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History
The Maori, New Zealand's native people, were originally
Polynesian Islanders who discovered New Zealand around
the tenth century and migrated there about four hundred years
later. Their lives were made significantly more difficult
by Captain Cook's arrival in 1769 (they had successfully
fended off Abel Tasman previously) and the consequent
British colonisation. Disputes between the Maori and the Pakeha
(Europeans) raged continuously until the 1840 Treaty of
Waitangi, which was signed by the Maoris in the hope of
gaining peace, giving sovereignty to Britain in exchange for
protection and guaranteed ownership of their lands - this
was later much abused by the British. Fighting between the
British and Maoris ensued for many years, it eventually died
down but the issues have never been settled, and debates continue
to arise today concerning land rights.
Cultural revival
A recent resurgence of Maoritanga (interest in Maori
culture) and a more rapid increase in the Maori population
than the Pakeha has meant that Maori culture is at the forefront
in New Zealand far more than it has been for many years. The
Maori culture is traditionally tribal, and mainly concentrated
in North Island, where climate is closest to that of
the Polynesian islands from which they originate.
Tribe beliefs and traditions
The Maori traditionally have a very close relationship to
their environment, their mythology is based in a belief in
Gods of the forest and the sea, which are worshipped and revered
through song, dance and prayer. Ancestral spirits are believed
to endure, and give strength to the living when called upon;
carved walking sticks and jewellery are especially treasured
as they are said to carry the spirit of their previous owners.
The Maori are particularly famous for their elaborate carvings,
which can be seen on meeting houses, boats and jewellery.
Inspiration for designs is taken from the landscape, e.g.
curling fern fronds, waves, flowers etc, and has special symbolic
meaning.
At the centre of every Maori Community is the Marae,
or meeting house. It is the point of congregation for all
formal functions and worship, and where the spirits of the
ancestors are thought to reside - entrance to a marae is considered
entering the bosom of the ancestors. Visitors have to be specially
invited to enter, making commercially run tours most people's
only way in. On entrance to a marae you will be greeted by
a dance familiar to rugby fans known as the haka, a
challenge - it is performed by the All Blacks before
all their matches - which is intended to test the intentions
of visitors; rivals should be scared by the might of the warriors,
while those with good intentions are called on to prove them.
A sign of acceptance is a hongi, or pressing of noses,
similar to the Eskimo kiss.
Traditional dress is a cloak made from woven flax, and adorned
with fur or feathers from native animals. High ranking tribe
men decorated with elaborate tattoos on face, and occasionally
on buttocks, women of high positions have small chin tattoos
to show their superiority. Live on hunting birds and basic
agriculture - tended to settle in areas fertile for farming.
Visiting the Maoris
You can 'experience' Maori culture at centres around the country.
There are maraes that can be visited in Rotorua, Christchurch
and in the Te Papa Museum in Wellington.
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