e moe, tamariki ma (x2 ) Pakipaki, pakipaki, tamariki ma (x2)	Clap, clap children. Dance Fly Jump Turn March Run Look Sleep Clap

Children love this song as they only have to do some actions as required. Fathini was singing this song since yesterday when my hubby watched his favourite programme on tv(Top Gear). He thought that she was singing something in our language. (dah bunyi mcm nak sama kdg2).
We also sing the birthday song in Maori language everytime we have the birthday celebration there. This is the song in Te Reo Maori:

Happy birthday to you

Key of G. Everyone knows this tune, nei?

A simple version

Rā whānau koa Rā whānau koa Ki a koe e ...... Rā whānau koa

"Day of birth joyful" Happy birthday To you ..... Happy birthday

I think the last song (Waiata) that I'm going to share today is the favourite song for both my daughters which is "Twinkle, Twinkle Little Star". Some people might wonder why do I want to share about other people's language? Well, this is just my effort of learning a new language and it's also a reminder for me that we have to cherish our language. A language is supposed to be evolved and if we get more people who can speak the language, definately the language won't die. Okay let's look at the lyrics for "Twinkle, Twinkle, Little Star".

Kapokapo whetū iti

Kapokapo whetū iti Hua ahau he aha koe Runga rawa i te ao Hei tiamana i te rangi Kapokapo whetū iti Hua ahau he aha koe

Twinkle, twinkle little star how I wonder what you are Up above the world so high. Like a diamond in the sky Twinkle, twinkle little star how I wonder what you are

By the way, when you see "wh" most of the time it's pronounce as "f". So, why don't you try these songs as they are not so hard.

Ka Ki Te Ano.