A newly released collection of Māori poems translated into Spanish aims to strengthen cultural ties with Latin America and its indigenous people.
Letras Latinas Publishing House, which is based in Auckland, published Twelve Heavens, Doce Cielos and organised the linguistic project.
The selection of poems will be launched on May 12 with the intention of being a unique ‘trilingual’ piece of literature that has never been attempted before.
Chilean poet and member of Letras Latinas, Esteban Espinoza talks a little bit about Twelve Heavens, Doce Cielos. Video: ALACINC
Letras Latinas’ director, Mirtha Alvarez, said the selection of poems had been a long process, as the organisation had only previously translated and released bilingual pieces of literature.
She said as far as Letras Latinas were aware, this was the first time Māori literature was offered in both Spanish and English.
“Eight different Māori poets provided us with their work, which was published in te reo Māori with English and Spanish translations,” explained Ms Alvarez.
Ms Alvarez said the publishing house believed the release of translated Māori literature was positive and would develop Māori culture and arts further.
“We need to remember that this is Māori sharing their art with us, and not the other way around.”
Steve Elers, a Māori lecturer in Māori and indigenous communication at Massey University, said the release of Maori texts translated into Spanish was pleasing.
He said examples like Twelve Heavens, Doce Cielos were positive, and hoped it signified the growth of a foreign interest in Māori literature.
“Anything that disseminates Māori culture as well as other indigenous cultures is a good thing. The more we can actually spread out our knowledge and our histories is positive for us and other indigenous cultures too.”
Senior lecturer at Auckland University for Latin American studies, Dr Kathryn Lehman, said translating Māori literature into Spanish helped strengthen a cultural connection that Māori already share with indigenous cultures of Latin America.
Dr Lehman said examples such as the word ‘toki’ in Māori having the same meaning as in Mapuche, an indigenous language of Chile, proved a historical relationship between the two cultures.
She said Māori are seen as world leaders in native affairs and that by expanding Māori culture through the release of these poems, it empowered the international indigenous community.
Twelve Heavens, Doce Cielos will be available from the Letras Latinas library in Onehunga after the launch.
