Intimidating war dances, tribal tattoos and entrancing stories of ancient legends. Maori culture is one that is instantly recognisable – and not just for rugby fans. Using ancient knowledge of the stars and ocean currents, the Maori people are thought to have first arrived in Aotearoa (the Maori name for New Zealand) from their ancestral homeland of Hawaiki over 1000 years ago.
the youngest country on earth
Now making up around 14 percent of the country’s population, Maori culture, and its language, has a huge role on the cultural impact of everyday life on the beautiful ‘land of the long white cloud’.
war on the dancefloor
Ka mate, Ka mate, Ka ora, Ka ora (it is death, it is death, it is life, it is life) chants what has to be one of the most famous tribal dances on the planet. Yep – the Haka. Made famous across the globe by the New Zealand All Blacks rugby team the dance is characterised by rowdy chanting, foot stomping, thigh slapping, fierce looks and finally angry sticking out of tongues. A truly impressive spectacle to show off the fitness and prowess of warriors – and boy does it work. It would definitely have us quivering in our boots before a game.
the all blacks haka
But don’t be too scared, not all dances in Maori culture involve 15 ‘warriors’ inviting you to battle. Other traditional dances include an array of Poi dances where women create intricate performances using balls of Raupo (bulrush) to rhythmic routines to increase flexibility, co-ordination and even help as a training aid for using ancient weapons such as the Mere or Patu. All in all, a slightly less intimidating affair.
the legend of Maui
Like most cultures, it’s the mythical stories and ancient legends that have been passed down over the centuries, generation to generation, that inform the ways indigenous beliefs still work and run today. And in Maori culture they don’t come more revered than the legend of Maui.
the legend of maui
As well as harnessing the sun in order to make the days longer, the half-human demi-god is believed to have pulled the Te Ika a Maui (the fish of Maui or North Island to you and me) from the depths of the Ocean on a fishing trip with his brothers. The Maori believe the very northern tip to be the tail and Wellington Harbour the mouth of the fish, with the South island making up Maui’s canoe (a waka) and Steward Island (Rakiura) the anchor.
the art of the Maori
From the carving of waka taua (war canoes) to the striking body tattoos (or moko if you’re a local), Maori culture is packed with ancient crafts that over the years have been essential for the preservation and survival of their ancient culture. Packed with stories of the creation of Earth and the significance of the spirits and gods believed to have created the world around them, the traditional arts of the Maori are certainly more than just something decorative for the house.
maori carving
One of the more striking elements of Maori arts is the Moko (tattoo). During a Maori’s early teenage years, Mokos were used to mark the big leap from childhood to adulthood. Lines were engraved into the skin, the designs and patterns dependant on tribal affiliation, whakapapa (lineage), and individual rank within the family – the greater the extent and complexity of the moko the higher the social status.
Though the more traditional tribal tattooing has all but disappeared – much of the significance was lost when the European settlers arrived – modern Maori tattoos are still widely found but with people tending to avoid the face and, thankfully, they’ve dropped the albatross bone Chisels (Uhi) and ink for more modern (slightly less painful) tattooing techniques.
Take me back for more on New Zealand culture
