WHO ARE THE MAORI?The Maori are the original inhabitants of New Zealand. The Maori came to New Zealand as long as 1,500 years ago. They travelled in canoes from Tahiti, the Cooks Islands, and other Pacific islands. The people of the south and central Pacific islands are known as Polynesians
MODERN MAORI
Maori made up about 15% of the population in New Zealand. They hold jobs in all areas of the workforce and live the modern lifestyle. Very few Maori live the traditional lifestyle of their ancestors.
However, in recent decades, the interest in Maori culture has increased. Many Maori are learning to treasure their culture to pass it on to future generations.
GROUPS AND SUBGROUPS
The Maori refer to themselves as the Tangata Whenua, which means "people of the land". There are several different tribes among the Maori. They are called iwis. Just like we Chinese have our different dialects, each iwi also has its own dialect and way of doing things. Iwis are split into several hapus (subtribes). An example would be Whanua, which is an even smaller division, consisting of an extended family.
SOCIAL DIVISION
Maori tribes were divided into several social classes. The most important person was the high chief followed by his immediate family and then others who have achieved high rank through their accomplishments. The priest was next in rank. He determined which people and places were sacred. He was also responsible for remembering and telling tribe's history. Following which were the skilled artists and warriors. They were followed by the common people who worked in the land. The lowest in rank were slaves captured from other tribes.
The Maori refer to themselves as the Tangata Whenua, which means "people of the land". There are several different tribes among the Maori. They are called iwis. Just like we Chinese have our different dialects, each iwi also has its own dialect and way of doing things. Iwis are split into several hapus (subtribes). An example would be Whanua, which is an even smaller division, consisting of an extended family.
SOCIAL DIVISION
Maori tribes were divided into several social classes. The most important person was the high chief followed by his immediate family and then others who have achieved high rank through their accomplishments. The priest was next in rank. He determined which people and places were sacred. He was also responsible for remembering and telling tribe's history. Following which were the skilled artists and warriors. They were followed by the common people who worked in the land. The lowest in rank were slaves captured from other tribes.
THE ART OF THE MAORI
Maori Weaving
Maori women used flax to weave sandals, skirts, cloaks, baskets and mats. They decorated their them with dyes made from berries as well as feathers and dog hair. Modern artists still practice traditional Maori weaving arts.
The Carving Tradition
Traditional Maori craving has intricate detailing and curved lines. The amazing thing about it is that it was done by stone tools. The most popular image was the human form, with a realistic face with complex tattoo markings but an out-of-proportion body. Scary-looking figures with tongues poking out were placed at the entrances to Maori fortresses to frighten enemies.
Modern Maori carvers have kept the old traditions alive and thus, they are popular with tourist.
Song and Dance
Dancing and singing are usually inseparable from indigenous groups. Maori is no exception. Villagers would gather to sing and dance in the evenings. The traditional Maori song of welcome, the waiata, is still alive today in Maoridom. The video below is an example of the Maori waiata.
Although I do not understand the lyrics, the beauty of the harmonies and the music is impressive.
Action Songs:
Hakas were Maori action songs. Singers would use every part of their body to help impart the song's message. The Maori had many different type of hakas, each has its own style. The haka maimai, for example, was performed during the period of mourning for the dead. The haka piori was performed to avenge and injury or insult. It was accompanied by actions that showed contempt for the watchers.
Ka Mate - Haka of the All Blacks:
New Zealand national rugby team, the All Blacks - has been performing the Ka Mate Haka before its international games since 1905. Below is video of the All Blacks team performing Ka Mate Haka.
The video reflected the ferocious power and force of the Maori culture. It is performed as a challenge to the opposing team. It includes rhythmic thigh and chest beating and a concluding high leap.
DRESS AND DECORATION
Modern Maori wear western-style clothing. Maori wear traditional outfits only on special occasions. But these clothes are still a very important part of Maori culture. Some modern fashion designers even use Maori images and patterns in their clothing.
Men's Attire
For working or fighting, Maori men wore only a breechcloth at the waist.
For formal occasions, men wore various kinds of cloaks and capes. They also wore ornaments around their necks and feathers or greenstone earrings in their ears. Men typically wore their hair in a top knot. They usually dye their bodies with a red dye made from ocher, which is a kind of iron.
Women's Wear
For Maori women, their daily clothes consisted of a girdle of braided flax cord around the waist, with a fringe of leaves in front. Women also wore skirts made from strands of dyed flax.
On formal occasions, women wore beautifully decorated capes made of flax fiber or dog skin.
Maori Tattoo
Tattooing is a sacred art among the Maori people of New Zealand. Both Maori men and women wore face tattoo known as moko.
Warriors tattooed their entire face as well as their thighs and buttocks.
Moko was applied when a one reaches the age of marriage. It acts as a form of announcement that he or she was available to the opposite sex. The most popular moko designs were spirals and curves.The tattoos were made with dye and carved into the skin with small chisels made of bird bones.
Women tattooed only their chins and lips.
Traditional tattooing is still practiced among some modern Maori.
Traditional tattoos are found on the face but modern tattoo are usually found on the body. In addition, modern tattoo equipment are used instead of the traditional dyes.
The Carving Tradition
Traditional Maori craving has intricate detailing and curved lines. The amazing thing about it is that it was done by stone tools. The most popular image was the human form, with a realistic face with complex tattoo markings but an out-of-proportion body. Scary-looking figures with tongues poking out were placed at the entrances to Maori fortresses to frighten enemies.
Modern Maori carvers have kept the old traditions alive and thus, they are popular with tourist.
Song and Dance
Dancing and singing are usually inseparable from indigenous groups. Maori is no exception. Villagers would gather to sing and dance in the evenings. The traditional Maori song of welcome, the waiata, is still alive today in Maoridom. The video below is an example of the Maori waiata.
Although I do not understand the lyrics, the beauty of the harmonies and the music is impressive.
Action Songs:
Hakas were Maori action songs. Singers would use every part of their body to help impart the song's message. The Maori had many different type of hakas, each has its own style. The haka maimai, for example, was performed during the period of mourning for the dead. The haka piori was performed to avenge and injury or insult. It was accompanied by actions that showed contempt for the watchers.
Ka Mate - Haka of the All Blacks:
New Zealand national rugby team, the All Blacks - has been performing the Ka Mate Haka before its international games since 1905. Below is video of the All Blacks team performing Ka Mate Haka.
The video reflected the ferocious power and force of the Maori culture. It is performed as a challenge to the opposing team. It includes rhythmic thigh and chest beating and a concluding high leap.
DRESS AND DECORATION
Modern Maori wear western-style clothing. Maori wear traditional outfits only on special occasions. But these clothes are still a very important part of Maori culture. Some modern fashion designers even use Maori images and patterns in their clothing.
Men's AttireFor working or fighting, Maori men wore only a breechcloth at the waist.
For formal occasions, men wore various kinds of cloaks and capes. They also wore ornaments around their necks and feathers or greenstone earrings in their ears. Men typically wore their hair in a top knot. They usually dye their bodies with a red dye made from ocher, which is a kind of iron.
Women's WearFor Maori women, their daily clothes consisted of a girdle of braided flax cord around the waist, with a fringe of leaves in front. Women also wore skirts made from strands of dyed flax.
On formal occasions, women wore beautifully decorated capes made of flax fiber or dog skin.
Maori TattooTattooing is a sacred art among the Maori people of New Zealand. Both Maori men and women wore face tattoo known as moko.
Warriors tattooed their entire face as well as their thighs and buttocks.
Moko was applied when a one reaches the age of marriage. It acts as a form of announcement that he or she was available to the opposite sex. The most popular moko designs were spirals and curves.The tattoos were made with dye and carved into the skin with small chisels made of bird bones.
Women tattooed only their chins and lips.Traditional tattooing is still practiced among some modern Maori.
Traditional tattoos are found on the face but modern tattoo are usually found on the body. In addition, modern tattoo equipment are used instead of the traditional dyes.
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