The rituals of the Maori people are one of the most important customs performed during certain ceremonial practices. The Maori held these ceremonies, called the hui, in specific houses such as the marae. The culture of the Maori people is generated around the ancestors and older people of the society. Salmond states that, “Although the Maori are only a small minority in New Zealand today (8% of the total population), their rituals hark back to the times when they lived in the country undisturbed.” (Salmond 193). Not only are the cultures and traditions being taken away from the Maori people, the Europeans have evolved the native land into one that is not a land for the people.
Very few people, especially the younger population in Aotearoa, speak Maori. Instead, the English language is heard in most areas. By continuing the traditions of the hui for many different reasons this brings together various groups. The Maori people attending this ceremony have to be aware of everything they are saying because language is the most important factor. By practicing the correct language, this spreads the culture and introduces the native language back into the lives of the Maori people. Here is a link to a song called ‘Got to Live’ by a group called Hui-a. They are based out of London but are of Maori ancestry and strive to keep the language alive. I thought it was very interesting, in the sense that they use Maori language to keep their culture alive.
The hui brings back the traditional aspect of the native land in the sense that there are chants evoked by elderly women and the men are depicted as the oratory. The younger society is only looked upon for strength and is rarely ever involved in the speaking or chanting. During the hui ceremonies, “Genealogies are recited, traditions re-told, the ancestors are repeatedly invoked, and old oral skills are practiced.” (Salmond 193). From these ceremonies, language and custom are the general factors used to depict the Maori people. Salmond spoke about one hui when two men spoke entirely in English and this was a negative outcome to the viewers. I do not see how the marae rituals could be spoken in English when the ceremony is held for tradition and culture of the Maori people. Here is a website regarding some Maori words that may be useful. If we wish to see changes in the reconstruction of our endangered languages, we as the youth and younger generation need to make an effort. We need to learn the languages of our ancestors and continue to pass it on to future generations.
We discussed in class on Tuesday that the native language is becoming scarcer among the youth population and why this is so. More and more young people are moving away to the city where English is most dominant. English has become the language that gets you ahead in life. We talked about how speaking English is a way for them to fit in among their English speaking peers. It's sad to think that they aren't actively participating in keeping this beautiful tradition of the hui alive. I mean, what happens to it after the elders who speak Maori die off? It's important for the youth to understand what will become of their identity if their culture disappears.
ReplyDeleteAs the world progresses slowly into the more modern era, English is becoming the most dominant language throughout the world. This article talks about the hui in the Maori culture and how it's traditional customs are slowly dying off. How the younger men aren't allowed to talk during the meetings and how the customs are slowly being ignored and only enforced by the elders. And like Farrah said, what does happen after the elders pass on? Will what's left of the culture slowly drift away as the younger generation adapt their beliefs into the ancient cultures? Will the Maori just turn into another ancient culture that was destroyed by modernism?
ReplyDeleteWhat to say - each lead post seems to be just like the other, a problem when there's only one article and no questions to sound off on. Should ancient culture be destroyed? After all, if it doesn't survive, it didn't deserve to live, right? Or is that wrong? Does the death of a language lead to the death of a culture, or is it apathy that leads to the loss of everything? When people no longer want to associate with who they are, with their heritage, then there is a problem in keeping the culture alive - and more and more modern youths keep their heritage on a lifeline as they bother to learn very little about who they are, about the language that used to resound throughout the land.
ReplyDeleteIt is absolutely crucial that the youth generation learn the languages of their ancestors, because if we don't pass it on, no one will, and the language will die. When a language dies, so much knowledge is lost with it. We talked in class about how English has become the dominant language in many places around the world due to the popularity of American culture. However, it is important to not lose sight of your roots. Your culture is who you are. If you lose your culture due to modernism, then who are you? What would you identify with? There's nothing necessarily wrong with learning English, but it is vital that the youth generation not forget where they come from.
ReplyDeleteI watched the video of the Maori greeting ritual and found it very interesting. I could easily see why outsiders would consider it a little threatening. But at the same time it was very beautiful. These rituals are important because they link the present with the past. If the elders are the only ones keeping these traditions alive, it causes a major problem for the future. The youth must become the caretakers for their culture or nobody will. If the culture and traditions of the Maori die, it will be at the fault of the Maori youth.
ReplyDeleteLanguage is the carrier of culture. Resulting from colonization and influence of globalization, English has already become dominant language in a lot of places. It is worth of thinking about when the indeginous language die, what will happen? Does new generation have responsiblity to take over it? Personally, I think Maoris' ritual-Hui help preserve the culture. Even though, new generation might not chant as much as old geneartion. At least, they know how to conduct the ritual, which is a part of the culture. Even tough, they may lose language, they will keep the culture preserved. Actaully, right now, in a lot places, only ritual practice will be chanted in indigenous language.
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