Maori Songs of New Zealand

According to legend, the Māori migrated by canoe from Hawaiki in eastern Polynesia to New Zealand a thousand years ago. As their population increased over time, so did feuding among tribes, and warfare became a prominent feature of Māori culture. Not surprisingly, then, many traditional songs—which actually are monotonic chants with little accompanying instrumentation—deal with raids and battles. One type of song, the haka, was chanted before a battle not only to frighten the enemy but to make the performer himself more fearless. The final portion of a haka composed by one of the most famous fighting chieftains, triumphant after eluding his enemies, is heard at every Māori gathering: "it was death, it was death—it is life, it is life."

Other forms of traditional Māori songs featured on this 1952 album are waiata (love songs, lullabies, and laments for the dead) and karakia (incantations to various gods).

Liner notes include a history of the Māori, their music, and notes on each of the songs.

Track Listing

101	Oriori: Pope e Tangi Ana Tama Ki Te Kai Mana Group of Māori men	03:36
102	Waiata: Ka Riro Ra La Te Momo O Te Tangata Group of Māori men and women	03:17
103	Tangi: Lament by Te Paraona Māori man with mixed chorus	03:26
104	Waiata Aroha by Puhiwahine Group of Māori men and women	02:49
105	Haka of Te Rauparaha Māori man with mixed chorus	03:29
106	Haka of Wairangi Māori man with mixed chorus	01:09
201	Maemae (Death Chant) Group of Māori men and women	01:50
202	Karakia to Tanemahuta Māori man, unaccompanied	01:04
203	Karakia to Tangaroa Māori man, unaccompanied	00:56
204	He Whakaaraara (Ancient Sentinel Alarm) Māori man, unaccompanied	00:51
205	Te To O Tainui (Canoe Hauling Song) Māori man, unaccompanied	01:42
206	Toia Mai Te Waka (Canoe Hauling Song) Māori man, unaccompanied	00:20
207	Apakura (Dirge) Māori man, unaccompanied	02:29