Principes de cosmologie maorie (M.J. Parsons)

 

Papatuanuku et Ranginu

(Les mots-clefs sont soulignés par nous)

Whereas mechanistic western science has divided the world in two parts : Astronomy, Geology, Botany or Forestry, Chemistry and Agriculture etc, usually forgetting their interconnectedness, Maori express the relationships of the world as a whole family through whakapapa (genealogy) : Papatuanuku Mother Earth), Ranginui (Sky Father) and their children Tane-mahuta, Rongomai-Tane and the other members of the family. In time these divisions recognized by Maori have become personified, as also has the whole of existence, they are now looked upon as people. For Maori the sense of whanau or family indicated the close relationship of all parts of the environment, and human beings, as descendants of Tane-Mahuta, were therefore an integral part of that environment.

The holistic attitude of Maori is emphasized by the fact that they consider they are along with the plants and animals, all the children of Tane (Ko nga Aitanga Tane tatou katoa – We are all the Children of Tane), not separate or superior or exercising a dominant, exploitive role. This wholeness and interconnectedness is also expressed in Maori tradition and teaching of the importance of Tapu-sacredness, Mauri-life force, Mana-status or prestige, wairua-spirituality, and kaitiakitanga-guardianship.

The uses of plants in the traditions of Maori agriculture and Maori medicine are part of and interrelatedness of all living things. The times for planting, growing, harvesting and storing of crops was part of the moon and stars (the cosmos). The Maori New Year and the preparation of the soil for the next season’s crops began with the appearance of the star group Matariki (the Pleiades) above the horizon in the early morning sky about 23-25 June.

Dr. M.J. Parsons (Manaaki whenua/Landcare Research, New Zealand Ltd) in Matauranga Maori and Taonga: Traditional Ecological Knowledge and Ethnobotany.

Source: link

http://www.waitangitribunal.govt.nz/doclibrary/public/wai262/matauranga_maori/Chapt03.pdf 

Flora and Fauna (Wai 262 Inquiry) : link

Ko Aotearoa Tēnei: A Report into Claims Concerning New Zealand Law and Policy Affecting Māori Culture and Identity: link