Tangihanga

The traditional Maori Tangihanga is used by the Maori by the Maori to mourn the death of a relative, this ceremony protocol has changed very little over time. The tupapaku is taken care of by an undertaker. It is said that the reason behind the death of humans is Maui attempted to crawl through hine nui te po trying to end death to all human, but unfortunately failed.

The whanau pani were expected to stay with the Tupapaku, the whanau pani would grieve in different ways such as haehae by making deep cuts with shells or obsidian on the arms and legs, or taking their own life by whakamomori. For the whanau pani, Whakamomori was an acceptable way to express their grief, it was often of the pouaru to take her life.