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| The rubbing of nose is a traditional Maori greeting known as 'hongi' (video below) |
April 30, 2016, NewsCrunch
President Pranab Mukherjee rubbed his nose with Maori chief and his wife in Auckland, New Zealand, on Saturday while receiving a traditional welcome at the Governor General’s mansion.
A Kiwi official escorted the President to the chief of the warriors who stood along with his wife. Both of them rubbed their nose with Pranab Mukherjee before allowing him to inspect the guard of honour.
The rubbing of nose is a traditional Maori greeting known as 'hongi' in which two people press their nose in a gesture similar to a handshake.
Maoris believe that during Hongi, the "ha" (breath) is exchanged which amounts to sharing of two people's souls.
The Maoris are the indigenous Polynesian people of New Zealand .