Introduction to How the Maori Work
New Zealand is a land of mystery. While many have heard of the country's native tribe, the Maori, few have any concept of who they are and what they're like. Archaeologists believe that the Maori traveled via a fleet of sea-faring canoes to New Zealand, a group of islands known for their mountainous terrain, located in the South Pacific. This sojourn is estimated to have taken place in the 14th century, although some believe the Maori relocated as early as A.D. 1150 [source: PBS.org: Adventure Divas]. Polynesian by descent, they came from the mythical land of Hawaiki, believed by many experts to be a combination of places, including Tahiti, Samoa and the Cook Islands. Upon arriving in New Zealand, the Maori dubbed the picturesque land Aotearoa, or "land of the long white cloud."
New Zealand Image Gallery
When the Maori, which means "ordinary or common," arrived in New Zealand in the 14th century, they only had to contend with their own internal factions. The various Maori tribes were anything but gentle, and were known as fierce warriors and cannibals. In fact, a common post-battle trophy of sorts involved the display of the severed head of the enemy. Almost from the very beginning, the tribes battled each other for land, resources and mana, meaning "power or prestige." Battles were also fought between tribes to avenge a particularly scathing insult. Usually, these wars were conducted in the fall, after the spring and summer harvest had been collected and stored for winter. Typically, early Maori combat featured hand weapons like wakaika (short-range battle clubs) and patu (hand clubs with sharp edges for striking), and resulted in few deaths, despite the viciousness of the battles. Victorious tribes won land, food and other trophies. Losers often were forced to relocate to less fertile and populated lands.
The Maori were tough, but eventually they found themselves contending with foreign settlers landing on their shores. What happened next? Find out on the next page.
History of the Maori
The influx of pakeha (European settlers, foreigners and colonists) to the area permanently changed the way the Maori did battle. Firearms became highly coveted. A Maori tribe first used muskets in 1807, but other Maori using old-fashioned weapons easily defeated the tribe using firearms because the weapons were so difficult to load and use. In an act of revenge, the tribe's leader, Nga Puhi, obtained more muskets, trading potatoes, flax and pigs to get them. In 1815, the war parties stormed the North Island of New Zealand, wielding their muskets and forcing victims into slavery, exile or killing them outright. The Musket Wars were fought well into the 1820s and resulted in the deaths of at least 20,000 Maori and New Zealanders [source: nzhistory.net]. The other tribes began to obtain their own firearms, however, leaving them better able to defend themselves.
By the 1830s, however, two tribes (Ngati Tama and Ngati Mtunga) were forced off their land by the Musket Wars. They headed south in search of new land, eventually stumbling upon the Chatham Islands, home to the similarly named Moriori people. The Maori noted the abundance of food in the area, as well as the lack of weapons in the Moriori camps. The Moriori were known as peaceful people, and the Maori used this against them in their quest for new land. In fact, a meeting in which the Moriori were simply discussing how to handle the intrusive Maori was misconstrued as a "war council," prompting the Maori to attack. Moriori who were not killed outright were thrust into slavery, and some were later killed and eaten. The Moriori were effectively extinguished, leaving the Chatham Islands to the Maori.
Back on the mainland, tribal battles soon dissipated, due largely to the many other growing concerns the Maori had to face. Firearms were not the only thing Europeans brought to New Zealand. Diseases common in Europe took hold among the Maori, whose immune systems were largely defenseless. Despite this, the Maori generally welcomed Europeans. Christian missionaries, convicts on the lam and others who settled in the mountainous area, set up shop and reaped crops such as sweet potatoes. Despite cultural disparities and the obvious language barrier, trade relationships escalated between the indigenous Maori and the European settlers.
In addition, missionaries worked to expand literacy among the Maori by establishing a written Maori language. Before this, the group primarily communicated verbally. In 1835, however, the tide began to turn, although it took time for it to become obvious. There were fears that the French would like to annex New Zealand. In response, Maori leaders signed an agreement that effectively turned England into New Zealand's parent country in exchange for sovereignty as a British territory. Known as the Treaty of Waitangi, the agreement gave the Maori control over their own land, or so they thought [source: nzhistory.net]. In 1840, the British crown allowed European immigrants to set up a new government and illegally acquire ancestral Maori land. The British also established new laws and taxes in violation of the treaty. The New Zealand Wars soon erupted, causing decades of battle between the Maori and the British government, resulting in many deaths. The British gained full control of New Zealand by the 1870s, effectively squashing the Maori revolution for many years. By the 1890s, fewer than 45,000 Maori remained, largely because of the battles with the British and European-introduced disease.
So how has Maori culture survived wars and foreign influences? Read more on the next page.
Preserving Maori Culture
The decline of the Maori population and culture continued into the 20th century, largely because of the far-reaching abusive effects of the Treaty of Waitangi, which removed land from many rightful Maori owners. Many Maori moved to the urban areas of New Zealand to seek better jobs. World War II was another cause of mass migration. Prior to the war, an estimated 75 percent called rural New Zealand home. Just 20 years later, about 60 percent of the Maori lived in the urban areas of New Zealand [source: nzhistory.net]. This mass migration had a drastic effect on Maori culture and language. The decline was compounded by the British government's emphasis on English as the new primary language of New Zealand and the discouragement of the Maori language in schools and places of business.
The 1970s were the dawn of a new era of Maori pride. The Maori had grown increasingly concerned over the decline in their traditional language and traditions. In fact, by the beginning of the 1980s, only an estimated 20 percent of Maori were fluent speakers of te reo Maori (the Maori language) [source: nzhistory.net]. To reverse the damage done to the Maori language, a group called Nga Tamatoa (The Young Warriors) petitioned the government to promote te reo Maori throughout New Zealand. Their efforts were successful, resulting in the designation of Maori Language Week in 1975, the opening of the first bilingual school in New Zealand in 1978 and the establishment of the inaugural Maori radio station in 1983. Efforts continued in 1985 when te reo Maori was ruled a taonga (treasure) that the British crown failed to protect under the terms of the Treaty of Waitangi. Various legislative recommendations were made to rectify the situation, one of which established te reo Maori as the official language of New Zealand, along with English. Great Britain is also required to recognize and encourage the use of the language in areas of public service, education, health and broadcasting. Despite these efforts and a renewed sense of cultural loyalty among the Maori, the language hasn't yet enjoyed a massive resurgence, although it's no longer in decline.
1975 also saw the establishment of the Waitangi Tribunal. The main function of this group is to investigate suspected injustices inflicted on the Maori as a result of the Treaty of Waitangi. Although many claims are still being investigated, much land and many resources have been returned to the rightful owners. In fact, the group is also intent on obtaining stolen Maori human remains, including mummified, severed heads, to return to New Zealand. For years, these remains have been collected around the world and displayed in museums. Repatriation efforts have been slow, but steady. More than 660 applications for review were submitted to the tribunal by the end of the 20th century alone [source: History.com]. Over time, the Maori hope to have all land, resources and remains returned to their rightful place.
While the Maori may seem warlike on the outside, they have other sides as well. Read more on the next page.
Saving the Tuatara: Maori Commitment to WhakapapaThe Maori are so dedicated to the belief that everyone and everything is interconnected that they're committed to saving the Tuatara -- a reptile native to New Zealand whose numbers have been depleted by non-native cats and rats. Today, they're in danger of extinction, due to the region's warming climate. The Maori have taken it upon themselves to become kaitiaki (guardians) of these reptiles by releasing them in sanctuaries and even sending them to the San Diego Zoo to ensure their continued preservation.
Overview of Maori Beliefs and Culture
Though some of their war tactics have been savage, the Maori are known as a spiritual people who incorporate beliefs and ritual into everyday life. Although some of the beliefs and traditions have been diluted due to outside influence over the last 150 to 200 years, many are still revered and commonly practiced. For example, Maori believe that ancestors and supernatural beings are ever-present and able to help the tribe in times of need. Another of the group's foremost beliefs is that everything and everyone are connected and therefore a part of their whakapapa (genealogy). Whakapapa includes genealogies of spiritual and mythological significance, as well as information about the person's tribe and the land he or she lives on. In short, whakapapa tells the story of each person's spiritual and physical existence, traditionally beginning with the arrival of ancestors in canoes and progressing to present-day. The Maori strongly believe future mistakes can only be avoided by acknowledging the errors of the past. The act of reciting whakapapa helps accomplish this noble feat by continually reminding them of past mistakes.
The Maori also emphasize the importance of mana (honor, prestige, influence, authority, power). They believe in three forms of mana:
1) Mana achieved by birth. This mana comes from the person's whakapapa, and can be attributed to the rank or status of descendents.
2) Mana given by other people. This is more easily understood as recognition for good deeds. Humbleness is particularly appreciated among the Maori.
3) Mana of the group. Outsiders who visit or stay with a group influence this type of mana. Mana is increased if they pass along the word that the group treated them well during a stay.
The Maori also believe that a person's mana can be affected by korero (the spoken word). The Maori primarily existed as an oral culture before Europeans showed up. History traditionally has been recorded through a very sophisticated game of "telephone," in which one person relays information orally to another, and another, and so on. Although many people look down on this form of historical note taking, the Maori maintain that the position of historian is obtained only after many years of training, during which the person's memory is trained to remember verbatim the various history, genealogies and traditions.
Although the Maori did not establish a standard written language until after the Europeans arrived, they were able to communicate by "reading" wooden carvings. Some painted wooden carvings that tell stories of historical significance date back more than 500 years and are read easily with a little help. Stories vary depending on the type of head, surface patterns and other patterns carved into the wood [source: Maori.org]. Often, Maori carvings are compared to Native American totem poles.
Other than carving, the Maori have a history rich in art, including music, bone carving, painting, weaving and drawing. The group is dedicated to the preservation of these art forms as authentic Maori creations. Dance is also integral to the Maori. Maori dance is known as haka, and the idea is that the dancer moves in such a way that the entire body should convey exultation, defiance, contempt, challenge and welcome. A true haka depicts tremendous power and ferocity.
Other than the haka, what Maori traditions survive today? On the next page, you'll find out how you might have one on your body somewhere right now.
The All Blacks Dance Their Way Across the GlobeRugby is an extremely popular sport around the world. In 1888, the New Zealand Native team brought a little extra culture to rugby matches in Britain when they performed the haka for the first time. They did so to intimidate and impress the opposing team. In 1892, the team's uniforms were changed to all black apparel, featuring a lone silver fern on the breast. The team was dubbed the "All Blacks" in 1905, thanks to their spiffy new duds. To this day, the team performs the haka before rugby matches, continuing a 100-year tradition and cultural inspiration.
Maori Culture Today
Maori visual artistry is extremely well known around the globe and popular in today's western cultures. Tattooing, taken from the Polynesian word "tatau" (to mark) is a major part of the Maori culture. Many different tribes throughout history have practiced the art of tattooing. In fact, Egyptians gave tattoos as far back as 2000 B.C. The Maori are known for developing the art of color tattooing. To the Maori, tattooing is considered a living art form that illustrates a variety of things about the wearer, including genealogy, occupation, tribal rank and the tribe to which he or she belongs. The art form was nearly extinguished with the arrival of Christian missionaries in the 18th century, who viewed it as savage and unholy. The tradition was revitalized among the Maori in the 1980s and has since spread around the world.
The Maori are known for elaborate facial tattoos, known as moko. In order to have an authentic moko, the wearer must often obtain consent from his or her family for permission to display the whakapapa this way. Maori men most commonly display moko on the face, buttocks and thighs. Women are typically tattooed on such areas as the arms, crotch, thighs and abdomen. Although most Maori tattoo artists today use tattoo machines, they originally used a tattoo chisel to cut the skin and then rubbed in a particular type of caterpillar ink to stain the area.
Though Maori-style tattoos are becoming popular worldwide, many Maori consider it disrespectful for a pakeha to wear moko tattoos [source: New Zealand Art Monthly]. Another, similar style of tattooing, called kirituhi, does not have the same spiritual tie for the Maori, and would be more acceptable for non-Maori.
Despite tribal infighting, diseases and European meddling, the Maori have managed to resurrect a culture rich in history, art and symbolism. Currently, New Zealand boasts a population of more than four million people, 14 percent of which are Maori. This is a vast improvement on the once dismal population of only 45,000 in the 1890s. As the Maori population continues to grow, so will their reputation around the world. A recent illustration involves the critically acclaimed movie "Whale Rider." The film, which details a 1,000-year-old Maori legend, was filmed entirely in Whangara, on New Zealand's North Island. The film featured an all-Maori cast, and garnered numerous awards, including a Best Actress in a Lead Role nomination for Keisha Castle-Hughes at the 2004 Academy Awards. Since its release, the interest in native and indigenous films has been heightened. In fact, the National Geographic Society has since launched the All Roads Film Project, which awards seed grants to indigenous filmmakers around the globe.
For more information on New Zealand, the Maori and related topics, see the next page.
LEGO Faces the Legal Wrath of the MaoriThe LEGO Group incurred the wrath of the Maori early in the 21st Century when it released Bionicle, a story-based game which featured six characters with names that are also traditional Maori words. Although the company refused to pull the game, they did meet with Maori lawyers to draw up a "code of conduct" to address future issues of cultural significance. LEGO since stated that no future Bionicle games will use names with any type of cultural significance.