Tukua te Toto
Ritual returning of ikura to Papatūānuku
Ikura is a pure wahine – a ritual of purification. We return the blood to Papatūānuku honouring our bond to her and the first human, Hineahuone.
We can connect with the Atua Wāhine in a similar way to our tīpuna using cloth pads/ikura tarau/moon and diva cups. Here’s an example:
· When your ikura arrives soak cloth pads/ikura knickers in a bucket of water with a lid.
· Each day take your bucket to a quiet corner of the garden away from any food areas.
· Pour the blood back to the earth as an offering at sunrise or sunset. Ritualise this action by bringing your intention and awareness.
· When you pour the blood upon Papatūānuku, look up. Can you see Hineteiwaiwa the moon above? What phase is she in? Our tīpuna bled on the dark moon ovulating on the full. Like Hineteiwaiwa we momentarily retreat from the world to rest and replenish our own mauri when we bleed.
When you are finished your ritual clean your bucket and wash your cloth pads/ikura knickers in the washing machine. Dry them on the line in the sun. Go have something yummy & nourishing to eat!
The following is a karakia you are welcome to use to assist you in your own ritual.
It was composed by Matua Wiremu Huta Martin in wananga with Ngahuia Murphy.
Tukua te toto tapu ki a Papatūānuku
Māna e whakanoa ki tōna ūkaipōtanga
kia ora te wairua o te ira tangata i te hipanga o te rakaunui
Raurohatia iho te heke ō īkura
ō awa atua e nga māreikura e puawai tonu atu ai,
kia mauri ora a ira wahine a ira whenua
ki Ranginui e tū nei
Hui e
Taiki e
Release the sacred blood to Mother Earth
She will embrace it to revive humanity
at each new moon phase.
May wāhine be purified with the blood tide
by the divine feminine beings who renew the life process
that woman and land, the source of life, thrive!
Let it be done!
Tukua te toto
Ngahuia Murphy - Producer/ Director
Komako Silver - Sound Design and Taonga Pūoro Artist
Jaimee Cruse - Audio Post-Production
Shellie Hanley- Photography
Tema Kwan - Video Post-Production