tūpuna
Tūpuna is the Māori word for ancestor or grandparent.
In New Zealand English, it appears in discussions of Māori culture, genealogy, and land rights.
The plural is tūpuna or tīpuna.
Whakapapa (genealogy) connects living Māori to their tūpuna, who remain spiritually present: The land belongs to our tūpuna.
Māori ancestral lineage system
- ancestorPredecessor in lineage
- grandparentParent once removed
- forebearAncestral family member
- lineageDescent from progenitors
genealogy · bloodline · heritage · progenitor · matriarch · patriarch · descent · generations
Souls of deceased kin
- guardiansThose who protect others
- tapuSacred restriction, Polynesian
- manaSupernatural indwelling power
- blessingPrayer seeking divine favor
guidance · protection · spiritual connection · offerings · reverence
Inherited family territory
- tribal territoryLand claimed by clan
- homesteadFamily farm and dwelling
- mountainsTall elevated landmasses
- riversFlowing bodies of water
sacred sites · burial grounds · belonging · inheritance · custodianship · connection · stewardship · homeland
whakapapa
Māori ancestral lineage system
- ancestorPredecessor in lineage
- grandparentParent once removed
- forebearAncestral family member
lineage · genealogy · bloodline · heritage · progenitor · matriarch · patriarch · descent · generations · roots
ancestral spirits
Souls of deceased kin
- guardiansThose who protect others
- tapuSacred restriction, Polynesian
- manaSupernatural indwelling power
blessing · guidance · protection · spiritual connection · offerings · reverence
ancestral land
Inherited family territory
- tribal territoryLand claimed by clan
- homesteadFamily farm and dwelling
- mountainsTall elevated landmasses
rivers · sacred sites · burial grounds · belonging · inheritance · custodianship · connection · stewardship · homeland · claims
tūpunadescendants
Those who come after
descendant · grandchildren · grandchild · great-grandchild · offspring