Cannibalism had little to do with consuming enemies' mana, says historian
Consuming vanquished enemies' mana had little to do with the underlying reason for Maori cannibalism, a new book by historian Paul Moon says.
Instead cannibalism, pre-colonialism, was simply about "rage and humiliation", he says in a book to be released next month.
This Horrid Practice is the title borrowed from Captain James Cook's journal entries on the topic during his expeditions here. While he largely treated the practice without sensationalism, there has been a paucity of academic work on the subject in New Zealand _ Moon's book is the first.
Drawing on journals and letters from first Maori/European encounters, Moon says generations have swallowed the mana argument. However, the first time it appeared was in the 1850s _ the decade in which Maori and Pakeha populations evened up and Maori were becoming more influenced by colonial ideas.
With engagement with Anglican and Catholic Churches, Maori were starting to feel shame at cannibalism, alongside a desire to reshape or excuse past behaviour, Moon said.
Read entire article at New Zealand Herald
Instead cannibalism, pre-colonialism, was simply about "rage and humiliation", he says in a book to be released next month.
This Horrid Practice is the title borrowed from Captain James Cook's journal entries on the topic during his expeditions here. While he largely treated the practice without sensationalism, there has been a paucity of academic work on the subject in New Zealand _ Moon's book is the first.
Drawing on journals and letters from first Maori/European encounters, Moon says generations have swallowed the mana argument. However, the first time it appeared was in the 1850s _ the decade in which Maori and Pakeha populations evened up and Maori were becoming more influenced by colonial ideas.
With engagement with Anglican and Catholic Churches, Maori were starting to feel shame at cannibalism, alongside a desire to reshape or excuse past behaviour, Moon said.