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New Zealand.com |
Maori Culture
New Zealand’s indigenous Māori people have a unique and fascinating
language and culture, which plays a major role in New Zealand life.
Indigenous Culture
The Māori people are the indigenous people of Aotearoa (New Zealand)
and first arrived here in waka hourua (voyaging canoes) from their
ancestral homeland of Hawaiki over 1000 years ago. Today, Māori make up
over 14 percent of the population. Their language and culture has a
major impact on all facets of New Zealand life.
Rich and Varied
Māori culture is a rich and varied one, and includes traditional and
contemporary arts. Traditional arts such as carving, weaving, kapa haka
(group performance), whaikorero (oratory) and moko (tattoo) are
practised throughout the country. Practitioners following in the
footsteps of their tipuna (ancestors) replicate the techniques used
hundreds of years ago, yet also develop exciting new techniques and
forms. Today Māori culture also includes art, film, television, poetry,
theatre, and hip-hop.
Stories and Legends
Māori is an oral culture rich with stories and legends. The Māori
creation story describes the world being formed by the violent
separation of Ranginui, the Sky Father, and Papatuanuku, the Earth
Mother, by their children. Many Māori carvings and artworks graphically
depict this struggle.
Fishing Up An Island
The creation of New Zealand is described by the legend of Maui. This
god managed, among other things, to harness the sun in order to make
the days longer. However, his biggest claim to fame was his fishing up
of the North Island, which is described as Te Ika a Maui (the fish of
Maui). A look at an aerial map of the North Island will show how
closely it resembles a fish. Māori believe the far north to be the tail
of the fish and Wellington Harbour the mouth. Māori describe the South
Island as Maui’s waka (canoe) and Stewart Island (Rakiura) as his punga
(anchor).
SourceNew Zealand.com
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