A brief overview of Aotearoa and Maori.
AOTEAROA/NEW ZEALAND
New Zealand lies in the Pacific Ocean, south-east of Australia. This small island country is made up of two main bodies, North and South Islands, and a large contingent of territorial islands. A country of some 4 million people, New Zealand is a progressive and well-informed society which has often been a world leader in education, cultural integration and social reform.
The population of New Zealand is a melting-pot of diverse cultures and religions with representation from countries around the world; most notably Europe, Asia and the Pacific Islands.
New Zealand is one of the most beautiful countries in the world; most famous for striking mountain scenery and beautiful country sides, the North and South Islands have been a 'Mecca' for tourists for many years and the money they spend has become a significant part of New Zealand's economy.
THE MAORI MIGRATION
The many peoples of the Pacific region are the descendants of great sea-farers who drifted out from the asias, over many thousands of years, to explore and colonise small island kingdoms throughout the pacific rim.
It is generally believed that the Maori come from the east of Polynesia (i.e. Easter Island, Tahiti, etc) and that they travelled great distances (indirectly) to claim the islands of Aotearoa as their home.
(The name 'Aotearoa' is most often translated as 'Land of the long white cloud'. It is not known how long this term has been in use but it is unlikely that this was the collective term used before European occupation).
The Maori, themselves, hold to the belief that they travelled from the fabled land they call 'Hawaiiki' (not to be confused with the Hawaiian Islands) and were led to Aotearoa, by the gods. Currently, the actual location of 'Hawaiiki' remains unknown, to both Maori and Scholars.
Archaeologists tend to favour the idea that the first of the (many) migrations to these shores took place around 800-900ce, with a larger and more consequential migration occurring around 1100-1200ce. This probably means that the Máori should not be referred to as the 'indigenous people' of New Zealand but, rather, it's first settlers.
THE GREAT CANOES
Maori believe, by legend, that the bulk of this migration took place under the conveyance of several canoes (or whaka). Descended from the great seafarer, Maui, the tribes of Aotearoa all trace their lineage back to one of these legendary canoes. In fact, most Maori children can recite the story of the canoe that established their own tribe, with clarity and pride.
The names of the famous waka (canoes) which arrived in Aotearoa/New Zealand, to which all Iwi (Maori tribes) trace their ancestry, include:
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Horouta |
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Taakitimu |
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Tainui |
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Tokomaru |
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Kurahaupa |
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Aotea |
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Te Arawa |
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Maataatua |
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Nuku-tere |
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Uru-ao |
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Arai-te-uru |
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Mahuhu-ki-te-rangi |
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Maamari |
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Rua-karamea |
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Maamaru |
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Tinana |
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Ngaa-toki-mata-whao-rua ... and many others. |
There is no way to know how much of the stories attached to these canoes are bound in mythology; however, for Maori, these stories represent their connection to the people of their past---The ancestors of the Maori--- and are preserved in continuous oral, and written, tradition for the sake of the Maori identity and for the preservation of Maori history.
BEFORE EUROPEAN OCCUPATION
Captain Cook arrived in Poverty Bay in 1769 and brought with him the first scent of change to the Maori culture. Before the fleets of European sailors landed on the shores of Aotearoa the Maori people lived within a culture they had established since the first migrations.
Maori established a tribal culture with chieftains ruling as the absolute authority. There were also Ariki and Tohungas who were the source of all knowledge (regarding living skills; fishing, fighting, agriculture, etc) for Maori. Under the direction of the chieftain clans, tribes rose and fell to history; each one living and dying on the merits of the ones who led them.
Coming from a Polynesian 'slash-and-burn' culture the Maori destroyed much of the natural forest in their efforts to establish themselves in the new land. Slaughtering enormous numbers of indigenous fauna for food, clothing and tools, the Maori were not, at all, the responsible land-carers they would become in later years.
Tribal wars were common and family ties could be changed, or completely destroyed, in one swing of the formidable Maori weapon, the Taiaha. Even traditional borders would commonly change over-night, depending on the success or failure of the previous nights war-party.
And, Maori also lived in peace and harmony, and loved each other, and raised children and dreamed of happy days, past. They dreamed of fishing and sailing the oceans; And, they dreamed of great whales out at sea where only the best of the sailors could fish. And, as they watched the first sail of the Europeans rising from the horizon, they laughed and joked, or shuddered with fear; they gathered in large groups to perform terrible Hakas to strike fear into the hearts of whomever was riding this 'cloud' toward their shores.
And then ... after the turmoil of many generations ... Unity.
MODERN MAORI
The modern Maori is a very diverse character driven to successes in the very world they once fought against; Te Ao Pakeha (The world of the European). Some have been driven to represent the Maori people in politics and public service, while others dedicate their time to much less celebrated pursuits.
Maori have made great contributions to the sciences, legal professions, medicine, education, social work, the arts and sports. They continue to bring pride and honour to New Zealand and to all Maori, across the world.
The Maori people have come a long way in little over 1000yrs. Through their ancestors, they have chartered a course across the pacific, they have inhabited lands and conquered great challenges to settle themselves in a place far from the world they knew. Since then, they have moved their culture with the times and found a way to live in a world that has less understanding of them than they do of it.
THE FUTURE
As the world heads into the 21st century, Maori will need to embrace even more combinations of ideas and lifestyles but, as has so often been observed, the Maori are a very resilient people with a marvellous ingenuity for adaptation and change.
The future of Maori seems assured as the people of this generation forge new perspectives of Maori identity and push back the traditional boundaries which determined what a person of Maori descent could achieve. This new age of 'Maori consciousness' has brought about a resurgence in 'cultural activities' and a renewed pride in the Maori identity.
Maoritanga is a living, breathing expression of culture which guarantees that the descendants of the ancient sea-farers of Polynesia will continue to grow and take their place in humanity for thousands of years to come.
(COPYRIGHT. TE MANA COMBAT SYSTEM. 1997-2001)