Wednesday, 23 February 2011

An Occasional Word: Liudí

  • Liudí, people, persons, human beings

  • Liudí tent maluk, Human beings are hurting.

    This is true in Christchurch, New Zealand, tonight. While this loss doesn't affect my immediate whanau that I know of, I am moved by the loss to so many in my country, the restraint that so many have shown in the face of adversity, and the generosity of so many in our islands and across the ocean.

    In Maori cosmogony Ruaumoko is the unborn child of Papatuanuku, Broad Mother Earth. When he turns in his mother's womb he causes earthquakes and eruptions. Well that's a big baby's kick that he provided this week and the city of Christchurch came tumbling down.

    Liudí is used as the plural of dunianin which means human beings regardless of gender.

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