Maori People - New Zealand


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Who they are:   The Maori People of New Zealand are ancient inhabitant from New Zealand who migrated from the Polynesian islands.   They still inhabit a large part of New Zealand today and their culture is very strong and alive.

Their language:  The Maori people speak the eastern Polynesian sub group of the Eastern Oceanic languages spoken in New Zealand and the Cook Island.  Their language is one of the two official languages spoken in New Zealand.   There are approximately 100,000 to 150,000 Maori speakers word wide.  

Population of Maori People:  14.9 % of the New Zealand population are part of the Maori ethnicity,  or 600,000 people.  

Their culture:  The Maori people define themselves by their iwi (tribe) and hapu (sub-tribe).   Maori people are know to be experts in several skills including carving,  tattooing and healing.   They often are recognized around the world by their amazing tatoos.  The Maori Haka is an ancient traditional group dance often performed on the battlefield prior to engaging with the enemy.   Their All Blacks sport teams are still renown around the world to do the Haka before sport matches.

My experience with Maori people:   I have seen New Zealand sport teams performing the Haka before baseball and sport games.  

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