Anthropological and Linguistic Contextualisation of The Whale Rider: Māori Origin, Social Relatedness and Cultural Identity

This article discusses the story of "The Whale Rider", published by Witi Ihimaera in 1987, in the context of Māori culture and history.The focus lies on Māori origin and the settlement of the Pacific region, on social relatedness of people to each other, to the gods and to the natural environment, and on cultural identity after European contact -three aspects that are closely linked.The societal structure and the connectedness with the sea and its creatures are deeply rooted in the history of settlement and the mythology of origin.As a result of European contact, these core values of Māori identity came under serious threat, and "The Whale Rider" tells the story of reconnection and realignment.This entire development is also reflected in the history of Te Reo Māori (the Māori language), its emergence, endangerment, and reclamation.