Indigenous Understanding of Animal Life
In the rich tapestry of Maori culture, the organising principle of reality, known as Whakapapa, plays a pivotal role in shaping their understanding of animals. This profound connection is meticulously detailed in the work "Animals of Aotearoa: Kaupapa Māori Summaries," authored by Sylvia Te Ariki and Tania Brown.
Whakapapa, analogous to an ethical Indigenous version of the concept of evolution, serves as a bridge connecting Maori ancestors to the various indigenous species of Aotearoa. It is reflected in Maori iconography, where it represents the ancestors and evolutionary links to other animals through DNA.
The knowledge of animals is categorised into six groupings, each with its unique significance. Kuri (dog) and Kiore (rat) occupy the first positions in this list, as they were intentionally brought across the Pacific Ocean by the voyaging ancestors of Maori.
The following categories are also based on Whakapapa and the ancestors of animals:
- Nga manu a Tānemahuta: These are the birds associated with Tānemahuta, the god of the forest and birds.
- Nga ika a Tangaroa: These are the sea creatures associated with Tangaroa, the god of the sea and fish.
- Ngārara - te aitanga a Punga: These are the reptiles and amphibians associated with Punga, the god of the swamp and reptiles.
- Te aitanga pepeke: This category includes insects and other small creatures.
Maori traditional narratives reinforce the overall structure of the traditional Maori cosmos, often telling of primal ecological battles that help explain the natural world of Aotearoa. These categories correspond to some major species and groups of animals known to Maori before the arrival of Europeans.
The double spiral motif called takarangi represents Whakapapa. Each generation is represented by a notch between the two spiral lines, symbolising the continuous flow of life and the interconnectedness of all living beings in Maori culture.
This rich and vibrant understanding of Aotearoa's animals, deeply rooted in Whakapapa, continues to be a source of inspiration and learning for many today.
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