Family rituals, sleep, and well-being in Moemoeā: A Māori-led intervention

While sleep inequities exist worldwide, interventions to improve sleep and well-being have rarely been developed through an indigenous lens. This article outlines the development of a Māori-led (indigenous people of Aotearoa New Zealand) intervention aiming to improve sleep in families with pēpi (infants) aged 2-12 months and thus well-being in the wider whānau (family).

Interviews were held with 20 experts in Māori tikanga (customs) and te reo (language) and 20 whānau regarding what helped ensure healthy sleep for their whānau. Interviews were transcribed and analyzed thematically.

Interviews yielded a number of themes including 1) that ritual plays a crucial role in fostering connection, cultural identity, and well-being in whānau; 2) that ritual assisted movement between transitions such as wake to sleep through the lens of whakanoa (a cleansing of restrictions as move from one state to another); 3) that water-based activities in particular facilitate the transition to sleep; 4) the importance of intergenerational knowledge as sources of support; and 5) that shared meals prior to sleep symbolize Manaaki (hospitality) and connectedness as well as nourishment.

Our findings suggest that culturally grounded approaches that honor the lived realities of whānau may help foster healthy sleep patterns and enhance overall well-being. Prioritizing cultural relevance and intergenerational wisdom has the potential to lead to more effective and meaningful approaches to supporting the sleep and well-being of whānau.

Australian New Zealand Clinical Trials Registry (anzctr.org.au, AACTRN12622000921785, 28 June 2022).