Background

The Maori tribe is an indigenous tribe of Aotearoa (New Zealand) comprising 14.7% of New Zealand's population. They actively engage in keeping their culture and language alive. The Maori people arrived in New Zealand in waka hourua (voyaging canoes) from their previous homeland of Hawaiki over 1000 years ago. Their culture is rich in tradition and includes contemporary arts. They are known for many arts such as their moko (tattoo), carving, kapa haka (group performances), and whaikorero (oratory). Maori culture is filled with many stories and legends that is filled with descriptive stories that bring human characteristics to elements found in nature.

Reference

Teara.govt.nz
2015. Te Ara Encyclopedia of New Zealand. Electronic Document, http://www.teara.govt.nz/en/maori/page-2. Accessed March 25, 2015.

Wednesday, March 25, 2015

Maori Language, Kia Ora!

The Maori language is one of three official languages in New Zealand. Its history is definitely one of its ups and downs. The Maori language was actually the predominant language in New Zealand in the beginning of the 19th century, but as more English speaking people arrived to the country, the language began to be confined. As more and more English settlers came to the country, English began to take place as the predominant language of New Zealand. Due to the wider community of Pakeha (Europeans), Maori language started to be taken away from schools and was not encouraged. Eventually, the language went from being the predominant language in New Zealand, to only being spoken in Maori communities. The language certainly was on its path to dying out. Concerns were rising about the decline of the language and there have been many efforts by the government and the Maori communities in order to bring life back to the language.

Even though the language went through a lot of hardship and suppression, the Maori kept the language alive. The Maori language is currently undergoing a revival. A committee called the Maori Language Commission was established on order to further promote the language and to help the establishment of the language as a normal means of communication. Those are still not the only efforts the Maori community is providing though. A very important aspect of this revitalization has been the establishment of the Maori television which has helped tremendously in spreading the Maori language and culture.

The language is now currently spoken by about 23 percent of New Zealanders. It a language that has a very logical structure, and also has very consistent rules for pronunciation. This language is considered a national taonga (treasure) to New Zealand and continuous efforts are still being made in order to keep the Maori language and culture alive and strong.


References

Maori.com
     2015 Maori Language. Electronic Document, http://www.maori.com/language, Accessed March
          25, 2015.

NewZealand.com
     2010 Te Reo Maori-The Maori Language. Electronic Document,
          http://www.newzealand.com/int/feature/new-zealand-culture-maori/, Accessed March 25,2015.

Nzhistory.net.nz
     2014 History of the Maori Language. Electronic Document,
          http://www.nzhistory.net.nz/culture/maori-language-week/history-of-the-maori-language,
          Accessed March 25, 2015

1 comment:

  1. When I was reading about the history of the Maori language, it was sad to hear how it began to slowly be confined to certain areas. I can only imagine how difficult it must have been for people to experience their own language and therefore culture be suppressed. Being from Puerto Rico, Spanish is also another fluent language for me. If I were ever told that I couldn't speak the language I would feel really upset because that would be like someone is trying to take a part of my childhood away. I can't relate completely to the Maori because I have never gone through something like that matter, but I don't think any group of people should be told that another language is more important than theirs because they are all equally as important and unique to every culture. It was pleasant to learn that their language is currently undergoing a revival. Usually when a language begins to die out, it is extremely tough to bring those roots back. So the fact that the Maori still kept their language alive is very impressive.

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