Definition of whakapapa in English:
whakapapa
nounPlural whakapapas ˈfɑːkəˌpɑːpə
NZ A line of descent from one's ancestors; genealogy.
we grew up knowing our whakapapa
she has a large design inked on her back, depicting her whakapapa
Example sentencesExamples
- The music carried grief, the sea, voices speaking assuredly of whakapapa.
- The defining principle has to be whakapapa.
- Other aspects and changes to the bill on the keeping of records, and the recognition of genetic inheritance or whakapapa, are an improvement.
- The esoteric nature of these claims is expressed through their own pertinent whakapapa link.
- Looking through all his pics, I'd be interested in tracing his Whakapapa.
- One of the unfortunate things about our whakapapa is that we cannot do anything about it.
- As mentioned by previous speakers, whakapapa links are important and will be a concern for Maori and Pacific Island groups.
- The point of this story is that history and whakapapa are important.
- For any tribal group to trace their whakapapa to an eponymous ancestor, it has to be proven through blood lines.
- Our people were very protective of their whakapapa.
Origin
Early 20th century: Maori.