Monday, November 16, 2009

The Twelve Days of Christmas ... New Zealand Version


A Pukeko in a Ponga Tree
(The 12 Days of Christmas)


On the first day of Christmas
My true love gave to me
A pukeko in a ponga tree

On the second day of Christmas
My true love gave to me
Two kumara
And a pukeko in a ponga tree

On the third day of Christmas…

and so on, until…

On the twelfth day of Christmas
My true love gave to me
Twelve piupius swinging
Eleven haka lessons
Ten juicy fish heads
Nine sacks of pipis
Eight plants of puha
Seven eels a swimming
Six pois a twirling
Five – big – fat – pigs!
Four huhu grubs
Three flax kits
Two kumara
And a pukeko in a ponga tree!


Definitions 


Pukeko = type of bird found in NZ
Ponga Tree = a fern tree that grows in NZ
Kumera = a yellow sweet potato with a purple inside core
Piupiu = a skirt made from strips of flax. They look like hula skirts. They’re worn by the Maori (indigenous people of NZ) during certain dances and special celebrations.
Haka = war chant/dance
Pipi = small shellfish
Puha = a type of sow thistle that is eaten as a vegetable in NZ
Pois = Maori word for ball – they’re two balls on the end of two ropes and they’re twirled around making patterns during some Maori dances
Huhu = a small edible grub or beetle found in NZ






I have to be honest, I love Christmas. 
I always have, my mother made it so special for us, and I guess we were thoroughly spoiled! Now having my own children, and limited means, I cant do what my mother did for us, but the Spirit of Christmas Ive talked about with my children, means its about giving and sharing, not expecting and wanting. 
Theyre doing okay with that - already we have lists and secrets, lots of whispering!! I love it all!
You know, we have an open door policy, we like to catch up with everyone we can at Christmas!
If youre in the area - and you know where to go, Cmon!! 
We would love to see you and share the festive season with you!
And if youre too far away, and cant quite make it, then perhaps it will be next year and we will be together to spend some quality time together!!
I miss you all, and I send all my love to you - 
You know who you are... 
and I hope you know how special you are to me.

Lots of Love
From
Me
X0X0X0X0X 

E. Butterfly 



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