Karakia

 Karakia refers to a form of prayer, incantation, or ritual chant. Karakia is a practice used to invoke spiritual protection or to prepare for important events and ceremonies. Karakia is an important part of Māori customs and traditions. Its purpose can vary, from seeking guidance and expressing gratitude to establishing a connection with the spiritual realm. It has many other uses in different aspects of life as well. For instance, Karakia may be used to welcome the day and to close the day, to guarantee a secure journey, and to handle various types of illnesses. When Christianity was introduced to New Zealand, new karakia were created to acknowledge the Christian God and Jesus Christ. These karakia have been used ever since. It is important to note that Māori karakia cannot be fully translated into English and would usually require a metaphorical interpretation.