Skip to main content

Maori Songs of New Zealand

Various Artists
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

icon-circle-play svg-new-pause-button
101
Oriori: Pope e Tangi Ana Tama Ki Te Kai Mana n/a 03:36
icon-circle-play svg-new-pause-button
102
Waiata: Ka Riro Ra la Te Momo o Te Tangata n/a 03:17
icon-circle-play svg-new-pause-button
103
Tangi: Lament by Te Paraona n/a 03:26
icon-circle-play svg-new-pause-button
104
Waiata Aroha by Puhiwahine n/a 02:49
icon-circle-play svg-new-pause-button
105
Haka of Te Rauparaha n/a 03:29
icon-circle-play svg-new-pause-button
106
Haka of Wairangi n/a 01:09
icon-circle-play svg-new-pause-button
201
Maemae (Death Chant) n/a 01:50
icon-circle-play svg-new-pause-button
202
Karakia to Tanemahuta n/a 01:04
icon-circle-play svg-new-pause-button
203
Karakia to Tangaroa n/a 00:56
icon-circle-play svg-new-pause-button
204
He Whakaaraara (Ancient Sentinal Alarm) n/a 00:51
icon-circle-play svg-new-pause-button
205
Te To O Tainui (Canoe Hauling Song) n/a 01:42
icon-circle-play svg-new-pause-button
206
Toia Mai Te Waka (Canoe Hauling Song) n/a 00:20
icon-circle-play svg-new-pause-button
207
Apakura (dirge) n/a 02:29