A maori-story-teller

[luca_and_anto]

Hi, I've looked for maori culture in the greatest library of my city , but I am not satisfied yet... I would know more about maori culture-history, so if there is any kiwi that wants to tell me about it please reply or e-mail me!
SEEYA!!!

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ANTO

[luca_and_anto]

I can't belive that there's no-one to answer my questions!! Why are you not proud of your roots?? Please help me, I'm in the opposite part of Globe, I just want to know your Land and better!!

[KATNZ]

Geeeeeeeeeeeeeez Anto! I guess it will have to be up to me then! I'm surprised you haven't had more response myself

Whaddya wanna know? The Maori are a very proud culture, and fierce (just like the haka). In the past there have been wars between the english settlers and the Maori until the treaty was signed and even today there are still arguments because it is said the Maori didn't understand what they were signing. Most of the problems are over land, the Maori feel they were cheated out of it and resources like the sea etc.

The Maori have a very strong belief system and whanau (family) is very important. Their culture is not an individualistic one, they believe in the collective, ie sharing everything etc. There are plenty of Maori myths I'm sure you will find interesting, such as how Maui found NZ, it is said he was fishing with his brothers when a huge fish bit and he fought night and day with it etc until it died - all the valleys and hills in NZ are the "wounds" the fish suffered. Another one is how earth was created....Rangi and Papa (the sky and the earth) were lovers and clung to eachother but this meant their children were always crushed between them and in the dark until one of them separated their parents by pushing and pushing until there was light. When it rains and when there is a rainbow it is Rangi and Papa telling eachother how much they love eachother but they can't ever be together again..........heaps more stories like that too Anto - dunno where you would find them though - there must be a site somewhere, C'mon kiwis...help her out eh?

Also, in the past the english settlers didn't treat the Maori very well and banned them from speaking their language in schools etc. Nowadays though we have Kohunga Reo and other things which are completely Maori speaking kindegartens and schools so the culture is becoming a lot stronger. In normal schools it is taught too, you won't find many kids who can't sing Maori songs or at least greet you in Maori or count.

Any other questions now that I have been rambling on?

Catch ya later Anto, hope others can help too.

Kath

[luca_and_anto]

KATH, KATH,
I can't think about if you would not be there!!
I thank you so so so so much much much for giving me these informations. I've found them all very interesting!
I like Maori because of their vigour and courage, I won't never forget when I saw HAKA for the first time ...In that moment I decided to know more about ALL BLACKS, HAKA, MAORI and NZ! And going on I'm always more positive impressed and interested!!
I would know the way of living of MAORI in the present days, are they well integrated with the rest of people? Do you feel a little a Maori? And, if and when you want, I'd like to know some other mhyt
Thanks Friend!!


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...seeya!
ANTO

[KATNZ]

NO WORRIES MAAAAAAAAATE! Yeah, the Maori are worth being proud of, it is nice to have a country with culture...even if some don't appreciate it. I have to say though I don't feel Maori, it has been part of my life (my middle name is even Maori) but I have blonde hair and blue eyes and my friends are calling me Caspar (as in the friendly ghost) at the moment cos I haven't seen the sun for so long!

The Maori in NZ society today are integrated and have the same opportunities as the pakeha (that is what the Maori name for white people are, it means Foreigner, or stranger). Although, more Maori are unemployed, Maori die earlier from heart disease etc and alcohol and smoking is more of a problem for them. NZ needs to address these problems, there is also more domestic violence. Maori live more in the Nth than the Sth, especially in the Nth of the Nth Island. Sometimes there are problems with Gangs and things, there are also Samoans, Tongans and other Polynesians living in NZ and there are fights between the cultures. I personally, like them all, they are a very joyous people, always laughing very loudly and very jolly looking...but in some areas you have to be careful and not walk alone - much like any other country I guess.

My friend is a teacher and she will know heaps of myths cos she taught in NZ for 2 years....I will ask her tonight for you. I love this discussion Anto! I hope I'm giving you good information, but I think the Maori could do better. WHERE ARE YOU GUYS

[KATNZ]

Hey Anto, have you got sound on your computer? Check out www.maori.com, it has some beautiful maori songs.

K

[skiwix2]

Kat youre doing a boomer job all on your own.
I remember being told the Maori Myths way back in Primary school, But dont really remember them. So what youre telling Atonella is nice for me too. Thanks

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skiwi

[luca_and_anto]

...I will take a look to that site as soon as possible, thankyou a lot!
So you seems more european than polynesian eh??!?
Well, I know You feel yourself KIWI after all! But All Blacks present themselves as maori, is there a typical attitude of NZealanders that is not also maori?? What has a kiwi of not maori? I don't know if my question is clear...anywayz...
I'm waiting for your answer....


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...seeya!
ANTO

[KATNZ]

There are more Pakehas in NZ then there are Maori. Unfortunately there are no full blooded Maori left. But as kiwis we are proud of the Maori heritage which is why we use it to represent ourselves to other countries. We even have two national anthems, one in english the other in Maori. NZ is a melting pot of many cultures because many have immigrated there over the years, even though I have no Maori blood in me, I have been brought up with them and taught their history and beliefs, so being a NZ'er is somewhat being "Maori" I suppose.......I dunno, I've never really thought about it before . Do you only have Italians living around you or are there many other cultures?

K

Megan, whaddya think....when did you move to USA, what do you think NZ is like?

[skiwix2]

Afternoon Ladies
Its been 17 years now Kat. I did go back during the 1900s. Last time in 93.
My Son is part Maori and Ive always made the effort to keep him in close contact with his Maori Family. The are Ngai Tahu from the South Island. We also had the opurtunity to spend 3 years living in Ruatoria during the 80s, and found the North Island Maoris to be a whole different kettle of fish. They spoke their native language and spent alot of time at the Marae (meeting house) Once I helped peel spuds for 600 people. Im a very good spud peeler
I really have nothing to add to what youve already said Kat. Well done.
Hi Antonella! Thanks for asking about the Maoris. Im learning things along with you.

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skiwi

[luca_and_anto]

MAGAN, glad to meet a MAORI-KIWI!
Where I live nowadays there are almost only Italians (some immigrates by Nth Africa)but centuries ago her there were a lot of people of different races (Greeks, Latins, Normans, Spanish, French...)!
I'm happy to know more and more about MAORI ancient way of living or whatever else!!
BYE KATH


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...seeya!
ANTO

[luca_and_anto]

KATH, I've tried to see that site, but I can't connect! maybe there is some problem!
Can you see it?


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...seeya!
ANTO

[KATNZ]

Hey Megan, 17 years!!! What are you doing over there? So your son is a half-caste? They are usually real babes

Anto, the Maori were not the first to arrive in New Zealand, apparently the MORIORI were, they were a very peaceful people and when the Maori arrived they chased the Moriori to some island off NZ (Chatham Islands I think), Maori used to be cannibals, they believe that if they eat the flesh of their enemy they will inherit that warrior's courage and spirit and become stronger. So they ate some Moriori's too. The morioris' are now extinct.

Anyway.....(if anyone wants to correct me anywhere please feel free!)Ancient Maori used to live in tribes all over NZ, they were transient, moving to the sea in summer and inland for winter. NZ used to have a bird called the Moa, kinda looked like an emu but huge. These are now extinct too cos the Maori ate them all, you can see a replica at Auckland Museum NZ though. The Maori lived in Pa's, wooden fortresses based at the top of a hill so they could see any other war tribes coming. They cooked their food in the ground, called a "hangi", they dig a deep pit, heat up stones, wrap their food and cook it within the stones, I have tasted their food cooked like that and it is delicious!! I could talk for ages on their different traditions, like funerals and stuff but I want to talk to my teacher friend first and clarify some stuff for you....

I'll be back

PS Dunno why that site didn't work for you Anto!

[luca_and_anto]

Thanks a lot buddy!!
I'm waiting for you...your messages are a real pleasure to my mind and heart!!


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...seeya!
ANTO

[KATNZ]

Whoops! Been a long time since I've been here eh?

Anyways Anto, here is the story of the haka for yah, so you'll know what the All Blacks are on about.

The Kamate Haka was composed by a former High Chief of the Ngati Toa, Te Rauparaha, after he escaped with his life from the rival Ngati Tuwharetoa tribe. It tells how Te Rauparaha fled from enemies and hid in a in a sweet-potato (kumara) pit for safety. He sings on his belief that he is caught and then relief when he gets away. Refers to 'the hairy man' who allowed him to hide in the pit, saving his life. As he climbs the steps to freedom he sings of his relief at seeing the sun.


KA MATE! KA MATE! (I DIE, I DIE)
KA ORA! KA ORA! (I LIVE, I LIVE)
TENEI TE TANGATA PUHURU HURU (THIS IS THE HAIRY MAN)
NANA NEI I TIKE MAI (WHO FETCHED THE SUN)
WHAKAWHITI TE RA (AND CAUSED IT TO SHINE AGAIN)
A HUPANE KAUPANE WHITI TE RA! (AN UPWARD STEP, ANOTHER...THE SUN SHINES)

There yah go Anto! Give it a go buddy! The italian accent won't matter, it's all good!

Luff ya girly girl
Kat