References

The Maoris of New Zealand, Metge Joan
Maori myths & tribal legends, Alpers Antony
"Countries and Their Cultures." Maori. N.p.,n.d.Web. 18 Apr.2014
"Maori Culture."Maori Culture. N.p.,n.d.Web.18 Apr.2014

 

World/Landscape

Maori are the tangata whenua or "indigenous people of the land" of Aotearoa New Zealand. Maori cultures landscape is located on the natural environment of forests, sea, rivers, lakes and mountains. The islands of New Zealand is the homeland of the Maori. They make up 14% of our population which equals out to 600,000. Today, 80 percent of the Maori live in the urban areas of New Zealand. New Zealand consists of two islands, the North Island and the South Island. The North island is hilly with areas of flat rolling terrain. The South Island is larger and more mountainous. Prior to the arrival of humans, both islands were densely forested.

Islands of New Zealand

 

Cultural survival

The early Maori culture had survived by fishing and hunting birds. After finding out they lived in a area with many flightless birds. Therefore, they used to hunt these birds for food and later realizing they can use the bones to make weapons. A "wharenui" which means "big house", this is a typical house of the Maori culture. Wharenui is also usually called a meeting house in the New Zealand English. The present style of the wharenui originated in the early nineteenth century. The style of these houses are carved inside and out with images of the iwi's or tribes ancestors.

Maori Birds

New Zealand was a home to many flightless birds, including the Moa. This bird was hunted for its meat, large eggs, and feathers. The Moa bones were said to be extremely strong and gave a purpose for fabricate artifact's. There were 11 species of this bird, ranging from the size of a turkey up to 3.7 tall, weighing up too 200 kg. The different species included the Upland Moa (megalapteryx didinus), The Heavy-footed Moa (Euryapteryx geranoides) and the Giant Moat (Dinornis giganteus). In the tradition Maori thought and saw birds as "chiefly", the certain kinds of birds were used to ware in there hair. Particularly plumes. Chiefs wore Kahu Huruhuru, which is a feather cloak, made from feathers of the most beautiful birds. The huia, which is a very extinct bird since the early 20th century. This beautiful bird had a black tail with white tips. These feathers were only worn in there hair by high-ranking people. The male huia had a straight beak, while the female's was curved. The KaKa, a cheeky parrot, had red feathers under its wings. Maori distinguished the color red as a high status color. Many upscale Maoris wore cloaks made with kaka feathers. These birds were also kept as pets and often used as decoys. The kaka has a loud call and the Maori described it as someone being so talkative and big-mouthed kaka, or kaka heads.

Mao

Giant Moat

Maori History

The name "Maori" once originally meant "the local people", or even "the original people". Maori was a word which was meant to meant "local" or "original". When the arrival of the European settlers, the word "Maori" slowly adjusted to become the "Maori people". This small change took place before 1815. Originally the ancestor's of Polynesian people originated from south-east Asia. The voyage of these traveler's went through China, Taiwan, and through the South Pacific and on there way to New Zealand. When Maori had discovered the Great Fleet, also known as the canoe tradition. This tradition was handed down from generation to generation. According to this ideal tradition, these great canoes had arrived from the mythical homeland oh Hawaiiki, typically known as the ancestral homeland, somewhere in the Eastern Polynesia. These Great Fleet canoes consisted of the Aotea, Arawa, Tainui, Kurahaupo, Takitimu, Horousta, Tokomaru and Mataatua.