In her TEDx talk, “How to introduce yourself—the Māori way,” speaker Amelia Butler explores the traditional customs of introduction within the Māori culture. Drawing upon her own experiences as a Māori woman, Butler shares valuable insights on the significance of greetings and how they can deeply impact interpersonal relationships.
Butler delves into the meaningful practice of introducing oneself in the Māori way, which involves acknowledging one’s ancestry, connections to the land, and shared values. By paying homage to one’s heritage and acknowledging the collective spirit of community, individuals can foster stronger bonds and create a sense of belonging.
Through her engaging storytelling and personal anecdotes, Butler highlights the importance of respecting cultural traditions and understanding the power of language in shaping our identities. She encourages viewers to embrace the Māori approach to introductions as a way to honor diversity, promote inclusivity, and build authentic connections with others.
Overall, this TEDx talk offers a thought-provoking perspective on the art of introduction and the cultural nuances that define our interactions with one another.
Watch the video by TEDxTalks
Author Video Description
As a Māori cultural practitioner, Amelia Butler introduces us to her Pepeha. And then takes us on an exquisite journey to her homeland, to experience what it would be like to connect with the world from a Te Ao Māori perspective. Amelia Butler is an indigenous Māori woman, cultural practitioner and Māori cultural consultant from Aotearoa, New Zealand. She is the founder and director of Learn Māori Abroad, a global organization that shares Māori language, culture and performance online and in-person. Amelia attended Kōhanga Reo (Māori language preschool) at a young age and grew up in Auckland, New Zealand.
She went on to study te reo Māori (Māori language) by correspondence in high school and majored in Māori language, culture and performance in her Bachelor of Arts degree and Māori Land Law in her Bachelor of Laws degree at the University of Auckland. Amelia moved to Turtle Island (US) in 2009 and has shared Māori language & culture with various groups and organizations in the US including UCLA, University of Hawaii, University of Washington, Pacific Island Ethnic Arts Museum, Warner Bros Studios, Sony, Tourism New Zealand, Penguin Random House, Atlas Obscura and Intel. Amelia’s tribal affiliation are Ngātiwai, Ngāpuhi and Ngāti Awa. This talk was given at a TEDx event using the TED conference format but independently organized by a local community. Learn more at https://www.ted.com/tedx
About TEDxTalks
TEDx is an international community that organizes TED-style events anywhere and everywhere — celebrating locally-driven ideas and elevating them to a global stage. TEDx events are produced independently of TED conferences, each event curates speakers on their own, but based on TED’s format and rules.
Video “How to introduce yourself—the Māori way | Amelia Butler | TEDxDelthorneWomen” was uploaded on 06/06/2024 to Youtube Channel TEDx Talks