New Zealand In The Early Modern Era
New Zealand is home to the Maori. The Maori are famous for the Haka and wicked face tattoos. Side story, when my dad was a Green Beret in the army he lived in a Maori area for a period of time. Towards the end of his time there, they offered to give him a traditional tattoo. He had to decline because he thought the army wouldn’t care how significant an honor it was, all they would see was an unauthorized tattoo.
Back to the point, what was happening in New Zealand in the Early Modern Era? The answer is a lot, because New Zealand had only just been discovered and inhabited in 1200 or 1300 C.E.! Polynesian navigators found their way to New Zealand, and were the only people there until the Dutch arrived in 1642. The Dutch really got around in the Early Modern Era.
The Dutch arrival to the area, also gave birth to the name of the current country. New Zealand comes from the Dutch name NIEUW Zealand. Prior this, the polynesian population called the area, well apparently the internet doesn't care what they called it. I was not able to find that seemingly important information.
It would be 127 years before anyone else made their way to New Zealand. In 1769, James Cook arrived to New Zealand. After this time, whalers and fisherman began frequenting the area. Also of note is that the people already inhabiting New Zealand did not begin to call themselves Maori until the arrival of the British. Maori means natural or normal.
The Maori were excellent hunters and fishermen. They were able to obtain much of their food through these endeavors. Additionally, they cultivated the land using foods that were indigenous to the area, as well as crops they had brought to the area with them. The Maori did not experience an agricultural boom until well into the 1800s.
Check out these resources for information about New Zealand and the Maori
A Brief History Of New Zealand
Hi Leslie,
ReplyDeleteThis is a great post. Yes the Maori history and New Zealand is incredible. I was about to write about this one for my blog post instead, but chose the Philippines because of a special date which just passed on June 12 for Philippine Independence Day which dates back to 1898 after the Spanish-American war when the U.S. granted the Philippines independence. It is very interesting that people of the Islands never really had a specific name for the collection of islands all together like the Philippines before the Spaniards came was known as Las Felipinas from what I knew growing up hearing stories form family. The islands were protected by chiefdoms that ruled over each island such like the French Polynesia Islands. Its very interesting and sad to hear that many of these islands were just used as outposts or missionaries to spread religion and most of the time to conquer more territory using their military might. As for your father, thats an awesome honor to be offered a tatau from natives/islanders as its a big privilege to bestow. I have different tataus that represent various stories of my life that were done by village elders, family friends, and tattoo artists that learned through their upbringing. Its a very interesting and powerful feeling of "mana" or energy when bestowed a tatau on our body. This really makes me miss going to any of the islands right now... hope your doing well and I enjoyed the challenge from last week. Be safe, take care, and thank you!
Oliver, I didn't know the date for Philippine Independence Day or the name before the Spaniards arrived. I am fascinated by tribal tataus, and think it is very interesting and cool that you have real ones. I feel like that's uncommon, but I guess it's probably just uncommon in my life. Thank you so much for taking the time to read my post and write something back. I'm staying happy and healthy up here, hope the same is true of your family. Thank you for a very challenging run on that debate last week. You made me think about my perspective with each post. Have a great week, and happy father's day!
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