Skip to main content

Moriori

The indigenous people of the Chatham Islands, over 800 kilometres (500 mi) east of southern New Zealand. Widely believed to be a Melanesian pre-Maori race, eventually becoming conquered and slaughtered by Polynesians (Maori). Who subsequently fled from the mainland (New Zealand) and found refuge on the Chatham Islands (Rekohu).

The Moriori pre-Maori myth was constructed by Elsdon Best and Stephenson Percy Smith. Through a selection of Maori tales and history, partnered with their own theories of Maori origin. This belief became popularized in the early 20th century and persisted in the education system until at least the 1970s. But continues to stay in the public mind. Which placed an advantage- from a European settler view- justifying the disenfranchisement of Maori.

'Notably, the concept also undermines notions of the Māori as the indigenous people of New Zealand, by portraying them as conquerors.'

Historians, Anthropologists and Ethnologists have debunked the theory since the 1920's. Academics agree that the Moriori share the same Polynesian ancestry as Maori people. Also sharing similarities in their language and customs. Indicating that Moriori came to the Chatham Islands from New Zealand about 1500. Through their isolation developed a strong pacifist society; the Nukunuku law.
Anthropologist H.D. Skinner in 1923,20 ethnologist Roger Duff in the 1940s,21 and historian and ethnographer Arthur Thomson in 1959,22 as did Michael King's Moriori: A People Rediscovered in 2000 and James Belich23 and K.R. Howe in Te Ara.21
by Nathan stafford March 29, 2012
mugGet the Moriori mug.

morping

When you take someone's keys and use them to steal their car
While Damien wasn't looking I morped his car and drove to Wendy's
My friend got drunk so I went morping in his car all over town
by Pooner123 August 27, 2009
mugGet the morping mug.
Related Words
MORPIO morpion moriori Morping Moriom morphodite Morbiously morio Morioh morion

morio

Morio is sweet, adorable, amazing and they can be great singers. People with that name is basically the boy every girl dreams of
Morio is so sweet
by rach515151 January 18, 2018
mugGet the morio mug.

Morphogenesizing

What I'm doing right now. Regenerating moment-by-moment in the present state.
Friend: What are you doing, Jenny?
Me: I'm morphogenesizing.
Friend: Awesome. Me too.
Me: Sweet.
by Jenny Lvoe September 1, 2013
mugGet the Morphogenesizing mug.

hypno-audio morphology

the technique of identifying pieces of audio which are capable of hypnotizing humans to make them do different things. using advanced technology such as morphing, such sounds can be morphed together to create intricate patterns of mind control. very freaky stuff.
Somebody please make the aliens stop using hypno-audio morphology to make me do these horrible horrible things!
by Godzilla-Fishdog August 23, 2011
mugGet the hypno-audio morphology mug.

morphodite

A shortened form of hermaphrodite.
(See hermaphrodite.)
Hey get of it out ya morphodite.
by Sonofagun November 14, 2004
mugGet the morphodite mug.

morphogenesis

Formation, Growth or Development of an organism or some part of an organism.

Also: Morphogenetic, Morphogenic, Morphogenetically.
Baby, you make me morphogenic in my pants!
by lexiconographer October 28, 2004
mugGet the morphogenesis mug.

Share this definition

Sign in to vote

We'll email you a link to sign in instantly.

Or

Check your email

We sent a link to

Open your email