Who are the Maoris and how did they express their culture?
The Maoris:The Maori are the indigenous people of New Zealand. The origin of the Maori people has been traced to the islands of Eastern Polynesia from which they journeyed to New Zealand on canoes many hundreds of years ago.
Maori people define themselves by their tribe, or iwi. Family is very important within the Maori culture, and encompasses immediate family, in-laws and all those connected by blood ties.
Maori is the official second language of New Zealand, and the basics are taught in most schools. The Maori language is unique, and while its knowledge was lost from many for a while, it is now promoted and encouraged in New Zealand.
Maori is the official second language of New Zealand, and the basics are taught in most schools.
Ta Moko - Traditional Māori tattooing, often on the face - is a taonga (treasure) to Māori for which the purpose and applications are sacred. Every moko contains ancestral / tribal messages specific to the wearer. These messages tell the story of the wearer's family, and their place in these social structures. Ta moko as an artform declined during the 20th century, however in recent times it has been revived as an important art form among Māori that is worn as an expression of cultural pride and integrity. Ta Moko was worn by both men and women. It was applied to the face and buttocks of men, and to the chin, lips and shoulders of women. Depending on their ranking, women may also have Ta Moko on their face. Occasionally women would put small markings over their faces or shoulders as a sign that someone close to them had died. Originally, Ta Moko was chiselled into the skin using an albatross bone. Each tribal area used different pigments.
Maori people define themselves by their tribe, or iwi. Family is very important within the Maori culture, and encompasses immediate family, in-laws and all those connected by blood ties.
Maori is the official second language of New Zealand, and the basics are taught in most schools. The Maori language is unique, and while its knowledge was lost from many for a while, it is now promoted and encouraged in New Zealand.
Maori is the official second language of New Zealand, and the basics are taught in most schools.
Ta Moko - Traditional Māori tattooing, often on the face - is a taonga (treasure) to Māori for which the purpose and applications are sacred. Every moko contains ancestral / tribal messages specific to the wearer. These messages tell the story of the wearer's family, and their place in these social structures. Ta moko as an artform declined during the 20th century, however in recent times it has been revived as an important art form among Māori that is worn as an expression of cultural pride and integrity. Ta Moko was worn by both men and women. It was applied to the face and buttocks of men, and to the chin, lips and shoulders of women. Depending on their ranking, women may also have Ta Moko on their face. Occasionally women would put small markings over their faces or shoulders as a sign that someone close to them had died. Originally, Ta Moko was chiselled into the skin using an albatross bone. Each tribal area used different pigments.