Whakapapa

2026
Totara and copper
850mm x 350mm
SKU 16603

Whakapapa is a foundational Māori concept from New Zealand that translates to genealogy, lineage, or descent. More literally, it means “to lay one thing upon another”. It describes the multi-generational kinship lines connecting a person to their ancestors, their community, and the natural or spiritual world. Beyond a simple family tree, whakapapa is a complex, holistic framework.

Key aspects include: Connection to Land: Whakapapa ties people to specific mountains, rivers, and tribal areas. It establishes one’s tūrangawaewae (a place to stand) and ahikā (the right of continuous occupation).Universal

Relationships: Whakapapa encompasses the genealogy of all living things, tracing the origins of the universe, the earth, and the sky back to their beginnings.

Preservation of Knowledge: It is used to organize and transmit history, legends, tribal alliances, and cultural philosophies from one generation to the next. Identity and Reciprocity: Understanding one’s whakapapa establishes roles, privileges, and obligations (whanaungatanga) to one’s whānau (family), hapū (sub-tribe), and iwi (tribe)