Māori Language
By Ukes Baha | 27 January 2023
Te Reo Māori, also known as the Māori language, holds a central position within the rich Māori culture of Aotearoa, New Zealand. It is widely recognized for its powerful role in communication, cultural expression, and the preservation of Māori traditions and knowledge.
Originating from the Māori oral tradition, Te Reo Māori has been passed down through generations via storytelling, songs, chants, and other forms of spoken communication. Rather than being a traditionally written language, Te Reo Māori was conveyed through intricate carvings, artwork, and symbols, serving as a distinctive and visually captivating mode of expression.
Te Reo Māori encompasses various dialects, each with its own regional nuances and unique features. Notable dialects include Ngāi Tahu, Ngāti Porou, Ngāti Kahungunu, and Tainui. Despite these regional differences, the underlying structure and essence of the language remain consistent, acting as a unifying force within Māori communities across the nation.
However, the Māori language faced a grim fate during the period of colonization and oppression in Aotearoa. From the late 19th to the early 20th centuries, policies were implemented to undermine and eradicate the Māori language. Its use was made illegal in schools, public spaces, and official settings. The enactment of the Native Schools Act 1867 (often described today as a suppression act for its real impact, though officially titled the Native Schools Act) marked a significant turning point. This act, passed by the New Zealand Parliament and receiving royal assent on November 13, 1867, mandated that instruction in Native Schools should be conducted exclusively in English, effectively silencing the use of Te Reo Māori. The objective behind these policies was to diminish Māori language, culture, and identity, allowing the colonizers to assert their dominance and suppress Māori culture.
Consequently, the New Zealand government actively discouraged and eventually prohibited the use of the Māori language. By suppressing the language, the government sought to exert control and power over the remaining Māori population, who are the indigenous people of Aotearoa, known as te Tāngata te whenua. These restrictions on speaking and teaching Māori in schools were part of a broader campaign to eradicate Māori culture, as the colonizers aimed to impose European customs and practices upon Māori communities. However, the true motives behind these actions were far more insidious and malicious. Undeniably, these oppressive measures violated fundamental human rights, including the right to preserve one's language and cultural heritage.
The detrimental impacts of suppressing the Māori language were far-reaching. The language represents a vital aspect of Māori culture and identity, serving as a vehicle for communication, cultural expression, and intergenerational transmission of knowledge. The suppression of the language resulted in the loss of cultural heritage, disconnection from ancestral traditions, and a decline in Māori identity and self-esteem. Over time, the number of fluent Māori speakers dwindled, with only a few elders, primarily residing in rural areas or having connections to the Pacific Islands like the Cook Islands, retaining their fluency. In urban centers, the Māori language appeared to be on the brink of extinction, overshadowed by the tragic history of Māori tribal genocide and the deliberate assault on the language itself.
In October 1987, over a century, over 120 years later, knowing that they had achieved their goals anyways while recognizing the significance of aligning with international law and acknowledging the need to portray itself as a lawful entity to maintain colonial rule, the New Zealand government declared the recognition of the Māori language as the official language of New Zealand. This declaration aimed to create an impression that the colonial era had come to an end. It was presented as a step forward towards rectifying past injustices, appreciating the value of Māori culture, honoring the rights of Māori people to uphold and express their unique identities, and embracing a more inclusive future. However, no compensations were provided, and university students were still required to pay fees to learn the Māori language. New Zealand was advertised as an independent self-governing nation, welcoming tourists, pioneers, and immigrants from around the world.
The embrace and preservation of Te Reo Māori are crucial for safeguarding the cultural heritage of the Māori people. The language serves as a conduit for connecting with Māori identity, values, and spirituality. It stands as a testament to the resilience and strength of Māori culture, and its continued use and promotion contribute to an ongoing cultural renaissance among the Māori people. Like a smoldering ember that reignites the fire, the Māori language has experienced a renaissance, thanks to the steadfast efforts of those Māori people who fiercely held onto it, refusing to let it be extinguished.