What ranks did the Maori have in the hierarchy and how did they represent their rank through clothing? By josephine philip
Heirarchy
The Moari Heirarchy includes tribes, sub tribes and extended family.
Tribes
In each tribe the people were under the influence of main people. The most powerful person in the tribe was the Chiefs. Chiefs held meetings in the tribes main plaza always starting and ending the meeting. Although the chief maintain the main power over the tribe the society did have a small amount of democracy. Families were also invited to the important meetings. After the chief elders had the main power followed by the priest (tohunga).
Subtribes
Larger tribes are usually divided into Subtribes. Subtribes have no chance of material increase and were constantly being defeated in war. They were also an effective unit. Subtribes also had less power than tribes due to the fact that they were smaller and were seculed but also still part of the tribe.
Extended Family also had a little amount of power. They were called an operational group that almost stood out entirely.
Individuals had power according to their rank. Here is a glimpse of power in a Moari Heirarchy. Master was at the top followed by Chiefs, commoners and slaves.
What did people wear to represent their rank?
Cheifs
Cheifs wore expensive tattoos with important and powerful meanings. They also wore the most special cloaks called a prestige cloak. Prestige cloaks were only worn by Cheifs and nobody who wasn't a Cheifs wore them without the Chiefs permission. Chiefly women would often put their hair in a special hairstyle and dress their hair. When they dressed their hair it as dressed for them by someone of higher power.
Other people
People that were canoe paddlers would wear rain capes. Rain capes were garments that protected the paddlers from water. Rain capes were shorter than the prestige cloaks that Chiefs would wear.
People that were of lower rank had no tattoos. Tribesmen were considered worthless so they had no tattoos. Hairstyles also showed status and if someone was mourning. People about to sacrifice themselves dressed their hair. Men twisted their hair in topknots which showed not only status but also where they came from. Maori people also took care of their hair because they considered it to be their most sacred part of the body.
Maori people also wore bone jelewry to show their rank.