Who are the Maoris?

Abstract

THE origin of the Polynesians has long been discussed by more or less qualified persons, and a general agreement has been arrived at. Mr. A. K. Newman takes up the problem where it had been left by Mr. Percy Smith, the author.I “Hawaiki,” and adduces a great deal of evidence to prove that the cradle-land of the race was northern India—a view, by the by, which has been held for some time by other students. He says, “By the word ‘Maori’ I mean the brown-skinned race called Polynesian by European writers. Maori was their own word, should always be used . . . The Maoris were the first people to discover the Pacific islands . . . Some writers talk of other races who inhabited these islands prior to their discovery by Maoris. I assert that there were never any people in these islands except the Maori.” The Maori were, he claims, an “Aryan-Naga people”; he agrees they are dominantly Caucasian, but is convinced they have a large infusion of Mongolic blood, which they received, according to him, before their emigration, since he classes the Kolarians and Santals as Mongolic. He says, “centuries before India was invaded by Aryans there was an invasion from the north-west by Mongolic peoples called Scythians, or Turanians. These Mongols conquered the black aborigines and extended their dominion all over northern India. Their principal tribes were called Takkes or Nagas, Kolarians, and Santals.” It is a pity that he gives no references in support of these wide statements. “In India the word Maori was variously spelt—Mauri, Maurea, Maori, Maoli, Mauli, Baori, Baoli, Kaori, Waori,” for most of which he finds parallels in the Pacific, and he gives a large number of place- and tribal names, mainly in Bengal, which are similarly equated.

Who are the Maoris?

By Alfred K. Newman. Pp. 303 + plates. (Christchurch, Melbourne, and London: Whitcombe and Tombs, Ltd., n.d.) Price 7s. 6d. net.