Maori tribe - customs, tattoos, history. New Zealand
Part 6. Maori ( New Zealand).
The long and mysterious origins of the indigenous Maori people can be traced back to the 13th century. It features the mythical land of Hawaiki, located in Eastern Polynesia. Thanks to centuries of isolation, the Maori have created an independent society with a distinctive art, its own language and a unique mythology.
“My tongue is my awakening, my tongue is the window of my soul.”
The defining aspects of traditional Maori culture are painting, dancing, legends, tattooing and communication. Although the arrival of European colonists in the 18th century had a profound impact on the Maori way of life, many aspects of traditional society have survived to the present day.
Haruru Falls, North Island
As adherents of polytheism, Maori worship various gods, goddesses and spirits. Maori believe that ancestors and supernatural beings are omnipresent and are able to help the tribe in times of need. Myths have their roots in the distant past. They tell the story of the origin of the universe, gods and people.
Permeated with mythology natural phenomena, weather, stars and the Moon, fish in the sea, birds in the forest and the forests themselves. The Maori understanding of the development of the universe is expressed in genealogical form.
Ta moko
Defining aspects of traditional Maori culture include art, legends, tattoos (Ta Moko), stage performances (called Kapa Haka), customs, hospitality and communication.
Tattooing has always been an important part of Maori culture. Getting a tattoo is an important step in the process of becoming a man, so there are many rites and rituals associated with this event. Each member of the Maori tribe plays a special role and occupies a special place in the social order.
Robert Davis
Traveling endlessly, the Maori proved themselves to be brave and resourceful adventurers and some of the greatest navigators of all time. Thanks to centuries of isolation from the rest of the world, the Maori have created a unique society with distinctive art, an original language and a distinctive mythology.
Huka Falls
While the arrival of Europeans had a profound impact on the Maori way of life, many aspects of traditional society have continued into the 21st century.
Maori participate fully in all aspects of cultural and social life in New Zealand, leading a largely Western lifestyle while still maintaining contact with their centuries-old traditions.
Traditional family ties are actively maintained. In particular, the so-called “extended family” (Whānau) remains an integral part of Maori life. Although many Maori have migrated to larger villages and cities, they continue to live almost exclusively in remote rural areas.
Taupo village
Kai is the Maori word for food. The Maori diet is based on poultry and fish and is supplemented with seasonings from wild herbs and roots. Maori also grow root crops and vegetables in their tribal gardens, including yams, pumpkins and kumara (sweet potatoes).
Maori usually cook their food in underground ovens called hangi. To this day, this traditional method is used on special occasions, creating holiday delicacies made from traditional ingredients.
Dr. Dr. Pita Sharples
Maori are the indigenous people of New Zealand. Their story is long and mysterious. Based on oral history, archaeological finds and genetic analysis, we can date the arrival of Maori in New Zealand to the thirteenth century AD.
The origins of the Maori can be confidently traced to the islands of Eastern Polynesia. Their migration to New Zealand from the mythical land of Hawaii took place during several epic voyages on waka boats (a type of canoe) over quite a period of time. long term. Legend has it that twelve large canoes carried the 12 tribes (iwi) that made up the Maori people. Even today, most Maori people remember which original tribe they are descended from.
Testament of Taniwha
By the end of the 19th century, the effects of early colonization, wars and epidemics had reduced the Maori population to 40,000. At the beginning of the 20th century, the Maori population began to recover. Maori culture has been reborn.
There are currently about 650 thousand Maori living in New Zealand.
Simple
The early Maori were very peaceful compared to later generations, whose belligerence developed through tribal warfare.
The early settlers did not call themselves Maori until the arrival of European colonists in the 18th century. They needed their own name to distinguish themselves from the new arrivals - and they called themselves Maori (“simple”). In their religion, gods are divided into simple (“Maori”) and powerful.
Taupo Village, North Island
Maori society is particularly visible on the marae. In the past, the marae was a central meeting place in traditional villages. Events such as weddings, funerals and large gatherings were often held there, with protocol and etiquette required. Such events are a big holiday where you can show off colorful national clothes, jewelry, intricate tattoos, dances and chants - in other words, show the Maori traditions in all their glory.
Haka War
The Haka war dance, created to intimidate an opponent, is one of the most famous Maori cultural traditions. This dance is accompanied by song and bodily percussion: hand clapping, foot stomping, and hip striking. The dance itself includes expressive poses symbolizing belligerence and aggression.
Maori singing follows very strict rules. To interrupt a penalty mid-sentence means to bring disaster or even death to the community. These chants often talk about
family legends or exploits of ancestors.
Connie Adam
An individual's place in society was often indicated by their attire and tattoos. People of high social status always covered themselves with tattoos, while fellow tribesmen who did not have tattoos were considered worthless people.
Thousands of years ago, the first settlers reached the shores of New Zealand. There is a legend according to which they sailed here in canoes - long wooden boats. This is how the Maori people began.
The word "Maori" in the local language means "regular" or "normal". In ancient legends, it distinguished mere mortals from deities. The traditions of the Maori people date back to the distant past. Like their ancestors, they are mainly engaged in agriculture and crafts. People grow ferns, yams, sweet potatoes and other plants. Weaving and wood carving are of great importance in their lives. Several centuries ago, hunting for giant birds – moas – was common in New Zealand. Now these birds have been exterminated by humans.
The most amazing custom of the Maori people is tattooing. Tattoos cover not only the body, but also the face. They are applied to the skin using a special tool called “ears”. Small scars appear on the skin, making the procedure very painful. Favorite ornament is a spiral. A simple person without special merit could not afford such a tattoo, since paying for it required a lot of money and time. Usually, their owners are leaders or famous warriors.
Each drawing on the body carries information about a person. For example, what tribe does he belong to, what family does he come from, and what status does he occupy in society? In some cases, information about won battles and exploits was added to them.
Tattoo ink is made from black tree sap and insects. During their application, the person’s loved ones tried to distract him with songs from the terrible pain.
Maori women also get tattoos, mainly information about the ancestry and number of children of its owner.
Tattoo artists are highly valued in Maori society and have a high status.
Cannibalism was once common among the Maori. According to this terrible custom, the power of the enemy certainly goes to the one who ate him. Currently, such cases have disappeared.
Of particular interest is the custom of martial dance - "haka". It is unique for each tribe. The dance is accompanied by choral singing or simply shouted words of encouragement. Initially, people believed that it would help attract the spirits of nature and would definitely bring good luck in the fight against enemies. Women perform another dance called "poi" to the sound of a flute.
Another custom of the Maori people is making talismans and amulets from wood. They all carry a certain meaning. Thus, the whale's tail symbolizes strength, and the spiral signifies calm. Bird figures represent the connection between the sea and the land. The most powerful amulet against evil forces is “manaya” - a man with the head of a bird and the tail of a fish.
The Maori custom of celebrating the New Year is special and is called the word “matariki”, which literally means “small”. When the Pleiades star cluster appears in the sky (in early June), folk celebrations begin that last for several days.
Today, the amazing Maori people have retained most of their customs.
Maori tribesNew Zealand
In the minds of many people, Australia and New Zealand are twins and brothers. Most likely, this impression is created 
due to the fact that when you look at a world map, these two countries appear nearby. But if you think about it, it’s more than one and a half thousand kilometers of the Tasman Sea nearby, and the only thing that unites Australia and New Zealand is their colonial past, and even then with certain reservations. The first European to set foot on New Zealand soil in 1642 was Abel Tasman. Apparently, he came across it quite by accident after sailing from the Van Diemen's land he discovered - modern Australian Tasmania. It is thanks to the Tasman that New Zealand is now called that. The Dutchman named her so in honor of his native European Zealand. They turned out to be strikingly similar. The same hilly meadows, fields and not very friendly nature. The Dutchman did not undertake a detailed study of this land. This, in general, was not part of his tasks, and he did not have the necessary forces. The fact is that the indigenous Polynesian population of the island, the Maori, was openly hostile to the European newcomers. They killed four members of Tasman's team. As it turned out later, the Maori had a fairly developed civilization by the standards of that time, and this was only the first of many subsequent clashes with the colonialists. They, unlike the Australian aborigines, were able to provide them with quite worthy resistance, because they had long considered this land to be theirs. There is an opinion that the settlement of the New Zealand islands by Polynesians began in 1350, when a whole fleet of seven pirogues moored to the North Island. Thanks to its numerous volcanoes, the new homeland of the Polynesians received the name “Aotearoa,” which translated means “Land of the Long White Cloud.” The second person who experienced the difficult character of the Maori was Captain James Cook. In search of a new southern continent, he appeared in these waters in 1769. As in the case of the Dutch explorer, the reaction of the indigenous Maori population was extremely hostile. But since the British were ready for such a reception, there were no casualties among the newcomers, although several islanders were killed in the skirmish. Cook decided to investigate in detail coastline New Zealand. As a result of a four-month voyage around the North Island and a seven-week one around the South Island, a surprisingly accurate map of this land was born. The road was open for the colonization of New Zealand. At first, a thin, and then an increasingly vast stream of whalers, missionaries, or simply adventurers from all over the world, primarily from England, reached this fertile land. The new inhabitants of the two large islands did not care at all that they were, in general, densely populated, although, as it turned out later, by bloodthirsty cannibals. This initially cooled the ardor of the new settlers. The British did not dare to openly clash with the numerous Maori, especially since the French also showed great interest in the North Island. They decided to come to an amicable agreement with the indigenous population. In 1840, 46 Maori chiefs signed a treaty agreeing to accede to British sovereignty. A year later, however, it was announced that the lands that were not used by the Maoris would become the property of the British government. This caused a storm of displeasure, and then fierce resistance. For the next quarter of a century, New Zealand plunged into the abyss of war. But, as you might guess, the Maori had no chance of winning, although they achieved complete equality for themselves. In 1907, New Zealand successfully became a British dominion. M 
Aori consider themselves descendants of the “canoe people” - Polynesian warriors who, according to legend, arrived here 
from the mythical country of Hawaii on seven canoes - Arawa, Aote-wa, Matatua, Tainuio, Kurahaupo, Tokomaru, Takitumu... From them came the names of the tribes that then began, Maori is a collective name. Maori settled on the shores of the North Island and lived by hunting and fishing. They fearlessly resisted the landing of A. Tasman, who was the first to describe a people with a bizarre tattoo. When Cook rediscovered New Zealand, the Maori occupied all the convenient territories here. According to his descriptions, their fortified villages - "paa" - were most often located on a hill, surrounded by a dense wooden fence and an earthen rampart. At the head of the community was the leader "rangatira", and he played an important role in the development of art, since he distributed orders for artistic handicrafts. His power was supported by the “tohunga” - a priest whose main task was to perform rituals and observe customs. In the Maori community, artisans were revered by everyone, and they passed on their skills and abilities from father to son. The flourishing of Maori art was facilitated by the abundance of tree species that were easy to process, a relatively large amount of semi-precious green stone - jade, and, finally, rapid population growth, which led to a lively exchange of new ideas and figurative forms. In the absence of metal, they cut both wood and stone with fragments of obsidian and volcanic glass. Maori carvers limited themselves to a few motifs and basic ornaments, endlessly varying their main element - the spiral. It is also interesting to note that they focused not on animalistic forms, but almost exclusively on human ones - on the image of the deity “tiki”, extremely stylized and only in isolated cases reproducing a person in individual features. The carved gate at the entrance to the Maori village, the gable roof of the meeting house, without which not a single Maori settlement can be imagined, were also decorated with lush carvings made of soft brick-colored wood - “totara”. Every detail of the carving is filled with meaning. The meetinghouse was dedicated to a famous chief or ancestor who strengthened the strength of the tribe's spirit. The Maori did not have written transmissions of information, and such carvings not only visibly reminded of the ancestor of the tribe, but also carried a “video recording” of his genealogy. The leader, who had the image of his ancestor before his eyes, asked him for protection and help for his tribe. Rotorua is the "most Maori" area of the country, located in the center of the North Island. The glory of Rotorua rests on two pillars: the famous hydrotherapy resort and the surrounding area, where most of the Maori settlements are located. There is a characteristic smell of hydrogen sulfide in the air. Rotorua - the city and the lake - are located in a zone of increased thermal activity. Wisps of steam rise from the ground at every hotel or motel, and that seems to be what this town is mostly made of. Bakarawapeba - on the southern outskirts of Rotorua - is home to the Maori Institute of Arts and Crafts. A huge geyser located on its territory shimmers like a rainbow in the sun; under the high walkways leading to it, everything gurgles, boils and foams. The institute welcomes twenty thousand tourists every year, and the proceeds from their visits go towards teaching students Maori art. Yu 
burdens learn carving, girls learn weaving from New Zealand flax; their dexterous fingers create patterns on their foreheads 
headbands - “kahani”, skirts, festive clothes. In the hall, surrounded by a gallery for visitors, sit ten Maori youths, bent over long wooden plates with chisels and chisels in their hands. They “extract” from them stylized portraits of formidable and ferocious leaders and warriors. The master teacher walks between them, giving instructions. So, gifted Maori youth are studying here - several dozen people. Well, the bulk of them - where and what are they learning? Questions arise one after another. But it is awkward to make it difficult for our Maori guide: she drags her daughter by the hand, she is capricious - she is tired from her “working day”. We walk past the Maori cemetery behind the village. In front of the plank houses there are square recesses, from which either steam or smoke flows. These are the “slabs” of the local Maori. And here is the meeting house - no museum exhibit, but it also impresses with the beauty of its carved finish. Maori, mostly elderly women in black mourning clothes, with black scarves, come out of it. They greet each other by pressing their noses together. Marae - area in front of the meeting house. Maori come here as families or community groups to discuss family matters, resolve tribal issues, celebrate anniversaries, or honor a guest. But today they gathered for a funeral ceremony. When the occasion for meetings is official, guests, having arrived at the place, do not immediately go to the marae to join those present, but wait for an invitation and an accompanying person. Such an escort is called “pae” - step. They walk along the marae sedately. You can't talk. Such a pause is a silent tribute to the memory of the deceased. One of the locals lets you know about its end by starting to talk. And here guests can sit on a chair, bench, or mat. The guest should be prepared to respond with a few phrases appropriate to the occasion. Guest, but not guest: custom does not allow women to speak on the marae. Walking around the marae is not recommended until the speeches are completed. But behind the meeting house there may be sports games going on, and across the street there may be a noisy football match. One of the most colorful ceremonies preserved by the Maori is the greeting of an important guest - “wero”. As a tribute to tradition, this ceremony can now be performed not only at the village marae, but also in the New Zealand city. In a fortified village, the call of the guard had a serious practical meaning - it was necessary to find out what the intentions of the guest were, whether he came in peace or war. Over time, the simple ceremony acquired many elements until it became a whole performance: the sentry sings, notifying fellow villagers that he is awake, vigilant and ready to fight back if enemies dare to attack; after which the warrior, threateningly waving a dart, approaches the visitors and places in front of them, say, a stick, a twig, a leaf. If the newcomer picks up the object, it means he has arrived in peace. Then the guard, turning his back to the newcomers, will lead them to the marae. And at the meeting house, the Maori will perform the “poukiri” dance to the “canoe song.” Before the Europeans, the Maori had relatively advanced knowledge in medicine, hygiene and navigation, they were brave sailors, good farmers, brave warriors, distinguished by musicality and artistic abilities, and possessed undeniable technical and construction skills. Maori believe that Pākehā doctors do not 
understand their illnesses. Indeed, it often seems to us that many diseases are 
ri from superstitions. The fact is that they themselves see the cause of most diseases in violations of tribal customs established by deities back in time immemorial. Recovery was attributed to a specific god who patronizes the tohunga. He is the one who does healing. The missionaries denigrated him in every possible way, equating him to a sorcerer. White doctors, as a rule, still speak of tohunga with disdain. And so Maori patients hide the fact that they visited him. Few doctors, either Maori or Pākehā, now consult tohunga for patients who do not respond to conventional treatment. Maori patients hide their poor condition by being embarrassed and feeling guilty for their illness. They do not want to disturb such an important, perhaps even sacred, person as the doctor. And they turn to doctors late, when the disease is thoroughly advanced. In general, the Maori’s attitude towards illness, death and their body is connected with traditional beliefs - they also provide the key to the patient’s behavior. For example, Maori believe that a person will die if he offends another, that the cause of illness is a bad act, that one should be ashamed of the naked body. Therefore, many hospital procedures are painful for them. They insult their sense of modesty. Even a simple examination of the patient must be preceded by lengthy explanations from the doctor.
It must be said that the appearance of a white man here did not have the best effect on the local flora and fauna. Cats and dogs brought by the colonialists, as well as numerous opossums that bred like cockroaches, created a very real threat to the national symbol of New Zealand - the kiwi bird, figurines of which remain the most popular souvenir among tourists. It turns out that New Zealand was the only place on earth where the appearance of a wingless bird was possible. She simply had no natural enemies: snakes, spiders, large or small predators. Now everything has changed. But, one way or another, the area of Lake Rotorua has always been considered one of the most favorable places in New Zealand among Maori. Some researchers even believe that this is where the first Polynesians settled when they sailed to these islands in the 14th century. To be honest, this place is truly ideal for living. The Maori settled here, despite the terrifying name they themselves gave to this part of the country. These regions have long been called "Holes to the Underworld." And the reason for this is volcanoes, geysers and the smell of hydrogen sulfide constantly hanging in the air. There is no way to get rid of it, because it comes out of the ground in huge quantities. White streams of smoke can appear in the most unpredictable places and also suddenly disappear. Residents of the city, as well as everyone who works in the Whakarevareva National Park, are well aware that at any moment they can be hit by a strong volcanic eruption, as it happened once before, but no one is going to leave here. For a long time, Maori have used the warmth that the earth gave them. They cooked food in hot springs, and the hot soil, better than any fire, allowed them to warm up in the seemingly cold huts. And today, the descendants of those Maori who managed to defend their rights against the British in the 19th century are not going to leave their ancestral lands just because of the threat of a volcanic eruption. Here is the country's largest institute for the study cultural heritage of this Polynesian people, and perhaps it is the constant atmosphere of an invisible threat that attracts hundreds of thousands of tourists here every year. The smell of danger can literally be felt in the air. And it smells, as we have already said, not in the best way. Although doctors believe that inhaling sulfur is very useful for treating lung diseases. This may be true, but we can say with full responsibility that the constant suffocating smell is somewhat annoying. Although, by and large, for the sake of getting to know the ancient Maori culture or for the sake of contemplating the magnificent thirty-meter geysers, you can endure a little.
Maori tribesNew Zealand . New Zealand Maori tattoos. Mauri Hakka. Photo of the Maori people.
Maori are the indigenous people who were the main population of New Zealand before the arrival of Europeans. The number of Maori in New Zealand is more than 526 thousand people, approximately 10 thousand people each. live in Australia and the USA. In the Maori language, the word maori means "normal", "natural" or "ordinary". In legends and oral traditions, the word Maori distinguished people from deity and spirit. Marai Maori - premises for the general gathering of the tribe.
Previously, European settlers of the islands of New Zealand referred to Aboriginal people as "Indians", "Aborigines", "Natives" or "New Zealanders". Maori remained the Maori's name for self-identification. In 1947, the New Zealand government renamed the Ministry of Aboriginal Affairs to the Ministry of Maori Affairs.
Humans settled New Zealand after populating almost every habitable place on the planet. Archaeological and linguistic research suggests that several waves of migration arrived from Eastern Polynesia to New Zealand between 800 and 1300 AD.
Maori were warlike and independent. A few pages from history show their character. In 1642, New Zealand was discovered by Abel Tasman, a Dutchman. More than a century later, it was rediscovered by James Cook. Both provoked bloody clashes. In 1762, the French captain Surville, who stopped off the coast of New Zealand, burned an entire Maori village for a stolen skiff. Three years later, Captain Dufresne visited here. He and 16 of his sailors were killed in retaliation for Surville's act. Dufresne's successor burned three Maori villages and killed more than a hundred civilians. These facts forever set the Maori against newcomers from overseas.
Abel Tasman named these islands New Zealand. The Maori themselves call their country “Ao Tea Roa” (Long White Cloud). The North Island is Te ika a Maui (Maui Fish), the South Island is Te Waka a Maui (Maui Boat).
At the beginning of the 19th century, whalers began to visit the islands, the Maori acquired firearms, and internecine wars began. To “restore order” the British came there and the “Maori Wars” began (the most famous is the Flagpole War of 1845-1846). As a result, the British, having gained the upper hand, captured New Zealand.
The need for firearms prompted the Maori tribes to carry out numerous raids on their neighbors in order to obtain mokomokai. Besides, local residents resorted to tattooing slaves and prisoners, whose heads were then exchanged for weapons. The peak of the head trade was between 1820 and 1831. In 1831, the Governor of New South Wales banned the trade in heads outside New Zealand, and during the 1830s the demand for firearms in the islands declined due to market saturation.
By 1840, when the Treaty of Waitangi was concluded and New Zealand became a British colony, the export sale of mokomokai had effectively ceased. At the same time, the tradition of mokomokai began to fade among the Maori themselves, although a minor trade in heads continued for several more years.
Crafts - weaving, basketry, boat building, wood carving. The boats had 1 or 2 hulls. Wood carving deserves special attention; here it was developed at a high level. New Zealand was rich in trees and there was plenty to cut from. Maori carving is complex and masterful. The main element of the ornament is a spiral, but it had a lot of variations. There were no animistic motives; the main figures in the plots were humanoid. These are the legendary ancestors or “tiki” deity. Houses, primarily communal ones, the bows and sterns of boats, barns, weapons, sarcophagi and almost all household items were decorated with carvings. In addition, Maori carved statues of their ancestors. Usually such a statue stood in every village.
The traditional settlement (pa) was fortified with a wooden fence and a moat. Houses (fare) were built from logs and planks, unlike other Polynesians. The façade always faced east. The roof is thatched. Thick layers of straw were also used for the walls. The floor dropped below ground level, this was necessary for insulation. New Zealand's climate is colder than Hawaii or Tahiti. For the same reason, Maori clothing differed from general Polynesian clothing. They made cloaks and capes, women wore long, knee-length skirts. The material was made from New Zealand flax; dog skins and bird feathers were woven into the fabric.
Traditional Maori home
In addition to residential buildings, the settlements had community houses (fare-runanga), houses of entertainment (fare-tapere), and houses of knowledge (fare-kura). In them, experienced craftsmen, priests, and artists taught young people.
The main weapon in agriculture there was a digging stick. Types of weapons - a pole, something between a spear and a club (tayaha), a spear (kokiri), a dart (huata). A kind of club (mere) was used - a stone on a rope. Snares were used in hunting. The tool for wood carving and other procedures (also for tattooing) was a jade or jadeite chisel. Clubs were made from jade (at least). Nature has given the Maoris something that is not found in other parts of Polynesia.
Previously, cannibalism was widespread. They usually ate prisoners. There was a belief that the power of the eaten enemy passes to the one who eats him. Another significant tradition is tattooing; it showed social rank. At the same time, it was an initiation - a test of endurance, since the procedure was painful.
Maori chief with ta moko tattoo on his face
Face tattoos have been a traditional element of Maori culture until mid-19th century, when this tradition gradually began to disappear. In pre-European Maori society, they reflected the high social status of the wearer. Traditionally, only men had their faces fully tattooed, although some high-ranking women had tattoos on their lips and chins.
Each tattoo was unique in its own way and contained information about the person’s rank, tribe, origin, profession and exploits. As a rule, making a tattoo was not a cheap hobby, so only leaders or distinguished warriors could afford it. Moreover, the art of tattooing itself, as well as the people who did them, were considered tapu, that is, they were revered as something sacred that required compliance with a special protocol.
When a person with ta-moko tattoos on his face died, his head was usually cut off to preserve it. To do this, the brain and eyes were removed, and all existing holes were filled with either flax fiber or rubber. After this, the head was boiled or steamed in a special oven, and then smoked over an open fire and dried in the sun for several days. The head was subsequently treated with shark liver oil. These dried heads, or mokomokai, were kept in carved boxes by the owner's family and were only taken out during sacred ceremonies.
The heads of hostile leaders who were killed during the battle were also preserved. These mokomokai, considered war trophies, were displayed on the marae. In addition, they played an important role during negotiations between warring tribes: the return and exchange of mokomokai was a prerequisite for establishing peace.
Maori wood carving
Society was structured the same as in the rest of Polynesia. The same classes were distinguished here: nobles (rangatira), ordinary community members (tutua), captive slaves (taurekareka). Among the nobility, the leaders (ariki) stood out especially. Priests (tohunga) were held in high esteem. The word “tohunga” was also used to describe artists (carvers). The community (hapu) consisted of one village and was divided into groups (whanau), that is, 1-2 houses.
In general, Maori culture is different from that of other Polynesians. The reason for this is others natural conditions. In the field of spiritual culture, they preserved a lot of Polynesian, but they also created their own, original heritage.
Mythological, ethnogenetic, genealogical legends, and legends about the resettlement of tribes are popular. Maori worship the common Polynesian gods, Tangaroa, Tane, Tu, Rongo. They had a secret cult of Io, the highest single god, the Creator of the entire universe. Perhaps this cult was created in later times, as a counterbalance to the Christianity that was penetrating here, and perhaps it existed earlier. In addition to the gods, the Maori pantheon included many minor characters, spirits, demons, monsters, etc. Ancestors (tupuna) were also revered. Currently, there is a syncretic sect - Pai-Marira.
Māori flag proposed in 1998
Basic concepts: atua - god or spirit in general, mana - magical power, ponaturi - demon, spirit living in the ocean, kehua - ghost, kopuvai - a monster with a human body and the head of a dog, etc. Tiki - “Polynesian Adam”, Hina - "Polynesian Eve". Maui is a cultural hero.
Maori are the indigenous population of New Zealand, whose representatives were the main inhabitants of the islands before the arrival of Europeans to these lands.
Today there are about 680 thousand representatives of this people in the world. Besides New Zealand, the countries where Maori live are Australia, USA, Canada, Great Britain and some others.
The literal translation from “māori” (Maori language) means “ordinary” (“natural”, “normal”). It was this concept that was used by the ancient people to distinguish people from deity and spirit.
The history of the Maori as the indigenous people of New Zealand is not only very ancient, but also intriguing. Archaeological finds and their genetic analysis suggests that these people arrived and settled in New Zealand more than 1000 years ago from the East Polynesian islands (where they came from) on the Waka canoe, which earned them a reputation in history as brave and resourceful sailors.
Representatives of the indigenous people were the first people to inhabit the territory of the New Zealand Islands. They were able to establish their culture in the country, which they also gave the name Aotearoa (“the land of the long white cloud”). The ancient Maori were excellent seafarers, able to cope with stubborn waves in fragile canoes. Pacific Ocean. During their oceanic travels, they were guided only by the stars and the sun, and, in the end, discovered New Zealand long before the representatives of the Old World. Europeans set foot on New Zealand soil only 8 centuries later, and discovered there a proud and independent nation of brave warriors.
The language of the people belongs to the Polynesian group (Austronesian family) and is common with other peoples of a number of Pacific islands (for example, Cook Island, where the Maori language breaks down into the dialects Aitu Mitiaro, Rarotongan, Aitutaki, Kuki Airani, Mauke).
The traditional form of farming of the ancient people was subsistence, the main occupations being slash-and-burn farming and hunting, as well as war. Today Māori are largely employed in agriculture and forestry. Handicraft production has originated in culture since ancient times and is still an important component of their life. Key Maori crafts include wood carving, weaving, boat building, weaving, and jewelry making.
An amazing feature of Maori crafts is the presence of images or figurines of animals in the products (in contrast to the animalistic nature of the folk crafts of the African Bantu or Maasai tribes). The main ornament used is a spiral, made in a variety of variations, and the main images are famous people or the “tiki” deity. Maori loved to decorate their houses, boats, weapons, sarcophagi and all kinds of household items. Most often this was done using carvings. In addition, Maori immortalized their ancestors in statues carved from wood. Such statues were a mandatory attribute in every village.
A village (pa) - a traditional Maori settlement - used to be a compact area surrounded by a moat or wooden fence, within which were residential houses (fare). Houses were built from planks and logs, the roof was made of straw, and the floor was sunk into the ground, since houses needed insulation due to the cooler climate. In Maori villages, in addition to residential buildings, there were also Fare Runanga community houses, Fare Kura knowledge houses and Fare Tapere entertainment houses.
The difference in climate from Hawaii or Tahiti also caused the Maori to wear warmer clothing. Traditional for this people were capes and cloaks, and women wore long skirts. To insulate fabric (usually linen), animal skins (dogs) and bird feathers were woven into it.
Maori learned to make various types of weapons - a dart (huata), a pole, a spear (kokiri), a kind of shortened bayonet weapon (taiaha), a club (mere); when cultivating the land, the main tool was a digging stick; in hunting, snares became widespread. Jade or jadeite incisors were used for wood carving and the traditional Maori mocha tattoo.
Maori were one of the most brutal and resilient peoples ancient world. Their traditions and some ideas about life may seem wild and far from humanity and kindness to a modern person. For example, cannibalism was typical for the Maori - in past centuries they ate their captives. Moreover, this was done with the belief that the power of the eaten enemy would certainly pass to the one who eats him.
Another tradition was the application of the most painful type of tattoo - mocha, reflecting a person’s status in society. Women used tattoos to decorate their chins and lips, while male warriors covered their entire faces with such patterns. Moreover, the design was applied not with simple needles, but with small cutters, just as a sculptor sculpts his creations. No less cruel were the initiation procedures - very painful tests of endurance, as well as the custom of cutting off and mummifying the heads of their enemies, famous warriors or leaders.
One of the most beautiful traditions in the world is the hongi - the greeting of the Maori tribe in New Zealand. When they meet each other, they touch their noses, sharing one divine breath between them. The center of the Maori body is considered to be the nose, or rather its tip. After a hongi, Māori perceive the other person as a friend. After all, by sharing the breath of life into two, people become one.
The famous Maori war dance, whose name sounds like “haka,” is gaining worldwide popularity today. Maori tribes now hold the copyright to the dance, and the New Zealand government has officially granted ownership of the war cry "Ka Mate" to tribe members. Essentially, the haka is a ritual dance accompanied by choral support or periodically shouted words. It was performed to summon the spirits of nature or before entering into battle with the enemy. There is also another type of dance performed by women - the so-called "poi".
To the uninitiated, the dance of the Maori tribe seems like a rather ridiculous and aggressive spectacle: a group of adult men shout out incomprehensible words, and not only their arms and legs, but also their facial muscles begin to move. In fact, the dancers tell the story of a miraculously saved leader and, through facial expressions, express the whole gamut of emotions from the supposedly experienced fear of death and the delight that came to replace it, simultaneously showing their enemies that they should not underestimate their military qualities.
Modern Maori are no longer those bloodthirsty and brave warriors. The development of civilization forced them to change their views and traditions, but the rich culture of this people today is distinguished by its originality and uniqueness. Works of traditional Maori art - painting, music, dance, wood carving - are today an important part of New Zealand culture.
The Maori, developing their country, gave names to mountains and lakes, valleys and rivers, capes and straits. Many of them have survived to this day. And the areas where the action takes place in legends or myths can be found on a modern map of New Zealand.
“People pass, land remains,” says the Maori proverb...
Modern Maori girls.
Maureen Kingi is the first Maori to win the title of Miss New Zealand. This happened in 1962.
