Mind’s On – Picture Compare

MAORI HISTORY AND CULTURE

Origins Discovery of New Zealand was from roughly 950-1050 AD Oral history tells of the arrival of 7 canoes from other parts of Polynesia to their “ancestral homeland” of NZ Over the next 500 years a distinct Maori culture developed Origins

Maori Culture Maori means ordinary or usual. They call themselves “people of the land” They are ruled by tribal chiefs, indicating a hierarchical society

COLONIZATION In 1642, New Zealand was explored by Abel Tasman, a Dutch navigator, introducing Europeans to the land British Captain James Cook made three voyages to the islands, beginning in 1769 – Real process of colonization begins Britain formally annexed (occupied, took control) the islands in 1840

February 6, 1840 the was signed by over 500 Maori chiefs February 6, 1840 the was signed by over 500 Maori chiefs. The conditions included: NZ became a British colony The Queen of England would have sovereignty over their land because they had no national government or form of laws By the 1860’s, land wars began to erupt because the Pakeha people (“white strangers”) were trying to simply take land Treaty of Waitangi

Intertribal warfare are essential parts of their culture as a way of gaining control of their land After defeating a tribe, they either eat the defeated (ultimate insult) or they take the women and children to be their slaves Their weapons consisted of long or short wooden clubs resembling spears, but are not thrown. Warfare

Key Values of their Culture Spirituality – Myths, oral history and kinship Land – Mountains and rivers defined tribal boundaries. Mountains were personified and became part of their social identity Hospitality – People are the most important things in the world. Important part of Maori Society Ancestors – Proper reverence to ancestors is important. Genealogy has to be committed to memory Key Values of their Culture

Tattooing – A long painful process with a bone chisel and pigment rubbed on incision – Is part of rituals and rites of passage for both men and women Maori Tattoos

TATTOOING – CULTURE OR TREND? Read the article on Maori tattooing in today’s society. Using two different colours, highlight passages that reflect the honour and history of Maori tattoos as well as passages that reflect it as a trend

WRAP UP – CULTURE COMPARE Review the note from today. Highlight key words and/or points of Maori history and culture that are similar to the Canadian Aboriginal experience and in the margin simply note how