Maori/Tjapukai Culture

After visiting with the Maori people in New Zealand and the Tjapukai people in Australia, discuss the similarities and differences between the two cultures.

The biggest difference I noticed between the Maori and the aboriginal people is the Maori were a warrior people while the aboriginals were quite peaceful. The most notable way to see this is that the Maori culture seems more integrated into the culture of New Zealand while the aboriginal culture is not nearly as present. This was likely due to the fact that the Maori fought back. The Maori seemed much more aggressive than the aboriginal people. The next most notable thing was the age of their cultures. You can tell that the aboriginals know the land very well and have adapted to it and you can tell that they are the original settlers. The way the two act are very different and it is clear that the cultures are from two very different eras. I also noticed a larger focus on the myths of their culture for the aboriginals. Also, the instruments and dances used by both were very different. Many of the Maori dances were war dances and used typically more modern instruments while the aboriginal dances were about aspects of their lives such as hunting while they used their own instruments such as the didgeridoo. Still, the biggest difference that I noticed was not in the places we went to specifically learn about their cultures. The clearest difference was that no matter where we went in New Zealand we heard about their native people and native cultures. Throughout Australia, we have heard a few places that have alternate names but the aboriginal names were replaced. It is very clear when coming to Australia that the British wiped out a lot of the culture and took over. They did the same in New Zealand but the Maori seemed to have survived better and the government works with the Maori and respects them. While the relationship could still be better between the two in New Zealand it was clear there is an effort being put in by the government to preserve both cultures so that they can live together. I feel as though it would be possible to visit Australia and hear nothing about the aboriginal people but if you went to New Zealand I do not think it is possible to avoid hearing about the Maori. It seems as though because the Maori are from a more recent time they were able to adapt to preserve while it was much harder for the aboriginals to do so.

smarsden

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