Aug 19, 2012

Aboriginal vs. Maori - an indigenous experience

There I was in Australia and later in New Zealand, on my dream vacation! It was planned with detail but I made sure to allow time and opportunities for surprises.

I had the most extraordinary surprise at the Australia’s countryside, known as Australian Outback. I met and learn about the Aboriginal people that live side-to-side with the white Australians. Only in 2011, through DNA evidences, researchers found that Aboriginal population split off from the European and Asian between 62,000 and 75,000 years ago (24,000 years later European and Asian populations became differentiated). They were the tribe opposing the arrival of Captain James Cook in 1770. 
Their connection to ancestral land exists, even where people have not lived. (They morn the dead upon their death and will never talk about them again). Material goods are not highly prized because spiritual matters are more important. They used to be nomadic and would not own any land, it was borrowed. The combination of disease, loss of land and direct violence reduced the Aboriginal population by an estimated 90% between 1788 and 1900. By the end of World War II many Indigenous men had served in the military.
All aboriginal art tells a story and is characterized with dotted patterns. Lines denoting tracks of a particular creature (Australian wildlife). Earthy colours, particularly red, oranges, yellows and browns. This art is now sold but in the past it was used as maps or to write messages.


Aboriginal Dreamtime
Alice Springs, Australian Outback
Later, in New Zealand, in a town called Rotorua, I visited a Maori Village. Contrary to the Aboriginal tribes, the Maori were warriors and won many battles against the Europeans (17th century). Their origin was eastern Polynesia and arrived to New Zealand in canoe some time before 1300. Due to common society rules Maori way of life adapted gradually to the Western culture. With the signing of the Treaty of Waitangi in 1840, the cultures coexisted as part of the new British colony. They make ~ 15% of New Zealand population (644,000). One of the most famous word used by New Zealanders is “kia-ora” that means “be well/be healthy” and is used as an informal “hi”. Tattoos below the face mean physical strength, above the face mean spiritual strength.

Maori Village
Rotorua, New Zealand
The famous “HAKA” is a traditional Mãori war cry dance. It is a posture dance performed by a group, with vigorous movements and stamping of the feet with rhythmically shouted accompaniment (watch the movie below). The New Zealand rugby team’s practice of performing a haka before their matches and made this dance more widely known around the world.

The human race has changed and has evolved with time and technology. 

We should be proud of and continue to stand up for great principles and integrate peoples and cultures aiming for a Nation’s prosperity.


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