James Harrington 5/24/2011 Mr.

Karis GD Term Paper

M ori TeToka, TuMoana: M ori Rocks Standing in the Sea In the 16th and 17th century, Europeans took to the sea, searching for new lands and undiscovered islands, travelling to every corner of the globe in search of wealth. Brave seamen like James Cook and Ferdinand Magellan went out to conquer the seas and to fill in the blank spots of world maps. One of the unexplored areas they set their eyes upon was the Asian Pacific. When Dutch, Portuguese, English, Spanish, and French explorers found islands in the Pacific, they expected to find virgin lands free of human colonization. What they found was far more intriguing. Scattered across thousands of miles of ocean, inhabiting small islands, were tens of thousands of indigenous people, divided into hundreds of different tribes including the Samoans, Tahitians, and Hawaiian. Amongst these tribes, the largest and most powerful were the fierce M ori of New Zealand. The culture of the island tribes was nothing like the cultures of European, Asian, African, or Native American origin. They had a distinct society forged by their surroundings. The M ori had and continue to have a unique culture shaped by their connection to the ocean (The Maori). The discovery of these scattered tribes challenged Europe s concept of the history of humanity. They believed that Europe was the supreme center of man s achievement and that if the civilized nations had not discovered a land that nobody would have been able to. So, when explorers discovered groups of humans living in small, undiscovered islands, they had to rethink their ideas about the history of mankind.

James Harrington 5/24/2011 Mr. Karis GD Term Paper

Europeans began to scramble for ideas of the origin of these people. Some claimed that they were the descendants of Greek explorers; others believed that they were Malaysian or Indian settlers and some biblical scholars even claimed that they were the descendants of Noah. With the advent of radiocarbon dating, DNA testing and further exploration of the tribes, it is now widely accepted that the M ori and other tribes are the descendants of Malaysian and mainland Asians who began to settle the islands during the 13th century (Howe). For the Polynesian tribes, the discovery and settling of these islands is nothing short of miraculous. The M ori and other tribes had nothing more than stone-age technology, and yet they were able to traverse thousands of miles of open ocean. This feat speaks volumes to their connection and understanding of the sea and their surroundings. The

sailors understood and read the signs that the natural world gave them. One way they navigated was by the stars as virtually every seagoing peopledid (Maori Culture). M ori sailors also followed the signs the natural world gave them, quickly learning that birds and whales had an understanding of the locations of distant islands. They could also follow the migratory patterns of turtles to find the island where they laid their eggs (Maori Culture). Their bond with nature and the sea shaped their culture by creating deep respect for the forces of the ocean. As the tribes took to the sea, their artwork began to reflect their bond with the ocean. First off, M ori craftsmen used the materials the Pacific gave them. They became skilled carvers, making intricate works from the wood of South Pacific trees and driftwood.

James Harrington 5/24/2011 Mr. Karis GD Term Paper

Scrimshaw carvings made from the bones and teeth of marine mammals were also prized (Religion). A common piece of jewelry that reflected the M ori s linking with the oceanwas a stylized fishing hook pendant. These were carved out of either shell, greenstone (an extremely hard and light green stone found on islands across the Pacific), or ivory. These ornaments were believed to bring good luck while at sea while bestowing virility and fertility to its wearer (Religion). Part of the cultural identity of the Polynesian tribes is their extensive use of tattoos. Each tribe, from the M ori to the Samoans to the Hawaiians had their own style of body art that, upon study in the 18th century, Captain James Cook dubbed tattaus. Reffered to asTa Mokoby the indigenous tribes, the tattoos worn by M ori warriors told the life story of the wearer (Whitmore). Each side of the face had its own significance. The right side showed the birthrights of the warrior, whether he was born the son of a chief, or of a skilled warrior, or, if they had no tattoos, a lower birth. The left side of the face was reserved for achievements during the warrior s lifetime, with one given for the first he killed a man, another for when he distinguishes himself with bravery in battle, and so on. Respected M ori men would have their entire faces covered in tattoos (Whitmore). Men would also have tattoos on their buttocks and upper legs. These had little cultural significance and were more for show than anything.

James Harrington 5/24/2011 Mr. Karis GD Term Paper

Men were not the only tribe members to bear ink. M ori women also displayed facial tattoos, though not to the extent the men did. Women favored simpler, smaller tattoos, like the chin ta mokoand a thin blue line tracing the upper lip. The tattoos women wore were purely asthetic (Whitmore). The design of the tattoo reflects the impact the ocean has had on M ori art. The tattoos are spiraling undulating designs that emulate ocean waves, and the ink used comes from natural pigmentation found in marine plants. The process of traditional M ori tattooing involves the use of seashells to scrape away the upper dermis in order to allow the ink to permanently adhere to the body. This method of scraping away layers of skin using seashells and exposing lower layers of the epidermis is not only an excruciatingly painful method of body modification, but it is also extremely dangerous. These indigenous tattoo artists use unsanitized tools, organic ink, and expose large areas of vulnerable flesh to the environment. This is a recipe for infection. Recently tattooed warriors were incapacitated for weeks after receiving their new body art. They were kept isolated and away from places where infection was likely to fester. Even after these precautions many warrior died of various bacterial diseases and sepsis. The ocean not only brought inspiration for art, but it also transported enemies. The small islands in the Pacific were particularly vulnerable to invasion by sea because no matter where the tribes stayed on the island, they were always less than a day s march

James Harrington 5/24/2011 Mr. Karis GD Term Paper

from the ocean. This exposed the M ori and other Polynesian tribes to lightning raids from rival clans. As a result, the tribes of New Zealand and the other Asian Pacific islands have become inured to the hardships of war. They have become so accustomed to constant battles with rival clans that they no longer find it out of the ordinary. For this, M ori have developed a very war-like culture. The traits that are valued in tribal society in New Zealand are traits that are valued on the battlefield. They value bravery, valor, strength, and martial skill. Whereas in modern society, killing in open warfare is something that is avoided if possible, in tribal culture, it is celebrated. A man who kills in battle is a respected role model, someone who should be emulated (Mader). As a byproduct of this constant warfare and violent outlook on life, M ori warriors viewed their weapons in a unique light. They believed that the weapons they took into battle were totems of power. The clubs and spears made out of wood and greenstone were extensions of the warrior s manaor inner energy. For each enemy killed by a weapon, the M ori believed that a part of thevictims strength was imbued in the armament. As a result, weapons were painstakingly cared for and decorated. It was not uncommon for a wellmade and well used weapon to be passed down the generations (Mader) This warrior mentality is still carried on by New Zealanders today. One only needs to look as far as the continuation of the Haka in order to see this. A Haka is a tribal dance practiced by the M ori and their descents. It is a term that can be used to define any sort of

James Harrington 5/24/2011 Mr. Karis GD Term Paper

synchronized dance, but most often it is used to describe the distinctive and ferocious M ori war-dance. Before any significant battle, opposing would line up and attempt to intimidate their foes. This display of martial prowess involved chanting and synchronized movements, often punctuated by the warriors sticking their tongues out at their opponents. This seemingly childish maneuver was an insult that meant in essence After I kill you, I am going to eat you. The M ori considered turning your foes into human excrement to be the highest affront imaginable (The Maori). This practice lives on today with the All Blacks Rugby club. This New Zealand rugby squad is internationally known for their distinctive pregame warmup. Just before they start the match, the All Blacks line up and perform a modern version of The Haka. This throwback to their tribal ancestors is the most beloved traditions in New Zealand sports (All Blacks). All in all, the M ori culture is still alive and wellin modern New Zealand. The language spoken by the tribes is still widely used, and 14% of the population of New Zealand is M ori descendants (Maori Culture). Descendants of the warrior cultures of Polynesia still are influenced by the sea, with many making their livelihoods by fishing the waters and relying on the bounty of the sea. The deep respect the original settlers of the islands continues to impact modern Polynesians and New Zealanders. It is as the M ori saying goes. Toitu he whenua, whatungarongaro he tangata. Man disappears but nature is eternal.

James Harrington 5/24/2011 Mr. Karis GD Term Paper

James Harrington 5/24/2011 Mr. Karis GD Term Paper

Works Cited

K. R. Howe. 'Ideas of M ori origins - 1770s1840s: early ideas', TeAra - the Encyclopedia of New Zealand, 14 MAY 11, Mar09 http://www.TeAra.govt.nz/en/ideas-ofmaori-origin "The Haka and the All Blacks." Allblacks.com - the Official Website of the New Zealand All Blacks Rugby Team and Rugby Union. Allblacks.com, 2010. Web. 12 May 2011. http://www.allblacks.com/index.cfm?layout=haka

Mader, William. "MAORI WEAPONS." MAORI JEWELRY AND MAORI INFORMATION. Maori Source. Web. 20 May 2011. http://maorisource.com/MaoriWeapons.html "The Maori." New Zealand in History. Web. 12 May 2011. http://history nz.org/maori.html "Maori Culture New Zealand." New Zealand Vacation - The Official Website For New Zealand: US Edition New Zealand. Tourism New Zealand. Web. 12 May 2011. http://www.newzealand.com/travel/about-nz/culture/culture-maori-culture.cfm "Religion and Expressive Culture - Maori." Countries and Their Cultures. Web. 20 May 2011. http://www.everyculture.com/Oceania/Maori-Religion-and-ExpressiveCulture.html Whitmore, Robbie. "The Maori - Tattoo." New Zealand in History. Web. 14 May 2011. <http://history-nz.org/maori3.html