Module 4: Cultures & Technology
Comparing Tongan Culture with Maori Culture
Maori History
Maori
are Polynesians who are the indigenous people of New Zealand. Maori therefore
embraces only 14% of New Zealand’s population. The native language Maori people
uses are called Te reo Maori. Te reo Maori is a language is often the same as
native speakers of Hawaiian and also Tahitian. In the 9th century,
Maori people from Polynesia migrated in their very own canoes till the 13
century AD. It is believed that the very first European person that came in
contact with indigenous Maori people was a man named Abel Tasman who was a
Dutch navigator. Since contact with Maori people in the year 1642, four of Abel
Tasman’s crew was killed. In the year 1769, captain James Cook a British
explorer came in contact with the Maori people of New Zealand and made friends
and through this relationship began to emerge and this resulted in more foreign
ships that were Europeans in the year 1800’s. The Maori population took a
massive drop of 100,000 people, due the fast spread of diseases and also war.
1840 was the year where a Treaty of Waitangi was signed between New Zealand
Maori chiefs and Britain, however the Treaty that was signed had rules which
gave them the rights to their own Maori land and also gave Maori British
citizenships.
The
theory behind the Maori origin are still being questioned, this is due to the
fact that legends say Maori people came from a place called Hawaiki a homeland
1000 years ago which was a legendary land. Till this very day people still
assume that homeland Maori people came from called Hawaiki was close to Hawaii
and other people assume that the legendary homeland has been submerged underwater
due to sea leave. Immediately then Maori people arrive in New Zealand, there
was a difference to land unlike in Polynesia where they often live in the
tropics so adapting to a colder yet bigger area in terms of land was needed.
Several people believe that New Zealand was found mistakenly due to navigations
problems or through chance.
(Source: Virtual New Zealand. Retrieved: 5th
November, 2012. http://www.virtualoceania.net/newzealand/culture/maori/)
Maori Traditions/Culture
Before
white man came into New Zealand only Maori languages were pasted from
generation to generation, which would include songs known as waiata along with
legends. Back then the indigenous Maori people had Kings and Queens. Till this
varies day Maori people would honor a tradition they had for many years called
the Haka, which represents a war dance. Before war Maori people would perform
the Haka just before a war starts in the last century. When greeting a Powhiri
is performed which is traditional in Maori culture, however this would often
involve something we call a Hongi where two people pressing each other’s nose.
Another
Maori culture is tattoos tattooed to their entire face; Moko’s are often done
on male only. Where as female Moko’s were they are only allowed to be tattooed
to their upper lip area, chin and nostrils. Till today the Moko we see still
continues to live through generations, where they can be connected through
identity and culture. Maori’s have traditional ways when it comes to cooking.
It is known as Hangi. Hangi is when feast is cooked in the earth. How this is
achieved is through heated stones in a fire are being dragged out of the fire
pit and with cabbage leaves are used to cover the stones in order to prevent
the burning of food. Food stock example chicken or potatoes are then placed in
the burning pit through means of a basket. The Maori Hangi way of cooking still
exists and till this day it is still being used during barbecue events.
(Source: Virtual New Zealand. Retrieved: 5th
November 2012. http://www.virtualoceania.net/newzealand/culture/maori/)
Maori Social Viewing Points
In
every society there is often a negative and also a positive impact on any
technology. Here are a few technologies that have impacted the Maori society.
·
Crime Rate for Maori Increase: Each and everyone
in this world have what it takes to benefit when it comes to technology being
used. Young generations are having their future being completely destroyed due
to impacts on technology. Take for example cell phones, now days we tend to see
younger kids using cell phones, which they aren’t supposed to be using or
having one. This modern technology has caused young kids to act immaturely.
With the use of cell phones, it is believed that there are increasingly high
rate of suicide cases. Assessing the percentage amount of suicides being
committed and what ages along with race is yet to be confirmed.
·
Creation of Future & Cultural Shock: With
technology speed, information is being sent so fast that there is often
reflection is slow and little time is taken to prepare. Receiving messages for
people tend to be super fast and through this, they are delivered in a lot of
ways. When we look at older people or elderly people, information they receive
tend to be slow therefore reaction is slow which basically means they can’t
track of what’s happening around them. Through this stress is being created
along with confession since older people or elderly’s take time to adjust to
things. Due to this shock takes place takes place along with health problems arising,
which often take away and shorten their life spend.
(Source: Tevita e-Portfolio on Societal
Context. By Andy Pivac. Retrieved: 6th November. 2012. http://tevita6114.blogspot.co.nz/2012/09/technology-and-maori-society.html).
Comparing Maori with Other Indigenous Society
Their Similarities to Each Other
The
similarity between Maori and Tongan people is quite the same. Tonga is believed
to be known as a word, which means south in a number of languages relating to Polynesian
saying. Some believe just like the Maori’s they were originally from Samoa,
sailing across the Pacific and finally settling in Tonga least 500 B.C ago.
Like the indigenous Maori people of New Zealand; Tonga had a King. Sighting of
Tonga was again founded in 1616 by a Dutch navigator.
(Source: The History of Tonga. Retrieved: 6th
November 2012. http://www.factrover.com/history/Tonga_history.html)
Monarchy & Language
The
system between Maori and the Tongan seems to be the same. Throughout the entire
Pacific Tongan people has achieved a milestone, which is having a monarchy King
in those days. The monarchy King in Tonga has stayed the same though views in
terms politics has slightly change. Equivalent to the Maori people of New
Zealand its code in any changes remained the same, which therefore they have a
King and Queen. Apart from speaking in English like other societies, they both
have their own language, which they speak. Different societies have different
languages.
Their Difference from Each Other
When
it comes to the identity in terms of culture it tends to be different along
with their language they speak. Let’s not forget that these are two entirely
different societies. In things like social practices they tend to be also
different take for example; special ceremonies that are being held and also
funerals along with weddings. The difference when it comes to making
traditional things like making baskets or mat weaving they tend to have their
vary own methods, not forgetting entrainment like their own traditional dance,
what they wear for dancing and also its music.
Conclusion
To
conclude in this assignment it is amazing to find and understand that Maori
people have different cultures, belief, tradition and so on. It was surprising
to found out during this assignment that Maori’s actually came across from
Polynesia and settled in New Zealand. I have learnt in this assignment that any
two societies in this world may have similarities and also have differences.
With more time spent on this assignment it would be a massive boost to my
knowledge as to learning more about the indigenous people of New Zealand known
as Maori’s.
Reference
(Source: Tevita e-Portfolio on Societal
Context. By Andy Pivac. Retrieved: 6th November. 2012. http://tevita6114.blogspot.co.nz/2012/09/technology-and-maori-society.html).
(Source: The History of Tonga. Retrieved: 6th
November 2012. http://www.factrover.com/history/Tonga_history.html)
(Source: Virtual New Zealand. Retrieved: 5th
November 2012. http://www.virtualoceania.net/newzealand/culture/maori/)
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