Ora 'life' : the healing of our nation

Abstract

RESEARCH QUESTION: How can architecture stimulate a holistic environment that incorporates traditional methods and cultural values of healthy living in the Cook Islands?

ABSTRACT: The Cook Islands translation for Ora means life.

Life depends on health (oraanga meitaki), which is a complete and balanced state of the Mental, Physical, Spiritual and Social dimensions of our well-being. For optimum health, these dimensions must be in place.

Hippocrates, who famously said ‘Let food be thy medicine and medicine be thy food’, understood the value of healthy living. This statement described a lifestyle that was common throughout Polynesian archipelagoes, but particularly changed from the 18th century onwards with a shift in traditions, beliefs and power.

Changes to Cook Islands’ traditional health care systems, identified loopholes that displaced its healing practices underground. Over time, ramifications have varied while embracing modern developments. With the increase of imported foreign goods, locals have accustomed themselves to adopting imported foods as their dietary choice, with undesirable consequences.

Now almost coming full circle, the methodology is to revive, educate and preserve traditional healing practices as a means to encourage healthy living and inspire current and future generations to value the importance of our natural resources.

This project aims to examine the health concerns affecting the Cook Islands pre-colonial contact and after colonization. It will investigate changes in dietary conditions throughout those periods and discuss ways to address Cook Islands health issues.

Furthermore, it will look into Māori (Cook Islands) medicine and western medicine to determine the type of health care systems currently existing and develop the appropriate health strategies to inform an architectural response.