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__**Maori **__** (New Zealand) **

The Maori people’s lifestyle has influenced their language. Instead of living in rural areas like their ancestors, many are urban dwellers like other New Zealanders. Therefore, 99% of them speak English. The Maori Language Act of 1987 made their form of communication an official language of New Zealand, which gave them the right to speak Maori in legal proceedings. However, in 2006, less than 25% of the Maori population said that they could speak their own Maori language. Lately, due to Maori activism, preschools have opened across the country, providing instruction in their native tongue to toddlers.
 * Language **

In the beginning, like most other cultures, the Maori had a set of beliefs that centered around many gods. They believed that the world came to be when the sky god (Rangi) and earth god (Papa) were forced apart by the god Tane, who then created the first woman and man. They focused on oppositions in pairs, such as the earth and sky or life and death. They were in tune with the environment and believed in “mauri”, or all things possess a life force. Other concepts include mana and tapu, which refer to sacredness. Those with a lower sacred level could not touch the possessions of a higher sacred level person, or else they might die. Today, the Maori people are mainly Christians, and celebrate other major Christian holidays like other New Zealanders.
 * Beliefs **

The Maori people valued age and maturity. This was displayed by their body tattoos, or “ta moko”. Instead of the skin being punctured by needles, they would carve into the flesh with an instrument like a chisel, leaving it with grooves. The women would normally get this done on her chin and lips, while men would tattoo their faces, thighs, and arms. This process was done throughout stages of a man’s life through adulthood, and was an expression of commitment and respect. The women would get tattooed upon her arrival in society. Recently, as a symbol of cultural identity, this practice has reemerged. They also valued oral history and art. The Maori did not have a written history, so the passing down of stories throughout generations was very important and continues today, with elders teaching tribal lore, etiquette, and genealogy. Visual art was used as well. In modern times, carvers create works that pay respect to the past. Each piece tells a story and records important events through the position of the head and body, as well as the surface patterns. The Maori people are broken up into different tribes and sub-tribes, each one distinct. The Maori word for tribal unit is “iwi”, of which there are over one hundred. Not all present day Maori know their tribal affiliations, however. They often live with their family, which includes both nuclear and extended, sometimes up to four generations. There, the grandchildren are raised by their grandparents. This is a powerful concept of “mokopuna”, meaning that when the grandparent looks at the grandchild, he sees his reflection. This guides the care and upbringing of the child. One of the most famous behaviors of the Maori is the “haka” dance, which still continues today. Once a war dance, it is now used by The All Blacks rugby team, who perform it before their game to intimidate their opponent. It includes body percussion, aggressive poses, and rhythmic chanting.
 * Values **
 *  ﻿ Behaviors **

__**Changes to Culture **__ By embracing the Western civilization and modernism, most Maori have forgotten their culture. They now live in urban areas, where they have changed their religion and send their children to public school. Because of this, many are unable to speak their native language. Many do not know which tribe they come from. They are consumers of television and film, and produce it as well. With this modernization, some are not leading a very healthy lifestyle. A great number are unemployed and living in poverty, where they have to contend with alcohol and drugs. Some believe that this is because they are cut off from their culture; they do not know their background. They say you must know where you come from to be happy in life. On the other hand, those that still live in rural areas are still in touch with their cultural roots, but still lead Western lifestyles. They keep in touch with their ancestry by continuing to hold ceremonies that include the haka dance, and telling tribal stories.
 * Technology **

The Maori people were very isolated from the rest of the world until 1769, when Captain James Cook created a permanent spot for Europeans on New Zealand. During the next century, the Maori culture changed remarkably. The new visitors brought opportunity for trade, which many welcomed. In exchange for resources, land, and labor, they brought new tools, weapons, clothing, and food to the Maori. This began the process of the Maori slowly assuming Western styles. Today, many live in urban areas, using Western education, religion, and architecture.
 * Travel **

Commercialism has had a large impart on the Maori society. In 1840, Maori chiefs and the British government signed the Waitangi Treaty, stating that the tribe would be able to keep their lands and have equal treatment as British subjects. However, this was not to be, and the government was soon seizing Maori lands, forcing them to move to reservations, and selling it to new settlers. Only recently, in 1996, has this been repaired, with the government agreeing to a settlement that returned to them their ancestral lands, plus cash. This was only after a series of protests and court rulings, and even today they are still fighting to regain their cultural artifacts from foreign museums.
 * Commercialism **

<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Sklar, Robert. "Social realism with style: an interview with Lee Tamahori." Cineaste Summer 1995: 25+. Student Resource Center - Gold. Web. 27 Jan. 2011.
 * <span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Primary Sources: **

This was an interview with Lee Tamahori, a child of a Maori father and European mother. This had a high importance to my research, as he told about the quality of life of the modern day Maori and how it came to be that way.

<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Drought, Wayne. Photograph. Worldmark Encyclopedia of Cultures and Daily Life. 2nd ed. Vol. 4. AP Images/NZPA. 619-22. Print.

This photograph shows a middle aged warrior with ta moko on his face. This source was somewhat important, as it showed the Maori value, and from it you can discern his role in society as well as his age.

<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Mutu, Margaret. "Maori issues." The Contemporary Pacific 20.1 (2008): 232+. Student Resource Center - Gold. Web. 26 Jan. 2011.
 * <span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Journal: **

This academic journal focused on the Treaty of Waitangi and its affect on the Maori. It was fairly important, as I was able to determine the role of commercialism on the people.

<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">"Maori." Worldmark Encyclopedia of Cultures and Daily Life. Ed. Jeneen Hobby and Timothy Gall. 2nd ed. Vol. 4. Detroit: Gale, 2009. 619-622. Gale Virtual Reference Library. Web. 25 Jan. 2011.
 * <span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Print: **

This source was very important to my research, as it told of both precontact and modern Maori. I was able to see what the culture of today’s Maori was, and how the past had influenced it.

<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">"Maori Culture." New Zealand Tourism Guide. Web. 27 Jan. 2011. [].
 * <span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Secondary Sources: **

"Maori Tattoo." Maori - Culture, Language, Art and Tattoo. 27 Jan. 2011. Web. 27 Jan. 2011. [].

These two websites were very valuable in that they went into detail on certain aspects of Maori culture. Instead of giving a general overview, they gave valuable specifics on different facets, such as artwork and tattooing respectively.