Maoritanga means “Maori culture,” and embraces the language, customs, and traditions that make up the rich heritage of the indigenous
people of Aotearoa New Zealand.
At the time of the 1991 census, there were 434,847 people who identified themselves as New Zealand Maori, making up 12.9% of the
population. Maori people today have adopted many aspects of western life, while sustaining their own unique culture, which colors and enriches
many facets of the New Zealand way of life.
Maori oral traditions and history explain the place of the Maori people in the world and in Aotearoa. The Maori creation story tells of
Ranginui, the sky father, and Papatuanuku, the earth mother, who were the parents of all the gods. Their son Tane, creator of the bush and all its
living creatures, also created the first woman from the earth, and from them all people are descended.
There are many legends about Maui. Stories of his cleverness, magic and trickery explain elements of natural history such as the discovery
of fire. Children are taught how Maui outwitted his brothers to join them on a fishing trip, catching the mighty fish that became the North Island
of New Zealand.
Genealogy or whakapapa traces the descent of a Maori individual from the gods, to their ancestors from Hawaiki who sailed canoes across
TeMoana-nui a Kiwa (the Pacific Ocean) and then down to their present tribal groupings in Aotearoa. Tribal lands and kinship links are still key
factors that bind Maori society.
In addition to Maori living in their tribal areas, there are also Maori who have migrated to the cities. These urban Maori have established
multi-tribal meeting places or marae which enable them to continue their maoritanga, and to ensure the protocols and traditions continue to be
passed from generation to generation.
Behavior on the marae follows strict protocols (kawa) and observance ensures proper respect at a tangi (funeral) or hui (conference). Marae
protocol may be learned also by Pakeha (European) people who visit marae in the course of their employment, or to further their understanding
of Maori culture.
Perhaps the best known internationally of all Maori traditions is the haka, a dance often performed to daunt the enemy and to prepare
warriors for battle. Today, it starts every All Blacks international rugby match, and is frequently televised world-wide.
The Treaty of Waitangi was an instrument designed to bring law and order to the trading settlements and to protect Maori rights in dealings
with the British settlers. It reflected the attitudes prevailing in Britain at that time. When Maori people began to restrict land sales, however, the
government came under pressure from the increasing number of British settlers. Relations between Maori and British settlers deteriorated and
war broke out in the early 1860s.
Around the turn of the century, several Maori leaders used their knowledge of the law and their positions in Parliament to satisfy some
Maori needs within a Pakeha legal framework. Rural Maori communities were revitalized, but Maori still had little influence on the mainstream
of New Zealand life.
【題組】47. Which of the following statements about Maui is INCORRECT?
(A)Maui is known for his shrewdness and magic power.
(B)It is believed that Maui was the discoverer of fire.
(C)The legend of North Island in New Zealand is attributed to Maui’s cunningness.
(D)Maui is believed to sail across the Pacific Ocean with his brothers.
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