New Zealand is home to a rich culture that has centuries of history. The Maori culture is one of the most extensively vibrant cultures, which has a blend of modern and traditional elements. Respect, cooperation, and humility are this culture’s three essential principles. The Maori people were the original inhabitants of the land, and their culture is deeply rooted in the history, traditions, and values of New Zealand.
Today, various Maori communities in New Zealand enhance the land’s focus, culture, and social and spiritual life. Their community stays in a communal plaza which includes a meeting room and a dining room.
The Maori people
The Maori people identify themselves based on tribe (iwi), sub-tribe (hapu), awa(river), and mountain (maunga). A Maori family is called a Whanau which resembles the immediate members of the family and those conceded by blood ties.
Traditional carvers are one of the best sources for promoting and educating people about the Maori culture, with their intricate works of the past. Every piece of artwork speaks a story about the Maori culture, from the shape of their heads to the record of events, their food habits, and many more.
Even today’s New Zealand leaders respect and recognize the culture. For instance, the recent North Island road project changed its course to avoid any disturbance to the natural flow of the water monster. The locals and the people of the Maori culture believe that the water monster, called taniwha, spends half a year in the swamp and the next half in the Waikato River.
History of The Maori people
The Maori were the indigenous people of New Zealand who arrived on the land in voyaging canoes (waka hourua) from Hawaiki 1000 years ago. Today, they occupy almost 14% of the New Zealand population, and their food, culture, and language severely impact the people of New Zealand.
The Maori culture includes rich traditional arts like weaving, carving, group performance (kappa haka), oratory, and tattoo making (woko). However, people who follow this ancestral culture (tipuna) have also included new art forms with exciting forms and techniques, like poetry, hip-hop, theater, and many more.
Te Reo Maori
The official language of the Maori group is called Te Reo Maori. The language has a complicated structure which New Zealand visitors sometimes find hard to pronounce. However, unlike English, this language has consistent rules for its pronunciation.
Like their strict pronunciation of the language, they also follow other cultures which are preached to the visitors and tourists. Once a tourist steps into New Zealand, they are immediately aware of the rich culture of the Maori tribe. They also have specific food which can be tasted and relished by travelers. Although the culture has changed over the last few years due to intermarriages, colonization, and the introduction of new technologies, the Maori culture remains unique and strong in New Zealand.