The House of Tu - The House of Rongo

The Maori story of creation teaches some very valuable lessons about the process of engagement with others. After the separation of Ranginui and Papatuanuku by Tane Mahuta. Tawhirimatea; one of the brothers was distraught at his other brothers for separating their parents. He destroyed the forests, and attacked the seas besting all brothers except Tumatauenga. They bought fought themselves to a stand still until they came to an impasse. It was at this time that they agreed to disagree with their version of their parents being separated. They then left each other. Tumatauenga then became angry at his other brothers for not supporting in the battle against Tawhirimatea. He then proceeded to teach them a lesson by attacking them and their offspring. When he was finished, he become their rangatira (leader). Tumatauenga then established two whare wananga on the earth. One was called the House of Tu and the other the house of Rongo.

It is from the attributes of Tu & Rongo that we take a process of discernment when engaging with others. Tu as the God of War has well known attributes including fighting and violence and even death. However Tu has other attributes as well that include courage, high self esteem, boldness, self assured, independent, challenging, inquisitive, assertive and perseverance.

Rongo who is known as the God of Peace has attributes that include peace, harmony and gentleness. Rongo has other attributes that include being a door mat or some one who can be walked over.

A facilitator can use the Tu & Rongo cycle to determine where a person is at during the engagement process. if they are in the realm of Tu, you create space and explain to them what Tu is. A person who is in the realm of Tu is not quite ready to engage with others. If a person is in Rongo, they could be whakama or shy so you invite them to come into share space, and give them space to engage in their own time.

#The House of Tu & Rongo as a process of Engagement