Hello everyone! In this blog post, I will be sharing what I have learned about Maori history of sexuality in Health class.
From the text I have read I now have the impression that Maori chiefs used to normalised having more than one wife as well as engaging on sexual intercourse before marriage—except high-born women that were already set up for political marriage. This text has made me think about how the women felt or thought about the situation. I found this to be really interesting because I think it is unusual that people have two wives therefore have two people that they love.
What stood out to me the most was the story of Joseph Banks, a scientist that came along with Cook this was because one of the sailors had paid a Maori family to have sexual relationships with a young woman. When that ‘woman’ retired, he found out that he was actually a man. When he returned, he was given another ‘young woman’—who also turned out to be a man—as he complained. He was confused whether that was a sign of homosexuality, or sharp trading.
After reading my chosen text, my opinion has changed due to finding out that there were early signs about Maori homosexuality.
Two attitudes and values that connect to what the text says about European beliefs about sexuality are that they did not welcome any homosexual behaviors. He was also looked at badly by his religious companions. Their values revolved around Christianity and that same-sex relationships are sins and should not be practiced.
When the Europeans arrived in New Zealand the Hāuora of Māori may have changed due to belief and value changes this is because when the missionaries arrived, they started to teach Maori about the Europeans morals, or Christianity. The Maori learned that sexual activities should only happen between a man and a woman—that are married—and should only do it in purpose of procreation. This was a long term effect because at the moment, 30% of New Zealand are Christians. I think this had a negative effect on the Hauora of Maori because they were basically forced to change and practice another belief. A short-term effect was that the definition for ure (penises) was changed into ‘membrum virile’. I think a positive effect was that the Waiata and Karakia that had explicit words in them had the words removed.
Thank you for reading!