The Ancient History of the Maori, his Mythology and Traditions

Published 1887–90, this six-volume compilation of Maori oral literature, with English translations, contains traditions about deities, origins and warfare.

John White (Author)

9781108039598, Cambridge University Press

Paperback / softback, published 3 November 2011

374 pages, 4 b/w illus. 1 table
21.6 x 14 x 2.1 cm, 0.48 kg

First published between 1887 and 1890, this six-volume work, containing Maori texts with English translations and commentary, and engraved illustrations, was one of the first printed records of the oral traditions of the Maori. The project was commissioned by the New Zealand government in 1879 when it was observed that, due to the introduction of European culture and education, indigenous traditions were in danger of dying out. The material was collected by John White (1826–91), an ethnographer, public servant and writer who had arrived in New Zealand as a boy and first began documenting Maori poetry in the 1840s. Volume 1, published in 1887, includes narratives about the Horouta canoe, the first Maori gods and the creation of humans. The preface explains that although by this time many Maori had become Christians, certain passages in the myths were still deemed too sacred (tapu) to be revealed to outsiders.

Preface
Introduction
1. Whare-kura
2. Mythology of creation
3. Tane and rebellion of spirits
4. Division of heaven and earth
5. Death of Wahie-roa
6. Death of Wahie-roa
7. Attempt to murder Ta-whaki
8. Ta-whaki ascends to heaven
9. Creation of woman
10. The god Tane
11. Creation of man and woman
12. The deluge.

Subject Areas: Social & cultural anthropology, ethnography [JHMC]