Maori Warrior // Aotearoa

The Maori are indigenous people that originated in Aotearoa // New Zealand. They have a form of body art, known as moko but more commonly referred to as Maori tattooing. The art form was brought to the Maori from Polynesia and is considered highly sacred.

Since the Maori people consider the head to be the most sacred part of the body, the most popular kind of Maori tattoo was the facial tattoo, which was composed of curved shapes and spiral like patterns. Often this tattoo covered the whole face and was a symbol of rank, social status, power and prestige.

For Maori, tattooing was (and for some, still is) a rite of passage, which meant it was highly revered and ritualised. The tattooing would begin usually during adolescence.

Maori Warriors were some of the fiercest warriors the world has ever known. Their bravery and savageness is legendary. Throughout history war was an Important part of Maori life. Conflicts over land and insults of any type were the main catalyst for war. Also, as Europeans began to settle New Zealand wars broke out against them. War among the Maori became an endless cycle, upon defeat the losing side would feel obligated to restore its pride (mana).

The War Party

The Maori fighting unit was called a hapu. A hapu rarely consisted of more than a few hundred warriors, often numbering less than one hundred. Most of the warriors were men but women were also know to fight. Often several hapu joined forces in battle.

The warriors were usually lead by a chief. The chiefs main job was to motivate his warriors to move forward. The chief was a huge motivational force and if he were killed or wounded the warriors would usually retreat, even if on the verge of victory.

The Māori warriors excelled in the art of ambush and surprise raids, appearing and disappearing swiftly and noiselessly into the thick Aotearoa natural rainforest environment. They usually attacked at dawn. The aim was to kill all members of the enemy war party, so that no survivors would remain with the risk of "utu" (revenge).

If a lasting peace was considered with a former enemy, an inter-tribal marriage between families of aristocratic or chiefly rank was arranged to ensure the peace pact.

A war party was prepared with care, involving intricate ritual and the abstinence of certain foods and practices. The war party dedicated itself to Tumatauenga, the god of war, and special rites placed a "tapu" around the warrior.

The haka is a type of ancient Māori war dance traditionally used on the battlefield, as well as when groups came together in peace. Haka are a fierce display of a tribe's pride, strength and unity. Actions include violent foot-stamping, tongue protrusions and rhythmic body slapping to accompany a loud chant. The words of a haka often poetically describe ancestors and events in the tribe's history.

Today, haka are still used during Māori ceremonies and celebrations to honour guests and show the importance of the occasion. This includes family events, like birthdays and weddings.

Haka are also used to challenge opponents on the sports field. You may have seen a haka performed by New Zealand’s All Blacks before a rugby match? You’ll probably agree that it’s a terrifying sight to behold!

A must watch for all // After his tribe is slaughtered through an act of treachery, Hongi - a Maori chieftan’s teenage son - must avenge his father's murder in order to bring peace and honor to the souls of his loved ones. Vastly outnumbered by the band of villains, Hongi’s only hope is to pass through the feared and forbidden Dead Lands and forge an uneasy alliance with the mysterious "Warrior," a ruthless fighter who has ruled the area for years.