Ride Through the History of New Zealand’s Polynesian Ancestors
New Zealand is a beautiful country. Unspoiled wilderness and ancient traditions make it a destination vacation location. While most of our inhabitants are British, New Zealand is home to the Mori – the original Polynesian residents of the islands. Moritanga culture before settlement by the British was a hunter-gatherer society. Steeped in arts of craft and weaving, the elders today teach the oral traditions to the younger members of the tribe and are the final arbitors on Mori cultural issues.
Visitors to the Mori are expected to obey the customs of their hosts during rituals. While not required to get the ritual tattoos – t moko – visitors are encouraged to participate in the ceremonies held in the “marae” or the communal ceremonial clearing surrounded by trees where important ceremonies are performed. The Mori sing and dance, passing on the traditions they brought to the islands many centuries ago through their arts.
Since the island still has so many remote communities, horseback riding is an excellent way to get around the islands. Kawhia Harbor in King Country is a good starting point for a horseback riding trip. There are many tour groups as well as places where more experienced riders can rent horses to explore the Mori culture on their own. The area around the harbor has ancient Mori hunting trails. The Tongaporutu farm on the Tazman Sea has many archaeological sites showing the ancient Mori art and artifacts including evidence that in the fourteenth century early Mori landed there from other Polynesian islands in canoes.
If the rented horses spur your interest in owning a horse, before you try your hand at owning one, remember that there is an initial outlay of funds. Do your research. Decide whether to house your horse on your own property or rent space from another owner. Make sure you have time for the horse. Horses are very intuitive animals and will respond better with more attention. If you’re going to be taking your horse on tours to experience Mori culture, you will want to make sure that you either live close to a Mori settlement or have a horse trailer to transport your horse in comfort.
With our beautiful and unspoiled wilderness, studying our Mori history on horseback is fun and educational.If you like what you see, keep going: Maori Maori Maori..!!! – Rugby World Cup Falls Victim To NZ’s Separatist Forces