The Maori Tribe : Respect and Tradition

The Maori is a tribe located in the northeast of New Zeland's North Island. Due to the centuries of isolation, the Maori community has created a whole new community, with a characteristic art, language, and obviusly, an unique mythology.

One of the most important aspects of the Maori mythology, is the role that whales played on their culture. For them, the whales are a significant part of their culture. This because in the past, they use to get materials and food from them. Also, whales were considered as guardians for the Maori when they goes to canoe journeys.

The whales use to be called "Ika Moana" which means "Fish of the sea", later this name changed depending in the kind of whale and in the different tribes, which have different names for whales too.

Even when many aspects of the Maori people have changed since the European arrival in the 18th century, its amazing how many traditional aspects have lived. One of these aspects are their traditional dances, which are danced nowdays. One example of this is the New Zeland rugby team, who always before every game, dance the traditional dance of the Maori tribe.


The Maori people refuses to be separated from their roots, we can clearly see this when we know that the Maori language has revived, thanks to the Kohanga Reo, where preschool childrens learn to speak Maori, incluiding the native language since the first years. Also, the beliefs of the Maori culture are very respected, maybe if the same attitude would be taken here in Chile, we could be more culturally rich, living in peace with those who were here before all of us.