HISTORY OF MAORI CULTURE

New Zealand or Aotearoa (ay-oh-tay-ah-row-ah) is home to the Tangata Whenua (people of the land), the Maori. It is widely believed that the Maoris originated from the tropical islands of Polynesia in the Pacific Ocean. The Polynesians were master navigators, using the stars, the direction of sea birds in flight, cloud patterns and the color of the water as guides, they crossed the Pacific Ocean with canoes that had been built to withstand heavy seas and were able to carry many people and their possessions over great distances.

There are many stories concerning how the Maoris first came to New Zealand.

Some believed that there might be a dispute over land or a growing shortage of food as the population rose that forced some families to voyage off to the unknown. They then leave in their canoes for the east, knowing that there was land there because relatives have already headed in that direction and one canoe returned a few years later to describe it. After a few days at sea, a storm scatters the boats and in the morning, the leader finds his boat battered and alone.

His first thought was to return home, so he heads towards the west. Unknown to him, the storm has carried his vessel so far off course that, in fact, he is sailing into an area with no islands for hundreds of miles.

As days turns into into weeks, the helmsman becomes increasingly concerned. Already, they have used up most of their provisions, still, there is no sign of land. The sea remains dark blue, neither is there any patches of seaweed nor flights of birds to suggest landfall. The weather is also distinctly colder than they have ever known.

The following morning come the first hints: the sea is greener and coldera sign of an offshore current. A few days later, they see long, low clouds in the horizon, and a flock of shear waters fly by. They recognized them as birds which nest on sandy headlands. Finally they see the land itself: New Zealand or Aotearoa , the land of the long white cloud

Others believed that the Polynesian navigator, Kupe was the first man to sight New Zealand around 950 AD and then returned home to tell of his findings. Around 1350 AD seven great migratory canoes (whaka) sailed from Hawaiki to New Zealand. They called the country Aotearoa, Land of the Long White Cloud, and quickly adapted to the cooler climate and  spread throughout the country. Here they developed a culture quite distinct from the rest of the Pacific since the long distances and treacherous ocean conditions discouraged return voyages.

Some also believed that the Maoris arrived in Aotearoa about forty or more generations ago on Waka (canoe) after completing a great sea journey from Hawaiki (the homeland of the Maori Race). It is from these Waka that the Tribes and sub-tribes whom now inhabit  Aotearoa, are descended.

The Maori brought with them a Polynesian culture rich in song, dance, carving, and weaving, which was intertwined with strong oratory skills, as no written language was used. The abundance of natural resources and well developed skills and knowledge enabled the Maori race and culture to flourish in Aotearoa.

The Maori have a close kinship with their environment. The basis of the Maori culture lies in its Polynesian belief of a divine direction in all matters. In the beginning a host of gods such as Tane Mahuta (God of the Forest) and Tangaroa (God of the Sea), and four others who are : wind, wild food, planted food, and mankind, were born to Rangi (the Sky Father) and Papa (the Earth Mother). They are remembered through song and dance. All mortal matters were subject to rules laid down by one or another of these godly children, issued as edicts through earthly priests called tohunga ahurewa . It is also the priest's duty to memorize their sacred chants and seeing that they were passed on to the next generation. 

The priest also conduct rituals at planting and harvesting of crops, communicated with gods when there was drought or other natural disaster, they also saw that the burial of chiefs was taken in a proper manner. Spells were also laid on people who behaved badly towards their friends, or broke the ruling that certain tapu (sacred) places, such as the scene of a recent death, should not be visited for a time. Priest therefore notonly influence the gods, but  encouraged the people to behave properly towards others. Ancient Maori traditions and art forms have become precious taonga (treasures) of the modern Maori. Status and prestige are gained from ancestors who contribute to the living by giving spiritual strength and guidance to those who call on them. 

It is for this reason that traditional art forms such as the carved walking sticks, greenstone necklaces and bone carvings are treated with respect, as they carry the spirit of the original owners.

According to traditions, most of the settlers landed on the east coast of the North Island. Their present descendants will still take you to the very spot described in the traditions as the first landfall. Many settled at the shores by the entrances of rivers. The Maoris steamed

kai (food) in underground ovens , a circular hole in the ground filled with very hot stones, called hangi and this method is being used till today when entertaining large crowds of people.

The Maoris cooked food such as fish and Kumara (something that looks like a small knobbly potato but sweeter) by wrapping them in leaves and steaming them over hot stones. A wellliked food at Maori feasts is kai moana or a wide variety of seafood collected from rocky reefs and sands along the coast, and river food such as eels, whitebait (a kind of tiny fish which swim together in large shoals) and freshwater crayfish. The Maori know when is the best time to gather sea eggs and little octopuses and they watch the phases of the moon to select the best time to go night fishing and eeling. A distinct tribal hierarchy developed within Maori society which had both aristocratic and commoner classes. The welfare of all within the tribe and the laws governing their lives were strictly controlled by priests, whose powers were greatly feared. Other individuals whose accomplishments left an indelible record include the great warrior chiefs and the artists whose legacies remain today as some of New Zealand's greatest treasures.

Carving represents the ultimate art form of the Maori people of New Zealand. Not merely decorative, pieces pay deep respect to renowned ancestors and portray the entire range of human emotions. The dominant image is the human figure with a protruding tongue.

The whakapapa (family tree) is retold in the intricate carvings on every marae . The Marae ,

or traditional meeting house, is a place where visitors are welcomed, is today, still the main focus for ceremony and community identity.

In former times there was a very strict division in Maori life. Some things were tapu , or sacred and powerful, and some were noa - without sacred power. Cooked food was

noa , and must never be taken into the meeting house (marae ).

Tangihanga , or funeral wakes for important people are also held here. Traditionally, these wakes will go on for several days and distant relatives and acquaintances of the dead person are expected to gather from all over the country. The dead are bade farewell and ancient ritual, myths, legends and songs are passed on to the younger generation. Visitors are welcomed onto the marae with a strict formal protocol. A party of visitors who come to a marae cannot enter straight away. The tapu (power) they bring with them is different

to that of the marae they are visiting. They wait outside until they hear a high-pitched wailing call coming from woman inside.

This is a sign for them to enter. But when they go through the gates and on the marae , they must lower their heads. The woman are calling to the ancestors and the visitors hang their heads in tribute to the dead. It is always important to show respect for ancestral spirits at the start of any meeting. Then there are speeches of welcome and ceremonial chants and at the end of the welcome, people shake hands and press noses or to hongi and it includes the haka (challenge)

Oratory - the art of speaking in public - was traditionally one of the most important arts in Maori society. Chiefs who were great orators would not stand still to speak. They might dance up and down, waving in the air their caved spear or their stone club, and sometimes breaking into songs or chants. At a gathering on the marae , the Maori meets many members of his wider family. Kinship is important among the Maori and even very distant relatives are considered part of the family group and are always welcome.

In: http://www.geocities.com/ digitized, adapted and illustrated to be published by Leopoldo Costa