How did the relationship between the Māori people and the whales develop and how were the whales of importance to them? By philippa
Whales were considered very important and sacred in Māori culture. There are many different ideas and stories about the origins of the whale in Māori times. One of the most common and well known is the story of Paikea the whale rider. Paikea was travelling on a boat, from the mythical island of Haiwikii on a fishing trip. Amongst the many people on the boat, Paikea's jealous brother was one of them. His brother sunk the boat, drowning all those aboard. While Paikea was struggling and drowning, he called out for help and his called was answered. Legend says the sea spirit (taniwa) took form of a whale and carried Paikea on his back to the land of Aoteroa. Thus making him the 'whale rider'. Other stories suggest that the God of the sea (Tangaroa) created the whales. The whales are thought by many to be the Māori's spiritual guides.
The whales (common Māori name 'tohora') were of many uses to the Māori both spiritually and resourcefully. They were of such a spiritual importance because of the way they were thought to have guided the canoes to Aoteroa. While they were one of the most sacred animals in Māori culture they were also used for food, weapons, and jewellery. The jawbone was used to make jewellery, weapons combs and walking sticks, while the teeth were used for pendants. Whale tooth pendants are stil very common across New Zealand today. The Māori were very resourceful and did not leave any of the whale behind. They ate the meat and used the oil as polish and perfumes. The whales also assisted the Māori during war. While they did not physically participate in war, they helped to create a 'Trojan Horse' effect. Beached whales were of great value in Māori society, so the Māoris would dress in black and lie on the beach. This would make them seem to be beached whales and would draw in their opposition. Then the 'beached whales' would attack them all.
Whaling wasn't something the Māori used until European settlement. Up until this time the Māori people did feed on whales, but avoided the use of whaling. The Māori would wait until a whale had beached and would then use the entire whale for food and supplies. If they had gone for a long period of time without the necessary resources from these whales, they would be left with no other option but to force the whales to beach themselves. This was the last option for the Māoris because they believed the whales to be one of the most sacred animals of their time and were not in favour of killing them.
After European settlement, the Māori views on whaling had changed. Once the Europeans had settled into Aoteroa, they needed to begin their hunt for resources. Among the many boats that had arrived, there were a number of British whalers. These whalers took to the waters of the Pacific and begun to hunt. At first, the Māori were at awe of how they could do such a thing. Eventually the Māori learned to admire these men and soon the British whaling boats were full of the Māori locals eager to learn the trade. The importance of the whales to the Māori was the same as the importance of the Māori to the British. Many British whalers married into Māori families and Māori men became whalers along with the British. The British did this to secure and encourage a healthy relationship with the Māori.
Māori Whales Riders n.d., The field museum, accessed 18 September 2015, <http://whales.fieldmuseum.org/behind/people/maori-whale-riders>.
Sealers and whalers 2014, New Zealand Governemnt, accessed 18 September 2015, <http://www.nzhistory.net.nz/culture/pre-1840-contact/sealers-and-whalers>.
Story: Te whānau puha – whales n.d., Encyclopaedia of New Zealand, accessed 18 September 2015, <http://www.teara.govt.nz/en/te-whanau-puha-whales/page-1>.
Whales 2014, National whale centre, accessed 18 September 2015, <http://aworldwithwhales.com/history/>.
