Essay about The Maori Culture

The Hawaiian Islands are well known for their beauty, tranquility, and unique culture that have shaped this state into what we see today. The special bond that the natives have formed between themselves and nature is not exactly one of a kind, but it is something that can truly be admired. Around approximately 300 AD, Hawaii was discovered by Polynesians who arrived by canoe from Tahiti. These migrants brought their polytheistic spirituality and formed a large intricate society with hierarchies consisting of many chiefs. Alongside the ruling of the chiefs, the newborn Hawaiians followed a strict belief system known as Kapu akua otherwise known as the “law of the gods”. The Kapu was a strict set of rules and restraints that dictated all

Indigenous religions exist in every climate around the world and exhibit a wide range of differences in their stories, language, customs, and views of the afterlife. Within indigenous communities, religion, social behavior, art, and music are so intertwined that their religion is a significant part of their culture and virtually inseparable from it. These religions originally developed and thrived in isolation from one another and are some of the earliest examples of religious practice and belief. The modern world; however, has taken its toll on these groups and many of their stories, customs, and beliefs have been lost to, or replaced by, those brought in as a result of popular culture and the missionary work of Christians and Muslims.

The belief in kinship with creation is widely supported within most indigenous religions. In this way of thinking, there is more importance placed on the concept of “we” than there is on the concept of “I”. Here, the family or village is where strong emphasis lies. In many indigenous traditions, developing and maintaining a respectful relationship with spiritual energy is paramount. This concept doesn’t only apply to humans, but also, in many cases to the immediate natural environment as well. The oneness of the body and the land is vital. Many think of themselves as mere ‘caretakers’ of the earth, and nothing more, who has a duty to nurture and preserve it for future generations. Certain animals are seen as spiritual conduits, just as certain trees are seen to impart herbal healing secrets.

The Maori, culturally Polynesians, are the indigenous inhabitants of New Zealand. The people who call themselves the Maori are originally from the Polynesian islands and settled in New Zealand around the 13th century. The tribes of the Maori did not identify themselves by a collective name until European settlers arrived and then the use of the name Maori, which means ‘ordinary’ came into use. The Maori today make up about 15% (565,329 people) of New Zealand’s population with the majority living in urban area, while there are still few who live in the ancestral tribal areas. Many also live overseas with 70,000 in Australia and 10,000 in England.

It is clear from these beliefs that spirituality and religion played a major role in the Aboriginal culture. There were many myths and rituals connected to both the tribe's ancestors and the creators of the world, none of whom ever died but merged with the natural world and thus remained a part of the present. These myths and rituals, signifying communion with nature and the past, were known as the Dreaming or the Dreamtime, and reflected a belief in the continuity of existence and harmony with the world.

The Maori brought with them their legends and traditions of their Polynesian home stead known as Hawaiki. Hawaiki which is similar to the word Hawaii, (the largest island of the Polynesian region) is what later settlers of the region see as proof of the Maori people’s migration to the islands. However, even today there is much debate over the originating culture that brought with it the Polynesian traditions. Speculations range from Asia migrations to the Vikings being the culture of origin. In either case, the traditions of the Polynesian carry through in the region (McLean,

Analyse the impact of European contact in Māori between 1642 and prior to the sighing of the Treaty of Waitangi in 1840.

Throughout New Zealand history, historical roots have played a significant role in the development of modern Aotearoa New Zealand. The historical past has shaped various forms of present social dimensions within the nation today. This essay intends to discuss the controversial racial inequality in regards to the relationship between Maori and Pakeha within contemporary New Zealand society. This essay will explore two readings; “Plunder in the Promised Land: Māori Land Alienation and the Genesis of Capitalism in Aotearoa New Zealand” by Wynyard, Matthew and “Stereotypical Construction of the Maori ‘Race’ in the Media” by Wall, Melanie. This essay will also further discuss a brief summary on my personal reflection

The Zulu Culture is one filled with rich traditions and achievements can be found throughout centuries, even in contemporary society. The people have fascinating stories and folklores that they embrace and that influence many of their current values and beliefs. The people are known for their great works in art and the impact that it has on current society. Their culture and beliefs that although are different than the cultures found in other areas make them a unique society. Their trials throughout history make the Zulu people a fascinating group to explore in order to better understand their belief systems. The Zulu culture’s beliefs and values, gender relations and family,

The programmes developed have overcome complex and diverse issues using many epistemologies (multiple philosophies) along with traditional methods to resolve them. Māori world view is that we as humans are an integral part of the ecosystem which is inherent to whakapapa. This holistic view often conflicts with scientific views, so the primary concern with these programmes has been to create frameworks

Marae is communal or sacred place that serves religious and social purposes societies. There are over one thousand Marae around New Zealand and it is essential place for groups which share relationship. In the past,it was the open place for community meeting. Nowadays it is a complex of building and open place which support facilities and accommodateacommunity. However, it is not used continuously, and mainly occupied for Hui and guests. The Maori maintain customs developed and nurtured. It is also important for the other non-Maori visitors to understand about the culture ceremonies and protocols to respect their culture. Even though Marae try to give visitors a “cultural experience of Maori”, itmakes disappointment visitors. Since the explanations were decreasing andhistoric was not made clearly but Te papa try to keep the culture as well aswants to be culture connection. The Wharenui is important point of a Marae and it has spiritual meaning. In shape it represents the human form and each part of a Wharenui is a representation.

Maoris culture is original culture of New Zealand. By nature they are friendly and respect the other culture. They greet the people by shaking handshake and smile or say hello. They have their own traditional ceremony for treating the visitors. If they are dealing a tribal group they welcomed visitors in powhiri styles. The traditional ceremony will lasts 2 or 3 hours. First of all, they invited visitor in their traditional meeting house. Visitor has to join them as group and communicate with them. Visitor has to sit with them. After that Maori chief give welcoming speech. Speeches are given in Maori language. So visitor required translator with him. Translator gives all detail information to speaker during the ceremony. Every one greets the visitor and shakes the hands and after that they take a dinner. They have their own traditional table manners. They follow all the traditions during the

Reading Response 1: Mikaere, A. (2004) Are We All New Zealanders Now? A Maori Response to the Pakeha Quest for Indigeneity

In the context of a Maori world view the role of women is different from that of women in European culture; women played a key role in the collective of the whanau, hapu and iwi. There was no hierarchy of the sexes. This is exemplified in the Maori language, where both the possessive and personal pronouns are gender neutral.

It is important that the researcher examines a definition provided by the socio-anthropological perspective. It’s a definition of culture proffered by Irihapeti Ramsden, a Maori health educator… It is a definition recognizably influenced by anthropology, but one that most present-day practitioners would consider to have an old-fashioned ring: “The way groups of people do things as a result of the example of the tipuna [ancestors], their ideology, their philosophy and geography” (Ramsden, 1990) (Goldsmith,