Maori dolls made in China anger Maoris
- added April 14, 2008
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- Simon_S
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Chinese-made "Russian" nesting dolls featuring a Maori whanau, and described as insulting and ugly, are being sold at local gift stores. Critics are warning that similar exploitation of Maori culture is likely to increase under New Zealand's new trade deal with China.
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Ach and other general exclamations of discomfort...
In the states something like this happens between the Navajo and Pueblo Indians. The Pueblo carve spiritual figures called Katsinas, this is "unique" to their history. When they realized they could sell them as tourist items to big dumb white people like me, they did so, although those dolls are not as meticulous and meaningful as the ceremonial ones.
The Navajo do not have katsinas in their history as a people. Yet when the Pueblo tribes began to capitalize on the dolls, the Navajo did as well. This is seen as an infringement upon cultural rights... creative "license" of a group of people if you will. And I'm sure there are full-blooded Anglos carving and selling the dolls as well, at this point.
This sort of cultural misappropriation sickens me . Had been talking with my partner (who is a NZ citizen) about the new trade agreement with China... this is yet another reason why I feel it might be a huge backslide for NZ.
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