Maori: a rich and precious culture on the edge of the world

New Zealand is one of the last continents colonized by human beings.

When the Pleistocene megafauna died out in other parts of the world, New Zealand still lived in fear birds, which were large flightless birds hunted by early Maori settlers.

Maori ancestors settled in the last truly primitive wasteland without human activities. As the world changes, they constantly adapt to the new environment.

Maori may have originated in East Polynesia, nearby society islands and the South Cook Islands.

In Maori legend, the Maori homeland is a place called Hawaii, which seems to be at least semi-mythical.

In Maori mythology, it is also the home of the gods and the place where people go after death. Maori first arrived in New Zealand around 1300 or earlier.

Because New Zealand, or Aotearoa as Maori call it, represents the southwest edge of the known world in the eyes of Polynesians in the 13 and 14 centuries, Maori can be regarded as a nation living on the edge of the world and a typical model of Pā people built by Maori in the headland (for defense).

In the public domain, when the Maori arrived, New Zealand was covered with forests inhabited by primitive animals.

It's cooler here than the Maori Polynesian hometown, which means that some main crops in Polynesia are more difficult to grow there or can't be grown at all, such as breadfruit, coconut and banana.

This makes it more difficult for Polynesian settlers accustomed to tropical areas to adapt to the unique temperate climate of New Zealand Islands.

The first settlers lived in coastal areas, hunting Moab and seals, and later moved to the depths of the forest.

Humans have influenced the environment in New Zealand, forcing the extinction of New Zealand's moa and the Hastert eagle that attacked moa.

(John Megahan /CC BY 2.

5) By the18th century, Maori had established stable agricultural communities all over New Zealand and were divided into tribes called "iwi".

The highest-ranking individual in ancient Maori society was the chief, followed by civilians and slaves.

Tuohonga, a priest or an expert, is sometimes regarded as his own class.

During this period, many important concepts were created, which still define Maori society and religion to a certain extent. Maori began to trade seriously with Europeans in the19th century.

The most important European trade commodities of Maori are pigs and potatoes.

These foods soon joined traditional Maori foods, such as Kumara, Pico Pico and Kalengo.

1840 After the Treaty of Waitangi, New Zealand became a British colony.

At first, the Maori resisted, but later they were gradually conquered and gave most of their land to European colonists.

Since the 20th century, Maori have begun to revive their culture and integrate into Pakeha (white European) society without losing their traditions.

Today, more than half a million Maori live here.

Most of them live in cities.

The movement to revive and protect Maori culture in the early 20th century was generally successful.

Today, Maori art, language and oral traditions flourish with Pakeha's lifestyle.

"Within 15 fathom, when you stop here, you can see the murderer's bay", which was painted by Abel Ta *** an's artist when Dutch explorers and Maori clashed in what is now called Golden Bay, New Zealand.

This is the first impression of Maori in Europe.

(Public domain) As the Maori are descendants of Polynesian navigators who settled on the island in the 13 or14th century, the Maori share many social, metaphysical and religious ideas with other Polynesian groups.

These concepts include mana and tapp. Mana is different in different cultures, but it is a universal concept in Oceania.

New Zealand is no exception.

In Maori tradition, mana is related to prestige and authority.

In ancient times, the greatest magical power was in the hands of high-ranking people, such as Maori leaders and Tohonga. Tapp basically means "sacred". Tapp people are considered to be forbidden to God, and no one can enter except some people, such as local tyrants.

Tapp people or things in ancient New Zealand, including Tuohonga, specialized in making tattoos and sacred religious sites. The traditional Maori religion under the rule of the Tapu people is polytheism in essence.

Maori believe that the world was created by the God artois.

Their gods include the father of the sky, the mother of the earth, the god of the forest and the god of war.

Tarn, the god of the forest, played an important role in the process of human creation by creating the first woman.

Tohonga is the intermediary between Artuya and the soul and the human world.

The Tohonga people are also responsible for ensuring proper ceremonies in war and food production. The sculpture of Maori god Tāne nui A Rangi is located at the entrance of the forest aviary in Auckland Zoo.

During the colonial period, many Maori believed in Christianity.

/kloc-In the middle of the 0/9th century, many Maori Christians rebelled against Britain on the grounds of their beliefs because the British invaded their ancestors' land.

Today, most Maori Christians are part of the Anglican tradition.

Maori also have many Methodists and Catholics. The traditional art forms of ancient Maori society include weaving, carving, tattooing, dancing and singing, among which one of the most important Maori art forms is Tamoko tattoo art.

Maori tattoos are spiral patterns composed of grooves or scars carved on the skin.

Ta moko originated from the mourning ceremony.

Over time, it became a symbol of status.

Men have tattoos on their faces, and women have tattoos on their chins.

At first, tattoos were chisels made of bird bones.

After the arrival of Europeans, these chisels were replaced by metal chisels and needles in World War I. 。

Today, Tamoko artists use many of the same tools as non-Maori tattoo artists.

The portrait of Keno in the gallery (1878) was written by gottfried Lindauer.

The public sphere is another two important and closely related art forms in Maori society, namely singing and dancing.

A common example is haka.

Haka dance is a kind of dance, including lively movements and body, accompanied by singing and energetic voice.

There are several different types, and their styles and forms depend on their uses.

Haka can be used for ritual purposes or to motivate teams to complete tasks without weapons.

It can also be used as a war dance, in which case it is often used with weapons.

Traditionally, Maori war dance is made by soldiers who deliberately create ugly faces and sounds to scare and demoralize the enemy.

(Irene a.

Kirk Cuomo /CC leads by 2 points.

0), Maori is one of many indigenous cultures. Relatively speaking, after European colonial rule, Maori prospered.

Even two centuries after the arrival of Pakiha people, Maori still retain many aspects of their culture, and their number and influence in New Zealand society continue to grow.

People on the edge of the world are constantly approaching the place that has become the center of the world. Above: The Maori Warrior by Caleb Strom. I have a bachelor's degree in earth science, but I minored in anthropology and archaeology and studied in an archaeological field school. Read Mor.