The Māori are the indigenous people of New Zealand. They call themselves the Tangata Whenua which means the ‘People of the land.’ According to various historical sources, they originated from East Polynesia (a region to the East of the Australian continent) in canoe (Waka) voyages between 1320 and 1350. The estimated population of Māori in New Zealand is around 850,000. Today, one in seven New Zealanders identify as Māori. So, their history, language, and traditions are central to New Zealand's identity.
The Māoris believe in gods who represent the sky, earth, forests, and forces of nature. They also assume that they could call upon their ancestors' spirits to help them in times of need or war. Māori culture is rich with songs, art, dance, and deep spiritual beliefs.
Religious beliefs
Traditional religious beliefs of the Māori have their origins in the Polynesian culture. Concepts such as tapu (sacred), noa (non-sacred), mana (authority), and wairua (spirit) governed everyday Māori living. There were many Māori deities. Today, the Māori follow many Christian faiths. But in 2018, 53.5 percent of the Māori claimed to be atheists (to follow no religion).
One of the most notable parts of Māori culture is the haka. It is a posture dance performed by a group, with vigorous movements and stamping of the feet with chanted accompaniment. A haka is usually performed to welcome notable guests or acknowledge distinguished achievements and other occasions, or funerals. The haka is based on respect, so many consider it as a Māori equivalent of chivalry.
Cultural performances
The culture of the Māori is diverse. Cultural performances of waiata (song), haka, tauparapara (chants), and moteatea (poetry) express and pass on knowledge about history and communities in Māori culture.
During the 1800s, there were many battles between the Māori and the British government, mainly on the issue of land confiscation. It is estimated that between 1860 and 1900, more than four million acres of land were confiscated. But in the past thirty years, the New Zealand government handed over a significant amount of land back to the Māori.
Before the invention of metal weapons, such as the gun, the Māori made use of nature to make weapons and hunt food.
They made fishhooks (matau), and spear points out of bird and whale bones. Snares (traps built for small animals) were also made out of the manuka tree bark. They ate pigeons and rats, which were captured with snares.
These natural implements. The effects of European colonisation changed the social and political role of Māori art-ists. The purpose of their art changed from a primarily spiritual function to protest against change and an assertion of Māor iidentity and beliefs.
Dinara Hettiarachchi,
Grade 8,
Ananda College, Colombo 10
