Rumi Suzuki 07011223
Zemi Report, Wed 2
Mr. Simon Humphrey
July 24, 2009
Maori in the Past
There is many settler of New Zealand. For example, Maori, European, Chinese, Asian immigrated to New Zealand. New Zealand has been influenced from the culture in various countries. Especially, Maori's culture is valued. Their language and the culture still link deeply in New Zealand. Today I will talk about Maori in the past in this essay. I have three points; first is Maori’s history, second is Maori’s life in the past, last is meeting with European.
First I will explain about history of Maori. It is not still clearly where their ancestor came to New Zealand. However, it is said that there is a possibility of emigrating from Polynesia about 15000 years ago. It is certain that they went over the sea by large-scale canoes. It is called "Waka". They made waka from huge tree, and 50 or more people can ride on waka. Maori has legendary and fantastic story. It is said that all of Maori's ancestors came from Hawaiki. Hawaiki is just imaginary place. All of the ancestors divided into seven groups and they voyaged to New Zealand by 7 of wakas. It is still important for Maori which waka their ancestors taken. It is one of their identities. The word of waka also means "Car" in modern days. It is important to which car they take.
Second, I will talk about Maori’s life in the past in New Zealand. I will introduce three points; house, clothes and food. First is about house. They lived in the group. The place where they lived in the group was called “Pa". The custom and the religion are different in each tribes and groups, and the dialect is various. This picture is Maori's old house. They live in left house of picture in summer, and they lived under ground in winter because of cold. They probably lived with nature. Next is about clothes. They were wearing cloaks and skirts which made from flax. This traditional skirt is called "piupiu". It is the only clothes which Maori were wearing. The design was different by the race and the rank. They thought wearing clothes is a very sacred act, and it was very artistic. It takes long time to make piupiu and it is very complex. It uses about 250 pieces of leaves, and all of processes which are dyeing, drying and weaving are done by the hand work. Next is about food. Their staple foods were birds and fishes. They could get easily these foods. It is said that they often ate bat. They was also cannibal. Cannibal means a person who eats human fresh. Surprisingly, Maori ate human in the old days. Such life was continued for 150 years. Meanwhile, the population of Maori had increased. However, it became impossible to take enough food. Because there was a climate change in the 15th century. It became always cold, and land became dry by the south wind. In addition, the forest fire continued by the influence of the strong wind, and a lot of plant and animal had gone. Some people call this age mini ice age. At this point, Maori had changed their attitude to food supply. They made dried fish for preservation. They also used storehouse for foods. To get over the severe winter, they need to store more and more foods. In addition they started growing sweet potato and taro. As a result, they needed more large land to grow foods. They made border line to divide the land. Therefore sometime fight happened between groups. Maori's village became a defense style at once. For example they made fence and watchtower.
Thirdly, I will talk about meeting with Europeans. The European had immigrated since 17th century. The population of Maori had decreased by contact with the European. Because, they did not have immunity against European disease, so a lot of Maori died. The fight with the British happened, too. Alcohol and the gun were also bad for them. In 1769, The population of Maori was 120,000, but it became 42,000 in 1896. The British had the agreement with Maori. This agreement is called "Treaty of Waitangi ". Then New Zealand became a colony. However, there are some unequal points in this agreement, and a lot of fights and have happened afterwards. On the other hand this agreement still protects Maori person's human rights. February 6 is an anniversary of Waitangi still now.
I explained about Maori in the past. Their history and culture are very individual and interesting. The more I learn their cultures, the more my interest became deep. The influence of Maori culture is still seen in many places in New Zealand. I want a lot of people to know this culture and I hope Maori’s culture left forever.
Word: 797
Zemi Report, Wed 2
Mr. Simon Humphrey
July 24, 2009
Maori in the Past
There is many settler of New Zealand. For example, Maori, European, Chinese, Asian immigrated to New Zealand. New Zealand has been influenced from the culture in various countries. Especially, Maori's culture is valued. Their language and the culture still link deeply in New Zealand. Today I will talk about Maori in the past in this essay. I have three points; first is Maori’s history, second is Maori’s life in the past, last is meeting with European.
First I will explain about history of Maori. It is not still clearly where their ancestor came to New Zealand. However, it is said that there is a possibility of emigrating from Polynesia about 15000 years ago. It is certain that they went over the sea by large-scale canoes. It is called "Waka". They made waka from huge tree, and 50 or more people can ride on waka. Maori has legendary and fantastic story. It is said that all of Maori's ancestors came from Hawaiki. Hawaiki is just imaginary place. All of the ancestors divided into seven groups and they voyaged to New Zealand by 7 of wakas. It is still important for Maori which waka their ancestors taken. It is one of their identities. The word of waka also means "Car" in modern days. It is important to which car they take.
Second, I will talk about Maori’s life in the past in New Zealand. I will introduce three points; house, clothes and food. First is about house. They lived in the group. The place where they lived in the group was called “Pa". The custom and the religion are different in each tribes and groups, and the dialect is various. This picture is Maori's old house. They live in left house of picture in summer, and they lived under ground in winter because of cold. They probably lived with nature. Next is about clothes. They were wearing cloaks and skirts which made from flax. This traditional skirt is called "piupiu". It is the only clothes which Maori were wearing. The design was different by the race and the rank. They thought wearing clothes is a very sacred act, and it was very artistic. It takes long time to make piupiu and it is very complex. It uses about 250 pieces of leaves, and all of processes which are dyeing, drying and weaving are done by the hand work. Next is about food. Their staple foods were birds and fishes. They could get easily these foods. It is said that they often ate bat. They was also cannibal. Cannibal means a person who eats human fresh. Surprisingly, Maori ate human in the old days. Such life was continued for 150 years. Meanwhile, the population of Maori had increased. However, it became impossible to take enough food. Because there was a climate change in the 15th century. It became always cold, and land became dry by the south wind. In addition, the forest fire continued by the influence of the strong wind, and a lot of plant and animal had gone. Some people call this age mini ice age. At this point, Maori had changed their attitude to food supply. They made dried fish for preservation. They also used storehouse for foods. To get over the severe winter, they need to store more and more foods. In addition they started growing sweet potato and taro. As a result, they needed more large land to grow foods. They made border line to divide the land. Therefore sometime fight happened between groups. Maori's village became a defense style at once. For example they made fence and watchtower.
Thirdly, I will talk about meeting with Europeans. The European had immigrated since 17th century. The population of Maori had decreased by contact with the European. Because, they did not have immunity against European disease, so a lot of Maori died. The fight with the British happened, too. Alcohol and the gun were also bad for them. In 1769, The population of Maori was 120,000, but it became 42,000 in 1896. The British had the agreement with Maori. This agreement is called "Treaty of Waitangi ". Then New Zealand became a colony. However, there are some unequal points in this agreement, and a lot of fights and have happened afterwards. On the other hand this agreement still protects Maori person's human rights. February 6 is an anniversary of Waitangi still now.
I explained about Maori in the past. Their history and culture are very individual and interesting. The more I learn their cultures, the more my interest became deep. The influence of Maori culture is still seen in many places in New Zealand. I want a lot of people to know this culture and I hope Maori’s culture left forever.
Word: 797
