That's how they do it at... the Maoris
| 3.5 minutes reading time
Some sources say that the Maoris ('common person') came to New Zealand as early as the early Middle Ages. According to their own lore, they came from Hawaii and set out from there in wakas (large boats) in search of food and new land.
When they saw a piece of land in the distance with a long, white cloud above it, they called that land Aotearoa: "Land of the Long White Cloud." When more Europeans came to New Zealand in the 18th century, much of the sacred land of the Maoris was taken by devious or brutal means. Until the Treaty of Waitangi, concluded between some Maori chieftains and representatives of the British Crown.
In the meantime, the land was almost unusable for growing food, diseases were breaking out (brought by Europeans) and many Maoris had died due to all the violence. It wasn't until the 20th century that their numbers increased again.
Family people
Maoris are family people. Tribal members like to meet in the village hall, the marae. Marriages are also performed there, funerals are held and the dead are honored, because their ancestors are near them. For important events in their lives, the Maoris still perform the Karakia, a ritual with song and prayer. A deceased person is laid out in the village hall. If you are allowed to go to the grave, you are a Tapu, a friend of the deceased. Red, white, and black are the Maori colors. Red means power and status, white represents peace, and black is the color of change.
The Maoris believe in Goddess Rangi. She made the earth, the sun, and the moon. Maoris worship their forefathers and believe in mother earth and father heaven. To appease the gods, there are all kinds of customs and rules. For example, at funerals, men dance the Haka. Sticking out the tongues is meant to impress the enemy. The most famous women's dance is the Poi. The text of a Haka is always addressed to the gods. Such a text used to be passed down from father to son and from mother to daughter. Today, the Haka is a dance that is used throughout New Zealand.
The Maori had no written language. Everything they experienced, they told each other. The Maori alphabet consists of 15 letters: A, E, H, I, K, M, N, O, P, R, T, U, W, NG and WH. In schools in New Zealand they also teach Maori.
"I wish you the breath of life"
"I wish you the breath of life"
In an official greeting - the Hongi - Maoris press their foreheads and noses together. The forehead means "I will let you into my family" because the forehead is the place of thoughts and memories of the ancestors. The nose says 'I wish you the breath of life'.
Tattoos
For the Maoris, Tā Moko (which they themselves do not see as a tattoo, but as marking the skin with linked patterns that say something about origin, authority and prestige) is important. Among other things, you can read from it which tribe you belong, what your date of birth is and what profession you have.
The first Tā Moko is set in puberty. Once a tattoo is done, they are never removed. The Maori believe that otherwise they will not be allowed into the world of their ancestors after their death. In the tattoos you see a lot of a spiral shape. It depicts an unrolling fern leaf. There are as many as 160 different species of ferns growing in New Zealand, which is why the Maoris use this symbol.
"A Tā Moko is meant to impress."
"A Tā Moko is meant to impress."
