April 17, a Maori Love Song burst forth. Anyone remember that far back?
It was mentioned here and commented upon, then lost amidst our own national tragedies. Today, Fareed Zakaria brought it back, I think as a reminder that there is love in the world still.
The NZ parliament recently passed an amendment to their 1955 marriage law, redefining marriage as something that occurs between two people. Just two people. I saw Labor MP Louisa Wall going from one to another, embracing, amidst the cheers and song and flowers.
MPs and observers broke into applause and cheers, and then someone started singing, "Pokarekare Ana," a very popular Maori love song. Most of the others in the room joined in.
One conservative commented after the vote:
Customs Minister Maurice Williamson promised the sky would not cave in today. ‘‘I give a promise to those people who are opposed to this bill right now... the sun will still rise tomorrow, your teenage daughter will still argue back with you as if she knows everything, your mortgage will not grow, you will not have skin disease or rashes or toads in your bed. So don’t make this into a big deal, this is fantastic for the people if affects but for most of us life will go on.’’
http://www.slate.com/blogs/the_slatest/2013/04/17/new_zealand_gay_marriage_law_passes_supporters_sing_maori_love_song_in_parliament.html
Here's the song, Pokarekare Ana:
After Fareed Zakaria mentioned it this morning, dh and I looked it up, and I have to say wept tears of joy.
New Zealand sounds like an eminently civilized country to me.
Hekate
= new reply since forum marked as read
Instead, we get a love song sung in Maori.
