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1.
Early Moriori settlers lived a subsistence lifestyle. This means that
they lived off the land and the resources that the land provided. The
land was very important.
2. The
climate was too harsh for growing vegetables, but there were some native
plants and seaweeds available to eat and they collected fish from the
sea and birds from the bush.
3.
Moriori used flax (harapepe) to make ropes, clothing and canoes.
4. Wood
was used for many things including weapons, utensils, decoration,
heating and in some instances whare.
5. Tools
were made from stone, shell, wood and bone.
6.
Moriori used the features of the land to protect them. The protection
was from the wind and weather, not from enemies. Initially, they had
none.
7.
Because the land and the sea were such essential resources for the
survival of Moriori, they had customs for looking after them. For
example, any fish or shellfish taken were not allowed to be cleaned in
the water near any kai gathering areas.
8. The
main activity was the gathering of food. Moriori families ate twice a
day and because of the type of food available, little was stored through
the winter months. Instead food was gathered all year round.
9.
Traditions and knowledge were passed on by the spoken word through whai-korero
(speeches), hokotauki (proverbs), pepeha (sayings), karakii (prayers),
waiata (chants), hokopapa (genealogy) and purakau (stories), and also in
hokoairo (carvings).
10.
Unlike Maori, Moriori did not do Ta moko (tattoo)
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