lecture 20: the imagined criteria of maori identity

Question 1

Why/how are Māori stereotyped?

Answer 1

seen as:
- uncivilised
- heathens
- noble savage
- child like

Question 2

How did these attitudes develop?

Answer 2

• overtime maori identity is influenced by the notion that iwi are now the functioning and actual group, this has formed the preconceived notion that maori are an actual grp when in reality they are not
• colonial mindset has resulted in the inferior status given to maori world-views and processes
• stereotyped ideas associated with the imagined group are constructed as a by product of who maori were

Question 3

What is the reality of Māori identity?

Answer 3

• many maori do not live near their tribal area
• some maori are accustomed to pre European food gathering practices some are not due to loss of land majority of maori arent able to continue pre european practices
• physical appearance varies
• many people believe maori identity is due to land or upbringing
• in reality they arent an actual group, hapu and whanau were the actual and functioning groups

Question 4

What are the criteria to claim a Māori
identity?

Answer 4

what people think:
- all maori have grown up or line in their turangawaewae
- all maori know how to hunt, gather, fish and cook a hangi
- physical appearance
- ability to speak Maori
- being able to play guitar, sing and do kapa haka
- whakapapa
- connection to land

Question 5

What challenges are there for Māori in
claiming a Māori identity?

Answer 5

• other people often define what it means to be maori, this also allows them to define maori rights
• in order to overcome these, maori need to challenge definitions that are not their own, especially those which confine them to a subordinate place

Question 6

impact of colonisation on identity

Answer 6

• loss of land
• loss of culture
• disconnect from turangawaewae

Question 7

What allows an individual to claim a Māori identity?

Answer 7

-

Question 8

Why do certain equity measures exist for Māori?

Answer 8

• to ensure that maori culture is not destined for a path of cultural genocide and that maori are able to participate equally in life of the nation
  eg:
• waitangi tribunal
• maori electorates in parliament
• maori targeted educational support schemes
• maori television

Question 9

What is meant by an ‘imagined’ identity?

Answer 9

imagined groups might be no more than a vague collective identity, based on descent, with no corporate functions at all