The () is a traditional MÃÂori greeting performed by two people pressing their noses together, often including the touching of the foreheads. The greeting is used at traditional meetings among MÃÂori people, and at major ceremonies, such as a pà Âwhiri. It may be followed by a handshake. It is a unisexual gesture, although women may be greeted by the post-colonial practice of a kiss on the cheek. The receiver signals by leaning forward with their eyes closed.
In the , the (breath of life) is exchanged in a symbolic show of unity. Through the exchange of this greeting, , visitors, blend with , the people of the land, and establish a connection.
A rÃÂhui (temporary ban) was placed on the use of the by some iwi and rà «nanga (tribes and tribal councils) because of the COVID-19 pandemic.
When MÃÂori greet one another by pressing noses, the tradition of sharing the breath of life is considered to have come directly from the gods. In MÃÂori mythology, woman was created by the gods moulding her shape out of the earth. The god TÃÂne embraced the figure and breathed into her nostrils. She then sneezed and came to life, creating the first woman in MÃÂori legends, Hineahuone. Some iwi in the North Island's east coast prefer to press their nose twice, one for inhaling and exhaling each.
The may be performed by MÃÂori and non-MÃÂori, and between New Zealanders and foreign visitors. Several British royals have been greeted with the during visits to New Zealand, including: Charles III; Diana, Princess of Wales; Queen Camilla; Prince William and Catherine Middleton; and Prince Harry and Meghan Markle. U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Clinton was greeted with a in November 2010 during her visit to Wellington. Former U.S. President Barack Obama exchanged a during a visit to the country in March 2018. The is used in some churches as a way to share the sign of peace.
In Native Hawaiian culture, the is a practice similar to the MÃÂori , involving touching noses.
In Sabu Raijua, Indonesia, a similar greeting involving touching noses called Henge'do is practiced.