In April 2014 I was fortunate to spend a whole weekend with and around young Maori Warriors in Taumutu near Christchurch New Zealand. I took photos and notes of what I think is an absolutely fascinating people and I would like to share what I’ve learned with you over the next few weeks, hoping to give you access to something not many foreigners ever get to experience.
THE CAMP, OR “WANANGA” IN MAORI
Introduction from Jade Morgan
~ “Tu Toka, Tu Ariki” – stand strong and noble. Mau Taiaha or Maori stick fighting is alive and well all over the world, and especially in the mid-Canterbury town of Taumutu. Every Easter (& three other weekends over the year), a Wananga Taiaha or Taiaha training camp is held to assist men and boys of all ages to make healthier, more positive lifestyle choices for them and their families. The underlying principle or driving force of this style of Mau Taiaha is to strive towards and ultimately live a life free of Alcohol, Drugs, Violence & Smoking as a means of being empowered to become good role models and providers. In spite of this seeming contradiction of a fighting style being fundamentally “violence free” it is a style that numerous special services soldiers have taken with them onto many countless modern battlefields… and lived to tell of their exploits to their loved ones. ~
THE STYLE ~ MITA MOHI’S TE ARAWA STYLE MAU TAIAHA
There are many different Maori tribes on both South and North Island and also various Styles of traditional Maori warfare/martial arts that include various weapons. ” Mita Mohi” is the name of the father/grandmaster of the style trained at this camp. “Te Arawa” is the name of his tribe, which is from North Island. “Mau Taiaha” describes the type of weapon – a traditional wooden spear.
WEAPONS AND TRADITIONS
The Maori warriors used, and still use, various weapons. Some are meant for “far away combat” like spear/taiaha/rakau but they also have weapons for close quarter fighting such as club like Patu and Mere. At this point it is important to mention that the warriors don’t refer to their weapons as “weapons”. They call them treasures. For them, the treasures incorporate their ancestors and you treat your treasure with respect. The kids were reminded often not to put their taiaha on the ground, never to step over it and not to kick it. As Jade explained to me you never put a treasure in the trunk of your car – it’s like putting your grandfather in the boot. You treat it with respect. When holding those treasures you can feel the energy that they hold. Most likely also because they are all hand made out of “living” material such as wood, green stone (mountain jade) and whale bone.
Next Post: MODERN MAORI WARRIORS PART 2 ~ MAORI GREETING