The Maori - ASYNC LESSON

The Maori are descendants {dee-send-intz} of a group that traveled from the Pacific Islands to New Zealand around A.D. 800-1000. This was the first group to settle in New Zealand, which was called "The Land of the Long White Cloud," or “Aotearoa” {ow-teh-roh-uh}.

The haka is an ancient Māori {mah-ree} war dance. During a haka, participants stomp their feet, chant, slap their hands against their bodies, and make facial {fay-shul} expressions. Haka chants describe past historical events and Maori ancestors {an-ses-terz}.

 Moko is Maori {mah-ree} tattooing. It is a type of sacred body art from Polynesia {pahl-eh-nee-shuh}. The Maori people believe that the head is the most sacred part of the human body. As a result, facial {fay-shul} tattoos with spiraled and curved shapes are very popular. Facial tattoos symbolize power, social standing, and respect. Other forms of Maori art: paintings, weaving, poetry, carvings, and songs.

A Marae {mahd-i} is a public meeting area. Members of Maori {mah-ree} communities meet in a marae {mahd-i} for social, cultural, and spiritual activities and gatherings. Family is very important in Maori culture. The family unit usually includes immediate family (mother, father, children, grandparents), in-laws and other extended family members. Maori people are defined by their iwi {ee-wee}, or tribe.