In recent years, people have been asking hard questions about the effects of Western colonisation on the New World. Many moral values that were taken to be universal are now being re-evaluated in the new light of Western oppression. Eventually, New Zealand will need to ask itself: were the British wrong to abolish cannibalism?
In British culture, there is a massive taboo around cannibalism. The act is considered even lower than barbaric, more befitting of an animal than of a human being. Famous cases such as the Sawney Bean family horrify British people even to this day. The taboo can be traced back at least as far as Homer and is universal in the West.
In Maori culture, before British contact, there was no such taboo. Cannibalism was rife. The act of cannibalism was, as it has been all around the world, an extremely effective black magic ritual, in which the cannibal convinced themselves that they had absorbed the power of their victim. This ritual is effective for the simple reason that it increases the ego of the cannibal and makes them more formidable in the realm of iron magic. Moral considerations didn’t come into it.
So a couple of questions have to be asked: if cannibalism was an accepted part of Maori culture (in that it was practiced by many tribes over the whole country), did the British really have the right to suppress that particular cultural expression? And, if they didn’t have that right, are we obligated to re-legalise cannibalism out of respect for Maori culture?
After all, cannibalism may have been an effective method for keeping the tribe strong. Because it was mostly the old, children and those defeated in battle who got eaten, it could be argued that this practice served to keep the Maori genepool free of weakness. If so, who are white people to impose their own moral framework over a useful practice?
The major objection to cannibalism is that it is almost never consensual, and arguably could not ever be with someone of right mind, for the simple reason that it goes against basic self-preservation instincts. Getting cannibalised in New Zealand usually meant that one’s brains were first dashed out with a patu or taiaha, and it’s hard to legalise this for obvious reasons.
Another major objection is that many Maori tribes actually opposed the practice of cannibalism, and were happy to welcome the British settlers, who not only also opposed it but who had muskets to make their opposition count. The Ngati Porou of the author of this piece is one such example. Thus is could be argued that cannibalism was never a universal Maori practice and therefore not an integral part of the culture.
However, these objections have to be considered in the context of modern technology. As Sir Apirana Ngata said: “Ko to ringa ki ngā rakau a te Pāhekā” (“Your hands to the tools of the Pakeha”). Well, now ngā rakau a te Pāhekā include machines that can grow animal flesh in laboratories, and cheaply enough so that a lab-grown steak can be produced for $20. It won’t be long until we can cheaply grow human flesh in a lab.
If human flesh can be grown in a laboratory, this would get around the problem of people having to be killed into order for cannibalism to be possible. This would get around the moral objections so far presented against the legalisation of cannibalism. If there are then no remaining objections to legalising cannibalism, one is forced to conclude that the balance of liberty ought to fall on the side of established precedent.
Because cannibalism has been practiced in these isles for much longer than English has been spoken, it seems natural to conclude that it ought to take precedent over British settler values like not practicing cannibalism. Therefore, the New Zealand Government ought to take action that clearly demonstrates its respect for Maori culture, and make the practice of cannibalism legal.
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What an irresponsible, and unbalanced race-baiting article. This kind of selective cherry picking just builds anti-Maori culture sentiment from asking a rhetorical question. You frame this issue as if Maori culture hasn’t adapted to technology and as if it’s a core value of modern cultural life for Maori. Unsubscribing, and will be getting others to unsubscribe too. Expected more from VJM.
You didn’t notice the ‘pisstake’ tag?
Hi there. I enjoyed the post because while it is Satirical it makes some pertinent points about the fact that not all cultures are the same and the cultural values of one culture must dominate when cultures have totally incompatible values that will cause conflict unless one set of values and laws is set for the county.
May I have your permission to republish it as a guest post on our blog? I will, of course, link back to your site.
Juana Atkins, lmao it even states that most Maori were against cannibalism can’t you read? Cannibalism has nothing to do with our culture. I think you aren’t that bright.
Also whoever wrote this didn’t use any effort whatsoever because if they did they’d know that the government rejects mostly all Maori laws, so who would bring back one practice that was rarely used for the majority of the Maori and waka blondes (the white Maoris here prior to english settlement)
the dam savage maori now get paid by the crown for the genocide they committed against the natives of New Zealand,
The Maori are the indiginous people of New Zealand
no they aren’t, mori ori were here long before Maori and Polynesian migration.
There is genetic evidence that the Mori Ori were another Maori tribe so wake up to yourself white person.
Moriori aren’t from New Zealand.
What an exemplary piece of guerrilla ontology. Cannibalising, and will be getting others to cannibalise too. Expecting more from VJM.
Hilarious Article. I’m sure it will only be white’s without a sense of humor who will be offended. Humor is a good way to bring up sensitive issues in modern times. At the heart of the issue is how far-leftwing ideology has such a hard time lining up history with the political/social views they’ve been taught. For them it’s much easier to do a few things; pretend the history is exaggerated so as to make it irrelevant, just ignore it altogether, try to validate the grotesque act with explanations or blame the act on white immigration. In western culture we are taught to own our past, acknowledge horrible acts and learn from them. The way far-leftwing ideology treats western history is vastly different than how they treat other native cultures. For example, in movies you see so many horrible acts from history greatly exaggerated, they are not actively stuffed under the rug. Witch burnings, torture on the rack, execution by guillotine etc. When these things are shown you don’t have left-wingers coming out screaming bloody murder. But, if you write a sarcastic article about cannibalism, the outrage will come for sure. And the person outraged is not probably outraged. It’s like when they say don’t run when you encounter a bear because it could activate their natural predatory instincts that you are prey. The far-leftwinger see’s political incorrectness and their natural predatory instincts are triggered. It’s not until after they have eaten you and the hair is dangling from their teeth that they realize what they’ve done.
Hello
I really enjoyed your satirical article. My reply to VJMP on the post has not appeared so I will try one more time with a direct comment this time.
I would like permission to republish this article on our blog . If you give permission we will, of course, link back to your site.
Hello Juana,
yes, please feel free to republish this article, with a link back to http://www.vjmpublishing.nz of course.
I know this is satire but it would have read better if you had done some research and attempted not to perpetuate certain myths.
Should New Zealand Legalise Cannibalism Out of Respect For Maori Culture?
I’ve been tempted to ask the same question many times, especially with all these woke lefties and part browns being offended by every thing non maori, tearing down statues and the like.
Every time I see a maori carving, a maori painting, graffiti on a maori’s face, and maori place names I’m offended.
It reminds me of all the things that these disgusting people did to each other not too long ago,
Female infantacide.
Murder, rape, child molestation, burglery and robery.
Maori cannibalism, the shrunken-head trade and Maori child prostitution,
Don’t forget slavery,
These people did some horrendous acts before the white man came along and showed them that there was a better way, ( no thanks for that little number )
Some of these activists want to return to their old barbaric ways, they are still murdering their children in ever increasing numbers and this filthy leftist government does nothing.
Murder, rape and the like have always been prevalent in white society. Your white Catholic Church condoned and took part in these acts for hundreds of years.
The Maori head TRADE was perpetrated by whites. Yes that’s right, white people sold these heads around the world. We Maori, have had a long journey to get them back and lay them to rest.
White people also seem to think it’s ok to dig up graves Of the long since deceased as long as the deceased are none whites. You call it archaeology and claim It is done as research for the benefit of the world Although nothing thus far has been discovered by digging up bodies that would benefit the human population.
Wake up to yourself. White skinned people came about due to a genetic deficiency. Therefore whites are genetically inferior to the rest of the worlds population and have continuously forced their beliefs upon others so whites could feel Better about themselves Throughout the ages.
I’m now laughing so hard at the look on my white husbands face as he reads this that I can’t go any further.
Haha haha
Dumb ass yes whites did commit atrocities & still do. That said they have & had moved on when they liberated NZ as they were light years ahead of maori thinking as can be evidenced by the British abolishing slavery prior to aiding any treatys with one of the most agro barbaric races in the world namely maori & guess what nothing has changed. You are dreaming if you think the maori world view is gonna fix anything. Maoridom is broken
How lucky am I to stumble onto this info about Maori history and how they disposed of the first peoples of New Zealand , by simply eating them A common practice through out the south pacific in time gone by even in Australia among many tribes , but not to mentioned as part of Australian Aboriginal culture . History is history and should remain .
24th August 2023
Let us begin by saying that there is no difference in skin colour to a Maori and an olive skinned PAKEHA. Your comments in your replies state that Maori were not given the opportunity to carry on with their culture is nothing more than lies. Yes that’s right and you know it too. Maori have been treated as ” Special ” people all throughout history giving them land over fist constantly whenever they cry out for more. PAKEHA don’t seem to get that right do they ? No in actual fact the PAKEHA have to pay for their sections but the ” Special ” People the Maori get it for free. Now, let’s talk about cannibalism. The Morioris, who were the first people to live in NZ in 1400 were from Melanesia. They were British, Scottish, Irish and Chinese. They were educated, religious and passive people, kind to one another and certainly didn’t eat each other. The Tribe who came from the island Maui off the coast of Hawaii were Cannibals, illiterate with no race name, no language and no regard for one another. Kupe in fact had an argument with a rival lover of his missus and ate him alive before leaving Maui on his waka. There is evidence and proof of this statement to back it up.
Cannibalism is a direct evil take on mankind. It is a way of total disregard for our fellow man, woman and child and most definitely not to be accepted here in New Zealand or any where else for that matter regardless of culture. The Animal Kingdom do not eat their own kind and never have done and nor do the Sea life. People who are illiterate and believe what their elders tell them without proper education are under the impression that culture far out ways the Laws of the Land and that’s not the case. We all have cultures but we cannot go around eating each other just because of our culture. This is inhumane and a total lack of respect to God’s Laws which states we must “Treat others how you want them to Treat you” Now with that in mind then would you want someone to eat you ?
I am sure the answer is NO to that. Maori people are all just takers. They used the British Missionaries to write them a language and to give them a race name which they decided on Maori as they had come from Maui a similar sounding word. Maori people have done nothing but take from the people in NZ ever since. They have abused the Laws of the Land as well as blatantly started a Highly Criminal Gang called Black Power and have begun dominating and dictating to the majority of the NZ People through extortion means. That explains why they still want to be cannibals as they will endeavour to eat their way through NZ once again. Maori people need to Up Sticks and go back to Maui Island where they have spent Millions of dollars colonizing the place and they will thoroughly enjoy it. The money spent has been all from the NZ Government Bank Account which they have done through Bank theft. They are the most atrocious people on the planet and need to go back where they came from. Maoris need to take a journey back to Maui Island and see what their so called precious Maori Black Power Gang People have done with their money. The plan of the Black Power Gang is to destroy NZ and then move back to Maui and live in luxury. I can honestly say that you Maori people are the most disgraceful race on the planet. We have done nothing than help you people time and time again and yet when one of the other people of this land need help you won’t come to the party will you. I myself have worked all my life and have had your precious Black Power Gang People take my home, my business and my family from me and yet you all moan that you have nothing. Try living in your car for 1 year and 8 months with nothing and see how you do eh. I have had enough of your Gang People dictating to everyone and before long there is going to be an uprising that’s for sure. Don’t think that for one minute that you people are going to get away with what you have done to me. I am going to see to it that each and every one of you get what you deserve that’s for sure. Furthermore, the prison you are all going to will be on an island but it won’t be a luxurious one. Good luck with that eh.