M ĀORI : O RIDNARY P EOPLE By: Hannah Krammes

A RRIVAL Debate on precise date of settlement, but currently thought first arrivals came from East Polynesia in the 13 th century. 1642: Europeans became aware the island existed. Original Polynesian settlers discovered the country on deliberate voyages of exploration. Navigated by ocean currents, winds, and stars. Navigator credited in some traditions with discovering the island is Kupe.

A RRIVAL C NTD To Maori, Hawaiki is the ancestral homeland. Much debate what specific island it is. The voyagers referred not to a specific island, but the island previously visited. Original meaning was “the previous homeland.”

M YTHOLOGY Hawaiki is the place where Io, the supreme being, created the world and its first people. Believed where all people come from and is where each return after death.

RELIGION Tradition states creation began with atua (gods). First Te Po (the night) and Te Ao Marama (the world of light). Children of Papatuanuku (earth mother) and Ranginui (sky father) included Tane (god of forests), Tangaroa (god of sea), Rongo (god of cultivated food), and Tumatauenga (god of war). Tane made first woman, Hineahuone and married her. Humans descended from this union. Tohunga were either priests or experts in a certain field. Ex. Tohunga Whakairo were expert carvers.

H UNTING AND GATHERING Early settlers lived in small hunting bands. Seals and large, flightless moa bird were main prey. Moa was hunted to extinction in the16th century. Hunting and gathering was the main mode of survival.

G ARDENING AND FISHING Brought kumara (sweet potato) and yams. Extensive kumara gardens supported larger settlements. Birds, fish, and shellfish were important in Maori diet. Polynesian dog (kuri) and rat (kiore) came with early arrivals, but no pigs or chickens. Reasons are not understood.

R OBUST PEOPLE In favorable conditions, Maori lived reasonably well. Life expectancy was low by modern standards but comparable to Europeans of the same era. Before European contact, population may have reached 100,000.

C ULTURE AND WAR Maori were an oral culture. Reciting whakapapa (genealogies) was an important way to communicate. Concepts of mana (status) and utu (reciprocity) were central to the culture and led to widespread warfare. Mainly lived in unprotected settlements or seasonal camps.

CARVINGS Maori carved wood for important buildings and canoes, and fashioned stone into tools and ornaments. Warfare did not inhibit regular trade in desirable stones and foods, often a method to get resources.

C ANNIBALISM Practiced cannibalism during warfare. Only certain tribes did this. Predominantly a religious practice. Certain body parts eaten were thought to give power or strength, even bravery. Cannibalism was found worldwide, even in “civilized” regions. Europeans used the “savagery” as an excuse to enslave and take land or resources from native groups.

P ĀKEHĀ Maori language term for New Zealanders who are “of European descent”. Recently, word has been used to refer to either fair- skinned people or any non-Maori New Zealander. In history, they were early European settlers. Were runaway seamen or escaped convicts, some being kept as slaves. Often welcomed, took wives, and were treated as Maori, particularly in the first two decades of the 19 th century. Pakeha were prized for trading skills, particularly for muskets.

M AORI H EADS France’s National Assembly voted for the return of 16 Maoris from multiple museums, in May In traditional Maori practice, heads of one’s forefathers, often tattooed to the bone of the skull, were kept as totems honoring their spirits. European fascination with these remains led to a lucrative trade.

M AORI H EADS C NTD Many embalmed heads whisked away to Europe in the 19 th century were actually Maori slaves, forcibly tattooed and decapitated by local or foreign opportunists. In the past, over 500 heads resided in cellars of European museums. New Zealand government and rights groups worked to get them back. 320 were returned.

T REATY OF WAITANGI New Zealand’s founding document. Meant to be a partnership between Maori and the British Crown. Different understandings created conflict. From 1970s, general public gradually became aware of treaty and efforts to honor it and the principles expanded.

V IDEOS Dance of Life o Maori Alphabet Y

S OURCES polynesian-settlement.html cannibalism/ Google.com/images cannibalism/ waitangi?source=inline