THE PACIFIC REGION CULTURES AND HISTORY

KEY TERMS MAORI: a native of New Zealand whose ancestors first traveled from Asia to Polynesia and later to New Zealand. ABORIGINE: a member of the earliest people of Australia, who probably came from Asia. Penal Colony: a place where people convicted of crimes are sent. STATION: In Australia, a large ranch for raising livestock.

EASTER ISLANDS Hundreds of giant stone statues on the Easter Island, a tiny island in the South Pacific. Made of volcanic rocks. They are from 10 to 40 feet high. Some weigh more than 50 tons. Easter Island is a part of Polynesia. This Island belongs to Chile. Scientists wonder how people in the past came to this island and built these statues.

THE MAORI OF NEW ZEALAND Maori are the natives of New Zealand. Their ancestors travelled from Asia to Polynesia and then to New Zealand. The Maori settled in villages, making a living as hunters and farmers. They were good in fighting and conquering their enemies. They passed on their tales of adventures via storytelling.

ABORIGINES IN AUSTRALIA They are the early settlers in Australia. They came from Asia 40,000 years ago. They hunted and gathered food along the coasts and river valleys. They had strong religious beliefs about nature and land.

THE ARRIVAL OF THE BRITISH In 1788, the British founded the first colony in Australia as a penal colony. In 1851, when the gold was discovered, the population increased. Britain stopped sending convicts and Australia gained independence in 1901. In 1849, British took control of New Zealand because of its fine harbors and fertile soil. New Zealand gained independence in 1947.

THE CULTURES OF AUSTRALIA AND NEW ZEALAND Most Australians and New Zealanders are descendants of British settlers. They share British culture, holidays and customs. They have high standard to living. The nation is prosperous because of several industries, farming and mining.

ABORIGINES The Aborigines have suffered great hardships. They were forced to leave their land. Thousands dies of diseases. Some were forced to work on sheep and cattle stations. They were forced to adopt the European ways. The Aboriginal children were taken from their families, often by force, to live with non-Aboriginals. Today their population is less than 1 percent.

EUROPEANS AND ASIAN IMMIGRANTS After the gold was discovered many people came to this region including the Chinese. 2.6 percent population of Australia is Chinese. After World War II, many Europeans migrated to Australia. They came from Ireland, Italy, Yugoslavia, Greece and Germany.

THE MAORI WAY OF LIFE The British promised to protect the Maori land but they broke their promise. For years they kept on fighting and in 1872 the Maori were defeated. After their defeat the Maori were forced to adopt the British culture. Today about 15 % of New Zealand’s population is Maori. They live in urban areas and speak both Maori and English.

THE CULTURES OF THE PACIFIC ISLANDS A VARIETY OF CULTURES: Due to the distances between the islands the people cannot communicate with one another. Therefore each group developed its own language, customs and religious beliefs. The ocean fed them and was the means of transport for them. They prefer to live in their small village.

FROM COLONIES TO INDEPENDENCE: In 1800s the Western nations began to take interest in the Pacific Islands. Britain, France and Germany set up their trading and naval bases there. After World War II, most Pacific Islands gained independence and life began to improve. They built churches and many of them could read and speak English.