Tribal Covenant of Havaiki
A sacred, ancestral confederation of the seven Waka, formed not through law, but through shared origin, purpose, and spiritual duty.
A Ceremonial Confederation of Tribes (Waka), each fully sovereign within its territory, bound only by spiritual duty, ancestral respect, and mutual protection.
While formally they are considered as part of the United Communes of Kūpapa, the Tribal Covenant is treated as a kingdom of its own.
The Tribal Covenant
Society
Considered as a “protected race” by the rest of the people of Whenua, Māuikuras are free from the constraints of the rules of Whenua defined by the first Kaunihera, as long as they remain inside Havaiki, their sacred land.
The Waka
The giants are organised in Waka, tribes which trace their origins to a common Canoe. When Maui fished the Ark, every Whānau (family), was assigned to one of the canoes of the ark, to protect it and use it to search for land. Every family took many voyages in search of the sacred land and, once they reached Whenua, they created the 7 tribes. Every tribe used their Canoe to create giant totems, carving the wood to resemble sacred animals and engraving magical runes on them.
Inside each Waka, people are assigned to an Hapū, like a sub-tribe in which every member learns one of the fundamental Tūranga necessary for the tribe’s life in Havaiki. Most of the tribes share the same Hapū, but some tribes create specific ones for their needs or based on their skills and knowledge.
The 7 Waka are:Tūranga
Tūranga is the generic term to refer to the social status of a person inside the Waka. It indicates their role in the community, their responsibilities and their tasks. Some of these are generic roles, shared by all the tribes, but some of them are specific based on the Waka roles in the sacred land.Core Principles
- Autonomy: Each Waka rules itself, led by its Rangakai and guided by its own Tohutahi (advisors) and Tohutapu (shamans).
- Sacred Unity: In times of existential threat or during sacred events, all Waka answer the call of the Covenant.
- Ancestral Mandate: The Covenant is not enforced by laws, but by the shared will of Maui and the ancestors, preserved in oral history and sacred rites.
- Neutrality to Whenua: Māuikura are not bound by the laws of Whenua as long as they stay within Havaiki.
Structure of the Covenant
Council of the Seven Waka (Ngā Rangakai o te Whakaminenga)- Composition: The seven Rangakai (tribal chiefs), advised by their Tohutahi and accompanied by key ceremonial roles (e.g. Korero, Hakatoa, Toarangi, etc.).
- Meetings: Rare and sacred—held only during:
- The Matariki Festival (New Year) on Hakatū Island, led by Mātaatua.
- Times of war, natural disaster, or divine omen.
- Rites: Guided by Tokomaru and their Tohutapu, with Haka and Moko performed to honor Maui.
Roles Within the Covenant
- Mātaatua: Keeper of sacred rituals and the Wakatera who ferry leaders during gatherings.
- Tākitimu: Leads diplomacy, speaks to outsiders through the Korero.
- Tainui: Provides protection during gatherings, especially near sacred borders.
- Tearawa: Offers elite warriors (Toarangi) for defense or ceremonial duels.
- Tokomaru: Directs rites and spiritual judgments through the Hakatoa and Tohutapu.
- Aotea: Preserves ancestral records and life stories through Moko and Mokotane.
- Kurahaupō: Sends the Urutū to scout the outside world, returning with crucial knowledge.
Decision-Making
- Unanimous Consent: No Waka is forced into action. All decisions are unanimous and ceremonial—decisions not honored are seen as spiritual betrayal, not political rebellion.
- Sacred Veto: Any Waka may invoke Te Mana o te Waka (The Right of the Canoe) to abstain from an action they find against the will of Maui or their ancestors.
Dressing
Piupiu
- What: A traditional skirt made from flax (harakeke) strips that sway rhythmically.
- How it's worn: Tied around the waist, often over a maro or under a korowai.
- Usage: Worn during ceremonies, haka, and in battle for freedom of movement.
- Tradition: Often worn by Kaitane, Hakatoa, or Toarangi during sacred war dances or rites of passage.
Korowai (Cloak)
- What: Ornate feathered cloak symbolising mana, woven from flax, feathers, or dog skin.
- How it's worn: Draped over the shoulders, typically fastened with carved bone or wooden clasps.
- Usage: Used in ceremonies, diplomatic meetings, and high-status events.
- Tradition: Worn by Rangakai, Tohutahi, or Orahu—each Waka weaves Korowai reflecting their totem animal (e.g. stingray motifs for Tākitimu).
Maro
- What: Simple loincloth or hip wrap made of flax, tapa, or dyed cloth.
- How it's worn: Wrapped and tied around the waist, worn alone or under other garments.
- Usage: Everyday clothing for both genders; also used during work or light rituals.
- Tradition: Favoured by Mahiru, Pamutū, and Kaikōhua; younger Māuikura wear ceremonial versions during their first rites.
Tipare (Headband)
- What: Woven flax or fabric band worn around the forehead, often decorated with feathers or shells.
- How it's worn: Tied at the back, sometimes with beads or carved bone inlays.
- Usage: Ceremonial, for warriors, dancers, or during storytelling performances.
- Tradition: Kaitane wear Tipare marked with their Hapū’s colors; Hakatoa headbands bear sacred symbols of battle.
Pareu / Lava-lava / Ie Faitaga
- What: Rectangular wrap-around cloth skirt, widely used across Polynesia.
- How it's worn: Tied at the waist or underarm, varies between men and women.
- Usage: Everyday or formal wear depending on pattern and material.
- Tradition: Often printed or woven with tribe-specific runes or motifs; worn by Herea and Pūranga when representing their Hapū.
Hei Tiki / Hei Matau
- What: Sacred pendants usually carved from pounamu (greenstone) or bone, shaped as tiki (ancestor figures) or fish hooks.
- How it's worn: On braided cord, around the neck.
- Usage: Worn for protection, spiritual connection, and ancestral memory.
- Tradition: Mokotane enchant Hei Matau for sea-bound rituals; Hei Tiki passed from Rangakai to Puhi as a legacy of leadership.
Tātua (Belt)
- What: A sturdy woven belt made of flax or rope, used for both practical and ceremonial purposes.
- How it's worn: Secured around the waist over robes or piupiu.
- Usage: Carries tools, weapons, or charms; also used in rites of adulthood.
- Tradition: Warriors attach small ancestor-carved charms to their tātua; Kaitane use it to hold Taiahu and short knives.
Feather Adornments
- What: Feathers worn in hair, woven into cloaks, or mounted on staffs.
- How it's worn: In combs or headpieces, or stitched into the hems of cloaks and armbands.
- Usage: Signifies tribal identity, spiritual power, or status.
- Tradition: Tainui warriors wear whale-feather crowns in rituals; Aotea use dolphin-shaped feather combs dyed with sacred ink.
Taonga (Sacred Adornments)
- What: Personal, spiritual items—necklaces, rings, armbands, or charms imbued with mana.
- How it's worn: Always kept close, worn visibly during ceremonies or tucked in for daily life.
- Usage: Symbol of identity, used in rituals or inherited across generations.
- Tradition: Puhi carry sacred seashell pendants used in fertility rites; Korero wear carved talking sticks with ancestral inscriptions.
Tā Moko
- What: Traditional tattoos carved into the skin using chisels and ink.
- How it's worn: Across the face, arms, legs, and torso, with each curve holding deep symbolic meaning.
- Usage: Represents identity, status, history, and spiritual connections.
- Tradition: Mokotane inscribe Kirituhi (tattoos of rebirth) during milestones; only those with a full Tā Moko may challenge a Rangakai in ritual combat.
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