Hau: Giving Voices to the Ancestors

Abstract

Gift exchange within Māori society, underpinned by the notion of hau, is a favoured topic for anthropological research. Hau has become an international phenomenon due to its potential relevance to understanding gift economies in many non-monetary societies worldwide. However, the desire in anthropological and socioeconomic analyses to constantly redefine the concept of hau within the narrow context of gift exchange has led to a separation of hau as the life force from its Māori philosophical base and, moreover, to a separation of Māori from the philosophy of hau. This article attempts to provide an expansive, culturally grounded account of hau by bringing Māori voices to the forefront of this international discussion. The voices of Māori ancestors are privileged and kept alive through the oral literature of respected Māori leaders. Highlighted here is the dynamic interaction of hau with other life forces, and its interwoven philosophy that is nuanced according to a cosmological, spiritual and genealogically based worldview.