Maöri Culture

In our last Introduction to Cultural Diversity class we were talking about New Zealand, specifically about Maöri people. They are the aboriginal people of this country.

Maöris are so interesting and spiritual people who have a lot of traditions and beliefs. I was reading about them and a want to show you some things that I think you might find interesting.

One thing that characterizes Maöris is the great collection of tales that they had. For example, there is the myth about their origin:

Also there is the myth which narrates how Maui slowed the Sun:

Other aspect that is so interesting is their belief about the “Mana”, they say that all the living creatures was born with “Mana” inside. Mountains, animals, humans, all of us have this “spirit” that makes us to be who we are. “Mana” not necessarily it’s a good “spirit”, it also can be a bad “spirit” who corrupts our self and make us walk in a bad way along our life. 

But my favorite part is about Maöri’s tattoos (Ta Moko). In my opinion there isn’t a better cultural expression of spirituality and identity like this draws in their faces and bodies. Ta Moko has a big meaning for this people, first, let people know about the social caste of each of them. Also tell them about their family heritage, every single tattoo that they have narrates their own history and the history of their family. Maori warriors wore proudly their tattoos to show at the society that they were who defended their lands and their community from the invaders.

Currently, they only make up a 15 percent of the country population. Sadly, as the time pass, fewer and fewer Maöri still preserved their costumes, only a little part of this aboriginal group continue studying their traditions and their history and although New Zealand gains so much money with native things, hardly anyone say proudly that is part of this people. 

So, that is... I hope you like it :)