[drunksunflower]

So ... I understand that a lot of people in this forum are probably bicultural.

I thought it would be interesting to have some stuff shared - for me, I'm from Aotearoa. Here it is customary to say your iwi and whakapapa (basically your origins). Aotearoa means 'land of the long white cloud'. Essentially, Maui fished us up from the sea.

And we have a ritual that happens before many occasions - especially sport.

I'm going to quote it here - Ka Mate is used for the most part, but Kapa o panga is also used (a different version that's meant to represent more nations).

Disclaimer: I'm not flaming because I know that there have been people in the US who have tried to 'borrow' our haka. Grrrrr at them

Ka Mate is

Ka Mate! Ka Mate!
Ka Ora! Ka Ora!
Tenei te ta ngata puhuru huru
Nana nei i tiki mai

Whakawhiti te ra
A upane ka upane!
A upane kaupane whiti te ra!
Hi!!

English Translation:
It is death! It is death!
It is life! It is life!
This is the hairy person
Who caused the sun to shine
Keep abreast! Keep abreast
The rank! Hold fast!
Into the sun that shines!

So ... what's YOUR culture?

Kia ora, Kia Kaha (see you later and be strong, basically )

[Maven]

My culture and origins are the USA. I have descendants that came from Europe--England, Ireland, Germany, and Scotland--as well as Cherokee and Lenape Indian cultures. I'm of Celtic ancestry.

[drunksunflower]

Do you know much about the Cherokee / Lenape cultures? American Indian parallel Maori in quite a few ways with their connection to the land.

[Maven]

Actually, I don't. I've been thinking about delving into some Native American culture, but I have so many things I'm planning on researching, it's kind of sitting on a back burner right now.

[Wants2Fly]

I am a third generation Polish-Slovak American.

[Wants2Fly]

I find that many of family's customs, especially those surrounding Roman Catholic holidays, are more like the way they are traditionally celebrated in Europe. I don't like a lot about US culture -- the flashy sexiness, the emphasis on violence as entertainment, making fun of people who are educated and smart, elevating the empty-headed to the status of cultural icons. I rebelled against my family's strict upbringing when I was in my 20s and early 30s, but I find I am returning to the "old ways" and values in my third trimester of life. I don't know whether this is wisdom or simply the regressiveness and inflexibility often attributed to old age.

[Talulah]

I am third generation Greek American (1/2) with some danish (i think--don't know my dad's side at all) and maybe german.

Anyway, I really identify as Greek American and have been raised culturally with the Greek traditions......OPA!

[Peanuts]

I am 7th generation Irish on my mothers side and probably - but not certain - 4th generation Irish on my dads side.

[drunksunflower]

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Talulah said:
I am third generation Greek American (1/2) with some danish (i think--don't know my dad's side at all) and maybe german.

Anyway, I really identify as Greek American and have been raised culturally with the Greek traditions......OPA!

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Oh awesome - my old roommates i lived with for 4 years were Cypriot. Mmmmm spanakopita, tyropittes, kalamari, halloumi, galactoboureko :>

[drunksunflower]

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Peanuts said:
I am 7th generation Irish on my mothers side and probably - but not certain - 4th generation Irish on my dads side.

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I am half Irish, my mother was born there

[LMo]

I'm Hungarian (1st generation) and Greek Macedonian (2nd). I know nothing about my Macedonian heritage, but have spent a lot of time in Hungary and grew up fairly immersed in its culture.

[drunksunflower]

I loved Hungary. Only really got to Budapest but definitely made me want to go back and explore further.

We went to a wine festival up on the castle grounds. Totally AMAZING.

Clubbing was good, too :>

[InACorner]

Im Greek as well....also have Pennsyvania Dutch(which is German more or less) and italian as well as Native American..im thinking Cherokee....and when i marry my boyfriend...my kids will also have Phillipino heritage..LOL

[Rio_]

We were actually talking about this in my French class today! Most people said they considered themselves Scottish...hardly any considered themselves European, and some didn't even consider themselves British.

Personally, I can't consider myself purely Scottish - I may have Scottish ancestors and a Scottish surname, but my parents are English and Canadian, plus I have some French relatives. I'm a bit of a mix, I guess.

[Juliana]

I'm a little bit of everything -- German, Portuguese, English, Scottish and French. I have a German name and studied German in university, but I don't identify with that culture very much. I have never been to Europe and my family is generations removed from our European ancestors. The culture that I identify most strongly with is Nova Scotian (which has lots of Scottish influences but is very distinctive) -- because this is where I was born and bred. A lot of the local music is Celtic and a lot of common phrases are Scots Gaelic. There are so many other influences too -- in the place names, local cuisine, music, etc. -- Acadien, M'ik Maq, English, Lebanese, Greek, African, German, etc. When I'm away from here I miss the music, the landscape, the foggy weather, and the many different accents I hear on the streets of my home city. So, I guess Nova Scotian is my culture.

[Wants2Fly]

Interesting thread.

[darkeyes]

I'm German, Welsh, Norwegian and Italian. I'm an American.

This is a cool thread.

[drunksunflower]

interesting to read people's history ...

we are a mixed bunch down in Aotearoa too :>

[Talulah]

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LMo said:
I'm Hungarian (1st generation) and Greek Macedonian (2nd). I know nothing about my Macedonian heritage, but have spent a lot of time in Hungary and grew up fairly immersed in its culture.

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Way cool!!!! My Greek heritage........Sparta and Kalavrita.....

DrunkenSunflower............mmmmm......you're making me hungry....

Hey Inny........my fellow Greekster........YASOU!