Tūturu Episode 5: Mātauranga Māori

Tūturu NZ

22 Jul 202314:52

Summary

TLDRThis transcript delves into the concept of Mātauranga Māori, explaining its origins, evolution, and significance. The speaker discusses how the term Māori and the knowledge system Mātauranga Māori are responses to colonization and how they’ve become modern concepts reflecting deeper indigenous ways of knowing. It highlights the importance of understanding the world through indigenous knowledge systems, rooted in careful observation of the natural environment. The speaker critiques Western knowledge frameworks for their limitations, emphasizing that indigenous knowledge offers valuable insights for living harmoniously with the environment.

Takeaways

🌱 Maori was not a term traditionally used by the indigenous people of New Zealand; it emerged as a response to colonization to unite tribes under one identity.
📚 Maturanga Maori (Maori knowledge systems) evolved in response to Western education systems and colonization, with words like 'maturanga' and 'Maori' being modern developments.
💡 Maturanga Maori is a modern term but reflects ancient ways of knowing and understanding the world, passed down through generations.
🏞️ The Maori knowledge system is deeply connected to the environment, focusing on understanding and respecting nature's patterns and the living world.
🌍 Maturanga Maori encompasses spiritual, physical, and ecological aspects, all rooted in the careful observation of natural patterns over time.
🧠 There is no single concept of Maturanga Maori; rather, it varies across tribes, regions, and different Maori communities.
🔄 The Maori ways of knowing are based on interconnectedness—how natural events, like the migration of birds, are tied to environmental cycles.
🛑 Western academics often criticize Maturanga Maori, but indigenous knowledge has deep value and cannot be easily compared to Western scientific methods.
🧬 Indigenous knowledge systems, like Maturanga Maori, have guided generations in living sustainably with their environment long before colonization.
💬 The speaker emphasizes that understanding Maturanga Maori requires listening to Maori voices, as they are the true holders of this knowledge, not outsiders.

Q & A

What is the origin of the term 'Māori' according to the script?
-The term 'Māori' was not originally used by the indigenous people themselves but was adopted as a response to colonization to unite various tribes. It was a term imposed by others to collectively refer to the indigenous people of New Zealand.
What is the meaning of 'mātauranga Māori' as explained in the script?
-'Mātauranga Māori' refers to Māori knowledge systems. However, the script highlights that it is not a traditional Māori term but a modern development that arose as a response to colonization and the Western education system.
How did the term 'mātauranga Māori' come into use?
-The term 'mātauranga' was adapted to mean education, and 'Māori' was used to refer to the collective knowledge systems of the indigenous people. These terms were responses to colonization, but they have since been embraced by the Māori people.
How does the script describe the nature of Māori knowledge systems?
-The script emphasizes that Māori knowledge systems are deeply rooted in their environment and culture. It is based on careful observation of natural phenomena, passed down through generations, and intertwined with spirituality, physicality, and connection to the land.
What are some of the traditional Māori terms for knowledge?
-The traditional Māori terms for knowledge include 'korero' and 'wānanga,' which were used before 'mātauranga' became the modern word for education and knowledge.
How does the script explain the relationship between Māori knowledge and the environment?
-The script explains that Māori knowledge, or mātauranga Māori, is deeply connected to the environment. It involves long-term observation of natural patterns, such as the migration of birds and whales, and how various environmental changes are interconnected.
What criticism does the script mention regarding Western academic perspectives on mātauranga Māori?
-The script mentions that some Western academics criticize mātauranga Māori, seeing their own scientific methods as the only valid way of knowing. The speaker finds this perspective insular and misinformed, as it dismisses indigenous ways of understanding the world.
How does the speaker in the script respond to criticisms from Western academics?
-The speaker argues that Western academics are not qualified to define or criticize mātauranga Māori. The speaker believes that only Māori people can truly understand and define their own knowledge systems, and dismisses criticisms as fear-based and misinformed.
What is the significance of observing the natural world in Māori knowledge systems?
-Observation of the natural world is fundamental to Māori knowledge systems. This involves understanding how environmental changes are connected and how these observations, built up over generations, guide Māori practices and beliefs about living in harmony with nature.
How does the script suggest mātauranga Māori can contribute to global sustainability efforts?
-The script suggests that mātauranga Māori offers locally relevant knowledge and practices for living in harmony with the environment. It emphasizes eco-centric approaches to sustainability, which align with some of the UN’s sustainability objectives.

Outlines

00:00

📚 The Origins and Modern Adaptation of Mataranga Maori

This paragraph discusses the origins of the term 'Mataranga Maori,' explaining how it emerged as a response to colonization and was not a traditional Maori term. Initially, Maori were referred to by their tribal affiliations, and the term 'Maori' was used to unite different tribes under one identity. 'Mataranga' originally meant education and was adapted to represent Maori knowledge systems. The paragraph highlights how modern Maori have reclaimed these terms, using them to reflect deeper understandings of their worldview and cultural knowledge.

05:01

🌌 Mataranga Maori: The Knowledge of Life and the World

This paragraph delves into how Mataranga Maori encompasses the Maori understanding of life, death, and their place in the world. It explains how this knowledge, including narratives like Matariki and the maramataka, has been passed down through generations and varies across regions. Mataranga Maori is seen as a holistic system that teaches respect for nature and provides practical knowledge for survival, such as how to interact with the environment sustainably. The speaker emphasizes the importance of delving deeper into this knowledge for both personal growth and environmental stewardship.

10:02

🎓 Criticism and the Importance of Maori Knowledge Systems

Here, the speaker addresses criticisms from Western academics regarding Maori knowledge systems. They argue that non-Maori individuals, especially those unfamiliar with Maori culture, should not dictate what Mataranga Maori is. The speaker feels that such criticisms often stem from ignorance and a narrow worldview that assumes only one valid way of knowing. They also point out the historical consequences of such narrow thinking, including wars and societal divisions, contrasting this with the Maori tradition of living harmoniously with the environment.

Mindmap

Keywords

💡Mātauranga Māori

Mātauranga Māori refers to the body of knowledge that has been passed down through generations of Māori people. It encompasses traditional beliefs, values, and practices. In the script, it's explained that the term is not an ancient Māori term but a modern response to colonization, reflecting both historical and contemporary Māori knowledge systems.

💡Colonization

Colonization refers to the process of control and domination by one group over another, often through settlement and cultural assimilation. In the video, colonization is presented as a driving force behind the development of terms like 'Māori' and 'Mātauranga,' with the Māori people adapting their identity and knowledge systems in response to external pressures.

💡Tīkanga

Tīkanga refers to the customs, traditions, and practices that guide Māori behavior and societal norms. The script emphasizes how tīkanga is an integral part of Māori life, deeply rooted in their connection to their environment and spiritual beliefs. It's mentioned in relation to how knowledge and cultural practices are transmitted.

💡Iwi

Iwi refers to tribes or large groups of people descended from a common ancestor in Māori culture. In the video, the speaker discusses how knowledge systems are often connected to iwi and hapū (sub-tribes), and how these groups have their own distinct traditions and understandings of the world.

💡Indigeneity

Indigeneity is the quality of belonging to an indigenous group, characterized by a deep connection to the land and traditional ways of life. The script highlights how Māori identity and knowledge are rooted in their indigeneity, which includes a harmonious relationship with nature and long-standing practices of environmental observation.

💡Maramataka

Maramataka is the Māori lunar calendar, used to track time and guide activities based on environmental observations. The revitalization of maramataka is mentioned as part of the broader effort to reconnect with Māori traditions and knowledge, reflecting how Māori knowledge systems are tied to natural cycles and understanding of the environment.

💡Papatuānuku and Ranginui

Papatuānuku (Earth Mother) and Ranginui (Sky Father) are key figures in Māori creation narratives, representing the natural world and its origins. These figures symbolize the deep connection between Māori spiritual beliefs and their environment. The speaker references these narratives as foundational to understanding the world from a Māori perspective.

💡Tāonga

Tāonga refers to treasured objects, resources, or knowledge in Māori culture. In the script, it is mentioned in relation to the environment, indicating that natural resources are considered sacred and must be respected and cared for. Tāonga represents not just physical objects but also cultural and spiritual heritage.

💡Western knowledge systems

Western knowledge systems are based on scientific observation, rationalism, and empirical evidence, often contrasting with indigenous ways of knowing. In the video, these systems are critiqued for their tendency to marginalize other forms of knowledge, particularly indigenous knowledge like Mātauranga Māori, which is often dismissed as non-scientific.

💡Sustainability

Sustainability refers to practices that ensure the long-term health and balance of natural systems. The script emphasizes that Māori ways of living were inherently sustainable, rooted in deep understanding and respect for the environment. It argues that these practices offer solutions to modern environmental challenges, contrasting with the ecological damage caused by colonization.

Highlights

Mātauranga Māori is not a traditional term but a modern development in response to colonization.

The term 'Māori' itself was not originally used by indigenous people; it was imposed to unite tribes as one people.

Mātauranga Māori combines 'mātauranga' (education) and 'Māori' (a uniting term), reflecting a modern understanding of indigenous knowledge.

While 'mātauranga' is a modern term, it is now owned and embraced by Māori to represent their knowledge system.

Mātauranga Māori is a catch-all term used for policy and broader conversations, but the true knowledge resides in iwi (tribes) and whānau (families).

Indigenous knowledge systems, like Mātauranga Māori, evolve from deep, long-term observation of the environment, such as seasonal shifts and animal migrations.

Mātauranga Māori is not a subject in schools or universities; it embodies spiritual, physical, and environmental knowledge passed through generations.

Criticism of Mātauranga Māori from Western academics stems from a narrow view that dismisses indigenous ways of knowing and perceiving the world.

Indigenous knowledge systems, including Mātauranga Māori, emphasize a harmonious relationship with the environment, which has sustained indigenous peoples for generations.

Indigenous knowledge, such as understanding environmental patterns and natural cycles, cannot be artificially created in a short time; it is built over generations.

The revitalization of indigenous practices, such as Matariki (the Māori lunar calendar), demonstrates the importance of reconnecting with traditional knowledge.

Mātauranga Māori represents a holistic worldview, integrating everything from environmental care to the naming of children and the design of buildings.

Mātauranga Māori offers insights into global sustainability challenges and provides eco-centric solutions that have been practiced long before colonization.

Mātauranga Māori aligns with the UN's sustainability objectives, promoting eco-centric solutions that predate Western environmental efforts.

Western criticism of Mātauranga Māori often results from a misunderstanding of indigenous knowledge systems, leading to dismissal of alternative ways of knowing.