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waiata tangi

1. (noun) lament - song of mourning with no set actions sung especially at tangihanga. There are waiata tangi for peaceful deaths, deaths resulting from an accident, murder or having been killed in battle. The most numerous class of the traditional songs.

Me kī, he waiata tangi tēnei mō ngā kaikōrero whai mana o te ao Māori (HM 1/1998:1). / Let's say that this is a lament for the celebrated orators of the Māori world.

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Synonyms: matatangitangi, takuate, tūkeka, keka, rutu, mōteatea, tangi, uhunga, apakura, pihe, rurutu, taurere, mihi

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