An Introduction to Whale An Introduction to Whale Rider Rider

And the Maori CultureAnd the Maori Culture

Maori- Indigenous people Maori- Indigenous people of New Zealand.of New Zealand.

Believed to have Believed to have migrated from Polynesia migrated from Polynesia in canoesin canoes

Have land rights and a Have land rights and a treaty with the British, treaty with the British, somewhat like the Native somewhat like the Native Americans have with the Americans have with the USAUSA

Legend of PaikeaLegend of Paikea

PowhiriPowhiri

Traditional welcomeTraditional welcome Touch foreheadsTouch foreheads Rub noses (as Rub noses (as

opposed to a kiss)opposed to a kiss)

Tattoos or “moko”Tattoos or “moko”

Also called HennaAlso called Henna Cultural identificationCultural identification Predominantly a male Predominantly a male

activityactivity Women restrict these Women restrict these

tattoos to the chin, tattoos to the chin, upper lip, and nostrilsupper lip, and nostrils

Increasing in Increasing in popularity to preserve popularity to preserve the culturethe culture

Traditional fightingTraditional fighting

The club was a main The club was a main fighting weaponfighting weapon

Bulging eyes and Bulging eyes and tonguetongue

Typical Maori Art / CarvingsTypical Maori Art / Carvings

Traditional Dance by men and Traditional Dance by men and womenwomen

Whales to the Maori CultureWhales to the Maori Culture

Maori believe the sperm Maori believe the sperm whale holds spiritual whale holds spiritual significancesignificance

Teeth/ jawbones are Teeth/ jawbones are given to Maori as given to Maori as guaranteed by the “Treaty guaranteed by the “Treaty of Waitangi”of Waitangi”

Each tooth about worth Each tooth about worth $200$200

Poaching- $250,000 finePoaching- $250,000 fine