On this trip, I have been completely blown away by this country’s culturally cohesiveness. Everywhere I turn; there is a harmonious blend of European and Maori. On our walking tour of Auckland, David, our tremendous tour guide, showed us the European settlement and reclamation of Auckland along with the various Maori aspects and attributes within the city. Whether it is works of art or architecture, New Zealand has found a way to culturally coexist in a way I wish America had done. There is a lesson that not only I have learned but one that America itself should learn as well.
From Auckland Harbor to the University of Auckland, David showed us not only this marvelous city but also the Maori ancestral ties and tributes as well. In the Harbor, there was a statue of a Maori tribe leader. It’s a simple statue, but David explained the Maori concept of “Mana”. Being a leader means more than bloodlines; it means personal integrity and honor. It means putting the community ahead of oneself. It means being strong and courageous without degrading or demeaning someone else. Mana is within everyone, but the one with the most mana becomes the leader no matter age, personal experience, or bloodline. The fact that this statue is represented in both traditional and modern mediums throughout different locations of the city says a great deal. This city not only honors the Maori culture but wants to remind people of their core concepts everywhere, every day.
David took us through the University of Auckland where even the school’s architecture has infused Maori elements. The University of Auckland’s Clock Tower, which is now the university’s student center, fuses together European gothic architecture with a predominant Maori symbol: Koru, symbolizes eternal life and rejuvenation. This Koru symbol has become a New Zealand icon along with their national emblem, the Kiwi bird. The architect/designer, R.A. Lippincott, discretely places these symbols within archways, keystones, and other architectural elements in order to inject Maori pride into the iconic gothic European architecture. Gothic architecture can be found internationally such as Norte Dame Cathedral in Paris, France; Westminster Abbey in London, England; and countless more. How often does one find a Koru? I honestly had never heard of it until coming here and seeing one in person. The Clock Tower is a beautiful reminder not only Auckland and New Zealand but to the students of Auckland, which hold the country’s future in their hands, to honor their country’s rich cultural history, the Maori originators.
Throughout this country, the people are reminded of their rich roots. Though the country isn’t as old as others, it is still culturally diverse and internationally important. This small country is force to be reckoned with, and the whole world needs to learn from them. They live based on social fairness rather than individual freedom. Their politics battle policies and problems inside the beehive while leaving religion and personal preferences outside. This country has much to be enormously proud of, but the one thing they have embraced with opened arms is their cultural diversity. Over time, they have found a way to harmoniously coexist with the Maori culture. This is evident in their politics along with their public art and architecture. Every day, New Zealanders get a reminder of their origins and their cultural richness. I wish America and other countries embodied this philosophy. Washington D.C. doesn’t incorporate it’s (our) original Native American elements. Maybe one day we will find a way to repair the damage and blend all of our cornucopias cultures cohesively, similar to New Zealand.
(Sorry the pictures aren't rotated. I couldn't get this program to rotate them. I tried doing it in a Word Doc, but it wouldn't transfer the pretty rotated pictures over along with the text. It took forever to arrange them accordingly.)
No comments:
Post a Comment
Note: Only a member of this blog may post a comment.