Tangi

by Witi Ihimaera

Part of a series highlighting the best writing from New Zealand and the Pacific region, this dramatic novel was considered a landmark in New Zealand fiction, and acclaimed as one of the first true Maori works.

Genres: Fiction, Grief, Family, Death, Poetry

212 pages, Hardcover

First published January 1, 1973

About the author

Witi Ihimaera is a novelist and short story writer from New Zealand, perhaps the best-known Māori writer today. He is internationally famous for The Whale Rider.

Ihimaera lives in New Zealand and is of Māori descent and Anglo-Saxon descent through his father, Tom. He attended Church College of New Zealand in Temple View, Hamilton, New Zealand. He was the first Māori writer to publish both a novel and a book of short stories. He began to work as a diplomat at the New Zealand Ministry of Foreign Affairs in 1973, and served at various diplomatic posts in Canberra, New York, and Washington, D.C. Ihimaera remained at the Ministry until 1989, although his time there was broken by several fellowships at the University of Otago in 1975 and Victoria University of Wellington in 1982 (where he graduated with a BA).[1] In 1990, he took up a position at the University of Auckland, where he became Professor, and Distinguished Creative Fellow in Māori Literature. He retired from this position in 2010.

In 2004, his nephew Gary Christie Lewis married Lady Davina Windsor, becoming the first Māori to marry into the British Royal Family.

Reviews

[Kerri · Rating 5 out of 5]

Witi Ihimaera's first novel is a beautiful and heartfelt story centered around grief and love. A young man returns home after the death of his father. It alternates between learning of the death and the journey home, the journey away from home to prepare to return permanently to care for his family, the lead up to the Tangi, (funeral) and the Tangi itself, as well as childhood memories. It circles constantly around and back to the loss, the days before the burial that seem endless but then are over too soon. It's quite hypnotic to read and wraps itself around you in a slightly disorienting way.

It's interesting that I read this over three days, the same period of time of the Tangi. That wasn't a deliberate choice on my part, but seems fitting.

[Ken · Rating 5 out of 5]

Tangi - only ever known it as a tangihanga, & only ever knowing this way growing up and thinking it was normal and thats how everyone did it, funnily not until my 20s did I learn its not how everyone does it. Witi tells a story, a personal human story of humans just doing their thing now a mixture of traditional and modern ways of celebrating life and death all rolled into one universe.

[Nat · Rating 5 out of 5]

Having experienced the loss of loved ones this year this novel resonated with me on a level I didn’t expect .
This novel is ihimaeras first and I learnt was also he first novel to be published by a Maori writer in New Zealand which made it even more special .
The repetitive nature of the novel makes it quite poetic and I couldn’t help but feel a lot of what was written was taken from Ihimaeras own experience of losing a loved one . It was intimate and spiritual- loved it!

[Rob Carr · Rating 5 out of 5]

Takes you a little while to get used to how it jumps back and forth between the present and memories but it is a fascinating and well written book.

[jimmy ellison · Rating 4 out of 5]

how beautiful- he has such a way of words especially relating to nz and being maori that it triggers a sense of homesickness that I rarely feel. Also made me want to call my dad and tell him I love him - to manawa ko toku manawa. and first book published by a maori author??? how good

but not quite a 5 because I found some of the aue a bit repetitive

[Jesse · Rating 5 out of 5]

Tangi is the first novel of Witi Ihimaera's that I've read and I found it extremely hard to read, and at the same time I enjoyed every minute of it. It's not a difficult read, and actually is repetitive throughout. But it has an almost hypnotic quality. The book itself weaves two strands: the return of Tama to his home after his father's death, and Tama dealing with his father's death after it has happened. Maybe there are even more strands in there. I think it's this quality that makes the repetition interesting, rather than boring. It's a hugely emotional book, and made me pretty sad at times. I haven't found many books that really do that well. It took me about two months to read. I did it in tiny snack size pieces, and it put me behind in my reading challenge for 2013. But it was worth every page.

[Allie · Rating 4 out of 5]

I have a lot of feelings about this book. Tangi tells the story of a man going home for his father's funeral. He retraces old steps, both physical and emotional, as he goes from his everyday life to his traditional Maori home. Witi Ihimaera uses Maori songs and text to underscore the profound cultural connection and heartache this young man feels. The prose was simple and clear, which beautifully serves the themes and narrative tone. If you can get your hands on a copy (and that is a pretty big if), I definitely recommend reading it.

[zespri · Rating 4 out of 5]

A young maori boy returns home for the death of his father. A simple enough story line, but it is a beautiful portrayal of maori life and custom surrounding death. For those of us who are pakeha, it lifts the lid of the Tangi, and the way the maori community celebrate the passing of one of their own.

[RobdawgReads · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is so incredibly powerful. If you want to understand aroha, read this, and bring tissues. I teared up many times and outright cried once. Witi is a wordsmith and beautifully weaves in Māori traditions while telling a story of loss, love, and renewal.

[Lucy · Rating 5 out of 5]

I think this may be one of my favourite all time reads from Aotearoa. I read it in one day, today, lying sick on the couch and gosh I cried. Ihimaera uses prose and poetry, waiata, karakia, pūrākau and pakiwaitara to tell the story of a young man faced with the death and tangi of his beloved father. Apart from all of this, Tangi is also a fascinating look into the life of rural and semi urban Māori in the 1950s and '60s. I'm so glad I read this for book club and it will hold a very special place for me.

[Neil Stanley · Rating 5 out of 5]

An exceptionally well-written book which, although listed as fiction, is obviously based on the author’s experience on his home marae near the New Zealand town of Gisborne. He emotionally describes, through recollections, his relationship with his father from his first memories until his father sudden death. The narrative follows, in detail, his journey home and the three days of the ‘Tangi’, the Maori funeral rites up until his father’s burial. Perhaps anyone who has lost a father can relate to a good portion of this story - particularly the precious memories spent together in childhood. Well worth the read.

[Melz · Rating 5 out of 5]

He rongoa pouritanga tēnei 🫶🏾

[Miss Sophie · Rating 5 out of 5]

A beautiful reflection on grief, the importance of family and chosing one's place in the world.

[Frumenty · Rating 3 out of 5]

I've been a long time reading this little book. I had put it aside for quite a while, and now I'm too busy to give it the thoughtful review it deserves (university exam time). The story really couldn't be simpler: young Maori man's father dies and he goes home for the funeral (tangi). The narrative isn't really the point. The book is about "maoritanga", Maori culture. I occasionally tell new arrivals in New Zealand that if they want to understand New Zealand then one thing they will need is a Maori dictionary, because the media is full of Maori words which most Kiwis seem to be familiar with. This little book could really do with a glossary. Some readers will find this book quite slow and repetitive - there is a ritualistic quality about the writing. It gives a very positive spin on Maori culture - the young man's parents are honest, loving and hard-working; the community pulls together to support the family when the father dies; the most important Maori value is "aroha", which my little dictionary translates as "love, affection; compassion, pity". It's a long way from "Once were warriors". The agenda of that book was to confront the issues dividing Maori society; the agenda of this one is to present maoritanga to New Zealand, and to Maori's too I suppose, as something to be proud of. If Maori culture interests you, then I can recommend it.

[Josephine Ensign · Rating 4 out of 5]

A good introduction to Ihimaera's writing. I'm now on to reading his first published book/story collection, Pounamu, Pounamu.

[Max Taylor · Rating 2 out of 5]

NOT THAT GOOD / NOT FOR ME

Have to specify, this is probably more a “it’s not you, it’s me” situation as I understand that this book is written in a manner heavily tied to the Māori way of life and mythology, which I am not versed in and have no experience in. That said, I did not enjoy reading this.

It feels extraordinarily repetitive, and I understand he wanted it to be a spiralling story, but it really did spiral, felt like I was going around and around in circles. It also does something I dislike generally in storytelling, which is jumping to and fro, present to past and back, sometimes on the same page. This has always impacted my engagement, and reminds me of books we were forced to read at school.

There are chapters that are really excellent, where he focuses in on a particular moment or idea. These chapters feel a lot more succinct, polished and powerful. Apparently it was originally a short story, and that makes so much sense. This would be so much better with about 150 pages trimmed. I feel relieved to be finished.

I appreciated the immersion into Māori culture, but the way it was written just didn’t work with me. But just because I didn’t like something does not mean I am saying it is bad! I don’t know enough about this author or this type of storytelling to say that.

[Ash · Rating 5 out of 5]

25 out of 5 stars. Just phenomenal.
The first book to ever be published by a Māori author does not disappoint and stands the test of time like no other classic.
Ihimaera has a way with the narrative that doesn’t follow the western path of story telling. The past, present and future all fall in on themselves as the story goes on before beautifully unravelling in an almost magical realism way about things previously without magic. Loss and grief are hard topics but with powerful imagery from Māori culture, Ihimaera doesn’t shy from them. He spends a unique amount of time on feelings, narratively placing importance on the need to feel as both reader and character.
He shows a tremendous amount of respect for all characters, even those brought in as one time mentions will return once more, just as chastely, but in a light of connection and empathy.
There is so much familiarity in the characters, the settings, the themes and the story’s Ihimaera has created. This story felt like coming home.

[Joanne · Rating 5 out of 5]

Interesting personal timing for me, reading this so soon after my own father’s death. A beautiful story filled with the imagery and emotion always appreciated from Ihimaera.

[Jacqui Swney · Rating 5 out of 5]

A masterpiece, sorrowful and poignant.

I put off the last 30 pages of this book for a year now because I knew it would make me cry.

[Alana Hay · Rating 5 out of 5]

5 ⭐️

[Anna Bishop · Rating 5 out of 5]

Just a beautiful thing. I can’t believe it’s taken me this long to read it.

[Dominic · Rating 5 out of 5]

Tō manawa, e tāku manawa. How beautiful!

[Jessica Tarrant · Rating 5 out of 5]

If I could give more than five stars, I would - for the last 100 pages their tears were truly my tears.

“We must carry the grief of others, as well as our own. Although it’s a burden of love, somehow we have to find the strength.”

[Monica · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent

[DC · Rating 4 out of 5]

Reads more like poetry than prose - quite lovely and moving. Very effective use of repetition to carry the emotion throughout.

[Brittany · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was a beautiful reading experience. The story was very touching and I felt like the author gave me a glimpse into the heart of the Maori people.

[Rachel Horwell · Rating 4 out of 5]

Te Pukupuku Ataahua. Ngā mihi nui Witi. A beautiful poetic book. So lovingly written. I had tears in my eyes and lumps in my throat often while reading this book. Such powerful, deep use of language.

Quotes to help me remember some bits and Te reo
Kua mate to papa.
“E Koe, you mangere thing! Now get up!” “Brrr Makariri!” “Now that you’re up, Light the stove ay?” “Why don’t you do it” “This bed is warm. You’re up, you do it.”
A thousand lives revolving, a thousand destinies evolving. Chapters begun, Chapters ending, Chapters continuing.
Tangiweto. Porangi. Turi Turi.
“Show me your muscles then! Your muscles first, Tama. Aeee! Big Ay. Now yours, Ripeka. Only Pipis so far, Ripeka.”
“I’m sorry I’m so hoha, Rongo.”…”That’s love, One day you will understand.” “That’s love?” “Ae, Son, he’d sighed. Ae…”
“To manawa, e taku manawa.” Your heart is my heart. “To manawa, a ratou manawa.” Your heart is also their heart.
His calmness was his strength.
It was difficult to feel happy away from Waituhi. We lived belonging to each other, not apart from each other.
“Tahi nei taru kino, mahi whaia-ipo
Ke te wehenga, aroha kau ana,
Haere mai ra, ki ahau nei ra,
He aroha tino nui, haere mai”
Sometimes, life is sad, you told me. Sometimes it is happy. But the world isn’t happy all the time. If sad things happen, you be calm. Be patient. The happiness will come again.
Kauai koe e haere, e pa. Don’t go away.
“Aue, e konohi tana manawa. Aue, e konohi tana ropi. Ae, e tauhou ia ki tenei marae hei wa roa…” Aue your heart grieves, Aue your body grieves. Ae you have been a stranger to this marae for a long time. But this is your whānau, this is your home.
Your tears, my tears.
His face is calm. He does not show his grief, yet you know he grieves deeply for your father. It is good to feel his strength. It is good to know that he is here to guide you.
We sing of Maori aroha. We say, to manawa, e taku manawa. Your heart is my heart. When you are sad, I am sad. When you are happy, I am happy. When you need love, I will give you love. Your tears and my tears. Your laughter is my laughter.

[Philippa Taylor · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was a lovely read - in hindsight I wish I had 'read' the audio version (assuming there's one available) to really engage with the Maori language used. Its an extremely foreign world to me - set in the early 70s, its hard now, in 2024, to appreciate how challenging it would have been for young Maori men (and women, but at that point primarily men) to have dreams for a future beyond their family and culture, in the Pakeha world. And what decisions they would have to make when faced situations like the one facing Tama. As a young man in his early 20s, he was just starting out on his own journey, opting to finish high school, study, and win an office job. He had but a small taste when his father passed, and while the book doesn't tell you what happens next, its clear that the expectation is that he'll return to the family farm and support his family. While the two divergent pathways are clear, the author never suggests he won't return, but more makes clear what he is giving up by returning home.
Beyond the juxtaposition of cultures, its an extremely beautiful story about the process of farewelling a loved one in Maori culture. I wonder if the same practices occur when the deceased is a woman or a child? A massive disruption to one's routine if so! Incredibly moving, and it made me wonder about the author's father, whether he had already passed away when he wrote the book. It would be weird to read your child's book with this subject matter if not...
Just three stars for me, because I felt distanced from some of the nuances by the use of the Maori language. I got the vibe but am sure I missed a level of comprehension which others would have. It made me feel foreign, rather than being absorbed into the culture.

[Will Greenland · Rating 4 out of 5]

Poetic is the word used by Goodreads to describe this debut book by Witi Ihimaera. I have to say that is an apt description. Reading this while gazing out at the Remarkables in Queenstown, I was struck by how Ihimaera captures the tension between Māori and Pākehā cultures. He does this through a young man losing his father at an already pivotal moment in his own life. The novel's account of the 'tangi' (Māori funeral ceremony) gradually introduces the unfamiliar reader to key aspects of Māori culture. As Tama returns from Wellington to conduct his duties, te reo Māori appears with increasing frequency throughout the text.

As a New Zealand passport holder who has never actually lived in Aotearoa—until now, at 24—I was fascinated by the intricate rituals of burying a patriarch. As seems the case with many Indigenous cultures, roles may be gendered but are by no means unequal. The ceremony is three days long. This makes the Western funeral-wake (typically over in merely half a day) seem downright disrespectful. I was reminded here of the passing of Crosby in Eleanor Catton's The Luminaries, and how Te Rau Tauwhare stood vigil over his burial. Of course, food is a central component. Perhaps more important is the familial connection to land. Where to bury his father becomes one of Tama's most significant decisions.

In sum, I would recommend this book to anyone seeking a better understanding of Māori culture. As a complete novice, I am sure that I missed many of the finer points. But this only makes it more relevant for those better versed.

[Jo · Rating 5 out of 5]

This 50th anniversary edition of Witi Ihimaera's Tangi has a stunning new cover and slightly updated text . Originally published in 1973, it was the author's first book and the first ever publication of a Maori author. Makes you think.

The story centres on a father and son, set within a three-day tangihanga. Like all Witi's writing, the language is beautiful, the characters warm and memorable and there is wonderful humour...

**We rushed down to the river and helped them up the bank. We all helped Widow Karaka because she was, well, not thin. Dad grabbed her hand, Mum grabbed the other, and Ripeka and I pulled at her puku. Her kids pushed her up from the back.
One, two, three and heave! Dad yelled. The Widow Karaka burst out of the water like a big whale and sat gasping on the grass. Takes more than a river to keep me away, she laughed.**