The Maori Culture

Remnants of a rich Maori culture exist even today in New Zealand. Consistent efforts to preserve and revive Maori traditions, have made it possible for us to be witness to a way of life that evolved sans 'civilized' influences.

The Maori people are native to New Zealand. They are believed to have arrived in the 14th century from an island called Hawaiki in Polynesia, presumably near Hawaii. The tragic Maori history includes years of bloody battles against the British government and European settlers, who hungered after their land.

Maori Tribes
Maori lineage is described using the term Whakapapa, which means to place one's antecedents layer-wise, one upon another in proper order of genealogy, starting from the first. They trace their ancestors back to the first Maori who arrived in canoes from Polynesia. The most famous wakas or canoes were the Arawa, the Tainui and the Mataatua. Interestingly, the term waka also means 'tribe', as the members of each waka separated into iwis or tribes. The Maori were a tribal people who shared common ancestry within a tribe, and exhibited loyalty to a chief or several chiefs. Members of a sub-tribe hapuu, were treated as extended family. Land was owned communally in the sub-tribe and members encouraged their offspring to pick life partners from within the hapuu.

Maori Spirituality
Traditionally, the Maori believed that all things, alive or inanimate, were connected by common descent, from gods who resided in mountains, rivers and lakes. Probably due to this belief, the Maori had strong ties with nature in general, and land, in particular. They also believed that everything possessed a life force mauri and a spirit wairua. The terms Mana and tapu are used to describe the spiritual essence present in all people or things, again derived from the gods, and the corresponding social code for appropriate behavior with regard to maintaining sanctity. Disregarding the rules/restrictions of tapu implied disobedience to the gods, which could invite punishment. The degree of mana and tapu in things or in people varied, depending on social rank, spiritual powers etc. and consequently made its possessor holy or unchaste.

According to Maori mythology, creation began from the first parents, Papatuanuku (mother) and Ranginui (father). They had 70 male children, including eight divine offspring. Their divine offspring included Tane-Mahuta, the god of humans and forests, including birds and animals; Haumia Tiketike, the god of uncultivated food; Rongomatane, the god of peace and agriculture; Tawhirimatea, the god of weather; Ruaumoko, the god of earthquakes; Tangaroa, the god of the sea; Tu-matauenga, the war god; and Whiro, the god of darkness and evil, symbolized by the lizard. In addition to these, there existed countless other gods and spirits.

The holy of holies to the Maori is the Marae, a sacred open meeting area, generally located in front of the communal meeting house (whare runanga). The marae is considered to have the greatest mana or spirituality, where expression is given to the Maori customs. It is here that most Maori customs, including christenings, weddings, funerals and tribal reunions are enacted. Traditional Maori community life pivots around it. Anyone who dares to desecrate this place invites trouble for himself.

Maori Customs
The word tikanga is used to describe the Maori customs and traditions which have been handed down from one generation to the next over time. Tikanga means things which are true (tika) and not false (teka). The most interesting aspect of the tikanga is that the Maoris believe that their customs, though from the past, are in front of them, guiding them. The future is said to be behind, because nobody can see the future and eventually the future becomes the past. Normally, at Maori gatherings, guests are first presented with an action song and then greeted in the traditional Maori way, called hongi, which involves the touching of one nose to another. At these traditional meetings, food is usually cooked in earthen ovens placed on heated stones.

A prominent tourist attraction is the Maori haka which is a traditional Maori dance form, performed in a group, to the accompaniment of shouts and actions. There were hakas for joy and celebration and hakas to be performed before going into battle. Out of the two types of war dances or hakas were peruperu which was performed with weapons and haka taparahi that was done without them. The hakas are very energetic and full of life.

Probably, the Maori are best known for their tattoos. The Maori tattoo is called moko; while the process of applying the tattoo is ta moko, which literally means 'to strike' or 'to chisel'. A painful and tedious process, these intricate designs primarily adorned the faces of the men, as the head was considered the most sacred part of the body. The bodies of Maori men also were like canvases filled with stunning designs. Traditionally, the men tattooed their torsos and thighs. Tattoos for women were usually confined to the lips and chin. These tattoos were symbolic as they told a story, starting with rites of passage (e.g. childhood to adulthood), followed by important events in the life of the individual. Tattooing commenced with puberty, and the process was always accompanied by many rituals.

Maori Arts and Crafts
Intrinsic to the Maori way of life were weaving and carving. Maori literature, stories and legends were handed down both orally and through these media. A much told Maori fable is about how the demi-god Maui fished the North Island of New Zealand, out of the ocean. Among the Maori relics existing today, are some 500 year old carvings. Maori carvers, who were held in high esteem, were considered as agents through whom the Gods communicated. An image that resonates through Maori carvings is manaia, a side-faced and sometimes birdlike figure. A famous manaia stands today in Easter Island, made up of a side-faced man with a bird-head. Found in the Bay of Plenty area, Marakihau Maori carvings represent deep sea monsters and ocean gods.

Today, the Maori strive to achieve equality in social standing. The stark inequalities present between the Maori and non-Maori were very pronounced in the 2001 census. Their greatest concern now is ensuring that the right support is provided in terms of education and health care, so that they may succeed in society. Widespread racial discrimination is another cause for distress among the Maori. Their battle for redressal of land issues and for the return of Maori land unjustly taken, is ongoing.