PIG HUSBANDRY BY THE MAORI PEOPLE

PIG HUSBANDRY BY THE MAORI PEOPLE

Abstract

Pig farming is the rearing and breeding of pigs to generate a reliable source of food that can get used for commercial purposes. Pig husbandry has been prevalent in numerous regions across the world. However, pig husbandry in Europe got considered to being among the earliest on the planet. With increasing interest in exploring and execution of voyages, European explorers traveled across numerous water bodies to find new lands where they could expand and enhance their civilization. The entry of European explorers in the 17^th century in the Oceanic region signified a blend of cultures as they interacted with the Maori people who were an indigenous group present in the area. This work will provide a distinct analysis of the different ways the European explorers introduced pig farming in the region and, more importantly, how the indigenous group in the area adopted the new food production methods. This study will rely on qualitative analysis to provide an in-depth analysis of the different ways the Maori group took pig farming and how it impacted their economic activities as early as the 1800s. The study will rely on questionnaires to provide a one-on-one analysis of the impacts of pig farming and how it provided a reliable solution to the existing traditions such as fishing and hunting. A critical review and summary of the findings will prove to be stable in ensuring readers can understand the vital role pig farming played in the Oceanic region, and more specifically, amongst the Maori community present in New Zealand.

Table of Contents

CHAPTER ONE

Introduction

The Maori are an indigenous community that originates from eastern Polynesia. The community arrived in New Zealand in the 1300s and got mainly found in the region. The Maori developed a distinct culture with a unique language, mythology, and even crafts from being isolated from other cities. For centuries, the community coexisted in branding their unique lifestyle that got secluded from the outside world. The Maori settled close to the shore, where they practiced fishing. Other groups settled near fresh water for fishing purposes while others practiced hunting of animals such as wild pigs and even birds. The arrival of the Europeans in the 17^th century signified a new system of lifestyle for the locals present in New Zealand. The European settlers introduced new policies that shaped up how the Maori group conducted their social and economic activities. The Western culture signified the modernization of the region as a majority of the Maori practices got altered by the foreigners’ beliefs and way of life. With economic practices such as hunting dwindling, the majority of the Maori communities adopted the new agricultural practices introduced by the European explorers in the region. With a good number valuing the European settlers, the town began learning numerous agrarian aspects such as potato farming and pig rearing to combat hunting activities. The majority of the Maori people learned breeding and rearing methods from the European settlers as they preferred pig farming to hunt. This work will provide a distinct analysis of the different ways in which the Maori group adopted this type of agriculture, relying on qualitative analysis to analyze why this was considered a reliable alternative to the traditional methods they were used to, respectively. Reliance on questionnaires will provide a direct impression of how the Maori group perceives the relevance of pig farming to hunting, reliance on secondary sources will also provide a detailed analysis of the historical background of the Maori group thus, enable readers to have a clear understanding of how the group chose this type of farming as a reliable alternative to their hunting practices.

Background of the problem

The majority of the Maori community practiced fishing and hunting as an economic activity that guaranteed food for the clans present in the region. These economic activities got based on whanau, which got regarded as family. Before interaction with the European settlers, food commodities such as Kuri and kiore got shared amongst the community. These facilitated supplements to the fishing activities practiced in the region. With an increase in population in the area following the entry of European settlers, hunting efforts became increasingly difficult as the natural sources became more and more depleted in the 1700s. Interaction with the Europeans came as a blessing as the Maori community learned how to produce food to satisfy the existing population. By 1805, the majority of the Maori group practiced pig husbandry and potato farming, which used the commodities to conduct trade with nearby regions such as Australia. Maori sailors used these products to make barter trade, which conveniently aided the development of the community during this particular period.

The pigs would get kept from a young age to control the breeding process. This trait was trained by the European settlers, which proved to be vital in bolstering the number of livestock kept per household. With pigs showing to be a valuable trade commodity, more methods got developed to ensure this particular business chain thrived in every manner possible. Profits got invested in ships, flour mills, and even tools. With regions such as Australia thriving in wheat production, pigs got considered to be a vital trade commodity in this particular region. Practices such as eating male pigs were adopted to improve breeding practices, as females got deemed to be famous breeds in their respective husbands. Male pigs were fed by the Maori communities, thus, providing a reliable food source compared to the hunting practices, which would prove to be fruitless in some instances.

The first pigs to be introduced in the area were Captain Cookers and Kunekune. The Captain Cookers wildly increased in numbers in the region, serving as an immediate alternative to the depleting food source. The pigs relied on scraps of food and grain, and in return, they gave meat to the Maori people. James Cook introduced Captain Cookers in New Zealand in 1769. They originated from the English breeds of Large Black, Tamworth and Berkshire and are more prominent compared to the kunekune. This particular species thrived in the bush with their numbers increasing abundantly in the New Zealand region, around the 1800s. Unlike the kunekune, the Captain Cookers are were extraordinarily wild and destroyed natural habitats of different species such as the kakapo. Most of these species got hunted as they could not be easily tamed. Regular hunting habits led to a decline in numbers, which is getting witnessed today as they get still captured.

On the other hand, kunekune learns quickly and is friendly. The Maori preferred rearing the Kune Kunes as they would eat anything; thus, feeding it was not a problem. With the majority of the people preferring farming as a new source of food, the Kune Kunes got deemed vital and convenient in sustaining the growing Maori population. Households that practiced pig husbandry relied on kunekunes as reliable food sources amongst the Maori group.

Statement of the problem

With the increasing population in New Zealand, hunting grounds became more scarce, forcing the Maori community to adopt pig farming as a new food source. This original food source got found to be more comfortable and more convenient as it could get appropriately monitored to feed the Maori community and also serve as a trade good, respectively. For societies to thrive, it is essential to have a stable source of food that can cater to the respective population. The Maori community’s population flourished in the 1800s, signifying a shortage in the food supply. Hence, new methods adopted from interacting with the European settlers proved to be beneficial in helping the Maori community sustain the increasing population.

Purpose of the study

1. To investigate the importance of pig farming amongst the Maori community.
2. To pinpoint the factors that led to pig husbandry amongst the Maori community.

• To analyze the extent to which pig husbandry excided hunting practices.

1. To create a clear understanding of how pig husbandry began amongst the Maori group.
2. To create a clear understanding of how the Maori community adopted pig farming and the unique ways they managed these practices.
3. To identify the benefits pig farming had on the Maori community.

• To identify the challenges pig husbandry brought on the Maori people.
• To enable readers, get a clear understanding of the Maori community.

Research questions

1. Was pig husbandry introduced because hunting was on the decline?
2. Did the Maori prefer pig husbandry to their traditional methods?

• Did the introduction of pig husbandry signify the end of Maori practices such as fishing or hunting?

1. Can pig husbandry be considered as a lifesaver for the Maori community during the 17^th century?
2. Do the Maori community still practice pig farming in the modern age?
3. Did the new methods introduced by the European settlers negatively impact the Maori culture?

Hypothesis

Pig farming got developed when European demand excided Maori’s ability to produce by hunting.

Significance of the study

1. Enable readers to get a clear understanding of how pig farming was necessary for the Maori people.
2. Provide a precise analysis of how the Maori adopted pig husbandry methods.

• Provide a precise analysis of the kinds of challenges the Maori people upon adopting pig farming from the European settlers.

1. Enable readers to understand the economic benefit pig husbandry brought for the Maori community.
2. Facilitate a clear understanding of the indigenous Maori community.
3. Create a clear understanding of pig husbandry techniques that are still getting practiced in the modern age.

• Enable readers to understand the type of breeds that were mainly kept by the Maori community.
• The study will enable readers to understand the Maori community and how they coexisted amongst themselves as early as the 17^th

1. The study will prove to be reliable in enabling scholars to understand how pig farming was a better alternative to hunting practices amongst the Maori community.
2. With reliance on qualitative analysis, the study will prove vital in acquiring the right information on the extent pig farming had on the Maori community.

Assumptions

1. Maori communities still practice pig husbandry.
2. All respondents would be from the Maori ethnic community.

• The majority of the Maori community replaced hunting with pig farming.

1. The majority of the Maori community still uphold their traditions from the 17^th
2. Maori respondents will be able to provide reliable answers to facilitate the study.
3. Maori community adopted pig farming because it was a better alternative to hunting practices.

• The majority of the Maori community absconded traditional practices like fishing and hunting upon making contact with the European settlers.
• Pigs are the primary source of meat for the Maori community.

1. Pigs are the most domesticated animals amongst the Maori community.
2. Qualitative analysis will enable the proper collection of information on pig farming amongst the Maori community.

Limitations

1. The adoption of new economic activities has made pig husbandry deteriorate amongst the Maori community.
2. With the study proving to be a qualitative analysis, reliance on the questionnaire would take time to make an accurate analysis.

• For the study to be successful, insight from more respondents would make the research costly.

1. Conducting the study would take time; thus, it stands out as a long process to conveniently access accurate results and analysis.
2. Switching locations from one location to another when collecting data might turn out to be tiresome.
3. Inaccurate feedback from the respondents would lead to the acquisition of wrong information; thus, negatively impacting the research process.

• With the questionnaires relying on the English language to ask the questions, the language barrier might stand out as a significant setback. For those individuals who might not be able to understand the English properly, the collection of data might prove to be complicated.

Definition of terms

Pig husbandry-this is the breeding and raising of domestic pigs for agricultural purposes.

Whanau-family

Kuri-dogs

Kiore-rats

Kunekune-Domestic New Zealand pig

Kakapo-Flightless parrot

CHAPTER TWO

Introduction-Search description

The conceptual or theoretical framework

CHAPTER THREE

Introduction

Research Design

Setting

Participants

Data collection

Data analysis

Conclusion

CHAPTER FOUR

Introduction

Findings

Conclusion

CHAPTER FIVE

Summary of findings

Discussions

Recommendations

Conclusion