Top 10 TERRIFYING Facts About MAORI WARRIORS

Summary

The Maori warriors, indigenous to New Zealand, were known for their unique cultural practices and fearsome reputation. Their facial tattoos, carved using traditional methods, symbolized bravery and strength. The Haka, a war dance, was used to intimidate opponents and as a pre-battle ritual. The mere club, a teardrop-shaped weapon, was used for close combat. Maori warriors also practiced a complex burial process, taking the heads of their enemies as trophies. Tactics included surprise attacks and the use of muskets, as seen with the influential chief Hongi Hika. Controversial practices such as infanticide and potential cannibalism added to their intimidating legacy.

Takeaways

• 🌈 Maori tattoos were carved into the skin using a mallet and chisel, symbolizing bravery and strength.
• 💪 The Haka is a traditional Maori war dance used to intimidate opponents and as a pre-battle ritual.
• 🛡️ The mere club, made from bone, jade, or stone, was the primary weapon used by Maori warriors in close combat.
• 🏺 The Maori practiced a unique burial method involving initial burial, exhumation, cleaning of bones, and a second burial.
• ⚔️ Maori war parties, or hapu, typically consisted of no more than 100 warriors and often attacked at dawn.
• 🏆 Maori warriors took the heads of their enemies as trophies, practicing rituals and games with them post-battle.
• 🏞️ Captain James Cook's first encounter with the Maori was tense, leading to misunderstandings and violence.
• 🔫 The famous Maori chief Hongi Hika embraced European firearms, significantly impacting tribal warfare.
• 👶 Maori culture involved infanticide, often targeting females to maintain a warrior population.
• 🍖 The practice of cannibalism among Maori warriors is debated, but evidence suggests it was a form of humiliation and power assertion.

Q & A

What was the significance of tattoos among the Maori people?

Tattoos held a special significance to the Maori people, symbolizing bravery and strength. They were unique designs, often in the shape of spirals, and were carved into the skin using a mallet and a chisel made from bone, with ink made from ash and fat.

How did the Maori warriors use the Haka?

The Haka was a traditional native dance used by Maori warriors for two purposes: to intimidate opponents and as a ritual before battle. It involved a chant, stamping feet, sticking out tongues, and bulging eyes.

What was the mere club and how was it used in combat?

The mere club was a common weapon among Maori warriors, shaped like a teardrop and made from bone, jade, or stone. It was used as a blunt force weapon in close combat, often to target the opponent's shoulder to disable them before delivering a fatal blow to the head.

Why did the Maori bury their dead twice?

The Maori had a unique burial method where they would bury the deceased, then a year later exhume the bones, clean them, paint them with red ochre, and bury them again in a sacred place to ensure the soul's journey to the afterlife.

What was the typical size of a Maori war party and how were they organized?

A Maori war party, known as a hapu, usually consisted of no more than 100 men, and sometimes included women. Multiple hapus could join together, but this made them less organized. Every male was trained as a warrior from a young age, with a focus on wrist strength to enhance weapon effectiveness.

Why did the Maori take the heads of their enemies as trophies?

The Maori took the heads of their enemies to mock them later, as a sign of victory and humiliation. They would process the heads by removing the brain and eyes, sealing orifices, boiling or steaming, drying, and treating with shark oil.

What was the outcome of Captain James Cook's first encounter with the Maori?

Captain James Cook's first encounter with the Maori was initially tense and aggressive, leading to some Maori being killed in self-defense by Cook's crew. To demonstrate peaceful intentions, Cook and his men kidnapped and then kindly released some Maori warriors, which eventually led to a better relationship.

Who was Hongi Hika and what was his significance?

Hongi Hika was a famous Maori chief born in 1778, known for his fierce warrior skills. He rose to power after a defeat that killed his chief and saw the potential of muskets in warfare. He established close ties with Europeans, converting to Christianity, and amassed a large number of guns, which he used to gain control over Northern New Zealand.

Why did the Maori practice infanticide?

The Maori practiced infanticide, often targeting females to ensure a higher number of male warriors. It was also practiced if there was something wrong with the baby, using methods such as skull crushing, drowning, strangulation, suffocation, or pressing against the soft spot on the skull.

Is there historical evidence to suggest that Maori warriors practiced cannibalism?

While debated, historical evidence including witness accounts, tribal oral histories, and archaeological findings suggest that Maori warriors may have practiced cannibalism. The reasons could include internalizing the enemy's spirit, post-battle rage, or as a form of humiliation.

Outlines

00:00

🔥 Maori Warriors' Tattoos and Haka

Maori warriors were known for their intricate facial tattoos, which symbolized bravery and strength. Both men and women received tattoos, often during adolescence, and these were carved into the skin using a mallet and chisel made from bone, with ink made from ash and fat. The Haka, a traditional war dance, was used to intimidate opponents and as a pre-battle ritual, with the performance's success seen as a good omen.

05:01

🛡️ The Mere Club and Maori Burial Rituals

The mere club, a teardrop-shaped weapon made from bone, jade, or stone, was a common weapon among Maori warriors, used for close combat to inflict severe damage. Maori burial practices included a unique process of burying the dead twice; after initial burial and decomposition, bodies were exhumed, cleaned, and reburied in a sacred place after a series of ceremonies.

🏰 Maori War Strategy and Trophy Heads

Maori war parties, or hapu, were small and agile, with warriors trained from a young age. They employed stealth and surprise in their attacks, often at dawn, targeting enemy settlements. The decapitated heads of fallen enemies were taken as trophies, processed to preserve them, and used in rituals and games, symbolizing victory and humiliation of the defeated.

🏞️ First European Encounters and Hongi Hika

The first encounter between Europeans and Maori was marked by misunderstandings and violence, but later interactions, such as Captain James Cook's, led to peaceful relations. Hongi Hika, a prominent Maori chief, embraced European firearms, converting to Christianity, and establishing trade for guns, which he used to consolidate power in Northern New Zealand.

👶 Maori Infanticide and Alleged Cannibalism

Maori culture, like other warrior societies, practiced infanticide, often targeting female infants to maintain a warrior population. Reasons included ensuring a robust fighting force and addressing potential sex ratio imbalances. The practice of cannibalism among Maori warriors is debated, with some evidence suggesting it was a form of post-battle ritual, a way to humiliate enemies, or to internalize the spirit of the defeated.

Keywords

💡Tattoos

Tattoos among the Maori people held deep cultural significance, symbolizing bravery and strength. They were carved into the skin using a mallet and chisel made from bone, and ink made from ash and fat, creating grooves that were unique to each individual. This practice is highlighted in the script as a rite of passage and a mark of distinction, with the tattoos being a testament to one's character, as seen in the description of the tattooing process and its ceremonial importance.

💡Haka

The Haka is a traditional Maori dance that serves as a war dance and a form of challenge or intimidation. Performed with chanting, foot stomping, and exaggerated facial expressions, it was originally developed for war, used to strike fear into the hearts of opponents. The script mentions the Haka as a notable tradition still practiced today, especially by New Zealand's national sports teams, showcasing its ongoing cultural relevance and its role in both welcoming guests and preparing for battle.

💡Mere Club

The mere club was a common weapon used by Maori warriors, typically made from bone, jade, or stone, and often shaped like a teardrop. It was a symbol of status and was used for close combat, capable of inflicting serious damage, such as breaking collarbones or delivering fatal blows to the head. The script describes how the mere club was not only a weapon but also an heirloom, reflecting the craftsmanship and cultural value placed on such tools of war.

💡Burial Practices

The Maori burial practices were complex and involved the deceased being buried, exhumed, cleaned, and reburied. This process symbolized the transition of the soul to the afterlife. The script provides a detailed account of these practices, emphasizing the cultural beliefs surrounding death and the afterlife, as well as the respect and rituals associated with the deceased.

💡War Strategy

Maori war strategy, as described in the script, involved small, organized groups known as hapu, which sometimes included female warriors. They focused on stealth, surprise attacks, and the elimination of all male opponents to prevent future revenge. This strategy is exemplified by the script's mention of wrist strength training for weapon effectiveness and the tactical approach to attacking enemy settlements.

💡Trophies

The Maori warriors are noted for taking the heads of their enemies as trophies, a practice that served multiple purposes, including intimidation and the display of prowess. The script outlines the process of preserving these heads, which involved removing the brain and eyes, sealing orifices, and treating them with shark oil. This practice is highlighted as a gruesome but significant aspect of Maori warfare and culture.

💡Captain James Cook

Captain James Cook's first encounter with the Maori was marked by tension and misunderstanding, leading to violence. The script recounts how Cook's attempt at peaceful interaction was met with aggression, resulting in the killing of Maori warriors in self-defense. This event is pivotal as it sets the stage for subsequent European-Maori relations and the eventual shaping of New Zealand's history.

💡Hongi Hika

Hongi Hika, one of the most famous Maori chiefs, is noted for his strategic use of muskets in warfare and his interactions with Europeans. The script describes how he managed to acquire a significant number of guns, which he used to conquer other tribes. Hongi Hika's story illustrates the complex relationship between the Maori and Europeans, as well as the impact of European technology on Maori society.

💡Infanticide

Infanticide was practiced by the Maori, often targeting female infants to maintain a balance of warriors within the tribe. The script mentions various methods of infanticide, reflecting the harsh realities and cultural priorities of the time. This practice is depicted as a dark aspect of Maori culture, highlighting the tribe's focus on warrior strength and survival.

💡Cannibalism

The script discusses the debated practice of cannibalism among the Maori, suggesting it was not solely for sustenance but also served to humiliate enemies and absorb their spirit. While the historical accuracy of this practice is contested, the script presents it as a part of Maori warrior culture, illustrating the complex and sometimes disturbing aspects of their traditions.

Highlights

Maori tattoos were carved into the skin using a mallet and chisel, symbolizing bravery and strength.

The Haka, a traditional Maori war dance, was used to intimidate opponents and as a pre-battle ritual.

The mere club, made from bone, jade, or stone, was the primary weapon used by Maori warriors in close combat.

Maori burial practices involved a two-stage process with a year's interval for cleaning and painting bones.

War parties, or hapu, consisted of no more than 100 men, with women sometimes participating in combat.

Maori warriors took the heads of their enemies as trophies, practicing a ritual of preservation and mockery.

Captain James Cook's first encounter with the Maori in 1767 was marked by misunderstandings and aggression.

Hongi Hika, a famous Maori chief, embraced European firearms and Christianity, significantly altering tribal warfare.

Infanticide was practiced among the Maori, often targeting females to maintain a warrior-centric population.

Cannibalism among Maori warriors is a debated topic, with some evidence suggesting it was a part of post-battle rituals.

Maori tattoos were not only aesthetic but also held deep cultural and spiritual significance.

The Haka serves multiple cultural purposes, including welcoming guests and preparing for battle.

Mere clubs were not just weapons but also cherished heirlooms, reflecting the craftsmanship of Maori warriors.

The unique Maori burial process symbolizes a respect for the dead and a belief in an afterlife.

Maori war strategies included stealth, surprise attacks, and the elimination of all male threats.

The practice of taking and preserving enemy heads was a form of psychological warfare and a display of victory.

James Cook's interactions with the Maori laid the foundation for future European-New Zealand relations.

Hongi Hika's leadership and adoption of European firearms changed the dynamics of tribal conflicts in New Zealand.

Infanticide among the Maori was a harsh reality influenced by cultural beliefs and the need for warriors.

The debate over Maori cannibalism reflects the complexity of historical interpretations and cultural practices.

Transcripts

Top 10 TERRIFYING Facts About MAORI WARRIORS

10.

Their Tattoos Were Carved In

Tattoos held a special significance to the Maori people and both men and women would

get them.

The most common place to get them was the face, but some Maori people were known to

get their necks, torsos, and arms tattooed as well.

Most Maoris started getting their tattoos during adolescence.

Each design was unique, but generally they were in the shape spirals.

They were tattooed on during a ceremony, and each line showed the person’s bravery and

strength.

After all, these tattoos weren’t put on using a needle gun.

Instead, they were carved into the skin using a mallet and a chisel that was made from a

bone and the ink was made from ash and fat.

This left the skin with grooves like a record, instead of being smooth like modern tattoos.

9.

The War Dance

One of the most notable traditions used by the Maori warriors, and still used by many

of their national sports teams today, is the traditional native dance called the Haka.

During the dance, the participants say a chant, stamp their feet, stick out their tongues,

and bulge out their eyes.

While the dance was often performed to welcome special guests, it was actually developed

for war.

The dance was used in two different ways.

The first is that it was used to intimidate their opponents.

The other way it was used was that it was performed before a battle during a ritual.

If there was something wrong with the dance, then the elders were sure that it was a bad

omen.

This gave them the chance to either abandon or modify their plans.

8.

The Mere Club Was Used to Crack Skulls

The mere club was the most common weapon used by Maori warriors.

It was in the shape of a teardrop, and made from bone, jade, or stone.

They were often decorated and considered heirlooms since it took so long to craft one.

They are a blunt force weapon and were used in close range fighting.

Often, a Maori warrior would attack an opposing tribesman by swinging the mere club down on

his shoulder.

This would hopefully break the collar bone, or dislocate or break their shoulder.

Then their opponent would be unable to defend himself against a blow to the head; often

to the temple.

Behind the temple is the Pterion, which is the weakest point of the skull.

Since the skull is so thin there, it usually only took one blow to that area to kill an

opposing warrior.

7.

The Dead Were Buried and Dug Back up Again and Then Reburied

The Maori had a very unusual method for burying their dead.

Starting early in their culture, the Maori people began to bury people twice.

First, after a week or two of mourning, the body was wrapped in mats and then would be

buried and allowed to decompose.

Then, a year later, the bodies were dug up and the bones were scraped to remove any remaining

flesh.

The bones were then painted with red ochre, which is a natural pigment, and taken to different

settlements, where they once again mourned the dead.

Then there was another ceremony before they were buried again in a sacred place.

Once this second burial was complete, the person’s soul would go on to their mysterious

afterlife.

6.

The War Strategy

A war party, called a hapu, usually never consisted of more than 100 men, and in some

cases women fought as well.

Sometimes multiple hapus would join together, but with more warriors, they became less organized.

Warriors were also trained from a young age, and every male was trained as a warrior.

One specific thing they worked on was wrist strength.

This would make their weapons, like the mere, much more effective.

How the Maoris would attack other tribes is by travelling to enemy settlements quietly,

or pretend they were just on a hunting expedition.

Once they got close, they would attack, often at dawn.

All the men were killed because this eliminated the chance that any tribesman could come back

and seek revenge.

The women were also taken as a prize of war.

5.

Heads of the Killed Were Taken as Trophies

Heads held a special significance to the Maori people, and they were known to take the heads

of their fallen enemies.

Once they had the head, they would remove the brain and the eyes.

Next, all the orifices were sealed with flax fiber and gum.

The head was boiled or steamed in an oven.

Then, the heads were dried in the sun for several days and then treated with shark oil.

One reason why they kept the heads of their enemies was so they could mock it later.

One missionary said he watched one chief say to the head of an enemy chieftain:

You wanted to run away didn’t you?

But my greenstone club overtook you!

And after you were cooked you were made food for me!

And where is your father?

He is cooked.

And where is your brother?

He is eaten.

And where is your wife?

There she sits; a wife for me.

And where are your children?

There they are, loads on their backs carrying food as my slaves.

If that wasn’t insulting enough, they also developed a bizarre game with the heads.

They would pile them in a heap, and then they set the head of the principal chief on the

top of the pile.

Then, using stones or other heads, they took turns trying to knock off the head at the

top of the pile.

4.

Captain James Cook’s First Encounter Was Terrifying

The first encounter between Europeans and the Maori was in December 1646, when a Dutch

ship made landfall near a Maori tribe.

Both groups were standoffish and this led to a small fight that resulted in deaths on

both sides.

After the run in, the Dutch sailed off and Europeans would not go back until October

1767, when English navigator James Cook travelled there looking for the fabled fourth continent.

When Captain Cook first encountered the Maori, they sent out two war canoes to meet them.

When the canoes approached, two fully grown Maori warriors, complete with face tattoos,

stood up and held up the shrunken heads of their latest opponents, who were also covered

with tattoos.

Cook and his crew immediately noticed the detail on the faces and knew the heads were

real.

Cook wanted to interact with the Maori’s peacefully, but there were some misunderstandings

and the Maori acted aggressively.

As a result, the Europeans were supposedly forced to kill a few Maori in self-defense;

much to the dismay of Cook.

To convince them they had come in peace, Cook and his men ended up kidnapping some Maori

warriors.

They acted kindly to them, and then let them go.

This led to a better relationship between the Maori and the Europeans, which would play

an important role in the shaping of New Zealand.

3.

Their Most Famous Warrior Hongi Hika

It’s believed that the most famous Maori chief, Hongi Hika, was born in 1778.

As a young man, he was a fierce and agile warrior who rose up through the ranks of his

tribe, the Ngapuhi iwi.

His chief got along with the Europeans and also saw the value of muskets in warfare.

The chief managed to trade with the Europeans for several guns and ammo and in 1808, the

tribe got into a war with another tribe, called the Ngati Whatua.

The Ngapuhi iwi fired off their first shots with the muskets, but the problem with muskets

of the time is that it took at least 20 seconds to reload.

The Ngati Whatua used this reloading time to attack.

Many members of the Ngapuhi iwi tribe, including the chief, were slaughtered.

Hongi Hika was one of the lucky few to get away.

With the chief dead, Hongi Hika was the most senior, so he took control of the tribe.

The defeat could have very well discouraged Hongi Hika from using muskets.

However, he had the foresight to see that muskets could be an incredibly important part

of warfare.

So he got closer to the Europeans, even visiting Australia and England, where he became a bit

of a sensation because of his tattoos.

He even converted to Christianity and set up the first Christian mission in New Zealand.

This relationship to the church gave Hongi Hika access to more rifles because he vowed

to become a defender of the church.

However, he wasn’t simply given all the guns, instead trading for them.

As for what the Europeans wanted in exchange for the guns, well… that was shrunken heads.

In fact, as the trade became more common, slaves and prisoners of war were brought to

the Europeans and they chose which heads they wanted.

The Maori then tattooed the chosen victim, and decapitated them.

The market got to be so flooded with Maori heads that they were being sold for as little

as £2, which was about a week’s wage in England for a working man.

Nevertheless, Hongi Hika was able to amass over 3,000 guns, and plenty of ammo and gunpowder

in his 10-years as chief.

Starting in 1818, his tribe slaughtered other tribes and took their women.

Within a year, he had complete control over Northern New Zealand.

However, other tribes soon followed in Hongi Hika’s footsteps and bought their own guns.

Hongi Hika was killed when he took a bullet to the lung in 1828.

2.

Infanticide

Like other warrior cultures, the Maoris committed infanticide.

Females were more likely to be killed because tribes needed more males, since every male

was a warrior and there needed to be a decent amount of warriors to ensure the security

of the tribe.

Also, males were more likely to be killed in battle, meaning that there would have been

an upset in the sex ratios later on in life.

Infanticide was also common if there was anything wrong with the baby.

Essentially, there were five ways that the infants were killed.

Their skulls could be crushed, they could be drowned in a stone basin, strangulation,

suffocation, and finally, the most disturbing way was that mothers would press against the

soft spot on the skull and kill the baby instantly.

Well, that’s cheery.

Hey, can’t say we didn’t warn you.

“Terrifying” is right there in the title.

1.

They Performed Cannibalism

Whether the Maori warriors committed cannibalism or not is highly debated.

Some historians believe that it was just Europeans trying to paint the Maoris as wild savages.

However, besides witness accounts of cannibalism, tribal oral histories and archaeological evidence

also strongly suggest that the Maori warriors indulged in cannibalizing vanquished enemies.

There are a few reasons that the Maori ate their opponents, and it wasn’t because they

were hungry.

One was to internalize their spirit, which they called mana.

Another theory is that the cannibalism was part of their post battle rage.

Another is that it would send a message to enemies.

They thought that the greatest humiliation you could do to your enemy was to kill them,

chop them up, eat them, and then excrete them out.